U.S men’s U-19 national team coach of Nigerian descent, Michael Nsien, has revealed what he will do differently if appointed coach for the vacant Super Eagles coaching job, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

The NFF advertised the country’s senior men’s national team coaching job last Friday, two weeks after Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro left the job on the expiration of his contract.

The 43-year-old is however confident that he has the best credentials to lead the team.

“If I am appointed as the national team coach, I will improve the balance of attack and defending. Nigeria is blessed with a generation of attacking players right now that we can’t waste playing defensive football especially if we are competing with our African counterparts, we should be able impose ourselves and be proactive about our style of play.

“Maybe when we play European or South American giants, we can adjust and twerk our styles but our players are doing it against Europe’s best players every weekend.

“We need to have confidence based on our style of play. We need to coordinate that from the senior team all the way to U-15. When we know the style of play, players that have those profiles will be coming to the youth national teams and feed the senior team.

“Right now, there is a huge disconnect of players that make it from the youth national team to the senior team. When we have good youth team’s tournament, the players go missing. We have to established how we are working from the senior coach to the youth national team coach. We have to have an infrastructure that work to repeat success over and over again.

“For me going to the national team set up, my plan will be more than they will be asking of me. My plan will be to overhaul the infrastructure to put processes in place so that we have a working order from top to bottom about how we achieve success and maintain that success.

“I really believe the senior team has a generational wealth of quality players and it has been to be highlighted by good tactics, getting the players in the right positions so that they can work together. We saw at AFCON that they were not playing together in a way that was cohesive to bring success. We all saw the quality of the playing wasn’t good enough.

“Since I have been working with the U.S federation, a lot of doors have been opening for me. I started briefly with the U-16, went to the U-19, senior team as an assistant and also be coaching the U-20 for world cup qualifiers. Things are going in a right direction.

“One thing people don’t understand is the resources U.S is putting into the sport. You can’t compare even the U.S second division to the NPFL at the moment. There are lot’s of changes that are happening in the United States. They have the top 20 leagues in the world, in terms of the national team, top 12, top 15. So to have these experiences to work with players in this level is being a blessing and gives me confidence that I know I can do it with Nigerian players as well.”

The Kano Pillars Management Board has described the level of officiating by Nigerian Referees as beyond national embarrassment, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

Comrade Sani Ibrahim, Secretary to the Board stated this after Kano Pillars were held to a 1-1 draw by Rivers United in a match day 24 NPFL encounter.

He said: “In July 1986, when the late revolutionary musician and political activist Fela Anikulapokuti was arrested and charged to court by the Nigerian government, he instantly made a public statement claiming that his case has passed brief Case it has now become a luggage.

“So as per the wider views and opinions, the issue of Nigerian refrees officiating for the Nigerian Professional football league competitions has passed the stages of State and National embarrassment with total shamelessness and lack of consciousness.

“The Nigerian refrees Association which has presumably been dented with a scar of suspected corrupt practice has been widely condemned by the Africans/Global communities of football.

“The Association was also suspected to be surrounded by some people who do not seem to be aware of the danger and implications of their actions particularly at the environment that is filled up with crazy enthusiastic football supporters.

“Many professional football league clubs in Nigeria were made to pay fines in millions, punished or banned from playing in their home ground for the breach of laws and guiding regulations of the game which all were assumingly caused by the act of open injustice suspected to be exhibited by the officiating officials.

“Justice and the act of open injustice are very apparent and too glaring, that the NPFL must take drastic steps and actions before the club owners who are bitterly complaining decide.

“The equalized goal against Kano pillars by the Rivers United on 9th – 3 – 2024 is the worst ever form of open injustice to discuss about. It has never happened even in the dark ages of soccer, the video clips speak by itself.”

Africa’s top-ranked team, Nigeria will host reigning African champions South Africa in the first leg of their Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final qualifying fixture at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, 5th April.

The encounter at Nigeria capital’s magnificent facility will kick off at 4pm, with Algerian referee Ghada Mehat as referee. Mehat’s compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab and Lamia Atman will be in the roles of assistant referee 1 and fourth official respectively, while Mariem Cheddad from Mauritania will serve as assistant referee 2.

Senegalese Fadouma Dia, a former FIFA referee, will be referee assessor while Ghanaian Chrstine Ziga will serve as commissioner.

For the return leg scheduled for South Africa (venue to be decided) on Tuesday, 9th April, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Tunisian official Dorsaf Ganouati as referee. She will be assisted by compatriots Houda Afine (assistant referee 1) and Emna Ajbouni (fourth official) with Egyptian Yara Atef Abdelfattah as assistant referee 2.

Agar Mezing from Cameroon will be the referee assessor while Cindy Dludlu from eSwatini will be commissioner.

The Super Falcons saw off the challenge of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in the penultimate round of the race, with a single goal over the two legs scored by Esther Okoronkwo at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, while Banyana Banyana trounced Tanzania 4-0 over two legs in Dar es Salaam and Nelspruit.

The winner over two legs in early April will join15 other senior women teams from across the globe for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament starting in Paris on 16th July.

Sodiq Tunde, a talented goal-scorer, has continued to impress in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

He recently opened his goalscoring account with a brace which helped Sunshine Stars beat Plateau United 3-1 in a MatchDay 23 fixture at the Akure Township Stadium.

Sodiq, who joined the Owena Whales from Ekiti United, has made an immediate impact on the NPFL side.

He quickly became a fan favourite on his NPFL debut after helping Sunshine Stars to a draw against Kwara United at home.

His talent for scoring goals and teamwork was evident when he provided an assist in the one-all draw against the Harmony Boys on MatchDay 20 at the Akure Township Stadium.

Sodiq’s physical presence in the box six makes him a constant threat to opposing defenders.

He has made five appearances so far, scoring two goals with one assist, which helped Kennedy Boboye’s Sunshine Stars to 30 points. Currently, the team is placed 13th on the Nigeria Premier Football League table after 24 matches.

Draws for this year’s edition of the Anambra State Football Association Chairman’s U17 Boys competition will hold on Tuesday, 12 March, 2024.

Acting Secretary of the Anambra FA, Raphael Nweke, in a statement said the draws will hold at the FA Secretariat, Udoka Housing Estate, Awka, at 12noon.

The Acting FA Scribe did not, however, disclose the number of teams that will participate in the competition. He disclosed that a total sum of N1.2m has been set aside as prize money.

But it was gathered that the overall winners will pocket half a million naira, N500, 000, while runners-up will be rewarded to the tune of N300, 000; just as the third placed team will receive N200, 000.

Nweke also reveal that there would be various awards for individual and team performances during the competition.

He disclosed that the tournament’s top scorer, Most Valuable Player MVP, Best Goalkeeper and Best Behaved Team will each receive N50, 000.

By Eche Amos

The Solid Miners, for the first time this season, registered a back-to-back victory after earning the maximum points off hosts, NAF FC at the Area 3 Football Field, Abuja, during the 2023/24 Nigeria National League match-day ten cracker.

After a goalless stalemate in the first forty-five minutes, Nasarawa United’s superior experience came to bear with substitute and former Nigerian junior international, King Osanga, starting a build up that saw him feeding wizardry new acquisition, Peter Eneji, who meandered through the forest of legs before laying a defence-splitting pass to another new purchase, Okonkwo Chinonso, who buried the ball past the onrushing NAF goalkeeper, Aminu Isiaka, in the 68th minute, his first goal in United’s colours.

Earlier, NAF’s Yahaya Ibrahim had struck the cross bar with a terrific shot, even as Anas Yusuf missed a glorious opportunity after being tailor-found by Umar Ada.

However, the Solid Miners held on to the scoreline till the final whistle to record their first away win of the Season, a result that sees them come joint-top with Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi on twenty points, but the latter having more goal advantage, fourteen, against United’s seven.

A handful of Nasarawa State’s delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, comprising the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, House Committee Chairman on Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Garba Mohammed Isimbabi, Nasarawa State Football Association Chairman, Salisu Galadima, and Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, Chairperson, Nasarawa Amazons FC, were on hand to cheer the Dr. Othman Ahmed Ibrahim-led Solid Miners to victory.

Nasarawa United will be on standby this weekend before hosting Wikki Tourists the following weekend at the Lafia City Stadium by 3pm.

POST-MATCH REACTION:

DR. EMMANUEL AGBADU AKABE (DEP. GOV./NAS): “Nothing but to say congratulations to you and all of us.

“I was quite impressed with the quality of play, and I pray that we keep this momentum on.

“Whatever it is, we are going to work with the House of Assembly, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Management of the Club to make sure that all that you require to enable you come back to the Premier League is done and accordingly, too.

“And should there be anything you want us to do, don’t hesitate to let us know as we will try our best to be part of what you want so that our return to the elite is smooth because that’s where we belong.

“Lastly, when I return to Lafia, there should be something for you as a reward for your hard work today.”

CAUTION(YELLOW CARD).

Peter Akanam (NAF)6′

Moyi Hassan (NAS)79′

Abubakar Abdullahi (NAS)90+2′

NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Ameh Godwin, Abubakar Abdullahi, Mubarak Hussain, Moyi Hassan(Ebuka Ekesi 90+3′), Emeka Onyema, Saviour Chukwu, Anas Yusuf(Chidera Nduka 45′), Umar Ada(King Osanga 64′), Okonkwo Chinonso(Olakunle Akala 90+3′), Habibu Alakija (Adamu Hassan 45′), Peter Eneji.

UNUSED SUBS: Jerry Isaac, Suleiman Akoza, Ajiboye Moses, Sabo Gambo.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International has said that the draw with Kwara United is a temporal setback for his team, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

Rangers’ winning streak in the 2023/2024 NPFL season which would have been six on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in a match day 24 fixture, was cut short by the resolute defending of visiting Kwara United F.C inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, as the match ended goalless.

The goalkeeper for the visitors, Salihu Dogo was the busier of the two shot-stoppers in the first quarter-hour of the encounter and was the reason the goals refused to rain as he blocked and parried out all that was aimed at his goal especially the fierce shot from Kazeem Ogunleye on 6 minutes just as he also did well to deny Godwin Obaje on 27 minutes.

On 37 minutes, Kenechukwu Agu’s well-struck free-kick deflected off the wall of defense mounted by the goalkeeper just as further missed opportunities by Philip Clement, Obaje, and Zulkifilu Rabiu towards the end of the encounter meant that the ‘Afonja Warriors’ escaped from ‘The Cathedral’ with a share of the points.

Coach Ilechukwu in his post-match chat, said, “It was not a good game for us because it was a game we prepared very well for and thought that we were going to get all three points but in football, so many things happen and we just had a bad day in today’s match, especially in the first half. It was an unfortunate experience for us. This result is a temporal setback but we hope to get something good when we play Kano Pillars in our next game in Kano.”

With the result, Rangers now occupy the 4th spot on the twenty-team log with 41 points from 24 matches and will travel to the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano for a match day 25 fixture scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

League defending champions, Enyimba Int’l FC sweated against Doma United on Sunday before a late goal from league top scorer, Chijioke Mbaoma broke the deadlock to hand the Aba Giants all three points.

Doma who won the revers fixture in Gombe during the first stanza last year approached the match with caution playing more defensive through out the game as former Enyimba right back Yakubu Bilal led his new team aiming to pick a point in Aba. The team also had Tijani in the team

The persistent attack and introduction of more creativity by Coach Finidi George saw the introduction of Joseph Atule, Uche Collins, Bernard Ovoke and Akanni Elijah pegged the Gombe side back to their shelve before they finally caved in when a ping pong ball inside the penalty area from Uwana Asuquo’s Conner kick was finally poked home by leathal striker, Mbaoma to the delight of Aba fans.

Although Doma United players and officials tried to protest but the centre referee stood his ground to award the goal earning the 9 time league champions all three points.

Enyimba next visits Ikenne for a date with Remo Stars in a match day 25 encounter as they seek revenge against fellow top side chaser who remain the only side to have beaten Enyimba in Aba this season.

Experienced football administrator, Mike Idoko, has been handed the mantle of leadership at struggling Heartland of Owerri, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

The Naze Millionaires have endured a torrid 2023/2024 NPFL season, sitting precarious on the base of the 20-team standings with a potential risk of a possible third relegation to the second tier league, NNL.

Idoko is understood to have assumed duties with Heartland’s NPFL Match Day 24 trip to Katsina United which the Naze Millionaires drew 1-1 at Mohammed Bako Stadium, Katsina, on Sunday.

Idoko’s arrival is understandably part of Governor Uzodinma’s spirited efforts to ensure that Heartland did not go on another relegation during his tenure as Executive Governor of Imo State.

It was gathered that more changes are imminent in the club in the coming days.

Heartland are bottom of the NPFL Table with 19 points with 14 matches remaining on the league fixtures.

Barzo Football Club of Owerri had their head held high after a 3-1 lost to Heartland Team B at the 2023/24 Imo State FA Cup played at the iconic Tetlow Road Stadium Owerri.

The team showed promises in the beginning only to fall asleep and allowed the Team B of the Imo State flagship team to score against the run of play.

Barzo FC responded by switching to attacking mode with Oluwafemi Omotorsho leading the onslaught and a freekick taken from 35 meters spelled into the net for the second goal due to miscommunication in the defense.

Barzo began the second half on a more positive note which almost resulted to their first goal in the 54 minutes before Heartland scored the third goal.

The attack spearheaded by a Samuel Oparaoji look alike kept the pressure on the more experienced opponents, who sat back to absolve the pressure.

However, in the added minutes of the game Oluwafemi Omotorsho scored from a free kick to reduce the score line to 3-1.

The General Manager of the club, Mr Marcel Obinna Nwachukwu said the team will return strong in the next competition in the state while commending the CEO of the club Mr Innocent Oparanozie for providing the team all they need for its success.