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Tag: NPFL

  • NPFL: Rangers target good result against Lobi Stars FC in Markudi

    NPFL: Rangers target good result against Lobi Stars FC in Markudi

    Salisu Yusuf, the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu Technical Adviser, said that the club has perfected plans to get a decent result against Lobi Stars FC of Markudi.

    Lobi Stars FC will be hosting Rangers FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) rescheduled match day six on Wednesday in Markudi.

    Yusuf told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday that the club had prepared very well for the battle in Markudi.

    “We have prepared well, induced the player with what they need to know and what is expected of them in the match.

    ”Though, this match is like a derby because Lobi Stars FC coach worked with Rangers FC few months ago.

    ”I think with the preparation we have had, we are going there to get a positive result as we are now channeling all our efforts to the league,” he said.

    He said that it was never the club`s intention to exit the ongoing confederation cup at the group stage.

    ”It has happened and now we are determined to repay our numerous fans and the Enugu State Government with a continental slot come next season,” he said.

    He said that it would be a big task for the club considering its current position on the log.

    ”Yes, we are on 18th position in the league log with six outstanding matches.

    ”By the time we finish executing all these matches, we will be rubbing shoulder with the teams already in the continental position of the league.

    ”We have lots of talented players to prosecute the matches and the upcoming federation cup,” the coach said.

    Yusuf noted that the club recently added four good players to the team so that it can rotate the players.

    The new players are: Isreal Abia formally of Sunshine Stars FC, Ifeanyi Nweke from Kano Pillars FC, Ifebu Ojukwu from Fakkada FC and Franklin Ebuka from Wikki Tourist FC.

    He expressed satisfaction with the reduction in the club injury woes, saying that the club injured players are responding well to treatment.

    ”The injury we have in the club at the moment is not like the ones at the beginning of the league,” he said.

    NAN reports that Rangers now occupy the 18th position on the league log with 15 points after 12 matches from the 18 weeks old league.

  • It’s goodbye to NPFL, despite recent global ranking, says Ezeali

    It’s goodbye to NPFL, despite recent global ranking, says Ezeali

    …Chile based Nigerian footballer

    Nigerian professional football player, Augustine Ezeali has declared that he has no intention of coming back to ply his trade in the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) despite recent global ranking of the body.
    Ezeali, 21 who plays for AC Barnechea in the Chilean football league(Primera B) stated this in a chat with TNG Sports.
    He said: ‘It has been a good privilege and pleasure to play in NPFL though it has been very tensed and pressure both at home and away because of the great mandate of his club to win every game’.
    Ezeali who once plied his trade in NPFL and featured for MFM FC, Ekiti FC before leaving for greener pastures in the South American nation said:
    ‘My major concern about Nigerian football league is irregularities of players’ salaries and bonuses’.
    On whether the attacking midfielder wishes to return home after fulfilling his quest playing outside the country, he said, ‘ I wish to continue plying my trade abroad, I have no intention of coming back’
    The NPFL despite being ranked 57th top league in the world, Ezeali said, ‘ presently the officiating is good and has made NPFL very interesting but there is room for improvement’.
    ‘Over here in Chile, they are more equipped with training facilities and more organized’
    According to Ezeali who discovered his football talents at Future Stars FA in Aba further revealed his challenges playing abroad in terms of language barriers and differences.
    ‘They speak Spanish here but with time I will adapt because the coach also speaks English and my presence with the team is an advantage for other players because they try to speak English as well’
    Ezeali joined AC Barnechea in January, 2020.
  • NPFL: Dogo can’t sign for another club – Sunshine Stars Director

    NPFL: Dogo can’t sign for another club – Sunshine Stars Director

    The Director of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Tunde Ogunja, says the Technical Adviser of the team, Kabir Dogo, is contract bound with the club and cannot sign for another club.

    Ogunja is reacting to speculations that Dogo has signed a contract with his former club, Nassarawa United.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Akure that it would be impossible for the renowned tactician to leave without negotiations with his current club.

    The official described the insinuation that Sunshine Stars Dogo had left the club for fellow Nigeria professional football league side Nasarawa United as fake news.

    The former national footballer said all contract agreement with coach Dogo were intact and that the coach only took excuse to pay attention to family matters in Ilorin.

    According to him, the management of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) had fulfilled the required logistics demanded to make coach Dogo’s assignment easier with the recent procurement of a car for the coach’s mobility.

    He called for calm, saying that the team remained focus in achieving the set target in the 2019/2020 league season.

    “To the best of my knowledge, he still has a contract with us, we don’t know whether he has resigned or not; we have to sit on the round table and talk things through.

    “Although he called me and said he was going to Ilorin that his daughter is seriously ill, I told him to his face that I have heard he will come back.

    “He complained about benefits like housing, vehicle and we just bought him one.

    “To the best of my knowledge he has not resigned, he has contract with us, if he decides to dump us, that is a breach of contact,” Ogunja said.

  • Lobi Stars seek to maintain NPFL lead

    Lobi Stars seek to maintain NPFL lead

    Coach of Premier league leaders Lobi stars Gbenga Ogunbote has stated that his side hopes to dig deeper than they have done to ensure they are able to maintain their lead on top of the NPFL after 17 round of matches albeit with a game in hand for the Makurdi based side.
    Ogunbote speaking in a chat with brila.net said staying top for long is a matter of character and attitude which he intends to work on after relinquishing the lead briefly before reclaiming it again following Sunday’s 2-1 win over Nasarawa united.
    “It’s just a matter of character and attitude, we will work towards it. Whatever can give us the lead to get to the apex of the league we can always use it as a motivating factor to maintain it.”

  • Results for Match Day 17 in NPFL, the table

    Following are the results of Match Day 17 fixtures in the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played on Sunday:

    Adamawa United 2-1 Kwara United

    MFM FC 0-0 Plateau United

    Katsina United 1-0 FC IfeanyiUbah

    Rivers United 0-0 Wikki Tourists

    Lobi Stars 2-1 Nasarawa United

    Akwa United 3-1 Heartland FC

    Abia Warriors 1-0 Warri Wolves

    Sunshine Stars 2-2 Kano Pillars

    Dakkada FC of Uyo 2-0 Jigawa Golden Stars (played on Saturday)

    Enyimba International vs Rangers International (postponed)

    2019/2020 NPFL Table

    Club MP W D L Pts
    1. Lobi Stars 16 9 4 3 31
    2. Plateau United 17 8 5 4 29
    3. Rivers United 17 8 5 4 29
    4. Sunshine Stars 17 7 6 4 27
    5. Dakkada FC 17 7 6 4 27
    6. Akwa United 17 7 5 5 26
    7. Abia Warriors 17 6 6 5 24
    8. Katsina United 17 6 6 5 24
    9. MFM FC 16 6 5 5 23
    10. FC IfeanyiUbah 17 7 2 8 23
    11. Heartland FC 17 6 4 7 22
    12. Kano Pillars 15 4 9 2 21
    13. Wikki Tourists 16 5 6 5 21
    14. Warri Wolves 17 5 5 7 20
    15. Kwara United 16 6 2 8 20
    16. Rangers Inter. 12 4 3 5 15
    17. Enyimba Inter. 12 4 3 5 15
    18. Jigawa G/Stars 16 4 2 10 14
    19. Adamawa United 17 4 2 11 14
    20. Nasarawa United 16 3 4 9 13

  • NPFL ranked 57th best league globally

    NPFL ranked 57th best league globally

    The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), has moved up 20 places from 77th to 57th best league in the 2019 rankings for national leagues across the world.

    They are ranked eighth in Africa behind Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Congo DR, Angola, South Africa and Zambia.

    Topping the list are the English Premier League, who are ahead of the Brazilian league, La Liga, Serie A and the Colombian league, who make up the top five leagues.

    In the year under review, Nigeria’s only representatives, Enugu Rangers, failed to make it beyond the group stage of the 2018/19 Confederations Cup.

    Lobi Stars also crashed out in the group stage of the season’s Champions League.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of the League Management Committee, Shehu Dikko while speaking to newsmen, expressed his delight over the progress of the NPFL.

    “It shows we are moving forward, jumping 20 places in one year, it was a challenging year. If we continue on this trajectory, we will get where we want to be – to be among the top,” Dikko said.

    “It just indicates that people are watching and we will review what is going on and make improvements. At least, to jump 20 places in one year is quite a leap, so, we are glad we are making some progress despite the challenges, but we can do more. Our ambition is to be at the top.”

  • NPFL: Enyimba chairman threatens to quit

    NPFL: Enyimba chairman threatens to quit

    Felix Anyansi-Agwu, the Chairman, Enyimba FC of Aba has threatened to leave the club, following allegation that he had been the problem of the club.

    “Everything that happens, they focus on Anyansi-Agwu and blame me, thinking it is all about me, probably because I have stayed up to 20 years, people are tired of me, may be they now want me out, I am considering to go.

    “I would not want to leave Enyimba and expect it to go down, so there is no way I can wish that; that is why we are taking time.

    “It is not wrong to criticise us because no man is an island, we are open to learning every day,’’ Anyansi-Agwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Monday.

    He, however, frowned at the frequent condemnation he receives whenever things go wrong in the club.

    The Enyimba’s chairman said that the club had won 28 trophies during the period of his stewardship.

    On the sack of the club’s erstwhile coach, Usman Abd’Allah, he said that the club had right to take necessary decisions for its well-being.

    “Abd’Allah’s sack had nothing to do with the 4-0 loss the team suffered a week ago in the hands of Plateau United in Jos,’’ he said, adding that clubs sack their coaches whenever they deem it necessary for their progress.

    “Enyimba’s 4-1 win over Paradou AC of Algeria, which is a display of what the team can do, shows that the future of the team is very bright.’’

    Anyansi-Agwu said the club was not satisfied with the number of spectators recently recorded during football matches.

    He said that the club fans have been complaining of their performance lately, adding that when the team is reformed, it will restore its lost glory.

  • Violence in NPFL: Deduct 9 points from clubs as punishment – Fuludu

    Violence in NPFL: Deduct 9 points from clubs as punishment – Fuludu

    Edema Fuludu, a Match Commissioner to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), has advised the League Management Company (LMC) to deduct nine points from any club involved in any form of violence during Nigeria Premier League matches.

    The former Julius Berger FC of Lagos player said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Fuludu’s comments was against the recent pitch invasion and harassment of referee by supporters of Kano Pillars during the Super-Six match against Rangers of Enugu played at Agege stadium in Lagos.

    “We keep calling clubs to pay fines when there is such a breach, do they even pay these fines, because if they are paying, club managers would have found enough reasons to curb this menace.

    “Deduction of points is still the only way to curb this. Make a club a scapegoat and you will see, clubs will prefer to go on their knees appealing to fans not to foment trouble.

    “We are taking so many things for granted and our league won’t grow should such persist; should referees be afraid of discharging their duties? It’s not so in sane climes.

    “Keep deducting points for any unruly behaviour either by fans or by players, everyone will shape up and we will see a difference. Desperate times calls for desperate measures,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that referee Quadri Adebimpe’s decision to award a late penalty to Rangers few minutes to the end of the match brought about the violence.

    Already, the LMC had imposed an N8 million fine on Kano Pillars and a suspended three point deduction among other sanctions.

  • Enyimba International crowned champions of 2018/2019 NPFL

    Enyimba International crowned champions of 2018/2019 NPFL

    Enyimba International Football Club claimed a record eighth title in emphatic manner on Wednesday in Lagos as they were crowned champions of the abridged 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Aba-based Peoples Elephant on the final day of the Super Six Playoffs at the Agege Stadium beat Akwa United of Uyo 3-0.

    Enyimba had emerged for the NPFL Championship Playoffs from Group A of the abridged league alongside Rangers International and defending champions Lobi Stars.

    They went on to win four of their five matches, losing only to Kano Pillars FC 0-2, to gather 12 points.

    Goals from Rueben Bala in the 43rd minute, Stanley Dimgba in the 60th minute and Bashir Abdulrahman in the 80th minute helped them to put the icing on the victory cake.

    Earlier in the day, Rangers International FC of Enugu had beaten FC IfeanyiUbah 4-2 to finish third in the competition and claim the ticket to play in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    In the final match of the playoffs, played after Enyimba had beaten Akwa United, Kano Pillars beat Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 to cement their second-place finishing.

    It all meant Kano Pillars joined Enyimba in qualifying to represent Nigeria in the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League.

    Speaking on their success, the Chairman of Enyimba FC, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, told NAN that their secret was in the philosophy of hard work and focus.

    “We have no special thing that we are doing than to focus on the business of football. We work hard and remain focused.

    “Maybe we dont entertain distractions in the team, which is very vital to our team’s success.

    “For continental football next year, we are going to be at our best. Though many think that it is a familiar terrain for us, but we cannot afford to be complacent about it.

    “Enyimba need to do the nation proud again and that will be our target come next season,” he said.

    HOW THEY FINISHED
    ===================

    Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts

    Enyimba International 5 4 0 1 10 4 +6 12
    Kano Pillars 5 3 2 0 8 4 +4 11
    Rangers International 5 2 2 1 10 8 +2 8
    Akwa United 5 1 3 1 7 9 -2 6
    Lobi Stars 5 1 1 3 5 7 -2 4
    FC IfeanyiUbah 5 0 0 5 6 14 -8 0

  • NPFL: Enyimba FC must fall in Agege, says MFM FC Coach

    Lagos-based MFM FC head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu on Saturday said that his team would not target anything short of victory against Enyimba International of Aba on Sunday.

    He said that anything short of that would amount to failure ahead of this weekend’s game in the Match Day 13 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Group A leaders will host seven-time NPFL champions of the top-flight at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium.

    According to Ilechukwu, the team will be looking forward to recording their first-ever win against the Peoples Elephant.

    “Enyimba’s game is very important to us you know, we have yet to beat them before in our home and away games.

    “It’s a game we must win to remain at the top. We know their antics, we know their strength and we know everything about Enyimba FC. I can tell you their possible line-up.

    “Our former players, Austine Oladapo, Abdulrahman Bashir, Thomas Zenke, Onuwa Chukwuka and Stanley Okorom may likely start for them, but we have prepared. So, anything less than three points is failure.

    “We have prepared for the game and we are waiting for them, he said in a statement by the club’s Media Officer, Olawale Quadri.

    In spite the visitors impressive unbeaten streak in recent matches this season; Ilechukwu believes his charges will at the end of the match put the Aba-based team to the sword.

    “I am aware that Enyimba is a technical side and also of their unbeaten run. We are number one on the log on merit and we are no push over, so come Sunday Enyimba must fall,’’ he said.