Friday 29 April 2016

No agreement between Man Utd, Mourinho

Manchester United have reportedly not reached an agreement with Jose Mourinho for the ex-Chelsea boss to become the club's new manager.

Since getting sacked by the Blues in December, Mourinho has been linked with a move to Old Trafford due to rumours that current boss Louis van Gaal could be sacked at the end of the season.

Zidane expresses Ronaldo, Benzema concerns

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says he is worried about injuries to Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, while declining to comment on local media reports of a split between his players and the club's medical staff.

Wolvers boss: 'No bids for Dominic Iorfa'

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett has insisted that there is no concrete interest in young defender Dominic Iorfa.

The 20-year-old has been linked with several Premier League clubs, including South London side Crystal Palace.

Redknapp snub Eagles job

Australian club Central Coast Mariners have announced that Harry Redknapp is to join them as a football consultant to end weeks of speculations that the former Tottenham Hotspur manager is to take over as the Super Eagles manager.

Thursday 28 April 2016

Giwa FC fined N3.65m for failing to complete match with Rangers

Rangers International of Enugu has been declared winner of the abandoned Match Day 12 fixture against Giwa FC as the Jos-based side failed to show up for the ordered completion of the match at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday. Rangers led 1-0 in Jos before the match was abandoned and the LMC relied on Rule B13.55 to declare Rangers winner with three points and one goal.

Dreams FC holds Flying Eagles to scoreless draw

After thrashing Sia-One academy 4-1, Dabo Babes 5-0 and a Kaduna State –selected side 6-2 in test games, football fans left the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja disappointed Thursday morning as the Flying Eagles failed to assuage their thirst for goals against Nigeria National League side, Dreams FC. For the first time in four matches, the Emmanuel Amuneke –tutored side failed to find the back of the net, but they gave the fans plenty to savour in ninety minutes against a very good Dreams FC of Makurdi. 

Gafar lauds LMC on growth of Nigeria league

The recent improvement and growth in Nigerian football and particularly, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), has been commended by foremost grassroots football promoter and owner of 36 Lion football club, Alhaji Gafar Olawale Liameed.

He commended the Mallam Shehu Dikko-led League Management Company (LMC), for taking Nigerian football league away from its perennial crises that had somewhat stagnated the growth of the league.

Four Rivers United players out of Rangers clash

No fewer than four first team players will miss Rivers United’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash with Enugu Rangers on Sunday.

Yaovi Douhadji, Guy Kuemian, Godbless Asamoah and Wilson Andoh will definitely miss out on the match day 14 encounter against the Flying Antelopes.

Tuesday 26 April 2016

Enyeama Rated Europe's 6th Best Goal Keeper

Former Super Eagles captain and Lille OSC goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has been rated the sixth best goalkeeper in Europe for the 2015/16 season by the Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory.

The former Super Eagles goalkeeper is the only African on the top 10 list, making him the best on the continent.

REVEALED: Iheanacho is Europe's deadliest finisher

Nigerian international   Kelechi Iheanacho has been rated as the deadliest finisher in all of Europe's top five leagues in terms of minute-to-goal ratio, according to a report.

The 19-year-old is quietly blossoming into a clinical finisher at City, and this was highlighted by his two goals in their 4-0 Premier League win over Stoke on Saturday.

Hat-trick hero Edmund promises more goals for Pillars

Kano Pillars striker Emmanuel Edmund has promised to score more goals in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Edmund netted a hat-trick in his team’s 6-0 bashing of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan in a week 13 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

John George to be buried on Saturday

Lobi Stars midfielder late John George would be buried on Saturday, according to his family.

George died last Thursday in Kaduna after a brief illness.

Lobi Stars Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger, who revealed this to SportingLife, said his family has communicated his funeral arrangement to the club.

Monday 25 April 2016

Bosso confident of guiding El-Kanemi to continent

One of the most travelled coaches in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Ladan Bosso, now with El-Kanemi Warriors is already dreaming of a continental ticket with 25 matches still to play this season.

Bosso, who had spells at Bayelsa United, Wikki Tourists, Kano Pillars and Abia Warriors before joining El-Kanemi Warriors says he had never lost in Owerri against Heartland and is hoping his team will make him proud when they travel to meet the Naze Millionaires this weekend.

Hat-trick hero Edmund promises more goals for Pillars

Kano Pillars striker Emmanuel Edmund has promised to score more goals in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Edmund netted a hat-trick in his team’s 6-0 bashing of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan in a week 13 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

Leon Balogun to be investigated for violent conduct

The German Football Federation are to investigate Mainz and Nigeria's Leon Balogun for violent conduct.

He is alleged to have deliberately kneed Eintracht Frankfurt's Carlos Zambrano in the stomach in the 89th minute of Sunday's league match between the two clubs.

NFF commiserates with Ighalo on father’s death

The Nigeria Football Federation has mourned with Super Eagles’ forward, Odion Jude Ighalo, over the death of his father, Paul, which incident occurred on Monday, 25th April 2016.

Paul Ighalo reportedly died in the early hours of Monday, only two days after complaining of weakness, according to his son, Jude.

Rangers thank fans, crave for more night matches

The Management of Rangers International FC of Enugu has appreciated their teaming fans and supporters within and outside Enugu for massive support and turnout during a 2-1 win over Nasarawa United FC in a match day 13 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Akwa Utd suspend Cooreman



Nigeria Cup champions, Akwa United, have sent their Belgian head coach, Maurice Cooreman, on an indefinite leave.


The decision by the club followed their one-nil defeat to Enyimba on Sunday night in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on home turf, the Godswill Akpabio Stadium also known as the Nest of Champions.

Stanley Okoro joyful over Abia Warriors maiden goal


Former Nigeria U-17 star, Stanley Okoro says he is happy to score his first league goal for Umuahia based Abia Warriors after joining them this season.


Okoro, who is nicknamed “Little Messi” by his fans because of his immense football skills, opened his account for the Warriors in the 65th minute when he fired home from outside the box in Abia Warriors’ 3-1 home win over MFM of Lagos at the weekend, a goal, he said made his day.

Sunday 24 April 2016

Abia Warriors beat MFM 3-1 to go 2nd

Abia Warriors football club of Umuahia have jumped to the second position on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table after a comprehensive 3-1 victory over visiting Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) football club of Lagos at the Umuahia Township Stadium today.

Kano Pillars wallop 3SC 6-0

Pillars FC trashed Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan 6-0 in a week 13 Nigeria Professional Football League encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

Kano Pillars striker Emmanuel Edmund scored hat-trick at 37, 59 and 83 minutes while Mathew Ifeanyi, Adamu Muhammed  and Nafiu Ibrahim scored one goal each at 11, 90 and 91 minutes to take the Oluyole Warriors to the cleaners.

Chelsea fans urge Emenalo to quit

Chelsea fans have called for technical director Michael Emenalo to quit the club amid John Terry’s unclear future at Stamford Bridge.

The 35-year-old, who joined Chelsea at the age of 14, faces the prospect of leaving the club this summer when his contract expires.

Iheanacho dreaming of playing against Real Madrid

Kelechi Iheanacho is dreaming of facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal after scoring twice in the 4-0 win over Stoke City.

Iheanacho’s start against Stoke on Saturday was only his fourth in the Premier League, but the 19-year-old has impressed every time he has been given a chance by Manuel Pellegrini and quickly become a fan favourite.

His Champions League career has so far been limited to two late substitute appearances against Dynamo Kiev and Paris Saint-Germain, but Pellegrini did not rule out Iheanacho playing a part on Tuesday in one of the biggest games in the club’s history.

Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation targets early Tokyo 2020 preparation

The Secretary General of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation, Mrs Olubunmi Ola-Oluode has described the commissioning of 20 rowing/kayak boats donated by Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC to the federation as landmark event in preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Rivers United make one change against Plateau United

The Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma has made one change to his starting eleven from the side that defeated Kano Pillars 1-0 on match day 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for Sunday’s clash with Plateau United at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

Ebuka Nnaebuo who started in midfield against Sai Masu Gida on April 17 has been dropped with Godwin Obinze taking his place.

Flying Eagles wallop Dabo Babes 5-0

Just one week after putting four goals past a hapless Sia-One Academy, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria were at it again at the weekend, trouncing Kano –based Dabo Babes FC 5-0 in yet another test match.

Victor Osimhen was the man of the match at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja as his first half hat –trick drew applause from an appreciable crowd that included Nigeria U-23 team Coach Samson Siasia, former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju, one –time Super Eagles Assistant Coach Bitrus Bewarang and NFF assistant director (Technical) Siji Lagunju, also a former Nigeria international.

Saturday 23 April 2016

Rangers rise to top spot

A gleeful and jam-packed Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu watched for the first time in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as Rangers International eased 2-1 over visiting Nasarawa United in the ground's first night match.

Bobby Clement back from his three-match ban nodded the Flying Antelopes in front before Obinna Nwobodo lobbed Danladi Umar for the second. Nasarawa United defender Seun Sogbeso pulled one back for the visitors late in the game but the home side expertly ensured it was merely a consolation.

Ighalo: I will be 'the King of Nigeria' if…

Odion Ighalo says FA Cup success with Watford would see him return to his homeland as 'the King of Nigeria.'
Hornets hitman Ighalo, who has found the net 16 times this season in an impressive campaign, will lead Watford's line in their semi-final with Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday.
Quique Sanchez Flores' side have enjoyed a superb season, despite their manager being linked with the sack this week, and are now just one step away from playing for silverware.

Friday 22 April 2016

LMC challenges Yusuf, Imama, Boboye on Super Eagles Job

The League Management Company (LMC) has congratulated caretaker Coaches of the Super Eagles Salisu Yusuf, Gombe United, Imama Amakapabor of Rangers International and Kennedy Boboye of Abia Warriors who have been listed among the senior national team managers for the upcoming international friendly matches against Mali and Luxembourg.

Lobi Stars John George dies

Lobi Stars FC have lost one of its players John George who passed on this afternoon in Kaduna after a brief illness.

George, a defensive midfielder, was on loan at Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi from Mighty Jets FC of Jos and he was a regular member of the first team.

His last game was a 2-2 home draw between Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars last month and he had obtained permission from the Club to return to Kaduna to treat a recurring bout of malaria, a trip he never returned from.

Thursday 21 April 2016

PFA team of year: Tottenham, Leicester stars dominate list

Leicester City and Tottenham have four representatives each in the PFA Team of the Year, with Arsenal star Mesut Ozil left out of the Premier League's best XI for 2015-16.

There was no place in the star line-up for the German playmaker as the division's two highest placed clubs dominated the positions.

Deceased referee 'appointed' to officiate Nigerian league match

Nigerian football's crisis has taken a bizarre twist with an attempt to appoint a dead referee Wale Akinsanya for Sunday's match between Warri Wolves and Giwa FC.

It comes as Chris Giwa continues to challenge Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick.

Enyimba to drag Etoile to CAF, know group foes May 24

Following the intimidation and attack on officials of the Nigeria champions, Enyimba FC in Sousse on Wednesday after edging out Etoile du Sahel on penalties in the CAF Champions League second round qualifier, the club have stated it will  ‘ file a formal letter of complaint to the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Today.’

Abia Warriors congratulate Enyimba

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia have congratulated sister club, Enyimba International of Abia for qualifying for the group stage of this season’s CAF Champions league after dispatching Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel in Sousse.

Enyimba reveal ordeal in Tunisia

Enyimba FC of Aba have made it through to the group stage of the 2016 CAF Champions League.

Despite the intimidation and violence of Etoile du Sahel, Nigerian team prevailed 4-3 on penalties after regulation time ended 3-0.

Goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai made three important saves during the shoot-out to help Peoples Elephants march forward.

LMC, La Liga set to seal Partnership Pact in Abuja

A delegation of the Spanish League (La Liga) Board will arrive in Nigeria on Monday for a bilateral meeting with the League Management Company (LMC) to conclude discussions on collaboration between the two leagues which began during a similar visit by the LMC to Spain earlier this year.

NFF picks Amodu, Salisu as Super Eagles interim managers

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Wednesday that Shaibu Amodu, the Technical Director of the NFF, and Salisu Yusuf would take charge of the Super Eagles on interim basis.

This was part of the decisions taken after Wednesday’s meeting of the NFF Technical Committee which took place at the federation’s secretariat.

Yusuf will take charge of the team, while Amodu will supervise, the meeting agreed.

I’m feeling fine now, says Gambo

Kano Pillars’ Captain Gambo Mohammed has recovered from the ear injury he sustained on Sunday during his side’s week 12 Nigeria Professional Football League clash against Rivers United at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port-Harcourt.

Mighty Jets player John George dies

The Management of Mighty Jets FC of Jos has announced the demise of the club's defensive Midfielder, John George, who passed on this afternoon in Kaduna after a brief illness.

Mighty Jets sign Nakargo, nine others

The Coach Baldwin Bazuaye-led Technical Crew of Nigeria National League Outfit, Mighty Jets FC of Jos has completed the signing of former Nigeria Junior International Midfielder, Nura Nakargo ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria National League Season which Commences in less than a month in four abridged divisions across the Country.

In a Statement released by the club through its Media Officer, Mbum Ferdinand, the Player who represented Nigeria at the Africa U-17 Championship in the Gambia in 2005 and also played briefly with the Flying Eagles under Isa Ladan Bosso in 2008 was recruited alongside nine other experienced Stars to aid Management's priority, which is to gain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League at the end of this year.

Rivers Angels captain, Lucky Atu quit football

Goalkeeper and Captain of Nigeria Women Football League Champions, Rivers Angels, Lucky Atu has drawn the curtains in professional football.

Atu who was captain of the NWFL champions from 2008-2016 won two league titles and five Federation cup titles one of which in 2008 the former State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi rewarded players and officials with cars.

Supporters club seek inclusion in NFF reconciliation committee

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club have made a strong appeal to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalong, to include the club in the newly constituted committee set up to look into the unending crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation.

Tuesday 19 April 2016

Nasarawa United pip 3SC

Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan failed yet again to pick up away points in the Nigeria Professional Football League as they lost to Nasarawa United in Makurdi in a rescheduled week three league fixture on Tuesday.

We must fight to the finish - Uche John

Enyimba centre-half Uche John says his team must fight to the finish against Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia to keep their CAF Champions League hopes alive.

The former champions take an emphatic 3-0 lead from the first leg and need to avoid a 4-0 defeat in the return leg fixture in Sousse on Wednesday night to advance to the group stage.

Gambo discharged from hospital, arrives in Kano

Kano Pillars captain Gambo Mohammed has reunited with his family in Kano after he was discharged from the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist hospital, Port-Harcourt on Tuesday.

Gambo suffered a rupture of the tympanic membrane in a week 12 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against Rivers United on Sunday.

LMC fine Giwa FC N6.75m, banished to Ilorin

Giwa FC has been fined N5 million and ordered to play their next three home matches at the Ilorin Township Stadium amongst other sanctions placed on the club and it’s Media Officer by the League Management Company (LMC) following investigations into the circumstances that led to the abandoning of the Match Day 12 fixture between the club and Rangers last Sunday.

I’m back and better now, says Nenen Imenger

Lobi Stars forward Barnabas Nenen Imenger has described his goal against Akwa United as a sign of good thing to come for him and his club this season.

Imenger Jnr’s 47th minute goal was all Lobi Stars needed to secure a 1-0 win over Akwa United in a week 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on Sunday.

Eguma: We exploited Kano Pillars' weaknesses

Rivers United technical adviser Stanley Eguma has explained that he had studied Kano Pillars painstakingly with the intent of neutralizing their strengths while exploiting perceived weaknesses during Sunday’s league game.