Ejo invites Warri wolves duo, 18 others for Copa Lagos

Head Coach of the Super Sand Eagles Audu Adamu Ejo has invited 20 players for this year’s Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament.

The tournament which takes place from December 18th- 20th will see the Sand Eagles make attempt to reclaim the title they lost to neighbours Cote D’Ivoire in last year’s final.

Leading the pack is Warri Wolves FC of Warri midfielder Bartholomew Ibenegbu who is the new captain of the team and was part of the team that finished third at this year’s CAF Beach Soccer Tournament in Seychelles.

Others include the trio of Victor Tale, Emeka Ogbonna and Abu Azeez of Warri Wolves.

The players are expected to arrive their Hunwaji Hotel, Badagry latest 29th November.

The Full List:

1. Olalekan Oladepo – Owibeseb FC, Ojo
2. Festus Ebiahi- Bridge Boys FC, Lagos
3. Apolongo Sadeeq- Leeds United FC, Ojo
4. Bartholomew Ibenegbu- Warri Wolves FC, Warri
5. Abu Azeez- Warri Wolves FC, Warri
6. Emeka Ogbonna- Leeds United FC, Ojo
7. Lokosa Junior – First Bank FC, Lagos
8. Samad Kadiri- Bayelsa FC, Yenagoa
9. Tyson Ojukwu Emmanuel- Leeds United FC, Ojo
10. Godspower Igudia- Akwa United FC, Uyo
11. Victor Tale Sheneni- Confluence FC, Lokoja
12. Emmanuel Owhoferia- Remo United FC, Shagamu
13. Adams Taiwo – Owibeseb FC, Ojo
14. Akinde Ibrahim- Giwa FC, Jos
15. Babakuru Ali- El Kanemi Warriors, Maiduguri
16. Jimoh Ismaila Olawale- Kwara United FC, Ilorin
17. Ekujumi Ejanosi Taiwale- Leeds United FC, Ojo
18. Patrick Agada Sylvester- Zamfara United FC, Gusau
19. Ahmadu Lawal- El Kanemi Warriors FC, Maiduguri
20. Uche Okeke- Supreme Court FC, Abuja

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NFF invites APFON, NANF to joint meeting

The leadership of Nigeria Football has invited the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) and the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) to a meeting in Lagos on Thurdsay.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick said the joint meeting had become necessary in order to find a permanent solution to the discord that has seen two different bodies claiming to represent the interests of professional footballers in Nigeria for so many years now.

“Our administration is seeking to install harmony in all sectors of the game of football, and the players – the real actors – are very, very important.

“We are keen to bring this discord, this misunderstanding between NANF and APFON to an end. Football thrives in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, and you cannot truly protect the interests of persons under a structure of disharmony,” Pinnick contended.

Thursday’s meeting will take place at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, and each of the bodies has been asked to attend with five members.

“We are lovers of peace. We will do everything humanly possible to bring the two unions together and make them work together.”

In the past, the Nigeria Football Federation had recognized APFON as the Member of Congress. The new effort seeks to unite the two in the interest of active and retired footballers in the country.

NPFL Relegation battle: Akwa Utd will survive – Yusuf

The battle for clubs to keep their status intact in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has stretched to the very last day.

Though three clubs, FC Taraba, Bayelsa United and Kwara United have booked relegation tickets but there’s still a slot for one more club and the final day drama will see Sharks FC, Dolphins, Rangers Int’l, Lobi Stars and Akwa United all putting in their very best to avoid the drop.

While Dolphins, Sharks and Lobi Stars are on the road in their last day tie, both Rangers Int’l and Akwa United will be at home.

Akwa United midfielder, Adio Yusuf has maintained that he and his team mates are focused on getting a win over Lobi Stars.

“It’s a tough situation but we are up to the task,” Yusuf told SupportTheNPFL.com.

“Akwa United won’t go down. We seem to have a slim advantage because we won’t be traveling, we shall host Lobi Stars at home and we hope to get a good result. Our closet rivals, Dolphins and Sharks will be playing on the road which we all know it’s even tough playing without your fans cheering you on.”

Rangers Int’l currently sit in the 14th position on the log with 46 points and will host Bayelsa United who are going down. Representatives of Sharks (45 points), Dolphins FC (44 points) and Akwa United (44 points) will follow proceedings in Ibadan where Dolphins will face 3SC in Umuahia where Sharks will visit Abia Warriors as result from those venues may change the final standings.

Only the best will face Swaziland – Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh will not be swayed by past reputations as he looks to inspire the Super Eagles to a win in today’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Swaziland’s Sihlangi Semnikati.

Swaziland will be looking to inflict a first competitive defeat on Oliseh at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba.

The Nigeria national team head coach insists only “the best will play” against Swaziland.

“It doesn’t matter to me if you have been playing ten years before or you have not been playing…it doesn’t matter.”

Oliseh will be expecting more ‘head shakes’ against The Swazi’s – both away and at home

“The best will play. It also does not matter if you are scoring 50 goals, 30 or 20 goals at (your club).

“What is important is how you adapt to our style of play which will enable your teammates to play well with you.

“We are not going to have one star player and everyone will be playing for him.

“We will have 11 or 14 stars as the case maybe,” he said.

Play Swaziland tie as Cup final: Onigbinde charges Eagles

Former Super Eagles Gaffer Adegboye Onigbinde has charged the side to see as a cup final the clash against the Sihlangu Semnikati of Swaziland.

The three-time African champions will engage the Southern Africans in a World Cup qualifying match at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.

The Modakeke High Chief reminded the Sunday Oliseh-tutored side that there are no more minnows in the round leather game.

“I will want Super Eagles to regard the clash against Swaziland on Friday in Lobamba as a cup final that must be won.

“There are no minnows in football anymore, not even Swaziland should be seen in that light as I’m aware of the level of football development in that country.

“In fact, at a point in time CAF was angry with us because the height of football development in Swaziland was higher than our own.

“Though things would have changed for both countries I sincerely believe we must err on the part of caution by taking the side serious.

“Every match is a big match and if we have learnt any lesson from the past mishap in the hands of supposedly minnows we must approach the duel with more purposeful attitude.

“I want to believe that no coach goes out in a match to lose. The intention is always to win and that’s the way to go against Swaziland.

“As a coach I never bordered myself with the strength of my opponents but to take extra care to prepare the team for every eventuality.

“I want the best for my country and I strongly believe we will come back victorious in the clash on Friday,” said Onigbinde to supersport.com.

The reverse fixture clash will be held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, November 17 which will see the aggregate winners move to the group stage of the qualifying series.

Sunshine target continental ticket

Sunshine Stars have said they will continue their push for a continental ticket on the last day of the Glo Premier League.

Sunshine will play league champions, Enyimba, on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos after their 1-1 draw in a rescheduled Week 36 match in Abuja.

The League Management Company banished the Akure Gunners to Lagos following crowd disturbance of their match against Lobi. The match was replayed in Abuja on Wednesday.

Sunshine are fourth in the table with 60 points after 37 matches. They are tied on points with two other clubs — Nasarawa United and Wikki Tourists — but have a superior goals advantage over the other two. Sunshine have a difference of +20, Nasarawa have +9 while Wikki have +7.

Spokesman for the club, Wahab Bankole, told our correspondent that the club would not relent in their push for a continental ticket against Enyimba on Sunday.

“The league is ending on Sunday and the race for the continental tickets is tough,” Bankole said.

“Anything can happen to any of the team above us because Giwa are on 63 and a loss and a win for us gives us a chance for a shot at the third place.

“Enyimba have won the league but they wont be easy opponents so the players will get a win and play on the continent.”

The first two teams in the league will campaign in the CAF Champions League while the third and fourth placed teams will represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Swaziland must fall-Iheanacho

Super Eagles and Manchester City youth striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has declared that there would be no hiding place for Nigeria’s opponent in today’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Shlilangu of Swaziland. The Eagles left Abuja in a chartered flight for Swaziland in the early hours of yesterday.

Speaking in Abuja before their departure, Iheanacho said he was optimistic Nigeria will overcome their opponent in Lobamba, stressing that he would do everything possible to make Nigerians happy with his first cap at the senior level.
He thanked Coach Sunday Oliseh for giving him the opportunity.

The youngster, who was a member of the Nigeria U-17 that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the United Arab Emirates in 2013, said he entertained no fear playing at the senior level for the first time, adding that he would not disappoint his fans and Nigerians back home, if Oliseh gives him a shirt.

I am full of confidence and not shy to play for the national team of Nigeria. I am happy to be part of the team playing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.  I am here to do my best for the Eagles.  I play with experienced players at Manchester City and I am sure I will blend with quickly in the Super Eagles,’’Iheanacho stated.

The player said he was left out of the team during the Coach Stephen Keshi era because the coach had players he wanted and he felt he could not use him.
“Even though I tried my best, it was his decision to choose players he wanted. I am in the Super Eagles now and I have to show what I can do, may be in Swaziland, if Coach Oliseh decides to pick me for the match.”