Welcome to Sportinglens.blogspot.com: May 2016

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

3SC coach Friday Christopher resigns

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan Chief Coach, Friday Christopher has parted ways with his employers.

Christopher’s resignation is coming two weeks after the former team's Technical Adviser, Kadri Ikhana left the club.

Messi handed fitness boost ahead of this summer’s Copa America

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been handed a fitness boost ahead of this summer’s 2016 Copa América.

The Copa, which kicks off on June 3rd in the USA, is a special centenary edition and will involve teams from North, Central and South American confederations. Argentina are the favourites for the competition but when Messi picked up a rib and back injury in a pre-tournament friendly against Honduras, doubts arose.

For the first time in 16 years, unrelenting rain Monday washed out a full day of play at the only Grand Slam tennis venue without a retractable roof over its show court, clogging the schedule with unfinished and postponed matches and prompting the frustrated tournament director to plead - again - for a roof as soon as possible.

The management of Warri Wolves has reported Enyimba FC trio of Ibenegbu Ikechukwu, Osadiaye Joseph and Abu Aziz to the relevant authorities for assaulting their General Manager Etu Moses at the Umuhaia Stadium in a rescheduled league match on Sunday.

Nigeria international Babatunde Michael has agreed to join Qatari club Qatar SC, his Moroccan club Raja Casablanca have confirmed.

Nigeria international Babatunde Michael has agreed to move to Qatari side Qatar SC, his Moroccan club Raja Casablanca have confirmed.

Nigeria U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, have been drawn against Brazil, England and Korea DPR in Group C of the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.

Niger Tornadoes technical adviser, Abdullahi Biffo is seriously down with typhoid fever.

Biffo was expected to conduct a screening exercise for the new invited players on Friday but it was postponed due to his ill-health.

Ugbade joins Remo Stars as technical adviser

.Soname increases players, officials salary, match bonus

.Any player with 10goals gets #1million

Nigeria National League side, Remo Stars Football Club, have appointed former Flying Eagles assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade, as the Technical Advicer and re-employed the team former General Manager, Ekene Adams, as the team General Coordinator.

Former head coach, Uche Ukagbue, was made the chief coach, in the general re-organization of the team.

The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has again reiterated his administration's support and encouragement for the state owned clubs, Kogi United and Confluence Queens to further make the state proud in their engagements.

Abia State Governor, Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu has donated two brand new luxury buses to Abia Warriors and Enyimba FC to enable the clubs experience more comfort when travelling for league matches.

Injury knocks Oduduwa out of Korea tourney

Ace defender Segun Oduduwa has been knocked out of Nigeria’s U-23 team’s trip to the Suwon Invitational Tournament as a result of injury.

Team doctor, Sam Ogbondeminu said Oduduwa suffered the injury after he was badly tackled during one of the team's last training sessions at the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Abuja, disclosing that for now the player has been stabilized.

The Super Eagles have arrived in Luxembourg City ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against that country’s senior national team.

The delegation left Rouen, where they played Mali on Friday, at noon on Sunday and are now at the Alvisse Parc Hotel, an impressive facility located on Route d’Echternach in Luxembourg City.

Rangers International of Enugu will play El Kanmei Warriors in a rescheduled Match Day 18 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

It is understood that the Flying Angels have been training in Abuja ahead of the tie before flying to Maiduguri on Tuesday.

The management of Plateau United has concluded plans to fortify the team with additional six players during the ongoing mid-season transfer window.

The club’s General Manager Pius Hemwan who confirmed this to Sportinglens.blogspot.com said the new signing is necessary so as to enable the club to compete very well during the second round.

Wikki Tourists technical adviser Abdul Maikaba has expressed satisfaction over his team’s performances in the first round of the Nigeria Professional Football League which ended with week 19 matches on Sunday.

With one match outstanding against Enyimba, Wikki Tourists still occupying fourth position on the log, a feat Maikaba described a success.

Lobi Stars’ Victor Makala has revealed that all players at the national U-23 camp in Abuja are fighting hard to give their best to the team.

Makala, who plays as the attacking midfielder at Lobi Stars, has now been converted to play at right full back by coach Samson Siasia.

Taye Taiwo wins Man of the match award

.As Oduamadi scores

Nigerian international Taye Taiwo emerged Man of the Match during his side, Helsinki 2-1 win over HIFK in the Veikkausliiga league at the Sonera Stadium on Thursday.

The former Super Eagles left back was rewarded for his brilliant performance in a sold-out season's first derby clash played on Thursday.

Jose Mourinho has put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Manchester United, according to Sky Sports News.

The 53-year-old Portuguese coach has long coveted the role at Old Trafford and he has reportedly signed a deal worth £10m a year with the Red Devils. United are expected to confirm the deal on Friday.

Kogi United Head Coach, Ishaya Jatau has described his side's Federation Cup victory over Ekiti United as the best moment to prepare for the new Nigeria National League, NNL season starting this weekend.

It was drama at the Federal Court of Appeal in Jos, on Thursday, May 26 as the Nigeria Football Federation faction led by Melvin Amaju Pinnick, finally appealed against a High Court order ordering it to vacate office and hand over to the Ambassador Chris Giwa led team.

Fans and supporters of Prime Football Club will welcome back their darling team at home when the Nigeria National League kicks off on Saturday across the nation.

The Omoluabi Giants are getting ready to make a return back to their traditional home ground, the Oshogbo Township Stadium when they welcome Unicem Rovers Football Club of Calabar, in one of the Week 1 fixtures of the 2015/2016 Nigeria National League.

Rivers State Commissioner for Sport, Honourable Boma Iyaye has commended Rivers United and Go Round FC following respective victories recorded in the round of 64 of the Federation Cup on Wednesday.

Rivers United overcame Papilo FC 4-3 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo while Go Round beat Yobe Desert Stars 3-1 at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.

Lobi Stars FC is set to layoff some players that performed below expectation during the first round of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The club's Team Manager Barnabas Imenger told sportinglens.blogspot.com that the club will allow players without playing time to seek greener pasture elsewhere.

Niger Tornadoes to sign five new players

• Screening begins Friday

Nigeria Tornadoes technical adviser, Abdullahi Biffo has revealed to Sportinglens.blogspot.com that he will beef-up his squad with additional five players during the mid-season transfer window.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have a two weeks window to register new players starting from 8am on Monday, May 23 to 5pm on June 3.

Gambo returns for Gateway FC clash

.Edmund, Adamu Muh’d out

Kano Pillars FC captain Gambo Muhammed has been declared fit to play in today’s Federation Cup Round of 64 clash against Gateway FC in lokoja.

Gambo, who return after five weeks of injury layoff, will start from the bench.

The lanky striker sustained an ear injury during his side 1-0 defeat to Rivers United in a week 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port-Harcourt. He played for ten minutes in the match before he was replaced by Jeol Djondang in the match.

Eagles’ crew secure visas, off to France

. Onazi, eight other players too

The Nigeria Football Federation has applauded the French Embassy in Nigeria after Super Eagles’ assistant coaches and backroom staff were issued with entry visas into Europe on Tuesday.

Former Super Eagles Manager, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has said he remains ever grateful for managing the national team, even as he said he will like a situation that encourages privately owned clubs in the country.

National Telecommunications Company, Globacom, has congratulated the national Under-20 team, Flying Eagles on the team’s victory against Burundi’s U-20 team on Saturday.

The Round of 64 matches of this year’s men Federation Cup competition, as well as the first round matches of the women competition, will begin across the country on Wednesday.

As preparations for the football event of Rio Olympics hot up, Coach Samson Siasia has handed down a warning to all the invited foreign –based players for the Suwon Invitational Tournament to report to camp on Wednesday or forget about making the team to the Games.

2012 Federation Cup Giant Killers, Prime Football Club will be up against Inneh Stars Football Club of Benin, on Wednesday at the Onikan Stadium in the Round of 64 Federation Cup pairing.

Pime FC are slight favourites going by their recent form in their pre-season friendly matches which has seen them been unbeaten in their last five grade A friendly matches against Crown, ABS, Gray's Intl FC and Ajiroba Ooni FC.

TRANSFER WINDOW: LMC demands players attestation from Clubs to register new players

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Clubs have two weeks window starting from 8am on Monday, May 23 to 5pm on June 3 to register new players and sign up players on permanent or temporary transfer.

Giwa FC has appealed its expulsion from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) by the League Management Company (LMC) for failure to honour three matches cumulatively in one season which is in violation of Rule B13.28 of the NPFL Rules and Framework.

The proprietor FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has announced that the club will spend N100, 000, 000 for the purchase of players in the next transfer season.

Dr. Ubah made pledged on Sunday during the NPFL game against Niger Tornadoes in which FC Ifeanyi Ubah won 2-0.

FIFA set to announce World Cup seed in June

World football governing body FIFA will next month announce the top five seeds for the African zone of the 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament with Nigeria most likely to miss out.

FIFA will announce the top seeds between June 8 and 10 ahead of the main draw on June 24 in Cairo, Egypt.

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was thrown into mourning on Sunday as the Plateau United attacking midfielder Simon Shehu died in an auto crash.

The club’s General Manager Pius Senwan revealed to Sportinglens.blospot.com that Shehu died on his way to Kaduna when he was going home to prepare for his wedding ceremony coming up on Saturday.

A 90th minute strike by substitute Dele Olorundare gave Sunshine Stars a 2-1 win over Abia Warriors in a Match Day 19 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday.

The outcome means Abia Warriors suffered its first home loss in the ongoing campaign and end the first stanza of the league in a defeat.

Chinonso Okonkwo missed a last minute penalty for Rivers United in a rip-roaring Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) contest which they lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars on Sunday.

Moses Bunde handled in the box following a shot from Christian Weli but Okonkwo fired wildly from 12 yards to send the visiting supporters into fits of despair.

Chima Akas’ sublime freekick was the difference between Enyimba and Nasarawa United in the Matchday 18 fixture at Umuahia.

The lads looked particularly well rested after Giwa FC’s no-show midweek, which prompted a walkover at the Ilorin Township Stadium. Dare Ojo continued at right-back while Coach Aigbogun kept faith in the blossoming partnership between Captain Udoji and Ike ThankGod at the heart of the defence. Abu Azeez and Leonard Ugochukwu paired upfront with Etor Daniel and Mfon Udoh running the wings.

The Nigeria duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme have been crowned champions of the Israeli top-flight side, Hapoel Beer Sheva on Saturday after defeating Bnei Sakhnin 3-1 in a nervy game.

The win meant Beer Sheva have won their first Israeli Ligat title in 40 years and the Nigerian pair have been instrumental to the success of the team this season.

Nigeria international winger, Ahmed Musa on Saturday won the 2015/16 Russia Premier League title with CSKA Moscow.

He has now won three league titles with CSKA since he joined the Army Club from former Eredivisie outfit, VVV-Venlo.

Djokovic, Nadal lined up for Roland Garros semis

World number one Novak Djokovic and nine-time champion Rafael Nadal have been seeded to meet in the French Open semifinals after the draw was made on Friday.

Djokovic needs a Roland Garros title to complete a career Grand Slam after losing three finals in four years including last season to Stan Wawrinka.

World No. 1 Serena Williams came into the French Open main draw with only one title in nine months, but the American told media on Friday that she' s confident in defending her title here at Roland Garros.

Kano Pillars midfielder, Azeez Shobowale, has signed a two-year deal with Sudanese giants, Al Hilal subject to international clearance after a short trial.

Players free to sign for other clubs this season

Giwa FC of Jos has been expelled from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for multiple infractions of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL, particularly for violation of B13.28 which prescribes expulsion from the league for any club that fails to honour three matches cumulatively within a season with no acceptable reason to the League Management Company (LMC).

Lobi Stars' Victor Makalala has been invited to the national U-23 team, Sportinglens.blogspot.com can reveal.

Makalala joined the team’s camp at the Serob Legacy Hotel in Abuja on Thursday ahead of the preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympic men’s football event.

The 22-year-old star went on trials with Georgia FC of Atlanta Georgia, United States of America before he returned back home to join Lobi Stars at the beginning of the season on a year contract.

Mathias returns for Warri Wolves tie

El Kanemi Warriors FC midfielder Samuel Mathias will be available for selection for Match Day 19 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against Warri Wolves this weekend.

All is now set for match day 1 of the 2016 season of the Nigeria Women Football League this weekend.

The league which had doubts of its commencement this month following some controversies that loomed after some resolutions were met at the April 22nd Annual General Congress held in Abuja will finally see the lime light on May 21.

Heartland FC of Owerri General Manager Oscar Keke has urged his players to rise to the occasion when they meet Rangers FC in a Match Day 19 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash in Enugu on Friday.

Gambo resumes training with Pillars

Kano Pillars forward, Gambo Mohammed on Tuesday resumed training with the rest of the squad after five weeks of injury layoff.

Gambo was involved throughout their morning training session between 8:30am and 10:30am at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabongari, Kano.

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Monday, 30 May 2016

Sunday, 29 May 2016

Thursday, 26 May 2016

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Monday, 23 May 2016

Sunday, 22 May 2016

Friday, 20 May 2016

Thursday, 19 May 2016

Tuesday, 17 May 2016