Tag: General Sports

Palm Syrup FC defeated Krane FC 2-0 in one of the opening day games of the 2023 Nationwide League Cup [NLO CUP] at the Uyo Township Stadium.

A game between two Akwa Ibom State based sides with a storied history of rivalry in grassroots football was perhaps the biggest match on day one of the NLO Cup in Uyo Center.

Roro FC fell 3-4 to Jaguar FC in the opening game of matchday one at the Uyo Township Stadium before Palm Syrup FC and Krane FC filed out for the other game in group 2A.

Krane FC of Eket dominated the opening exchanges but failed to find the breakthrough at the Uyo Township Stadium on Friday afternoon.

To punish the Eket-boys for their poor finishing, Palm Syrup broke the deadlock in the 35th minute.

Ediongseyene Otonoh applied a perfect header to Abraham David’s well-tailored cross from the right flank following a well-worked team move.

That goal sparked opportunities from both ends but there was no other goal until the half-time break.

Five minutes Into the second half, Palm Syrup FC doubled their lead courtesy of a Solomon Akpan well-placed shot from inside the penalty area.

Both teams toiled in vain search for another goal until the expiration of regulation time with Palm Syrup FC 2-0 victors over Krane FC.

Few months after winning the Uyo Center of the first-ever Nationwide League One Youth League, Palm Syrup FC will do battle with seven other teams in Uyo for the centers sole NLO final match spot.

The Nationwide League One Cup is played at two venues; the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano and Uyo Township Stadium.

The winner from both centers will play meet for the final match in Abuja on December 9, 2023.

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Action is underway in the 2023 Nationwide League One Cup [NLO CUP] in Uyo and Kano centers on Friday, November 24, 2023. The AthleticNG reports.

The maiden NLO Cup is sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN and FirstCentral Credit Bureau and is poised to celebrate the best of Nigeria’s third-tier football.

The Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano and Uyo Township Stadium will play host to the fiesta to the delight of teeming fans who will see action involving sixteen selected teams in battle for the title.

The opening match on Friday between Likeminds FC versus Zeal Minds FC and Roro FC versus Jaguar FC kicks off respectively at the Sani Abacha Stadium and Uyo Township Stadium by 10 am on Friday.

Chief Operating Officer of the nation’s third-tier league and an astute grassroots football administrator per excellence, Olushola Ogunnowo spoke ahead of the kickoff.

“On behalf of the NLO, I want to express our thanks to our headline sponsors MTN and FirstCentral Credit Bureau for having faith in the NLO brand and its vision by footing the bills of the NLO Cup.

“Preparations are in top gear, as we’re set for the NLO Cup to kick off amid funfair. The 16 clubs have arrived at their different venues.

“All logistics are in place as, A-grade facilities, the (Sani Abacha Stadium and Uyo Township Stadium) have been selected, as the NLO Cup will showcase the best of Nigeria’s grassroots football to the world.

“The NLO Cup will ignite the passion and the abundant skills of our players. The 16 teams have been grouped into 1 and 2, with each having A and B of four teams each.

“After the group phases in Kano and Uyo, the over winner in Group 1A will take on that of Group 1B in the semi-finals, the same applies with that of Uyo.

“The overall winner from Group 1 (Kano) will tackle the winner from Group 2 (Uyo) in the final on 9th December at the Bwari Stadium in Abuja.”

The NLO Cup will run from Friday 24th November to 9th December 2023.

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Orlando Pirates defender, Olisa Ndah, has named the Super Eagles of Nigeria as strong contenders for the 2023 AFCON title in Ivory Coast.

In their last engagements ahead of the AFCON in January, the Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded 1-1 draws in their opening two 2026 World Cup qualifying Group C games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, to sit in third place one point behind South Africa and two behind group leaders Rwanda.

The poor start to the qualifying series nothwitstanding, Ndah is backing the Eagles to return to winning ways soon and fly as one of the best at the Cup of Nations.

“These things can happen. “Sometimes things don’t always go as well for you, but I believe that the Eagles are certainly capable of returning to winning ways again, ” he told PUNCH.

“I always fancied the Eagles to be one of the strong contenders for the forthcoming AFCON in Ivory Coast next year.”

Olisa Ndah was part of the Super Eagles team to the 2021 AFCON. He has returned to full-fitness after a long Injury-layoff and is optimistic he will get another opportunity to play for Nigeria.

He added “We have talents everywhere and I believe I will get my chance to prove my worth like I did before the last AFCON.”

Olisa Ndah has not played for the Super Eagles under Jose Peseiro. The Portuguese gaffer had invited him for the International friendly vs Portugal in November 2022 but he missed out with Injury.

Embattled Super Eagles head coach, Peseiro has won six and lost six of his 15 matches in the dugout with the backline a major worry having conceeded 21-goals, six of this lot coming in the last four games.

Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, Peseiro will look to sort the defensive concerns and the goalkeeping situation which has pressed the Eagles down even before his appointment as coach of the team.

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A photo of Victor Boniface flying to Germany with his grandma to Germany is trending on social media after the International break.

Boniface was in Nigeria to honour the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games Vs Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

The striker was not at his best in both games for the Super Eagles.

Boniface started and finished the 1-1 draw vs Lesotho before coming off the bench in the draw Vs Zimbabwe omn Sunday, November 19.

After the turbulent week, Victor Boniface will head back to Germany in the company of a woman, Identified as his grandma.

In a post on his Instagram handle, Boniface shared the now-trending image onboard flight to Germany.

THE PICTURE

Victor Boniface will hopefully have his grandma in the stands for one of his games for Bayer Leverkusen.

Table-topping Leverkusen will face Werder Bremen on Saturday, November 25 before travelling to Sweden for a Europa League clash Vs Hacken in midweek.

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Nigeria Football Federation board member, Rt. Hon. Nse Essien says the Super Eagles must bring the best players for matches . The AthleticNG

Essien’s comments comes after the Super Eagles failed to beat Lesotho and Zimbabwe in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games.

Nigeria is blessed with talented players at home and abroad but struggled to get their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign off to a winning start.

The NFF Executive Board member who in the same interview said the federation was not happy with coach Peseiro but will not sack him due to financial bottlenecks offered a way out.

“It’s for us to ensure that the best of the players are brought in for our matches, that’s what must happen, players doing well should be brought in,” Essien said in a video posted on OJB Sport X handle.

“We need players who are very committed, players who are qualified to play for Nigeria should be brought, we have a lot of them in Nigeria and all over the world.

“We need to bring players who are determined, who are going to be committed and who will give Nigeria 100 per cent.“

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Following the successful comclusion of 2023 Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Cup Super-12 group stage matches, fixtures for the quater-final have been released.

Recall that 31 Local government teams participated in the preliminary round of the competition which began on September 21 through to October 21.

The top four teams from each Senatorial District qualified to participate in the Super-12 playoff and were drawn in two groups of six for super-12 group stage matches, eight teams have emerged for the quater-final.

In group A, Uyo Local government area took top spot with eleven points while Essien Udim followed in second place with ten points. Urue Offong Oruko took third place with seven points while Ikot Abasi occupied the fourth and final qualification spot from the group.

Group B was led by Onna who topped the section with nine points with Ibeno taking second spot with eight points. Obot Akara finished third with seven points while Ibiono Ibom completed the section with seven points.

Ikot Ekpene, Ikono, Uruan and defending champions fell short in the super-12 and so have bid farewll to the 2023 Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Cup competition.

As released by the Akwa Ibom State Football Association Normalization Committee , here are fixtures for the 2023 Governor’s Cup quater-final.

Uyo Vs Ibiono Ibom

Onna Vs Ikot Abasi

Essien Udim Vs Obot Akara

Ibeno Vs Urue Offong Oruko

Dates and time for the matches have not been announced yet.

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The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season entered its ninth week this weekend. The AthleticNG presents a summary of the ten week-9 games .

At the Eket Stadium, Akwa United FC came from a goal down to triumph 3-2 on Sunday, November 19, 2023.

Remo Stars took the lead through in-form striker Sikiru Alimi after 15 minutes of play.

Akwa United FC reponded with a quick-fire double to lead inside a goal-crazy half-hour.

Defensive midfielder Dare Ojo equalised for Akwa United FC in the 23rd minute before Uche Collins gave the Promise Keeper’s the lead for the first time in the game on 26 minutes.

Rilwan Sadiq doubled the advantage for Coach Fatai Osho’s men in the 62nd minute.

The visitors however reduced the deficit through Aniekeme Okon 12 minutes from time but Akwa United FC held on to win 3-2.

In Aba, reigning NPFL chaimpions Enyimba FC defeated Lobi Stars 1-0.

Defender, Alalibo Somiari scored the winning goal two minutes from time when a powered a header home to break the visitors resolve.

At the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Shooting Stars claimed a 1-0 victory against Coach Abdul Maikaba tutored Kano Pillars FC.

Kareem Ayinde scored the winning goal four minutes before the hour mark.

In Awka, Enugu Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw by Katsina United FC.

NPFL new boys Sporting Lagos came from behind to hold Heartland FC to a 1-1 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.

Chinedu Ike scored the opening goal in the 75th minute.

Sporting Lagos had to wait for Jonathan Alukwu’s goal deep into stoppage time to hold Heartland FC to a draw.

Heartland are still without a win in the NPFL this season.

Former champions Rivers United defeated Abia Warriors 2-1 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Alex Oyowah gave Rivers United the lead from the spot six minutes before the break.

Abia Warriors defender Ifeanyi Anaemena conceded an own goal to double Rivers United’s lead eight minutes from time.

Anaemena did make amends for the own-goal when he pulled one back for the Warriors on 86 minutes.

Umar Abba scored the winning goal on 13 minutes as Gombe United defeated Niger Niger Tornadoes 1-0.

FULL TIME
Akwa Utd 3-2 Remo stars
Bayelsa Utd 1-1 Sunshine stars
Rangers 0-0 Katsina Utd
Enyimba 1-0 Lobi stars
Rivers Utd 2-1 Abia warriors
Shooting Stars 1-0 Kano Pillars
Sporting Lagos 1-1 Heartland
Gombe Utd 1-0 Niger Tornadoes

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The draw means the Eagles occupy second place on two points behind South Africa, who will go four points clear if they beat Rwanda on Tuesday.

Nigeria will continue the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification journey in 2024 as attention now shifts to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.

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A new-look Vandrezzer FC team defeated Coal City FC 1-0 at the Uyo Township Stadium in their opening game od the 2023/2024 NNL season.

Under a new manager, Ike Thankgod, the Lions filed out at their new-home the Uyo Township season against league newcomers Coal City FC of Enugu.

Vandrezzer FC took little time to announce thier aspiration of taking maximum points in the matchday-one fixture.

The Lions kept the ball with creating of clear-cut chances their only undoing in a drab opening half.

At the restart, Vandrezzer FC became more purposeful going forward and got due reward when new signing Esho struck the winning goal in the final quarter.

Coal City tried to fightback but their attempts to hold on for a win.

It finished Vandrezzer FC 1-1 Coal City FC, a winning start the 2023/2024 season for the Lions of Naija in the southern conference of the Nigeria National League.

Ike Thankgod will be happy to get his a win in his first game in charge of the Lions after succeeding Niambele Adama Mohammed at the club.

In a related development, Vandrezzer FC have announced the appointment of Mr Uko Eshiet as team manager in place of Fatai Olayinka who was relieved from the role at the end of last season.

The ex-footballer is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear in managing the dat-to-day running of the club.

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Nigeria National League club, Vandrezzer FC have appointed Ike Thankgod as Head Coach. The club announced on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

Until his latest appointment, Ike Thankgod was assistant coach to Niambele Adama Mohammed for the 2022/2023 season.

A former Heartland FC defender, Ike Thankgod will be taking charge of his first full managerial job at Vandrezzer FC.

The appointment of the new manager is one of several changes at the club ahead of the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League season.

A vastly experienced center-back whose playing career took him to clubs like Heartland FC, Warri Wolves, Abia Warriors, Enyimba FC and Fanja SC of Oman league who at the time had a record eight league titles.

In a post via its social media handles on Saturday, November 18, Vandrezzer FC said Ike Thankgod will take charge of the team in the 2023/2024 season to be assisted by Coach Alfred Madaki who heads the club’s developmental team.

A NEW HOME FOR THE LIONS

After announcing the appointment of Coach Ike Thankgod and his assistant Alfred Madaki, Vandrezzer FC confirmed a new home for the 2023/2024 season.

Recall that the Lions of Naija played the 2022/2023 season at the Eket Stadium.

In a new development, Vandrezzer FC will play the 2023/2024 season at the Uyo Township Stadium.

The new home for the Lions is situated in the heart of the Akwa Ibom State capital and also serves as home for NNL side, Dakkada FC.

OTHER CHANGES AT VANDREZZER FC

A new-look Vandrezzer FC is what fans should expect for the new season.

The AthleticNG can authoritatively confirm the club will be managed by a new management crew.

Mr Fatai Olayinka who was in charge of the day-to-day activities at the club is no longer on the role.

There are wholesale player changes at the club.

New Lions to replace bulk of the lads from previous seasons.

A NEW SEASON A NEW START

A new season and a new start for Vandrezzer FC will begin on Sunday, November 19, 2023 when they host Coal City FC on matchday one of the 2023/2024 NNL season.

Kick-off is 3pm at the Uyo Township Stadium.

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