Osho Targets Wikki’s Scalp

Osho Targets Wikki’s Scalp

By Footyalert → Saturday, 25 March 2017

Remo Stars Technical Adviser,  Fatai Osho has assured the fans to expect the best from his lads going into Match Day 15 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Sky Blue Stars were off duty in Match Day 14 of the NPFL due to Rivers United's involvement in the CAF champions League last weekend.

Osho's men welcomes the Bauchi Elephants who ended their winless spell against Katsina United in the ongoing NPFL competition.

Speaking with RSFC Media, Osho says the last win against ABS FC and couple of test matches played will motivate the lads in Sunday's game.

"We have to expect the best from the lads, the last result we got was quiet a motivating one and from there we will pick it up to start getting our desired results. We are really prepared for this game because while others played in the league over the weekend, we played competitive friendlies that will go a long way in making the team progress."

"The team is still in transit, we are working to ensure better style of play from the lads and by the time we are done, our results will announce us to the world. I am expecting a lone goal win for us but more goals will be an icing on the cake but maximum points for me is all I desire." Osho concluded.

Iko James Rallies Team Mates To Dim Sunshine Stars

Iko James Rallies Team Mates To Dim Sunshine Stars

By Footyalert →

Niger Tornadoes' central defender, Martin Iko James has charged his team mates to put up an impressive outing when they host Sunshine Stars in the Matchday 15 of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL on Sunday.

Tornadoes will hope to stretch their resurgent home form when both sides meet at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

James, who is in his debut season in the NPFL with Tornadoes after his famous move from Kogi United said the message in camp was to up the game and get a total victory against a troubling Sunshine Stars who are struggling to found their rhythm into the season.

"We have been fired up to win on Sunday (against Sunshine Stars) we know the win would push us up on the table and I've been telling my team mates to take the match serious, even more than the previous ones," begin James.

"We know they are struggling is time, what they want is one good result on the road to spring up, but we are not ready to make that happen for them here, what's on my mind and we are talking about now is how to break them down and get our victory, I believe it's possible because we have a young and talented squad that can get it done," he said.

The graduate of Public Administration from the Kogi State Polytechnic had to wait till Matchday Nine before making his NPFL debut in the Matchday Nine 2-0 defeat to Plateau United in Jos.

But James has so far cement his position in Coach Abubakar Bala's starting berth with impressive performances, a feat he described down to focus, dedication and divine.

"I'm still in the dream land with my first season in NPFL, I never thought it would be this interesting for me. I waited for my time as I know the coach has lots of confidence in me.

"I believe in myself and God, may be He's making the meaning of my name working for me (Iko-Ojo in native Igala language means God's Time) and I really want to continue do well for Tornadoes, to get more games and positive results," he said.

NMJ Task Ahmad, Pinnick On new CAF Duty, Congratulate New Face Of CAF Executives

NMJ Task Ahmad, Pinnick On new CAF Duty, Congratulate New Face Of CAF Executives

By Footyalert → Friday, 24 March 2017

The New Media Journalists (NMJ) at the weekend charged the newly elected president of CAF, Ahmad Ahmad, on bringing changes to the face of football on the continent as promised during his campaign.

In a statement signed by the Co-ordinator of the group, Akinlolu Alonge, NMJ said Ahmad should not deviate from his promises and make sure things changed for better.

Ahmad ousted long-time president of CAF, Isha Hayatou, in an election recently and promised a lot of changes and also improvement to African Africa.

"The change must not end with the election, it must be visible for all to see," Alonge said.

"We are happy for Ahmad because we see in him as someone who is ready to make things happen, but he should not lose focus.

"Some people will try to change his targets, but he should not allow them because the future of the younger generations is now in his hand and other members of his executives."

The group of young journalists also called on the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, who was also elected as an executive board member from WAFU zone B, to make sure the change rub off on the country's football.

NMJ also called on the new executives to take women football development on the continent as uppermost in their change campaign.

Alonge added: "Despite performing well on the continent, women teams have been finding it difficult to perform on equal terms with their counterparts from Europe and Asia.

"CAF should see to the organisation and promotion of women football in Africa and maybe start a CAF club competition like the Champions League.

"I am sure this will help the clubs and bring about better players for most of the countries leading to better performance at the world stage."

Meanwhile, NMJ used the opportunity to congratulate the newly elected executives as they start their reign as the new face of CAF.

Falode reveals Plans To Restructure Women's Football In Nigeria

Falode reveals Plans To Restructure Women's Football In Nigeria

By Footyalert →

With the 2016/17 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) set to get underway this weekend, Independent Chairperson of the board, Aisha Falode has declared that the mandate given to her team by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is to ensure that the league has a
face-lift, proper restructuring and befitting standard.

According to the member of CAF media committee, whose success story as a sports journalist stems form her involvement in both sports and radio broadcasting, the plan involves ensuring restructuring and building a strong and capable human resource base at all levels of
Nigerian women football.

"It's our duty to look at the structure and see how women's football in Nigeria gets the needed attention and affinity with the audience. Women's football has what it takes to enjoy some feasibility with the men's game but it's going to take a while. The point is that everyone believe we have done the same thing over and over again. It's time to adopt a new approach when going forward. We need to look at a new strategy that we think would work. That's basically what this new
board is all about," she said.

"The new NWFL board has been created to embark on a transformation mission. When we talk about women's football in this country the focus is usually on the Super Falcons, Flamingoes and Falconets. In club football, the vast popularity of Rivers Angels, Pelican Stars, Nasarawa Amazons, Ibom Angels, Sunshine Queens and Delta Queens is obvious. There are over sixteen professional clubs in this country.

The plan is to expose and make them feasible. In the past the league didn't have a stable calendar and clubs weren't obeying the laid down rules and regulation. The game is all about rules and regulations. No club will be punished for violations of rules and regulations governing the NWFL but sanctions will be applied to non compliance as contained in the appropriate sections of the Rules book. We will
continue to dialogue with clubs and hope that they come through the open door of our good intentions for the league for clarification on grey areas."
The highly experienced administrator revealed plans to revamp the
affairs of women's  football in Nigeria.

"That's the brief that we were given by the NFF. The board brought out the structure, one that will be a 16-team league and clubs being divided into two groups. We looked at economic factor. Why are teams not respecting their fixtures even when they are playing at home? We want to look at the financial burdens of the teams and players' welfare. All these cannot be possible if you are not financially independent."

Is the new board a model just like the League Management Company? Falode added: "It's the same blue print. What the LMC has done with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is now working after so many years of hardwork. We are beginning to see the gains of the top flight for men's game. We want to see how we can adopt the model of the NPFL to the NWFL and see what happens. Hopefully in the next two or three years we would have attained some stability in terms of
passion, followership and financial gains."

The participants for the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) campaign are defending champions Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Heartland Queens, Sunshine Queens, Ibom Angels, Abia Angels and FC Robo Queens.

Others are Nasarawa Amazons, Osun Babes, Delta Queens, Confluence Queens, Adamawa Queens, Edo Queens, Pelican Stars and FC Saadatu Kolo Amazons.

The opening match of the 2016/17 campaign will be between Sunshine Queens and Ibom Angels at the Akure Township Stadium on Saturday 25th March.

Udegbe On Bayelsa Queens' New Squad And Looking Forward To The NWFL Campaign.

Udegbe On Bayelsa Queens' New Squad And Looking Forward To The NWFL Campaign.

By Footyalert →

Nwfl.com.ng sits down with Bayelsa Queens' central defender Udegbe Esther ahead of the 2016/17 season - and takes a look at the dying moments of the previous campaign, and what she makes of her team's new signings and the first few games of the coming season.

"We went very close in the year 2016. The club almost made it to the Champion of Champions final and went close to winning the Federation Cup."

Looking at how the club has worked Rollanson Odeh in the hot seat, Udegbe says she's impressed with the way the transition has worked.

"I know, talking to people in and around the club, it's very much the same," she told Nwfl.com.ng.

The experienced defender says that Odeh won't be forgotten because of the role he's played, but there's a new man in town.

"He's [Tarila Okorowanta] promised entertaining attacking football. He's got a pedigree of doing that, wherever he's managed. He's put teams that looked good - that are good to watch. There's an awful lot
of optimism, both from inside the club and from the supporters.

"The philosophy that coach Odeh left behind was very great and we hope to consolidate on it."

Udegbe examines the new players brought in over the transfer window,
and she says Bayelsa Queens have addressed the areas that they needed
to, including pace, which is vital.

"Aminat Yakubu looks the real deal. Everyone tuned into the 2016 UEFA
Women's Champions League to watch her once they knew Minsk had got
her. She looks fantastic, and you could imagine a few Premier League
full-backs watching her in action and a little shiver going down their
spine. She could be a real star of the new season.

"Blessing Onoriode is another quality addition to the team. She is a
budding talent, who is capable of improving the squad.

Looking ahead to the new season, she says Bayelsa Queens have been
fortunate with the fixture list. "It's the kind of start you want,
especially if you're bedding in new players - we could win those games
and give the new players plenty of experience.

"If you're playing the tough teams in the division, do you want four
new players in your team, you probably don't - you want to rely on
players that you know. In that way it's an ideal start."

Rohr Happy With Eagles’ Strong Mental Attitude

Rohr Happy With Eagles’ Strong Mental Attitude

By Footyalert →

Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has praised his young charges for never giving up and eventually ending on a high against Africa’s second ranked team, Senegal in a friendly in London on Thursday.


“It is never the result that matters in a friendly match; it is the attitude of the players and what they bring to the game. I am satisfied with our whole attitude and the fact that after going down by a goal, we were mentally strong enough to come back and eventually ended the match on a high.


“You must also consider that we were missing key players like Carl (Ikeme), (Victor) Moses and the captain (Mikel John Obi). We put out a couple of players who had not featured for us before, like (Olanrewaju) Kayode and (Isaac) Success.


“We had to deal with goalkeeping issue and Daniel (Akpeyi) did not have any training with the team. (Ikechukwu) Ezenwa came on the eve of the match and also did not train. It was difficult planning for the game but I am satisfied with what we came up with and how we approached the game.”


The Franco-German, who has won three of four matches with the three –time African champions, drawing the other, specially applauded the output of the defenders as well as Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho in the attack.


“It is a fact that Leon (Balogun), (William) Ekong and Elderson (Echiejile) had not been playing regularly in their clubs, and even Kenneth (Omeruo) who had been active was played in a different role. (Ahmed) Musa and Kelechi (Iheanacho) had also not been playing much. So, it was tough for them at the start but they picked up well and showed good character.


“Our captain (Ogenyi Onazi) went off injured after only 20 minutes. We had to choose between (John) Ogu and (Oghenekaro) Etebo, we opted for Ogu because of the stature of the Senegalese and I think he did well. Now, we know we have some strength-in-depth and that is very good for planning.


“I am also delighted with the confidence level of Wilfred (Ndidi).”


Looking ahead to Monday’s game against the Etalons, Rohr told thenff.com: “It is a different game altogether. I coached them before coming to Nigeria and I know they are not so much physical but a very technical team.


“You think of players like Bertrand Traore (who is with Chelsea FC of England but loaned to Ajax Amsterdam) and also Nakoulma who was impressive at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, as well as Alain Traore, (Aristide) Bance and the young goalkeeper (Herve Koffi).


“It is going to be an interesting match but we will be at our best.”

Omoyele Explains On His Move To Osun United

Omoyele Explains On His Move To Osun United

By Footyalert →

Omoyele Tosin has revealed reasons that influenced his move to Nigeria National League (NNL) outfit, Osun United.

The former COD United striker who is still on the wish list of a couple of clubs in the NNL completed a loan move to  Osun United and he already has an assist after two matches.

The energetic forward whose pace and ability to creatively hold the ball has been his strength stated that he wants to play in the elite division and he is ready to give his all to help his new team pick a tick to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“I have always given my best at all times and I will continue to do so regardless of where I find myself. My simple target is to play in the Premier League and it’s good that I moved to a club with same ambition,” Omoyele told Footyalert

“I have settled in well since I move to Osun United. The believe in the team is really strong, the focus and determination is amazing. The league is a marathon and that requires some level of consistency else the target won’t be made a reality.

“Though we defeated Bendel Insurance at home but we shall take that confidence to Ogbomoso when face Crown FC on Sunday,” Omoyele concludes.

Gombe Plans To Clip MFM’s Strike Force

Gombe Plans To Clip MFM’s Strike Force

By Footyalert →

Gombe United defender, Kennedy Obiokor has revealed MFM’s strong point and noted that the Savannah Scorpions have plans to clip it when both teams meet on Sunday in a week 15 Nigeria Professional Football League match at the Pantami stadium.

The Manu Garba tutored side are 12 points behind MFM, though Obiakor admits respect for the Olukoya Boys but he is confident that after a proper study of their opponent, Gombe United will clip their midfield and attack then break them down.

“We know that MFM has nothing to lose but they will come here to explore likely opportunities but we are ready to conquer,” Obiokor told Footyalert

“It will be a great match for both teams, we are not underrating them because they have earned some level of respect with what they have achieved so far. We have done a proper study of MFM and it is obvious that their strength lies in the midfield and attack. The proposed antidote is to clip both department and then put pressure on their back line till it cracks.”

“Gombe United does have positives going on well but with a game plan set out already the match against MFM will be tough but we have a key to unlock them. We also have pace and that means our counters will be like a hot knife through butter. It will be tough but we shall seal victory on Sunday,”

Gombe United sit 16th on the Nigeria Professional Football League table with 15 points while MFM sit at the top of the log with 27 points.