Former Super Eagles defender, ‘Gen’ Chikelue Iloenyosi has voiced his displeasure and disappointment over what he described as “unprofessional service” of one of Nigeria’s local airline companies, Aero-contractor.

Iloenyosi, who is also Anambra FA Chairman said he described it as ‘unprofessional’ and disregard of duty of the highest order. He explained that the airline he boarded from Lagos to Abuja diverted his luggage to Calabar instead of the same Abuja without his knowledge or approval.

“I am highly disappointed in this airline. This is the highest form of unprofessionalism”, Iloenyosi roared.

“How can you divert my luggage that contains sensitive personal belongings that I need to use at home to Calabar without my consent. For an airline as big as Aero, this is an unacceptable situation.

“I am considering legal action against them because of this huge disservice they have given me.”

Iloenyosi went further to disclose that the company has not given him any tangible reason for such actions.

The 5th Stephen Keshi annual memorial lecture held on Friday 11 October 2024 at the media center of Samuel Ogbemudia stadium Benin in Edo State with the

theme: “Navigating the Super Eagles’ Coaching Conundrum: Perspectives on the Managerial Status Quandary between Local and Foreign Coaches” may have been greeted with missed opinions and reactions from the Speaker, Panelists and participants. But the bottom line is that all agreed that qualities and legacies of the late former super eagles coach, Stephen Keshi should be the yard stick for appointing the super eagles Manager

The guest speaker a former super eagles coach and Secretary general of the NFF highlighted the challenges inherent in the appointment of the super eagles coach under a ten point agenda

The theme highlights the ongoing debate and challenges surrounding the selection and status of the Super Eagles’ manager, exploring the dynamics between local and foreign coaching talents. The lecture delved into the historical context, comparative advantages, challenges, and future implications of this issue, while paying homage to Stephen Keshi’s legacy as a notable figure in Nigerian football coaching

According to the guest speaker who expressed reservation on the
THE WORD CONUNDRUM & CONFUSION said first and foremost
the theme of the 5th Anniversary has to do with the opinion of the organiser’s from a perspective of relating outside the national secretariat which may not be that of the football authorities considering the primary roles from the 2010 status as amended to either declare vacancies, adopt a legitimate screening processes, options to shortlist possible names, employ and the federation is at liberty to as well terminate the services of coaches either as a contract staff, including engagement of staffs in an interim capacity.

Secondly, according to the speaker ”
A coach is a coach in one word but when antics is to be involved another coronation is to tag them as local and foreign which is usually the deciding factor instead of the most relevant aspect to consider the qualities of the individual which will always be the factors that his performances will be measured at long last.

Thirdly, In our local adages it is often said that he who blows the piper should always decide the tone as well in the case of the football matters it is the football federation, Associations at the states, at the local football councils and that of the complimentary programmes are fully in charge to conclude every transaction.

FOUR.
It is only a time when we so embrace the realities that the supremacy of the National federations coupled with the states and local football councils exist over football matters. The journey is still not very close to the promise land.

FIVE.
Questions that are yet to be answered is to know that democracy as practiced globally enable expression to speak in the point of facts having a clear knowledge over issues of public interest and educate in the points of posing some superior arguments for the consenting views to be discussed and achieved at a solution guided by the same status that is still the referrer for clarity

SIX.
The leadership of the football federation should determine where the pendulum goes having a mandate to direct and reposition the affairs of the federation. Some of us will always suggest that equal opportunity should be given to the best credentials not only in documents hence his past may not be re invented and the colour should never be the yardstick in most cases.

SEVEN.
Missions on football culture will always be possible if the football federation has an intention to adopt a football culture but it has not been possible for the simple reason that we are still in a trial and error considering the array of foreign coaches with mixed football culture that has not reflected to achieve a unifying culture like those great countries like BRAZIL, GERMANY, EUROPE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE ROYAL STATE MORROCO

EIGHT.
National team players like in the case at the club sides, it should be based on MERIT devoid of any form of sentiments and affiliations be it political, culture, colour, tribes but strictly on its merits for only the best that is deserving.

NINE.
Comparative advantages should only be measured on merits if the options are placed on the table considering the fact that certificates vary and not a rocket science to acknowledge the grey areas to compare and so determine which should be what at every given time if merit was an option.

TEN.
As for my humble person my tributes are not just assessing our late brothers in Coaches Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and Amadu Shaibu of blessed memory as icons that came saw and conquered what life meant for them despite our submission that it was a painful exit but memorable in the sight of our creator which no human can question.

MY TAKE HOME AND CONCLUSSION.
While greatness will be the portion of the initiators of this laudable project in memory of our departed friends, may their gentle soul rest in perfect peace and for their families to bear the irreparable passage of their bread winner we should as well have a blessed day

Chairman of National Association Nigeria Professional Footballers, NANPF, Sunday Abe, has condemned in its strongest terms, the I’ll treatment meted out to the Super Eagles by the Libyan authorities.

Super Eagles delegation was kept for about 15 hours without food, water and communication at the Al Abraq Airport after their ValueJet chattered flight was diverted. The flight was close to landing at its original destination, Benghazi Airport.

Following the bizarre incident, NFF ordered the team back home, thus, abandoning the reverse fixture of the group D AFCON qualifier against the Mediterrenean Knights originally scheduled for Tuesday, 15 October, 2024.

Abe, a former Captain of Sunshine Stars of Akure said Libya threw all known decency, fairplay and sportsmanship to the dogs and demanded a serious CAF sanction for the North African country.

“It’s unfortunate that Libya could deeply such weird antics just to secure a win. When did a football become a must win.
Abe Asked.

“This is too bad. It negates the spirit of sportsmanship, the Fair Play slogan of FIFA and should condemned by all right-thinking fellows.

“CAF shouldn’t allow this be swept under the carpet. Libya deserves serious sanction and CAF should serve it to them without blinking an eye”, the NANPF boss declared.

A fierce clash looms large in the losers game between topflights, Heartland Queens and Edo Queens at the ongoing 2024 Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) in Benin City, Edo state.

The BOWFT third place matchup comes up on Wednesday, October 16 at the mainbowl of University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex by 09:00 Hours.

The topflights are known foes and rivals, too having met each other in the league previously as well as in the preseason showdown, BOWFT as the Benin City side enjoyed some heights of superiority on the occasion.

Heading into Wednesday’s matchup, the Owerri mainstreams were rudely beaten with two unanswered goals by former champions, Bayelsa Queens in the semifinals on Monday at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex while the hosts state team, Edo Queens fell on penalties to former Nigerian champions, Nasarawa Amazons to pave the way to a potential and predictable fierce losers’ game.

The premier leaguers are determined to further stamp her foot firmly and up their audacious progression in the yearly preseason showpiece with a third place finish and this time around at the expense of the title holders and nation’s flagbearers at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, Edo Queens.

The Owerri side manager, Obi Ogbala has mooted the idea to rejig the setup with the introduction of some new legs but the envisaged change may not be massive as majority of the mainstays are sure to get the nods to keep their shirts.

Irrespective of what turns out to be the outcome, the Owerri landladies will leave the shores of the ancient city of Benin as huge achievers having surpassed their quarterfinals best performance in the yearly preseason.

BY SAB OSUJI

Hon Augustine Onyekachi Ike, Chairman, Anambra State House Committee on Youth Development and Sports, has commended the leadership of the Nigerua Football Federation, NFF, over the decision to call the bluff of the Libyan antics and promptly withdrawing the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s (tomorrow’s) Africa Cup of Nations group D match day four tie against the Mediterrenean Knights of Libya, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

Super Eagles edged the North African side 1-0 in the match day 3 tie at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday.

The Nigerians sit top of the group standings with seven points, with Benin Republic second on six points with Libya sitting bottom of the group D standings.

Super Eagles flew out of Nigeria on a ValueJet aircraft on Sunday for the reverse fixture billed for the Martyrs Benina Stadium, 8pm Nigeria time (9pm Libyan time) on Tuesday, 15 October, 2024.

But shamefully, the Nigeria aircraft was diverted to an obscure and far away Airport when it was already close to its original Benghazi Airport destination.

There at the ‘airstrip’, the Super Eagles were ‘abandoned by the Libyan authorities for close to over 14 hours with clearance, no water, no food.

Consequently, a distrust Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, called the bluff of the Libyan antics and ordered the team by home.

The team had to fly back on Monday after refueling at Benghazi airport.

Honourable Augustine Onyekachi Ike, Chairman of Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Youth Development, heaped praises on NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for his pragmatic response to the Libyan antics.

The lawmaker opined that the lives of Nigerians far outweighs the three points expected from the match, stressing with the apparent volatile security concerns in the North African country, NFF took the best decision in the best interest of the entire Nigerian Nation.

“I join the millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to condemn the antics of the Libyan authorities”, the House Member representing Nnewi North Constituency, said to Silvernews.com.ng.

“The NFF boss acted wisely, timely and in the best sporting interest of the nation and deserves commendation.

“It’s unfortunate that Libya could decide to treat Nigeria this way after all the good gesture that was extended to them when they visited last week. Football is not ‘war’. Its a unifying factor across nations and beats my imagination why they could decide to go this vile lane.

“Youths are strong heritage of any nation and as true leaders of tomorrow, they should be treated with all meassure of decency and respect”.

Hon Ike urged CAF to look into the Libyan action with a view to wielding the big stick so as to serve as a deterent to others.

“CAF should investigate this and sanction the culprits. That’s the only way to clean up the football industry in the African continent”, the House Committee on Sports and Youth Development Chairman stressed

The Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike (JP) has hailed the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their deserved 1-0 victory over the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, in one of the Match-Day-3 fixtures of group D of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, played in Uyo on Friday.

Ejidike in an interaction with some newsmen in Abuja, shortly, after the match on Friday, described the performance of the coach Austin Eguavoen-led team as gritty, considering how stoically the Libyans stood up, to soak the pressure being mounted by the Eagles attack line, led by Bayern Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, who got replaced in the 74th minute by Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi.

The the goal that secured the victory came off the boot of Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru who came on, also, in the 74th minutes as replacement for Fulham’s Alex Iwobi.

The Anambra-born Sports philanthropist admonished the boys to go to Tripoli next week (Tuesday) and complete the double over the North Africans to secure qualification for the next AFCON to be hosted by Morocco.

Ejidike who is the patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, also commends the technical crew led by coach Eguavoen for what he called a result-oriented approach to coaching that grinds out the results even when the players barely train together for 3 days.

The team leave for Libya to honour the away leg of the fixture, slated for Tuesday, in Libya where the hope of Libya qualifying for the biennial African Premier Football competition, could be finally crushed, should they fail to win, and allow the Super Eagles to amass the 3 maximum points at stake.

Chairman of Anambra State Football Association, ‘General’ Chikelue Iloenyosi, has penned an emotional congratulatory message to the Founder/CEO, Metro Frank Group Ltd, Chief Sir Ambassador Frank Obijiofor, following a ‘Lifetime Achivement Award by the National Crime watch, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

The Award, Silvernews.com.ng understands, was in recognition of Sir Obijiofor’s ‘Examplary Leadership quality’ in demonstrating exceptional commitment to Real Estate develop.ent I Nigeeia through your several engagements in development of Real Estate for the Nigeria Police through and other Security Agencies’.

“It’s noteworthy that Sir Ambassador Dr Obijiofor is a selfless citizen who has the interest of the rest of the people at heart”, Iloenyosi, a former Nigeria international wrote.

“With your kind heart, Anambra State and Nigeria is headed for the topmost best”, the Anambra FA boss concluded.

He pointed out that despite bring a new but modern touch to Real Estate business, Sir Obijiofor has done a lot for security agencies which has helped in making the state a lot more safe.

As President and Proprietor of Anyijo Ofor FC, Iloenyosisolicited for his support to sponsor the Anambra State League which he has graciously accepted.

Heartland Queens achieved an impressive and heartwarming hundred percent performance in the group games of the ongoing 2024 Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) in the ancient city of Benin Edo state.

The Owerri landladies had previously beaten the NWFL Championship duo, Fortress Ladies and Delta Babes and early Thursday’s morning defeated the Beninois Championnat National Feminine, Aigle Royal d’Adjara with one unanswered goal at the turf of Western Boys High School in Benin City. The Owerri side latest lethal finisher and top scorer, Emmanuella James netted the decisive lone goal in the second half of the keenly contested matchup.

The Owerri mainstreams achieved the hundred percent feat flawlessly without conceding a goal to the opponents.
The Owerri side scored an impressive six goals in three matches making it on the average two per match and the newest hit woman, Emmanuella James inked three goals of the whole numbers.

Heartland Queens came top of her group on maximum nine points and would meet the runners up of Group B, Beninois Championnat National Feminine champions, Espoir FC de Cotonou in the quarterfinals. The last eight clash comes up on Saturday, October 12 at the mainbowl of Western Boys High School in Benin City by 12 noon.

Heartland Queens are foundation players of the yearly preseason showpiece in its fourth year.