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Tag: NPFL

  • NPFL stars deserve equal treatment in Super Eagles – Ogunbote

    Lobi Stars manager Gbenga Ogunbote has urged Gernot Rohr to introduce more NPFL players in the Super Eagles, saying they deserve equal treatment.

    Rohr has been criticized in recent times for his reluctant to increase the number of home-based players in the national team, with Katsina United goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, the only consistent player in his team.

    The German tactician had previously defended his decision, stating the best of Nigerian players are in Europe but Ogunbote feels the NPFL stars deserved a chance to prove their worth.

    “If they say the league can’t produce top-class players for the national team, we have to first deal with the segregation,” Ogunbote told the Punch .

    “That is very important because every coach knows what works for him. We have done it before, and we had results. What you need to do is to give them a room to express themselves, create room for doubt but make sure they get equal opportunities like the overseas-based players.

    “We need to tackle the segregation. The moment a player leaves the country, he gets invited to the national team. Did he travel without playing in the league?

    “He started from the league before going to Europe and we’re not talking about three or six months in the league. The thing is, we are underestimating the value of home-based players; give them consideration and then you can make your judgment.

    “And more importantly, they deserve equal treatment and respect you give to overseas-based players.”

  • Nothing we can do if NPFL is scrapped – Ogunbote

    Nothing we can do if NPFL is scrapped – Ogunbote

    Lobi Stars manager Gbenga Ogunbote has made a bold assertion that nothing can be done should the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season be called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Football leagues across the globe have been put on hold as a result of the viral outbreak which is affecting more than a million people globally.

    Nigeria is one of the worst-hit countries in West Africa with more than 250 confirmed cases.

    The Pride of Benue are currently third on the log after 25 games with an outstanding game still to play and this could mean another shot at genuinely winning the title slipping out of their grasp again.

    “The other time it happened [league inconclusive] is completely different from the scenario we are facing now,” Ogunbote told Goal.

    “This is a global affair and it is difficult for a nation to get up and say this is how we are going to do it. We have to study the trend of events.

    “If every country decides to declare the season null and void, there is nothing we can do. The administrators here will have to follow suit. It’s a difficult one but we just have to look at events as they unfold and until then, decisions will be difficult to take.”

  • NPFL: Enyimba players attacked by armed robbers

    NPFL: Enyimba players attacked by armed robbers

    Enyimba’s team bus was attacked by armed robbers on Thursday, as they returned from a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game.

    The Peoples Elephant had beaten Adamawa United 2-0 in Gombe and were travelling back to their base in Aba, Abia State.

    They were attacked in Okigwe, Imo State.

    The incident left forward, Cyril Olisema injured with minor cuts.

    “They were telling us to stop, be as we noticed they were not law enforcement, we told our driver not to stop.

    “He sped up and one of them stoned the window with iron, so it broke and injured [Olisema],” Defender Stephen Egbe told ESPN.

  • NPFL matches suspended as Nigeria records eight COVID-19 cases

    NPFL matches suspended as Nigeria records eight COVID-19 cases

    Organisers of the Nigeria Professional Football League, LMC, have suspended the competition until further notice due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, also known as cronavirus.

    The LMC said Wednesday that the move was in line with global preventive measures against the pandemic which has spread to more than 160 countries.

    “Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has been suspended till further notice in line with global health preventive protocol against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19),” a statement from the LMC read.

    “In suspending remaining league matches, the League Management Company (LMC) said it would review the decision after consulting the nation’s health authorities, namely, the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).”

    The country’s health minister, Osagie Enahire, announced earlier in the day that three of the five new cases, including a mother and child, came from the United States, while the two others, also from the US, came into the country via land border.

    By virtue of the new cases, the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria, as of Wednesday, March 18, is eight.

    Also, the Nigerian government issued a travel ban on the United States, United Kingdom, China and 10 other countries over the spread of the coronavirus.

    The country’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, announced the ban at a media briefing on Wednesday.

    He said that the ban would take effect on Friday, March 20, and it would last for four weeks and subject to review.

    Other countries affected are Japan, Iran, Switzerland, Norway, the Netherlands, France, South Korea, Germany, Italy and Spain.

    The Nigerian government also announced the temporary suspension of all visas issued to citizens from these countries.

    Global deaths and infections from virus have surpassed those inside China, where the outbreak was first recorded, for the first time since late last year.

    More than 175,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported, with major outbreaks in mainland China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea.

    Over 6,700 people have died from the disease and more than 77,000 have recovered.

  • Warri Wolves have functional medical facilities, official says

    Warri Wolves have functional medical facilities, official says

    Warri Wolves Football Club have in place functional medical facilities and personnel, the club’s spokesman, Azuka Chiamaka, assured on Saturday in Warri.

    Chiamaka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the club had put in place such facilities and personnel when they played continental competitions.

    “Before the club was relegated and when we played on the continent, we put those things on ground as functional medical facilities was one the requirements to host matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF),’’ he said.

    He assured that the club was fully ready for Sunday’s Match Day 24 clash with MFM FC in terms of provision of medical facilities and personnel as required.

    NAN reports that the match scheduled for the Warri Township Stadium is a 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture.

    Warri Wolves had won 1-0 on Match Day 23 when they met hosts Adamawa United FC in Gombe on Sunday.

    “We are fully prepared for the match against MFM Football Club on Sunday. We have functional medical facilities on ground and a certified team of nurses.

    “Aside these, we are also attached to the Central Hospital in Warri.

    “We played continental competitions before relegation and this provision of functional medical facilities was one of CAF requirements.

    “So, I can say authoritatively that we are ready for the match,’’ Chiamaka said.

    He disclosed that the state government has also paid the players three months’ salary, a development he said has also served as a boost and motivation.

    “The players know what it means to be relegated. We do not want to take chances, as we do not want to go on relegation again,’’ the club spokesman said.

    NAN reports that Warri Wolves are currently placed 10th on the NPFL table with 30 points.

  • Nasarawa United approves autopsy on late Chineme Martins

    Nasarawa United approves autopsy on late Chineme Martins

    Management of Nasarawa United Football Club have approved the conduct of an autopsy on late Chineme Martins to unravel the remote cause of his sudden death recently.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Eche Amos, Media Officer of the club, made available to pressmen in Lafia on Tuesday.

    According to Eche, the decision to conduct the autopsy was reached by the management of the club and the immediate family of the late footballer at a meeting held in Lafia on Monday.

    “A meeting involving members of Late Martins’ immediate family led by his elder brother, Michael Chineme, the Management of Nasarawa United FC headed by Isaac Danladi, the Coaching Crew as well as Captains of our Club was held.

    “Based on the agreement between Late Martins’ family and Nasarawa United FC, an autopsy will be conducted to ascertain the remote cause of his death,” said Amos.

    Eche added that a befitting burial will be accorded the late Nasarawa United defender and pleaded for the privacy of Martins’ family be respected.

    “We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of late Chineme Martins, his team-mates, coaches, loved ones, fans, the football family in Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole, and those who are emotionally and psychologically affected by this this ugly incident,” Amos said.

    Recall that late Martins had slumped on the Lafia Township Stadium pitch on Sunday during a 2019/2020 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture between Nasarawa United and Katsina United.

    Efforts made to resuscitate him failed and he was rushed to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) in Lafia where he later died.

  • NPFL: Ortom donates 36-seater bus, N10m to Lobi Stars FC

    NPFL: Ortom donates 36-seater bus, N10m to Lobi Stars FC

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Saturday donated a 36-seater Toyota bus and N10 million to Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi.

    Presenting the gifts to the club at the Aper Aku Sadium, Makurdi, Ortom charged the players to lift the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lobi Stars FC players while returning from Ilorin, Kwara had a fire incident around Adaka, in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.

    The club’s bus got burnt to ashes while the players escaped with minor injuries.

    Ortom pledged to continue supporting the club in spite of the hash economic situations in the state.

    He further promised to reward the team handsomely should they win the current league title.

    The governor also commended the management team for their excellent job done so far adding that he was proud of the club.

    He said he was happy that the club had provided a platform where some players passed through to play at the international level.

    Earlier, the Vice Chairman, Lobi Stars Football Club, Mr Mike Idoko, commended the governor for his contributions and support to the club and pledged to deliver on their mandate.

  • NPFL: Rangers optimistic of 3 points against Nasarawa United

    NPFL: Rangers optimistic of 3 points against Nasarawa United

    Rangers International FC of Enugu said they were optimistic of Picking the maximum points over Nasarawa United FC in rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 14 in Lafia.

    Rangers will on Wednesday battle Nasarawa United in a rescheduled NPFl match day 14 in Lafia.

    Speaking to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday, the club media officer Norbert Okolie said that the players were ready for the battle.

    According to him, ” some players who spoke to me after the match against Sunshine Stars FC were optimistic of good result in Lafia.

    “With moral boosting draw in a match day 21 fixture in Akure over the weekend, the coach Salisu Yusuf tutored side is confident of grabbing the maximum points.

    “Though, with the host current resurgence, it seems they have found their range with the return of long time club chairman, Barrister Isaac Danladi.

    “Two straight wins against Jigawa Golden Stars and Enyimba International in Lafia will no doubt make the Lafia faithful wish for a third win on the bounce, ” he said.

    He said that the club’s stand in captain, Tope Olusesi and other players were in no mood to lay low and be consumed in any venue.

    Okolie said that coach Salisu Yusuf would be having a full complement of players for the game as attacking sensation, Israel Abia was expected to be unleashed on the ‘Solid Miners.

    While the club defender, Isaac Loute hope to make a return as Ibrahim Olawoyin, Chinonso Eziekwe and Ifeanyi George look good to help the club picked a win on the road.

    “Sure, the host, who are with a full complement of their technical staff with the return of coach Bala Nikyu will be looking toward the trio of Ikenna Offor, Chinedu Ohanachom and Chidi Solomon to deliver the goods upfront.

    “They will also expect good coverage for Danlami Umar from the back four of Abubakar Abdullahi, Ebuka Anaekwe, Moses Tsehuan and Chineme Martins”.

    Okolie said that Rangers FC would go for the points despite the sudden up rise of the host in the league.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers occupied 15th position on the log with 25 after 18 matches while Nasarawa United 19th position with 22 points from 20 matches played.

  • NPFL: Rangers beat Kano Pillars in Enugu

    NPFL: Rangers beat Kano Pillars in Enugu

    Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on Wednesday defeated Kano Pillars FC 1-0 in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 11 fixture in Enugu.

    Chinonso Eziekwe scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute to send the home fans into wild jubilation.

    Speaking after the match, Rangers’ Assistant Coach, Mbwas Mangut, expressed joy over the outcome of the match.

    He said that the match was tough but they were grateful to God that they won.

    “We prepared well for this match, because it is one of the matches that we should be winning.

    “No doubt, the match could have gone either way as lots of chances were missed by the two teams, but we were lucky to have converted one.

    “But we should have sealed the win before the interval,” Mangut said.

    Kano Pillars FC’s coach Ibrahim Musa, on his part, said his team played better than their hosts, and blamed his players for missing lots of scoring opportunities.

    “Our target was to win this match and we created up to six to seven scoring chances, but we did not convert them.

    “Football is all about scoring, but we could not score and our opponents scored. So, we need to work hard next time if we want to score.

    “Now we have to go back to the drawing board and work on our finishing because we have to combine communication with finishing.

    “Rangers are a good team, but you cannot compare Rangers with Kano Pillars here because this is Rangers’ home,” Musa said.

    He said his team created scoring chances more than their hosts and were supposed to win the match, only to be let down by finishing.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the win lifted Rangers to 16th from 17th on the log, with 23 points after 17 matches.

    Kano Pillars however dropped to the 9th position with 27 points after 19 matches.

  • NPFL Preview: Rangers, Pillars, Wikki stake unbeaten runs in difficult venues

    NPFL Preview: Rangers, Pillars, Wikki stake unbeaten runs in difficult venues

    It’s Match day 19, the midway point of the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season and all indices point yet to another high octane competitiveness at all sections of the log.

    The pendulum of leadership have though been swinging between three clubs, Plateau United, Lobi Stars and Rivers United but they all know that others like Akwa United, Kano Pillars and surprise team of the season, Dakkada are fast on their heels.

    The fight is no different at the midsection of the log which has seen Abia Warriors, Katsina United, Heartland and perhaps defending champions, Enyimba doing all they can to stay away from the drop zone.

    That dreaded drop zone has harboured the likes of Adamawa United, Jigawa Golden Stars, Nasarawa United, Kwara United with Wikki Tourists and Rangers which making a late surge away from the group.

    But then the not too flattering tag of “mid-season champions” is poised to fall between North Central rivals Lobi Stars and Plateau United while other teams on the road of resurgence after below par starts face very herculean tasks at different away venues this weekend.

    On the lower rung of the ladder, teams are gradually coming to terms with the relegation dogfight that lies ahead of them in the second half of the season and so, such battle to avoid the ignominious drop intensifies from Match Day 19, this weekend.

    Plateau United can seal the “Mid-season champions” tag when they feature in the weekend’s curtain raiser against Dakkada FC in Uyo on Saturday.

    Out of the last 10 teams on top of the table at midway point (including Lobi Stars in the 2018 season and minus last season being an abridged season), the Mid-season champions have gone on to win the league eight times.

    This should be juicy for Abdu Maikaba and his Plateau stars but they know they are in for a very difficult task at the Nest of Champions against Dakkada FC who have punched above their weights and could go level on points with Plateau, should they win on Saturday.

    Lobi Stars have the privilege of knowing what Plateau United would have played on Saturday before facing Wikki Tourists at the Aper Aku Stadium on Sunday.

    The aura of invincibility that surrounded Gbenga Ogunbote’s Lobi in recent weeks, has gradually eroded and they face a Wikki side unbeaten under new coach Usman Abd’Allah (One win, three draws and no loss) .

    Rangers International seem to have turned the corner under Salisu Yusuf.

    The Flying Antelopes have overcome a dreadful start under the Super Eagles coach and are now unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions including three wins in four league outings.

    They will, however, face an Akwa United side in Uyo (where they have lost just once in last three visits) on Sunday in what should be another stern test after Wednesday’s point at Lobi Stars.

    Kano Pillars visit troubled MFM FC at the Agege Township Stadium on Sunday.

    While MFM are winless in their last four matches, Pillars are on the threshold of an unprecedented record in the Nigerian league.

    They are currently 13 games unbeaten and need just one more game to surpass Enyimba’s 15-year old record.

    Nigeria’s remaining continental hopeful Enyimba FC will face their state rivals Abia Warriors in the Abia Classico on Sunday.

    Enyimba, only on Wednesday, ended a run of six domestic games without a win when they beat MFM in Lagos and will hope to steer further clear of relegation issues with a win against a side they have only lost against twice in nine league outings.

    In Kano on Sunday, Jigawa Golden Stars face Nasarawa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium in a relegation six-pointer, while basement side Adamawa United have Heartland FC as their guests at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

    In the other games, league’s joint topscorer, Tasiu Lawal will hope to add to his tally when Katsina United host Warri Wolves at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium; Sunshine Stars will welcome FC Ifeanyiubah to Akure while Kwara United will be the guests of Rivers United in Port Harcourt.

    The full NPFL Match Day 19 fixtures

    Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020

    Dakkada FC vs Plateau United

    Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020

    Adamawa United vs Heartland FC
    Enyimba vs Abia Warriors
    Jigawa Golden Stars vs Nasarawa United
    Katsina United vs Warri Wolves
    MFM FC vs Kano Pillars
    Rivers United vs Kwara United
    Akwa United vs Rangers Int’l
    Lobi Stars vs Wikki Tourists
    Sunshine Stars vs FC Ifeanyiubah.