After seeing his team go down for the second time this season in a home game, Rangers coach Abdul Maikaba has lamented that the bad pitch in Nnewi is affecting their game style.
Rangers had have to play their home games at the Ifeanyi Ubah stadium Nnewi due to an ongoing renovations at their home ground, the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.
Rangers lost their second home game to Plateau United on match day 10 as the Peace Boys went home with a 1-0 victory.
Giving his assessment on the game, Abdul Maikaba said “we need a better pitch to play.”
“The poor state of the pitch is affecting our pattern and rhythm.”
The Flying Antelopes have now lost to Enyimba and Plateau United at home despite having not lost a game away from home this season.
Sadio Mané and Senegal reach back-to-back AFCON final
Senegal are through to the semifinals after a tensed 3-1 victory against Burkina Faso, to remain on course for their highly sought-after maiden Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.
Hervé Koffi with an aggressive attempt to punch the ball in his own 18-yard box almost gave Senegal the lead as Cheikhou Kouyaté was smashed down and referee Bamlak Tesema Weseya from Ethiopia awarded a penalty but overturned his decision after a lengthy VAR consultation.
However, both players involved in the incident left the pitch on stretchers with only Kouyaté returning.
It’s yet another VAR drama when Weyesa awarded another penalty after adjudging Edmond Tapsoba to have blocked a shot with his arm in the stoppage time of the first half but once again reversed his decision on visit to the side pitch monitor.
In the 69th minute, Abdou Diallo fired Senegal up with a superb strike after receiving from Kalidou Koulibaly’s overhead kick.
Seven minutes later, Sadio Mané after chasing down a lose ball, laid across for Idrissa Gueye to tap in. After Blati Touré finds the net on the 82 minutes, Sadio Mané fired a 87th minute breakaway goal to put the ‘Lions of Teranga’ on course to win their first AFCON.
The two sides have had a taste of being in an AFCON final in recent years, but it was Senegal who booked the 2021 final spot and will on Sunday face the winner between Egypt and the hosts, Cameroon.
NWFL Premiership Matchday Wrap-up and Mid-Season Statistics
The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership entered mid-season with six matches played across centers in the country which saw eight goals scored and one away win.
Pelican Stars recorded their first victory of the season, while Nasarawa Amazons & Rivers Angels unseat Edo Queens and Bayelsa Queens to top Group A & B respectively.
Rivers Angels vs Sunshine Queens:
Defending Champions, Rivers Angels survived with a 2-1 narrow win against Sunshine Queens.
Cecilia Nku opened the scoring in the 17th minute but Mariam Aluko restored parity in the 61st minute. While it looks like the visitors will go home with something, Vivian Ikechukwu perished the idea just two minutes later to restore the Angels’ win as they overtake Bayelsa Queens to top Group B.
Royal Queens vs FC Robo Queens:
The Lagos Landladies refused to be the tenants when they visit Warri as they ensured a 0-1 win against Royal Queens.
Rukayat Oladiti’s 22nd minute strike made FC Robo the only side to earn an away win on match day seven.
Pelican Stars vs Naija Ratels:
Pelican Stars finally earned their first win of the season as they inflicted new comers, Naija Ratels its second defeat of the season. Thanks to Bella Obioma’s 85th minute penalty.
Nasarawa Amazons vs Confluence Queens:
In Lafia, Aweda Titilayo netted brace in either half as Amazons schooled the Queens from the Confluence State, to unseat Edo Queens at the top of Group A.
Osun Babes vs Adamawa Queens:
Omoluabi Queens earned a narrow 1-0 win against Adamawa Queens to take their win tally to two games as they seat fifth in Group A, thanks to Akwubo Obianuju’s goal in the stoppage time of the first half.
Abia Angels vs Delta Queens:
Okowa Ladies held hosts, Abia Angels to a barren draw to remain the only unbeaten team in Group B and just the second team in the league yet to lose a game this season, with two wins and four draws as they seat third in the group.
League Statistics:
Nasarawa Amazons has kept the most clean sheets (5) while Tarnum Dooshima of Nasarawa Amazons, Mercy Omokwo of Confluence Queens and Olamide Adugbe of Naija Ratels are all tied on the top scorer chart with (4) four goals each.
The first hat-trick of the season was scored by Mercy Omokwu on match day one while Anjor Mary of Bayelsa Queens netted the first brace of the season.
Winifred Eiyebhora wowed the league with the fastest goal of the season which she scored in the 17 seconds while Motunrayo Ezekiel had the not so good record of scoring the first own of the season.
FC Robo Queens enjoyed the privilege of winning the first penalty call of the season in a game against Abia Angels on match day one.
The mid-season break will last for two weeks as the February transfer window is now officially opened.
NUGA 2022: Akwa-Ibom Governor receives Torch of Unity
The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) organizes interuniversity sports events in Nigeria and this year edition will be hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
UNILAG alumnus, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom was presented the NUGA torch by the delegation from the University of Lagos, led by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, at Government House, Uyo, on Tuesday.
Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, revealed the purpose of the visit was to invite the Governor– who holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Lagos in 1988 – to the NUGA GAMES 2022 and also present the ‘Torch of Unity’ to him ahead of the games.
The Governor in his statement gave his words to be present at the event “mark us one of the attendees” he said.
“We really want to congratulate you and identify with this kind of program for the development of young talents in sports and we will continue to support it… keep a good space for us.”
NUGA was founded in 1966 at the University of Ibadan following the first West African University Games (WAUG) in Ibadan in 1965 and it became a member of the World Federation of University Games (FISU) in 1970 before becoming a founding member of the All Africa University Games Association (FASU) in 1974.
About 10,000 athletes from 80 universities in the country will take part in the game scheduled between March 16 – 27, 2022.
Sparrow FC gets Tiki-Taka endorsement
As part of Sparrow FC efforts to bring the dreams of the Sparrians to reality and make this year a successful soccer year a success, The President of Sparrow FC; Jonathan Opara (Ocee) met the former CEO Sunshine FC and also the Former Vice Chairman of Lobi Star FC of Markurdi who is currently the Country’s Director of Tiki Taka Football Development, Mr. Mike Idoko under the Leadership of Mr. Borje Gustavsson.
Sparrow FC is pleased to inform the teeming supporters that the team will be among the few teams that partake in the annual scouting program in Abuja.
This was disclosed by the Club President, Jonathan Opara in a statement on Tuesday;
“Tiki Taka is a project that we have always dreamed to be part of due to the opportunities that comes with it. It is a great privilege to have met with a football bigwig who did not only approve our participation but also agreed to mentor me and pay a visit to us during our training session so I think this is worth celebrating.”
“As we are preparing for the kickoff of the State League, we are already preparing for the BIG ONE in Abuja coming up in April by God’s grace,” he added.
Sparrow FC is a non-league team based in Ijoko, Ogun State, and will also be participating in the State League for the first time.
2022 started on a high note and the team will work towards sustaining together with you all.
Omoyele takes legal step against Enyimba over unpaid salaries
One of the lethal strikers in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), Tosin Omoyele has terminated his contract with eight times champions Enyimba FC of Aba.
Omoyele who bagged the winner for the Aba Elephants in the game against rivals Akwa United has ended his close to two years stay with the club after joining from Plateau United in November 2020.
In two separate letters dated 7th January and 1st February his lawyer, T.C. Ujah, LL.D. had written to the management of Enyimba FC on the matter.
The Termination Notice read, RE: Unlawful failure to pay salaries to Mr Tosin Omoyele.
“We refer to our default notice to you dated 7 January 2022 (a copy of which is attached herewith), wherein Enyimba Football Club was put in default for unlawfully failing to pay our client up to two monthly salaries on their due dates and issued a deadline of 15 days within which to comply with its financial obligations to our client.”
Not only has Enyimba Football Club refused to respond to or acknowledge the
said correspondence, but the club has also continuously and brazenly refused to fulfil its financial obligations to the player, in a manner that is abusive, unfair, and unlawful.
Under the extant laws and regulations, particularly the Regulations on the
Status and Transfer of Players, the current circumstances of the treatment met out to our client together with the refusal and failure to pay his monthly salaries and
financial entitlements (now over two months) constitute just cause for the termination of the playing contract, for which Enyimba Football Club is liable.
Therefore, the player formally terminates his contract with Enyimba FC with immediate effective immediately and his termination is without prejudice to all overdue payables, financial entitlements, and legal reliefs to which he is entitled.
The termination means that Omoyele is now a free agent and his representatives can hold talks with any club in and out of Nigeria.
ICYMI: Vihiga Queens’ Jentrix Shikangwa joins Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük S.K.
Vihiga Queens and Harambee Starlets young sensation, Jentrix Shikangwa has been unveiled by Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük S.K. that plays in the Turkish top tier league, Kadin Süper Ligi.
The Kenyan international was officially unveiled on Sunday evening in İstanbul, Turkey.
The 20-year-old student of the Wiyeta Girls broke into the limelight in the 2019 edition of the CECAFA Championships where she scored brace in the final against Tanzania and was voted the Most Promising Player by the Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) panelists.
Through football while at Shipalo Primary School in Khayega, Kakamega County, Shikangwa earned a scholarship to join the famous Wiyeta High School where footballing star continued to shine under the guidance of Coach John Wafula. She was crowned the best player during the 2017 school games which led her to get a call-up to the U20 National team that took part in the World Cup qualifiers.
After helping Vihiga Queens win the Kenyan Women’s Premier League three times in a row, Shikangwa brace in the qualifiers final helped Queens qualified for the first-ever CAF Women’s Champions League held in Egypt in 2021.
Before joining her new team, she has scored 5 goals in the 4 matches she had played this season in the Kenyan Women’s Premier League.
This is what a new competition can provide for our girls, a platform to showcase their talent and grab opportunities at global level.
MFM appoints Broad City’s Ikechukwu Christian as new Technical Adviser
Poor results for MFM FC in the league this season have eventually led to a shake-up in the coaching staff as the team has been without a Technical Adviser for the last two games. The board has finally bagged the signature of Ikechukwu Christian from Broad City FC has their new Technical Adviser.
MFM FC currently maintains the 20th position in the NPFL table after picking two wins and 7 losses in 9 games this season and the MFM board has described the appointment of Ikechukwu Christian from Broadcity as redeployment.
Many people have earlier questioned the appointment of Shola Balogun which relegated Olalekan Gabriel to the bench after the latter performed a successful rescue mission for the Olukoya boys last season and expected he would continue with the good work.
According to Sports247, NLO and TCC side, Broad City have confirmed head coach, Ikechukwu Christian is no longer with the team as he awaits official unveiling by his new team MFM.
“Losing IK and letting him go to a better place is a great achievement for us as a team, for him personally as well. He has shaped a lot in our boys and it’s been working well,” said Broadcity’s Director Bamidele Olusanya to Sports247.
“Good thing is, when MFM came calling, it’s a dream for everyone to grow. It’s a stepping stone for anyone and good for us as it gives us an avenue and a connection for networking with the NPFL side. It was a surprise as well as he should be the youngest head coach of a top-flight league side in Nigeria at 28 years or thereabout,” the Director added.
“Trust me, he will do a whole lot for MFM, be on the lookout and see the changes in MFM FC in the next couple of games. I wish him all the best, the entire management of Broadcity FC wishes him all the best, we’ll follow up with him and be and remain a huge follower and supporter of MFM FC,” Mr. Bamidele concluded.
Ikechukwu has been with Broad City for what the Director describes as a “productive” six months. His statistics reads 7 wins in 10 games and two losses as a grassroots coach.
NWFL Premiership Matchday 7 Preview: Nasarawa Amazons look to dethrone Edo Queens from table top while Rivers Angels aim to bounce back
The first stanza of the NWFL Premiership season 2021/22 ends on Wednesday, February 2, pronouncing the start of the mid-season break and opening of the February transfer window.
The matchday 7 fixtures will see games across six centres in the country and the possibilities of position and leadership of the tables changes.
Nasarawa Amazons welcome Confluence Queens to the Lafia City Stadium, Rivers Angels will host visiting Sunshine Queens, while Naija Ratels will travel south to face Pelican Stars at the U.J Usuene Stadium, Calabar.
Royal Queens Vs FC Robo Queens – Warri Township Stadium, Warri:
Royal Queens welcomes the ‘Lagos Landladies’ to their home ground in Warri. The ‘Canadian Geese’ have only gotten four points in their last five games and lost scandalously to their neighbours Delta Queens on Matchday six at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Osahon Emmanuel, whose FC Robo Queens team is presently fourth on the log will be aiming to get placed in third position after the game, while Whyte Ogbonda has only one choice and that is to win and get the three maximum points.
With the three match ban on FC Robo, they will still resume their second round first game at their new home for the last time before returning to the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos.
Rivers Angels Vs Sunshine Queens – UNIPORT Sports Complex, Porthacourt:
Rivers Angels welcomes struggling Sunshine Queens to Pitakwa, another name the Oil City, Porthacourt is known for.
Sunshine Queens could only do with a draw last week against visiting Abia Angels at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure. A poor result for the ‘Betty Babes’, who will now look forward to face a wounded Rivers Angels, who lost their first game of the season, last week against perennial rivals, Bayelsa Queens.
The ‘New Vision’ Queens have all what it takes to go past their opponent, but would be wary of some dangers the ‘Betty Babes’ can cause them.
A win for Rivers Angels, means they end the mid-season as leaders in Group B, a feat they would give their all to achieve. While a win for Sunshine Queens means they will be more comfortable on the standings.
Pelican Stars Vs Naija Ratels – U.J Usuene Stadium, Calabar:
The ‘Ayade Ladies’ who haven’t scored a single goal in their last five matches and have conceded more than ten goals so far welcomes high-flying Naija Ratels who lost their first game of the season, last week.
The home side are rooted bottom of the Group A standings and will show alot of intents from the blast of the whistle in search of their first goal of the season, having lost two of their last two home games against Nasarawa Amazons and Edo Queens respectively, while the away team have picked two points away from home against Edo Queens and Confluence Queens respectively.
Nasarawa Amazons Vs Confluence Queens – Lafia City Stadium:
Nasarawa Amazons have been in great form, and have recorded four victories in the last five games, losing only to Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Matchday three.
The ‘Solid Babes’ needs an outright victory against Confluence Queens to finish as mid-season toppers in group A. They are presently on 12 points, while Edo Queens, who are on bye this Wednesday are on 14 points.
Meanwhile, Confluence Queens needs to get back to winning ways in Lafia, after going through series of poor results in their last three games, with a draw at home against Edo Queens, lost to Adamawa Queens in Gombe, then played a goalless draw at home against Naija Ratels.
Osun Babes Vs Adamawa Queens – Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo:
Adamawa Queens have been in a terrible away form and will visit the Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo on Wednesday to keep a date with Osun Babes FC, who are second placed bottom team in Group A, just after Pelican Stars.
The ‘Omoluabi Queens’ have recorded just one win in their last five games. A situation, the technical crew will be hoping to overturn with a victory against the ‘Fintiri Ladies’.
An outright win for the home side, means they go top of their visitors on the log, while the struggling away team would hope to get a point or three in bag.
Abia Angels Vs Delta Queens – Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia:
Abia Angels picked a point away from home last week in Akure, against Sunshine Queens and have all it takes to get a great result say home against Delta Queens.
Abia Angels are presently bottom in Group B, while the girls of Okowa are third on the log with 9 points from five games.
Delta Queens are one of the sides still unbeaten so far in the league and would be willing to put that on the line against a side well tutored by Ann Chiejine.
The second stanza of the 14 Week League season will resume on February 23, while the season ends on April 6, 2022 to give way for the NWFL Premiership Super6 where the League Champions will be determined.
At the end of league games on April 6, three teams each from Group A and B will pick tickets for the Super-6.
DONE DEAL: Cardiff City Bags Uche Ikpeazu’s Signature
Nigerian international forward, Uche Ikpeazu has joined Cardiff City FC on load from Middlesbrogh FC.
The Bluebirds were linked with the striker in the summer and earlier in the January window.
The 26-year-old, who signed for Boro last summer from Wycombe Wanderers, has scored 3 goals in 21 matches for the team.
“Cardiff City Football Club are delighted to announce the loan signing of forward Uche Ikpeazu,” a club statement read.
MOLATsportgist 