USA '94 Eagles, Shehu Dikko, others to play in Abdul Sule's wedding novelty match

USA '94 Eagles, Shehu Dikko, others to play in Abdul Sule's wedding novelty match

By Footyalert → Thursday, 31 August 2017

Former Super Eagles' utility player Abdul Sule will be getting married to his girlfriend Safiya Ummi Abdulrahman on 23rd September, 2017 in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

A novelty match has been organized between the Kaduna Selected Team and Lokoja/Abuja Selected Team to celebrate the ex-international's wedding ceremony on Friday 22nd of September at the Township Stadium, Kaduna.

Sule's former team mates in Super Eagles, top football administrators and other former team mates at club side as well as business associates are expected to feature in the ceremonial match for the chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens.

Member, Federal House of Representatives and Chairmam House Committee on Police Affairs, Honorable Dauda Jika, Majority Leader, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Honorable Haruna Inuwa Dogo, Vice Chairmam of Kaduna North LGA, Hon. Dan Miliki among others will form the Kaduna Selected team for the novelty match which will also includes former Nigerian internationals like Tijani babangida, Lawal Garba, Pascal Patrick, Ike Shorunmu, Etim Esin, Tajudeen Oyekanmi, Ahmed Lawal Dankoli, Emmanuel Babayaro, Celestine Babayaro, Ayo Ogunlana, Abubakar Aliyu among others.

Second Vice President of Nigerian Football Federation, NFF and Chairman of the League Management Company, LMC Mallam Shehu Dikko will play for the Lokoja/Abuja team led by versatile defender Hassan Wada.

Other Stars to represent the Lokoja/Abuja team includes Director of Football College, Abuja, Kumbi Titiloye, former board of NFF, Alhaji Shehu Adamu, SA Sports to Kogi State Governor, Comrade Adeola Eseyin, Commissioner for Transport in Kogi State, Prince Sani-Ogu Salisu and Chairmam Kogi State Football Association, Mallam Suleiman Umar Isah who will be leading ten other members of Kogi State All Stars family to the novelty match.

Others include Ocholi Abdulrahman, Kamar Abubakar, Team Manager of Kogi United, Ameh Henry, Yahaya Ali Keller, Musa Abubakar Manaman, Sabo Okala and a lady amazon, Hajia Safiya Musa.

The novelty match which is billed for Friday 22nd of September at the Kaduna Township Stadium, will serve as curtain raiser to the main wedding program on Saturday.

The wedding Fatiha is will take place at No 34 Challawa Crescent, Barnawa, Kaduna State as Abdul Sule who is the Chairman of Nigeria National League, NNL club owners will be saying 'yes I do' to his beautiful friend Safiya Ummi Abdulrahman.

Reception will follow immediately at Abdul Sule's residence in Kaduna.

Abdul Sule played for Super Eagles between 1991 and 1993. He was part of the golden generation of the country's national team that qualified for maiden World Cup in 1994.

Ezenwa to start against Cameroon

Ezenwa to start against Cameroon

By Footyalert →

Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who captained Nigeria’s Africa Nations Championship squad that eliminated Benin Republic penultimate weekend to qualify for next year’s continental finals in Kenya, will start in goal for the Super Eagles against Cameroon in Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker in Uyo.

This was announced at the team’s press conference held at the Ibom Meridien Hotel, Uyo on Wednesday.





South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who was in goal in the November 2016 3-1 win over Algeria at the same venue, has finally been ruled out of action on Friday as a result of injury.

Former junior international Dele Ajiboye, who is number one goal –tender for Nigeria Professional Football League table –toppers Plateau United, has been called in to replace Akpeyi.


As at Wednesday afternoon, there had been no definite word from the Cameroonians to the Nigeria Football Federation as to their arrival time or mode of transport into Nigeria.


Friday’s showdown at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium will kick off by 5pm.

Can Nigeria Secure 12th win over Cameroon’s Lions?

Can Nigeria Secure 12th win over Cameroon’s Lions?

By Footyalert → Tuesday, 29 August 2017

The Super Eagles will aim to achieve a 12th triumph over the Lions of Cameroon when both teams go for each other’s jugular at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday.


In 19 previous encounters, Nigeria have been winners 11 times, with Cameroon winning four times and four matches drawn.


Of these games, three happened to be the Final matches of the Africa Cup of Nations (all won by Cameroon, including a nail –biting penalty shoot-out session in Lagos in February 2000), and there were two different fixtures of FIFA World Cup qualifiers (1968 and 1989) shared equally.





Nigeria eliminated Cameroon from the qualifying race for 1970 World Cup finals, winning 3-2 in Douala after a 1-1 draw in Lagos. But the Lions took their revenge in 1989, snatching the minimum win they needed in Yaounde (1-0) to kick the Eagles out of the race for Italia ’90, only two weeks after Sam Okwaraji’s death.


While Cameroonians treasure the wins in Abidjan (1984), Casablanca (1988) and Lagos (2000) that gave them three of their five African titles, Nigerians have sweet memories of a 2-0 defeat of the Lions in Ibadan (in 1989) and a gutsy 2-1 win over Cup holders Cameroon in the quarter finals of 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in the sunshine of Monastir.

When the two teams last clashed, at the Edmond Machtens Stadium in Brussels in October 2015, the Eagles ran away 3-0 winners. Efe Ambrose rose highest in the Lions’ box to nod home a Mikel John Obi free –kick, before Moses Simon rounded the goalkeeper for the second goal and Odion Ighalo headed the third after a splendid pull –out by Elderson Echiejile.


Mikel Obi, Simon, Ighalo and Echiejile are in the Nigerian squad that will seek a repeat scoreline on Friday.


NIGERIA & CAMEROON AT SENIOR LEVEL



8 Dec 1962: Nigeria 3 Cameroon 1 – Lagos (Nkrumah Cup)

1 Jan 1963: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Yaounde (Nkrumah Cup)

7 Dec 1968: Nigeria 1 Cameroon 1 – Lagos (World Cup Qualifier)

22 Dec 1968: Cameroon 2 Nigeria 3 – Douala (World Cup Qualifier)

13 Feb 1972: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Yaounde (Friendly)

22 Jan 1975: Nigeria 1 Cameroon 0 – Lagos (Friendly)

17 July 1978: Cameroon 0 Nigeria 0 – Algiers (All-Africa Games)

2 Feb 1980: Nigeria 0 Cameroon 0 – Ibadan – (Friendly)

18 Mar 1984: Cameroon 3 Nigeria 1 – Abidjan (ACN Final)

17 Mar 1988: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 1 – Rabat (ACN – group phase)

27 Mar 1988: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0 – Casablanca (ACN Final)

10 Jun 1989: Nigeria 2 Cameroon 0 – Ibadan (World Cup Qualifier)

27 Aug 1989: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0 – Yaounde (World Cup Qualifier)

25 Jan 1992: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Dakar (ACN – Bronze medal game)

7 Aug 1997: Cameroon 0 Nigeria 1 – Tunis (LG Cup)

13 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2 Cameroon 2 (3-4 penalties) – Lagos (ACN Final)

1 Jun 2003: Nigeria 3 Cameroon 0 – Lagos (LG Cup)

8 Feb 2004: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Monastir (ACN – group phase)

11 Oct 2015: Nigeria 3 Cameroon 0 – Brussels (Friendly)

Upbeat Eagles plot Cameroon’s fall in Uyo

Upbeat Eagles plot Cameroon’s fall in Uyo

By Footyalert →

Table –toppers Nigeria are confident of overhauling Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions when both teams clash in perhaps the biggest match of Africa’s Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying race on Friday.



Reigning African champions Cameroon come to town at a time the Eagles are fully committed to establishing an unassailable lead in the pool, and on the back of Nigeria having won the last three encounters between both nations at senior level.



Cameroon won the African title in Gabon early in the year – a championship for which Nigeria failed to qualify – and then tucked three big games under their belt at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia in the summer. Yet, they have a mountain to climb against a Nigerian side ready to rise to the occasion in front of a partisan home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.



The Lions will derive little comfort from glancing at the Group B table, on which they lag behind Nigeria with as many as four points, and also realize they have never beaten Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match played in Nigeria.



Team captain Mikel John Obi is at the head of 22 players who were as at Tuesday morning in the Akwa Ibom State capital for the big encounter, with only Cyprus –based Abdullahi Shehu and Russia –based Aaron Samuel still expected at the Ibom Meridien Hotel.



Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, told thenff.com on Tuesday that his wards are fully focused on what pundits have referred to as Nigeria’s biggest match of the year.



“It is a big match and we are fully focused and committed. The players know what it means; they need little or no reminding of how important this match is. I am happy we have almost the full house now and can concentrate on our tactics for the game.”



Tuesday’s arrivals were Moses Simon, Uche Agbo, Leon Balogun, John Ogu, Anthony Nwakaeme and Victor Moses, joining up with Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho, William Ekong, Ahmed Musa, Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Mikel Agu, Odion Ighalo, Wilfred Ndidi, Dele Alampasu, Elderson Echiejile and Tyronne Ebuehi who made it to Uyo on Monday.



Nigeria, on six maximum points from their first two matches, will all but seal a place in Russia if they snap up the three points on offer on Friday evening. Zambia and Algeria, the other two teams in the group, have one point each and clash at the Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

Jigawa Golden Stars shine over Kogi United

Jigawa Golden Stars shine over Kogi United

By Footyalert → Monday, 28 August 2017

Two goals in the spate of 12 minutes gave Jigawa Golden Stars a 2-0 win over Kogi United in the Matchday 23 of Bet9ja Nigeria National League, NNL in Hadejia on Saturday.

Jigawa took the lead inside second minute into the game when Deekor Abraham snatched the ball from John John before feeding Adamu Rahaqqu who shoots past United's keeper Ogundare Detan.

Nwani Morgan was a yard off before receiving Abdulkadir Danburram's pass and run to the edge of the box, his delivery met Abba Umar a yard off before volleying the ball in to double the lead for the hosts.

Kogi United responded with quick attack and had few scoring chances before the end of first half, John John had his shot blocked to corner, shoots wide with his second effort and Micheal Bolaji's long range couldn't go on target.

The boys of coach Tunde Abdulrahman gave their hosts a torrid moments through second half as Kogi United gave their all to stage a remarkable come back, but weren't lucky to get clear cut chances.

Coach Abdulrahman who described the defeat as disappointing for Kogi United noted that his wards lost concentration in the early stages just as he questioned the officials' call to allow Jigawa's second goal.

The United's gaffer praised his wards for their second half resolve adding that the club would continue to push till the end.

"Yes it's painful and disappointing because this was not what we expected, we couldn't cope well in the early stages and we let in the first goal, I didn't know why the second goal was allowed as it was twice offside, who knows, may be at one nil we would have get back and claimed it.

"Our second half was superb and I'm impressed with my players' response and push but it wasn't enough for us to claim anything from the match.

"Well the season isn't over we will continue to push and get better results in our remaining games for us to end the season on a high.

Assistant Coach of Jigawa Golden Stars, Abdulazeez Adeiza who was elated to survive a "tactically gifted' Kogi United's second half onslaught noted that the win had put them in good stead to gain promotion.

"I'm really happy with the win but it wasn't easy as you can see Kogi United are a tactically gifted side, the quick goals rally assisted us to settle well.

"It was a tough game, especially in the second half but we managed to end it, the victory is good for us in our challenge for promotion," Adeiza said.

Kogi United are to draw bye in next fixture (expected to be against Giwa FC) but will return forthright with another away game at FRSC in Abuja.

Kenneth Omeruo heads back to Turkey

Kenneth Omeruo heads back to Turkey

By Footyalert → Friday, 25 August 2017

Nigeria international, Keneth Omeruo has signed a new contract at Chelsea till 2020 but left for Turkey.

Chelsea FC announced that defender, Omeruo signed a new contract until 2020 on Friday August 25 and joined Turkish side Kasimpasa on a season-long loan.






The former junior international who helped Nigeria lift the 2013 African Cup of Nations spent the 2015/16 campaign at the Istanbul-based club where he made 26 appearances. He spent last season on loan at fellow Turkish side Alanyaspor.

Austria Wien confirm Alhassan signing

Austria Wien confirm Alhassan signing

By Footyalert →

FK Austria Wien have confirmed the signing of Nigerian international, Ibrahim Alhassan.

Alhassan,20,completed a loan move till the end of the season to the Bundesliga side with an option seal a permanent deal.

The former Akwa United midfielder may feature in the 2017 UEFA Europa League as Die Veilchen  have made it to the group stage of the competition.

"I am delighted to be part of Austria from now on. I can not wait to get to know the team and work hard together to make even more success with it, "says Abdullahi told the club's official website

Austria Wein's Sport Director, Franz Wohlfahrt is convinced that Alhassan's arrival will add more to the team

"Ibrahim Alhassan Abdullahi is a player with great potential. He is a teamplayer who has speed and good ball handling. We are convinced that this transfer is one with a great perspective," Wohlfahrt stated

We must support Bamigbelu, he must not die, Ilechukwu pleads

We must support Bamigbelu, he must not die, Ilechukwu pleads

By Footyalert →

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu is calling on Nigerians to support award-winning photojournalist, Bamigbelu Ademola Origa, who is in dire need of N5 million for a hip replacement/Osteomyelitis surgery.


The Lagos-based team gaffer who has donated a token to this cause believes Bamigbelu Ademola Origa will overcome the challenges if Nigerians will come to his aid by supporting him with their donations. He said "Bamigbelu is a talented photojournalist, he is arguably the best photojournalist we have in Nigeria as far as sport is concerned and and I believe he will survive this predicament.


"I am using this opportunity to call on Nigerians to support this cause by giving our widow's mite in order for Bamigbelu to have a successful surgery. This is the best time to rally round the young man.


"For me this is a fight against death and I believe we all as individuals can fight this battle with anything we have. We can save the world by showing love to the next man and love is best expressed through giving.

"I have done my part and I will continue to donate to this cause till we win the battle and I believe club administrators, coaches and players in the Nigerian league will follow suit because most of us in the league have benefited from this man's work and I think it's necessary we support him at this critical moment," Ilechukwu pleaded.


The award-winning photojournalist who has been battling with health challenge since 2015 is currently going through excruciating pains day by day. He has been able to raise N960,000 from friends and well wishers.