….Assures players and officials of a better outing next season.

By: Tony Ademodi

Abia born business mogul, Hon. Chief Uche Agwu Udo, has congratulated Enyimba football club of Aba, for their efforts in securing a continental slot to the CAF Confederations cup next season.

Chief Agwu Udo, who is the former president of Abia state indigenes in Ghana, speaking to newsmen at the Enyimba stadium Aba, during the clubs 2-0 win against Plateau United Fc on Sunday, praised the players and officials of Enyimba Fc, for maintaining the culture of the club by qualifying to play in the continent.

“Today I had to come from Ghana to watch my favorite football club Enyimba Fc play, it’s been rewarding watching them here, as they have yet again showed the Aba is the home of football, with a comfortable win over their opponents”.

Chief Agwu Udo, who is also the traditional prime minister of Igbo indigenes in Ghana, maintained that as a football fan, there was need for Nigerians to support our leagues even from the diaspora, as he also assured Enyimba Fc players and management of his continuous support to the team.

“ I love Nigerian football, I’ve been a fan of Enyimba Fc for many years now, they have made not only Abians proud, but every Nigerian because of the laurels they’ve won over the years, which has helped in setting Nigerian club football on the world map. Enyimba Fc isn’t just a football club, but a global brand, and I feel happy to be associated with them as a fan. I love what the current management of the club, headed by Nigerian football legend, Kanu Nwankwo and his back room staff are doing, as the club is taking another positive step in achieving more sucess.

Chief Uche Agwu Udo who hails from Akanu Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government area of Abia state, is a business tycoon, traditional ruler, politician and an elder statesman.

He owns one of the biggest entertainment studios in Ghana, and is a big philanthropist.

The ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the New Jos Stadium, Jos, defeated Gombe United 2-1 in the last league encounter of the season to amass a total of seventy points in the 2023/2024 NPFL season and crowned champions before an appreciative crowd that had the governors of Enugu and Plateau states.

Two early goals in 3 and 7 minutes of the highly entertaining encounter off the boots of Kazeem Ogunleye and Godwin Obaje while the host, reduced the tally in 25 minutes off the boot of Sa’ad Abubakar while efforts to get more goals by either side proved abortive till the end of the first half of the encounter.

The second half was end-to-end stuff as the fans were at the edge of their seats as opportunities came and went with the short stoppers of the contending sides showcasing their stuff between the sticks.

Enugu state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, and his Plateau state counterpart, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang was on the ground to witness the scintillating encounter and was involved in the medal and trophy presentation to the league winners, Rangers International F.C.

The Coal City side was later hosted to a grand dinner party by the G.M.D of Afrinvest West Africa, Prince Ike Chioke, which had three Enugu state commissioners present, players, coaches, backroom staff, and management staff were treated to sumptuous meals.

With the victory and trophy presentation, Rangers have extended their league triumphs to eight and will represent the country in the CAF Champions League next season with the target of getting as far as the final match.

In a post-match chat, an elated coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said, “This is a great day for all of us in Rangers and we give God the glory. This is a victory for the government and people of Enugu state who supported us through thick and thin till we got to where we are today as champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League. We hope to get a few legs to add to this team to challenge for both domestic and continental honors next season effectively.”

…As his Contract With Enyimba International Rounds Out

Enyimba striker Chijioke Mbaoma has won the Eunisell Boot as the top scorer in the NPFL for the 2023/24 after a rewarding season it comes as this two years contract with the people’s Elephant rounds out with the last game of the season.

He succeeds another former Heartland striker, Emeka Obioma, who was top scorer last season.

Mbaoma netted his 17th goal of the season in today’s final game against Plateau United in Aba.

The Striker who was talk of town when he was not invited to the super eagles of Nigeria camp for the world cup qualifying against South Africa and Benin republic
He broke the deadlock with his strike in the 78th minute.

He will get a special award as well as prize money for finishing as the Goal King of the league.

Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars netted 15 goals.

According to the manager of the former Heartland Fc Owerri top Strike
Mr Chuks Ozurumba in a recent interview with Silvernews, he said “lots of clubs are bugging my line because of him. The only thing we want to do is to finish the season.

“After the season, then we will now decide on where or how to. Even Enyimba wants him to extend his contract. We cannot make any decision at the moment because I really need to discuss with the management of Enyimba.”

Nigeria Professional Footballers under the auspices of the Nigeria Players Union, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers, NANPF, has congratulated Rangers International for emerging champions of the 2023/2024 NPFL season.

The congratulatory message was contained in a letter addressed to the General Manager of the club and signed by Comrade Austin Popo, Executive Secretary of NANPF.

“We bring you the unreserved compliments of the Chairman of the Players Union Board, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers NANPF Captain Abe Sunday of Sunshine Stars FC

“We write on behalf of all Nigeria Professional Footballers under the auspices of the Nigeria Players Union, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers, NANPF, to Congratulate the Governor, and the good people of Enugu State, Supporters of the team, the Management, the officials and the Players of Enugu Int FC for emerging as champion of the NPFL 2023/24 Football League season after enduring a rigorous participation.

“We wish your team a very successful Campaign in the upcoming season in the NPFL and CAF Champions league, as we look forward to a very fruitful and value addition collaboration between the Players Union and your club in ensuring the promotion of players Welfare, Development and Professionalism that guarantee and safeguard their future.”

Nigeria Professional Footballers under the auspices of the Nigeria Players Union, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers, NANPF, has congratulated the four clubs that got promoted to the NPFL from the NNL.

This was contained in a congratulatory messages addressed to the four clubs including; Nasarawa United, Ikorodu City, Beyond Limits and El-Kanemi Warriors.

The lettter was signed by Austin Popo, the Executive Secretary of NANPF on behalf of its Chairman, Abe Sunday.

“We bring you the unreserved compliments of the Chairman of the Players Union Board, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers NANPF Captain Abe Sunday of Sunshine Stars FC.

“We wish the teams a very successful participation in the upcoming season in the NPFL, as we look forward to a very fruitful and value addition collaboration between the Players Union and your clubs in ensuring the promotion of players Welfare, Development and Professionalism that guarantee and safeguard their future.”

FC Nwosu are through to the quarter-final of the Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup after dramatically edging FC Amoo 10-9 on penalties.

The star studded FC Nwosu got their goals from Namory Keita and Ishola Olaitan, while FC Amoo netted thanks to Mubarak Mustapha’s brace. It meant the game was 3-3 on aggregate.

Goalkeeper Samuel Oriola was the hero in the shootout.

FC Dosu 0-2 FC Agali

FC Agali stunned FC Dosu 2-0 to march on against all odds. The tricky pairing ended 4-3 on aggregate.

Victor Agali’s wards cruised to the win courtesy of brace from Aliyu Hassan.

FC Oloyede 0-0 FC Agbai

FC Agbai progressed to the next round after drawing 0-0 against FC Oloyode. It was a 3-0 aggregate win for the former.

FC Dominic 0-0 FC Ugbade

FC Dominic and FC Ugbade played a goalless draw but the latter surged ahead 1-0 on aggregate.

Quarter-Final Pairings

FC Agali vs FC Ayila/FC Obafemi

FC Ekpo vs FC Udeze/FC Okpara

FC Agbai vs FC Ipaye/FC Ikpeba

FC Nwosu vs FC Ugbade

All the matches are billed for Tuesday 25th June. The games will hold at Mobolaji Johnson Arena and Legacy Pitch.

The Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup, is proudly supported by leading gaming company, Bet9ja.

1. Other partners are Owu, a foremost sportswear company in Nigeria, Brila FM, Mavlon FC, Mr. Olusola Akinlade, Liigi League, Olafiranye Sports Foundation and Mr. Mahmud Dawodu

Players of the lmo State Basketball Association Wheelchair Team yesterday visited the new Director, Imo Sports Commission, Mr Patricia Ezeji to congratulate her on the appointment by the State government.

The players, led by South-East regional representative, Mr Ike Ibe commended the State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for the appointment and pledged their support to the Director of Sports and the board of Imo State Basketball Association led by the chairman, Anosike Kelechi.

They pointed out that the assistance from the association has gone a long way in Strengthen their resolve to achieve greatness for the state in past competitions and promised to make the association and government proud in the future.

Kennedy Onwunali
IMBA Media.

By
Nedum

The Director of Diamond football Academy Umuahia Abia state Hon Ikechukwu Martins Apugo is a man very passionate about developing talented young footballers from the grassroots and grown them to future stars.

Diamond football Academy recently hosted a scouting tournament with youth Academies from different states in attendance teams like Jamilu united fa Abuja, 3ple Stallions fa Kaduna, Kingdom stars fa Yenegoa, Maureen Mmadu fa Ozubulu Anambra state etc all were involved in the scouting programme that lasted for 4 days at the Diamond football Academy sports complex Ndume Umuahia Abia state.

During a media briefing after the programme Hon Ikechukwu Apugo stated his objectives of staging the scouting programme..” I have been doing this for years now and it’s been my dream to keep doing it to discover more talents and grown them to get better in football, the likes of Samuel Chukwueze and co passed through this same process but today it all history so I know we have more talented kids out there who are yet to be spotted so I will keep doing what am doing now to help develop football in Nigeria from the grassroots level.”

Diamond football Academy is situated at Ndume Umuahia Abia state with different categories of youth football teams u15, u17 and u18 with a well arranged camping facilities that cater for over 54 players.

The next edition of the Diamond football Academy youth scouting tournament is scheduled for November 2024.

Nedum

It was wild celebration in Lafia for Abia Warriors Football Club team and supporters as the Umuahia warlords made it to the final of the 2024 President Federation Cup for the first time after beating former champions, Kano Pillars Football Club 4-3 on penalties, after their semi-final game ended goalless at regulation time.

It was a tension soaked match that drew teeming football fans to the Lafia City Stadium.

Abia Warriors gaffer, Coach Bethel Oji made two changes to the squad that beat Akwa United Football Club 2-0 last Sunday in Umuahia in the penultimate encounter of the on-going Nigeria Premier Football League with Goalkeeper Ali Ishaku and midfield warlord, Daniel Wotlai taking the places of veteran goalkeeper, Femi Thomas and Arinze Ogbonna respectively.

The match started with Kano Pillars according respect to the Warriors, and understandably so, having lost twice this season in the Nigeria Premier Football League to their opponents.

However, as the game wore on, the Sai Masu Gida gradually started to enjoy most of the ball possession whereas, the Warriors looked dangerous on the counter.

For all their possession, they could not breakdown the Warriors defence. The only concern for Abia Warriors being a forced substitution as a result of injury after Prince Okorie was replaced by Arinze Ogbonna, the latter moving into the midfield while Daniel Wotlai partnered Collins Nwoburuoke at the heart of defence.

The second half started with the Pillars taking the game to the Warriors with veteran midfielder, Rabiu Ali at the thick of things. However, they met a stubborn Abia Warriors defence marshalled by Wotlai and Nwoburuoke.

As the Pillars were on the ascendency, Coach Bethel Oji quickly made a tactical change, throwing Abia Warriors playmaker, Emmanuel Onu and striker, Antoine Desouza into the fray; Samson Obi and Meme Okike the players sacrificed.

And that switched play in favour of the Pride of Abia, as Onu began orchestrating Abia Warriors play, while Antoine Desouza and Sunday Megwo asked questions at the opponents defence.

After the end of the regulation period and five minutes of added time shown by the fourth official and the scoreline still 0-0, the lottery of penalty shootout was now required to decide which team goes to the final, and Abia Warriors emerged victorious after converting all their penalty kicks while Kano Pillars missed two of their spot kicks, Ali Ishaku saving one of those.