AMARIGNIS: June 2015

Monday 29 June 2015

Youngsters take the shine at AFN Golden League in Abuja

Nigeria's latest sprint sensation,Imhoaperamhe

The duo of Nicholas Imhoaperamhe and Nkem Ezealah dashed to sprint victories at the second leg of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria – AFN Golden League meeting in Abuja Saturday.
Imhoaperamhe set a lifetime best time of 10.23 seconds in Oba,Anambra two weeks ago,he won the men’s 100m in 10.36 seconds.

Returnee technical director of the Nigeria national teams ,Shuaibu Amodu

The waiting game is finally over for coach Shuaibu Amodu ,he was handed a letter Monday confirming his much publicised appoinment as he technical director of the national teams of Nigeria by the country's Football ruling body.

Head, NBBF Media

Patrick Omorodion

Fresh from appointing former national team player,Adeka Daudu as head coach of the Girls U-16 national team,the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is set to announce the new chief coach for the men's senior national team,D'Tigers ahead of the Afrobasket Men final in Tunisia.

Head media of the Federation Patrick Omorodion told amarignis.blogspot.com that the new coach will be unveiled in the first week of July.

Fifa wants Mercy Akide-Udoh at Women's Soccer Symposium

Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), has invited former Nigerian international Mercy Akide-Udoh to the 6^th FIFA Women’s Football Symposium taking place in Vancouver, Canada between Friday, July 3 and Sunday, July 5, 2015.

Sacked Super Falcons coach,Edwin Okon

First assistant coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria,Christopher Danjuma has been asked to take over as the team's head coach,the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) say Danjuma's appointment is in acting capacity until a substantive coach will be confirmed.

Nigeria Basketball Federation Appoints Daudu to take charge of U-16 Girls

Adeka Daudu just appointed coach of Nigeria's U-16 Girls Basketball team

The Nigerian Basketball Federation has appointed current technical Adviser of Markmentors Basketball Club of Abuja,Adeka Daudu as head coach of the country's U-16 Girls ahead of the 4th FIBA Africa cadet Women's championship billed to start from the 10th - 19th of next month,in Antananarivo,Madagascar.

DG-Nigeria's Sport Commission,Al-Hassan Yakmut

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut has assured Nigerians that the much postponed National Sports Festival will hold before the end of 2015

Yakmut told www.amarignis.blogsport.com that with the New Government settling down the NSC will in due course announce the date for the competition.

ALL the Scorers in Week 14 GLO-Nigeria Premier League

Twenty two goals scored in week 14,check out all the scorers

Tade Azeez Boss of the Nigeria Football Referees

Four score draws ,one away win and five home wins.El-kanemi suffer again the heaviest defeat in the hands of Giwa FC,who played away in their new adopted home,Kaduna

Nigeria Women's Premier League to resume July 4

Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL) has given Saturday 4th July as resumption date for the country's Premier League.
The week six matches will be played Wednesday 15th July,while week nine matches will hold Wenesday 29th and week 12 on Wednesday 15 July,2015.Below is a glance of the full fixtures as released by its secretariat.

Ekeji cautions on Nations Cup qualifiers

FPatrick Ekeji

Former director general of the National Sports Commission (NSC) ,Patrick Ekeji, has advised coach Stephen Keshi not to underrate any team in its group as qualifying matches for the Gabon Africa Cup of Nations( AFCON) 2017 continues.

Black Stallions Rugby team of Nigeria

Nigeria earlier Wednesday, 24^th of June bounced back from their defeat against Zambia beating Zimbabwe in the last match of their campaign of the African Rugby cup 1C holding in Zambia to brighten their chances of moving to the Division 1B in the continent.

Nigeria Women's Football League resumes

Ajisafe Isaac

Hostilities will resume in the Premier cadre of the Nigeria Women's Football League on Saturday 4th July.

According to a circular from the League secretariat signed by the general secretary Isaac Ajisafe, some of the matches would be played on the mid weeks to enable them cover some of the lost periods.

Saliu Abubakar chief operating officer of the LMC

General managers of FC Taraba,Heartland FC of Owerri,and coach Issa Ladan Bosso have been brought to book by the League Management Company(LMC) for what has been considered unsavoury comments against match officials.

Warri Wolves get new dates against 3SC,Kwara Utd ,and El-Kanemi

Warri Wolves will face Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan in one of its reschedule matches (3SC) on Wednesday, July 15, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.and will confront Kwara United in another rescheduled game at the Ilorin Township Stadium on July 22, while the third of the rescheduled games against El-Kanemi Warriors will be held at the Warri City Stadium on July 26.

Nigeria Football Federation cannot decide on Keshi over employment saga with ivorian coaching job

Chris Green

The disciplinary committee of the Nigeria football federation is yet to conclude on the employment saga linking coach Stephen Keshi as one of the candidates angling for the Ivorian national soccer side coaching job.

FA Boss in Nigeria's capital the FCT right presenting a trophy

The chairman of the Football Association in Nigeria's capital Abuja,Musa Saeed Talle today inaugurated the 2015 Principal Cup football competition committee at its secretariat

The competition is expected to be played in the first term of the 2014/2015 academic session and will involve all the secondary schools in FCT both public and private schools. This first edition would be for the boys alone, but subsequent editions would include the girls.

Yusuf Alli

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has released the list of athletes that qualified for the Kaduna leg of the AFN Golden League slated for Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday June 27, 2015.

Boss of Nigeria Referees ,Tade Azeez

In a press release made available to www.amarignis.blogspot.com the Nigeria Football Referees Association (NRA) has exposed plan by suspected blackmailers in the local football circle to ridicule the president of the body, Tade Azeez.

The National publicity secretary of the referees body, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi, wrote that the attention of the referee’s body has been attracted to a rather insipid expression bordering on the integrity of the president.

The NRA described as cheap blackmail and blatant lie a write up orchestrated by purveyors of faceless persons going on in the social media.

Al-hassan Yakmut Director general of the Sports Commission (NSC)

The World Anti-Doping Agency has called on the Nigerian government to take a lead in Africa by enacting the necessary legal instruments that would support and underscore the establishment of the National Anti-Doping Organisation that would operate independently.

Nigeria Cricket boss wants world cup staged in the country

Emeka Onyeama

Indication from the office of the boss of Cricket in Nigeria has it that the country is looking forward to hosting the world cup division five in the first quarter of 2016.
Emeka Onyeama president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation NCF is delighted at the recent show of recognition by the International Cricket Committee (ICC).

Bitris Bewarang

President of the Nigeria Football coaches Association,Bitrus Bewarang ,has lamented the fact that the country is yet to have coaches fully graded in the A and B Confederation of African Football coaching licenses,describe it as a shame .

"It is a shame that we are still struggling to have our coaches enlisted for the CAF C-coaching license course when countries like Ghana,Egypt ,South Africa and many more have graduated over 2000 ,8000 and 10,000 coaches respectively"

UPDATE ON CIV JOB LISTING 4 KESHI

UPDATE: Information from CIV reveals that Keshi's agent submitted application on June 11

Keshi is listed number 20 on the list of applicants for the CIV coaching job

Over the weekend, Côte d'Ivoire published a list of 59 candidates who they claim had applied to replace Herve Renard as coach of the Elephants.

Amunike's Eaglets to know world cup opponents Thursday

Emmanuel Amunike-Golden Eaglets coach

World football –governing body, FIFA, will hold the Draw Ceremony for this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup finals at the Art Centre 660 in Santiago de Chile on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

NFF to probe Keshi’s link to Ivory Coast job

Nigeria football chiefs have said they will look into reports that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi could be in the running for the vacant Ivory Coast manager’s job.
“We will look into it. Let’s wait and see,” said NFF president Amaju Pinnick. But Pinnick said he thought it would be “suicidal” for Keshi “to seek employment somewhere else”.
Keshi, 53, signed a two-year deal as Nigeria coach in April, ending months of uncertainty and speculation over his future after the team failed to qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Frenchman Herve Renaud steered Ivory Coast to glory in the competition in Equatorial Guinea but has left to take charge of French Ligue 1 side Lille.
Pinnick said the NFF investigation would centre on whether it was Keshi himself who put his name forward but Keshi’s agent, Emmanuel Ado, said he was satisfied with his current position. “My client is very happy with his job as the head coach of the Super Eagles in Nigeria,” he said.
“He has a two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation and as a professional, he will see out his contract.” Edo said Keshi was “highly honoured” to be considered and said he has had good dealings with Ivory Coast since his playing days with Stade d’Abidjan and Africa Sports in the 1980s.

Africa Rugby Cup:Nigeria fall to Zambia

Azeez Ladipo's penalty and Onoru Jatto's try in the first half was all Nigeria's senior men Rugby team,the Black Stallions could pull off as host-Zambia pulled off a 15points to 8 over at the Africa Rugby cup 1C cup.

Zambia scored 2 tries in the first half and kicked over a penalty as the score stood at 12-8 at half time.
The second half was tight for both teams but Zambia managed to kick another penalty over for another 3 points.

Reacting after the game, NRFF technical director; Fasimoye Olatunji expressed concerns over some questionable calls made by the referee in favor of the host who were desperate to host to win and gain promotion into the 1B division.

He submitted that the team will have to come all out against Zimbabwe on Wednesday if they are to step up to Cup 1B.

The Federation is still awaiting Rugby Africa’s decision’s after a formal complaint was made over Zambia Rugby Union’s decision to appoint a referee from Kenya and touch judges and match commissioner from Zambia for the match against the Black Stallions.

REPORTED MANIPULATIONS IN OUR LEAGUE MATCHES?

: This mail was sent to me by a concerned and ardent follower of the Nigeria League,and i am pushed for the interest of our League to publish this.Please i employ the president of the Nigeria Football Referees Association(Tade Azeez),the chairman Referees Committee of the NFF(Ahmed Fresh),the LMC chairman(Shehu Dikko) to urgently look into this allegations for the good of the game .

Sir, RE: MANIPULATIONS OF MATCH OUTCOME/MATCH FIXING Please refer to the above subject, which I have earlier communicated to Alh. Salihu Abubakar (COO LMC) for his attention. You may remember that after the week 10 matches, the LMC pronounced commencement of investigations into the conduct of some Referees adjudged for misconduct. In his reaction, the NRA President, Mr. Tade Assis condemned the LMC's decision and action. This he did in his remarks during the opening of the 2015 FIFA MA Course. Mr. Tade's outburst was self-incriminating as he was the same person who outrightly ensure the suspension of 2 Referees earlier within 24hrs of their match for gross misconduct. It is no more news among the pressmen that Mr. Tade is an agent of Gabros FC (now Ifeanyi Uba FC) and his action was primarily to cover his tracks. Few days before week 10 matches, Tade met with the Referee of the week 10 home match of Gabros FC, Henry Ogunyanmodi (OD) in Lagos and gave him strict instruction. Henry's outright mismanagement of the match was in compliance with Tade's instruction. Very disturbing trend is the weeks 12 and 13 appointments of officials, which Tade manipulated the Referees' committee to plant his stooges as officials of Gabros match. WEEK 12: Adigwe G (LG) - Ref; Huzzain K. (LG) - AR I; Aromona M. (LG) - AR II; Salaudeen Adams Adebayo (LG) - Assessor. Adigwe is known to be PA to Tade and will do everything for his boss while the others owe heir present status in refereeing to Tade and will carry out his bidden. This they did in week 12 for Gabros. WEEK 13: Jelili O. (LG) - Ref; Ojo O. (LG) - AR I; Cletus A. (LG) - AR II In similar way, Jelili is one of Tade's PA and his known errand boy, who will carry out his instructions to the letter; the ARs are newly promoted who owe Tade the glory of their promotion and will do all possible to gladde his heart. It is a dangerous trend and unhealthy for the integrity and growth of our league. Tade has been manipulating not only the Premier league but also the NNL. He has boasted about it to clubs and some FAs that he is the one that will decide he fate of clubs in the south because he is single handedly deploying Refs for their matches. Gateway, MFM, and few other clubs have given him a lot of money to facilitate the Referees of their choice. As advised by Dr. Omerua during the MC seminar, I have formally reported this trends to FIFA for investigation because neither the LMC nor the NFF can and will investigate the atrocities of Tade because he is NRA President, FA Vice Chairman and an associate of the Deputy president of the federation. I wrote just to let you know what is happening in our league and under your administration. Thank you.

Nigeria wins FIBA Africa zone 3 -3x3 Tours

Most valuable player of the tournament Stanley Gumut powered Nigeria to victory in the final of the inaugural FIBA Africa Zone 3 3x3 Tour at the national Stadium in Lagos with 9 points and 6 rebounds as Nigeria beat a stiff opposition from Cote d'ivoire to win 17-13.

Stanley Gumut said he was happy winning the championship,"I fell great really, it always feels great to be a champion".

Yahaya Abdul also came up big in the final minutes scoring 3 of his 5 points hild Azuoma Dike added 3 points to outwit the Ivorian team who lead 9-7 and tied the game 13-13 with less than 2 minutes left. Adje Anouh scored 5 points while Codlibal Abdoul added 4 points in the loss for the Ivorians.

"This is a great competition and i hope the organisers will continue because it early helps basketball in Africa". Codibal said.

Team Nigeria took home $2000 alongside medals and trophies for victory in the final game while Cote d'ivoire went home with $1000 including medals and Ghana who beat Togo in the 3rd place game beat Togo 18-14 won $500 for their effort.

In the U18 category Liberia emerged champion having conquered Nigeria in the Semi finals before edging past Cote d'ivoire 14-12. The Nigerian Boys couldn't shake off the semi final disappointment as they once again fell to Togo 8-11 in the 3rd place playoffs.

....Udeaja play BIG as Nigeria Emerged Champions in Lagos FIBA Africa Zone 3 3X3 Tour.

Chioma Udeaja added FIBA Africa Zone 3 3X3 Tour, most valuable player to her trophy cabinet as she 7 points to lead Nigeria to victory in the championship game in the Lagos FIBA Africa Zone 3 3X3 Tour with a convincing 21-9 points win over Togo.

Nkechi Akashili who also leaved up to her high ratings added 7 points as well while Atosu Upe added 5 points and Sarah Ogoke added 2 points.

Captain of Team Nigeria Atosu Upe said she was great fun to God and her teammates for the win.

"I thank God and my team mates for the victory".

"We are so happy to win this FIBA Africa Zonal championship, we hope tournaments like this continue because it will help development of basketball in Nigeria".

The women champions took home $1000 for their triumph, while runners up Togo went home with $750 and Benin Republic with $300 respectively.

Nigeria's dominance in the zone was concluded in the U18 Girls category where Nigeria took out Benin Republic 11-3 in the final after coming tops in a 3 team round rubbing preliminaries that had Togo also in the mix. Nigeria's Menah Daniel also took home the MVP award in the category.

Sunday 21 June 2015

GLO-Nigeria professional football league WEEK 13 RESULT

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Two away wins,two on the road draws-one score draw and a scoreless draw.Ifeanyi Uba with the heaviest away victory ever 4 -1 smashing of Elkanemi Warriors in Katsina,tag along please the action never stops ,all the scorers and when the bulls eye was hit.

Wikki Tourists 3-0 Sharks
Godwin Obaje 17' (1-0)
Godwin Obaje 43' (2-0)
Alaba Johnson 75' (3-0)
Heartland 2-0 FC Taraba
Bright Ejike 6' (1-0)
Roland Koffi 31' (2-0)
Shooting Stars 0-0 Enyimba
Nasarawa United 1-0 Bayelsa United
Esosa Igbinoba 29' (1-0)
Kwara United 1-1 Lobi Stars
Segun Alebiosu 36' (1-0)
Obioma Arinze 77' (1-1)
Abia Warriors 1-0 Akwa United
Ndifreke Effiong 16' (1-0)
Dolphins 1-1 Giwa FC
Ocheme Edoh 26' (0-1)
Ifeanyi Egwim 47' (1-1)
El-Kanemi Warriors 1-4 Ifeanyi Ubah
Uchechukwu Onyedikachi 14' (0-1)
Solomon Eludi 17' (0-2)
Solomon Eludi 62' (0-3)
Uchechukwu Onyedikachi 70' (0-4)
Ibrahim Mustapha 90' (1-4)
Warri Wolves 0-1 Rangers
Razaq Adegbite 18' (0-1)
Sunshine Stars 3-0 Kano Pillars
Paul Onobi 25' (1-0)
Seun Olulayo 57' (2-0)
Dayo Ojo 81' (3-0)

Olympics qualifier :Siasia calls up Awoniyi,musa others for Congo

Nigeria's U-23 soccer team coach Siasia has called up eight members of the Flying Eagles squad to New Zealand 2015 Fifa World cup to report to camp on Monday, June 22, ahead of the first leg tie against Congo scheduled in Abuja .

The players are flying Eagles captain Musa Mohammed, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kingsley Sokari, Saviour Godwin and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, while overseas-based Musa Yahaya, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon will report two weeks to the encounter.

Siasia has also invited Sharks FC defender Chima Akas and Warri Wolves defender Semiu Laidi ‎to report to camp immediately.

Meanwhile ,Siaone as fondly called by admirers has dropped seven of the players in the team's camp after the 3-3 draw with Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the team in the friendly against the Premier League side in Bauchi, Siasia said since the boys have not added any value to the team, they should give way for others who can contribute their quota to the success of the team as they prepare for the crucial Africa U-23 Championship qualifier next month.

"I have given all these players enough time to showcase what they can bring on the table, but I am so disappointed that till this minute they still have not been able to convince me, so they have to give way for others to come and show me and my technical crew what they can offer. I thank them for their contribution to the success of the team in the past, but we have to move on, if they show signs of improvement in their clubs they can be recalled back to the team."

The dropped players are Sani Faisal, Lukmon Gilmore, Emmanuel Ammana, Tonbara Tiongoli, Freedom Omofonma, Uche Okeke and Gabriel Sunday.

Keshi reacts to CIV shortlist

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has said contrary to news making the rounds that he has applied for the job of Manager of the Elephants of Cote ‘D Ivoire, he is rather very happy with managing the Nigerian national team; Super Eagles who defeated the Ivorien national side on the way to the SA 2013 triumph.

Speaking through his Manager, Emmanuel Addo, Keshi cautioned that enemies of Nigerian football should always look for positives instead of the other way round as the country tries to redefine the way forward for the national team. With a recently signed two years contract, Keshi says he will never detract from set goals between him and the NFF leadership.

The longest serving national team captain declared that he was happy to be shortlisted for the Elephants job by football authorities in that country noting it goes to show the quality of the Nigerian bench.

Addo, finally on behalf of Keshi urged all well meaning Nigerian football followers not to allow enemies of the game to continues to cause distraction between the federation and its esteemed staff, noting that there are profiteers from the unholy acts. Below are part of Addo’s terse statement to the media.

1. My client is very happy with his job as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.He has a two year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation.And as a professional,he will see out his contract.

2. My client feels highly honored to be short listed by Cote D'Ivore- a great footballing country. Like you all know I have a very good relationship with Cote D'Ivore since my playing days. It is a relationship that he cherishes and would continue to cherish all the days of his life.

3.We want to use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders and indeed all Nigerians to deny enemies of peace the chance they are looking for to cause distractions.We don't need these distractions.

Final 8 of the Zenith Women's Basketball League emerge

The battle for qualification to the Final 8 of the Zenith Bank Women's Basketball League in group A went down to point differentials after 3 teams were tied on 24 points from 8wins and 8losses after the 2 phases in Abuja and Ilorin which ended on Thursday..

Benue Princess narrowly piped AHIP Queens of Kano and Plateau Rocks with a +11 points aggregate differential advantage over Plateau Peaks who had +8 and AHIP Queens with -19 to join Sunshine Angels of Akure, former 4-time champions First Deepwater and unbeaten defending champions First Bank basketball club as the top 4 seeds in the group to seal qualification for the playoffs in Lagos.

Group B was more straightforward with back to back league runners up Dolphins clearly leading the pack with a maximum 32 points from 16 games, going unbeaten including a record 127-33 whitewashing of league debutant Zamfara Babes.

Joining Dolphins in the playoffs from group B is Customs who lost only to Dolphins in both legs in Abuja and Ilorin finishing with 30 points from 14 wins and 2 losses while IGP Queens and Delta Force complete the top 4 in group with 28 points and 26 points respectively.

The Top 4 four teams from both groups will converge in Lagos for the National Final 8 as the battle for the 11th Zenith Women's Basketball League title promises to be a cracker. The date of the finals is yet to be announced by the Nigerian Basketball Federation.

Quadri gets promotion

The management of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has approved a special
promotion for 2014 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Player, Aruna Quadri,in appreciation to his recent achievement in the Ping-pong game .
Quadri has risen from the position of Chief Corps Assistant (CCA) to the rank of Inspector of Corps.
The corps director of Sports, Ayodele Olusegun, hints that the Quadri’s
global stride as well as his hardwork and exploit earned him the special
promotion sanctioned by the Commandant General, Ade Abolurin whose
support for athletes in the force has continued to grow.
“I want to say that Quadri has been a good ambassador of the NSCDC and his
exploits in Table Tennis globally has put the country on the world map. We at the NSCDC are touched by his determination and dedication to his trade which has promoted the force.
An elated Quadri however, expressed his appreciation to the corps
particularly the Commandant General for his enormous support both
morally and otherwise, while promising to continue to work hard to raise
the profile of the corps globally.
“I am very happy for this promotion and I want to specifically thank
the Commandant General for having a listening hear and for considering
meworthy for this promotion and also my Director of Sports, who has remained
the pillar of support for most athletes in the corps. I will continue to make
the corps proud wherever I found myself and I hope this will encourage
other athletes to aim high in their chosen field of sports,” Quadri
added.

Haruna Quadri is the current Africa number one and world number 30 in rankings

Nigeria Athletics boss urges athletes to make Beijing 2015 team

The President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Dr. Solomon Ogba has urged home based athletes to work very hard to make the lean team that will represent Nigeria at the Beijing 2015 IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

Dr. Ogba said, “The Beijing World Championships will not be a jamboree, we are going with a very lean team, any athlete who does not have a chance of making the finals will not be in our team. I am impressed with the performances of some of our athletes in the Anambra Golden League I hope they will up their game in Kaduna and run better’’.

Ogba also revealed that only coaches that are producing athletes will make the national team,

“In the past we have taken many coaches who are not producing athletes to games and championships, but the criteria for coaches selection has changed, only those producing athletes and whose athletes made the team will be considered for a place in the national team.’’

Meanwhile, the AFN is working round the clock to ensure that the Kaduna Golden League is a huge success.

Olumide Bamiduro the secretary of the federation revealed that AFN parent body, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has granted the federation application for the use Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna as venue of the meet which will hold Saturday June 27, 2015.

Bamiduro revealed most of the athletic clubs and many state athletic associations have signified their intention to participate in the Kaduna meet

Saturday 20 June 2015

NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE-THE NNL(SECOND TIE LEAGUE IN NIGERIA) WEEK SIX RESULT

Group A1
Yobe Desert Stars 1-0 Kaduna United
Adamawa United 1-0 Supreme Court
Plateau United 3-0 Spotlight FC
Jigawa Golden Stars 1-0 Kogi United
Group A2
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Gombe United
Ranchers Bees vs Sokoto United (PSP)
ABS FC 1-0 Mighty Jets
Group B1
Abia Comets 1-0 Ekiti United
Prime FC 1-0 Go Round FC
Group B2
Bendel Insurance 3-0 Nembe City
Akwa Starlets 0-0 MFM FC
Gateway United 1-0 First Bank FC
Atiba United 1-0 Julius Atete FC
*Matches On Sunday:
Ikorodu United vs Crown FC
Remo Stars vs Bussdor FC
FC Zamfara vs FRSC FC.

Keshi on list for Elephants of Ivory Coast new coach

The Ivorian Football Federation [FIF] has released a list of 59 coaches who applied to coach the country's national football team, the Elephants.
Listed among the applicants is Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, who the Nigeria Football Federation handed a new deal in April.
Keshi, listed number 20 on the list of applicants is one of two African coaches jostling to coach the Elephants, the other being Ivorian Yelato Silue, number 4 on the list.
Most of the other 57 coaches are Europeans.
The Ivorian Federation said in a statement on its website Friday that the application window closed on June 15, following which a body empowered to find a new coach for the Elephants met on June 18 to draw up a list of all applicants for the job.

After initial shortlist and subsequent interviews, three of the coaches would be recommended to the FIF for appointment.
A new coach, who will replace Herve Renard, the Ivorian Federation says, would be named for the Elephants late June or early July.
Having just signed a new deal with Nigeria, it is not clear why Keshi applied for the job.
The Nigeria Football Federation told the BBC Saturday that it would investigate whether the Nigerian coach indeed applied for the job.
"The NFF will open a full investigation to determine whether Mr Stephen Keshi actually applied for the vacant Ivory Coast job," the BBC quoted the NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, as saying. "There will be no hasty decision. We hope to get a full part from the Ivory Coast football federation before making an official statement." Keshi had on April 21 returned for the third time as Super Eagles coach, after he was given a new two-year contract, following months of bickering with the NFF.
Speaking after publicly signing the contract at the National Stadium in Abuja, the coach pledged to give 150 per cent commitment to the job of returning the Super Eagles to winning ways.

Enyeama to face disciplinary committee for 'unguarded' comments

Nigeria's Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama is to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday, 23^rd June, 2015.

The Lille OSC of France keeper is being invited to explain his 'unguarded' statement against the Federation's choice of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium,Kaduna for Nigeria’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Les Sao of Chad on Saturday, 13^thJune.

The committee, headed by Barrister Chris Green, wrote: “You will recall that you were queried by the Nigeria Football Federation for your uncomplimentary remarks with regards to safety and security in Kaduna State, host of the Nations Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Chad Republic.

“You received the query letter on June 13^th, 2015 and refused to reply to the query up till now, which is well over the 48 hours deadline given to you to reply to the query. Consequently, the NFF has referred the matter to the Disciplinary Committee for adjudication.

“You are by this, invited to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of Nigeria Football Federation sitting on Tuesday, 23^rd June, 2015 at the Federation’s Secretariat in Abuja. The committee sitting will commence at 11am prompt.”

And in a related development, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who earned a straight red card for an act of retaliation during the said match, has been issued a letter of reprimand, ordering him to produce a written apology and pay a fine of $5,000. which is about N990,520,00

In a letter signed by Tunde Aderibigbe on behalf of the General Secretary and dated 19^th June, the NFF wrote: “The Board of the Nigeria Football Federation has viewed your behavior and conduct during the Nigeria/Chad match as tantamount to gross indiscipline and unprofessional, which undermined the discipline of the team in its totality and a breach of ethics for players as well as the Code of Conduct for players and officials.

“Consequently, the NFF having reviewed the situation hereby impose a fine of $5,000 (Five Thousand American Dollars Only) on you as well as a written apology. We believe that subsequently you will be of good behavior and conduct, for a repeat of this behavior shall earn you even stiffer punishment.

“We hope that this action shall serve as a deterrent to others in our future engagements.”

Nigeria Football Federation read riot act .......as Falcons return from Canada

The Super Falcons of Nigeria arrived Abuja in the early hours of Saturday to a welcome message from the Nigeria Football Federation stating it will no longer tolerate any act of indiscipline or misconduct on the part of any player or coach of any of the National Teams.

General Secretary of the Federation Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who received the Falcons , reiterated the Federation’s stance on indiscipline said, “that the message is an important one for everyone to take home' Sanusi added that “The NFF, like other Nigerians, is not happy that you could not make it beyond the group stage of the competition. Sincerely speaking, the NFF believed Canada 2015 was the opportunity for you to show how much progress has been made in women’s football in Nigeria,” .

However the unhappiness is not just about their elimination, it’s also about an acquired bad reputation of indiscipline rooted in Ugo Njoku being given a three-match ban for elbowing Australia’s Sam Kerr in their Women’s World Cup Group D match.

As reflected in the match against the USA, that singular act by Njoku obviously changed the perception of some referees towards Nigeria. Kateryna Monzul of Ukraine who was at the center in their final group game against the illustrious Stars and Stripes of USA did not hesitate in dishing out yellow cards to Nigerian players and Sarah Nnodim eventually got sent off after receiving a second yellow, meanwhile no USA player was booked.

Sanusi however, assured that the Federation “will continue to provide enabling environment for all National Teams, including the Falcons, to excel at international fronts, through adequate preparation and robust welfare packages.”

The team is expected to go on a two weeks break break before resuming camp for next month’s Rio 2016 Olympics qualifying fixture against Equatorial Guinea.

Monday 29 June 2015

Sunday 28 June 2015

Friday 26 June 2015

Thursday 25 June 2015

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Monday 22 June 2015

Sunday 21 June 2015

Saturday 20 June 2015