NPFL All Stars set up a date with NNL All Stars in the 2022 Amapro Football Championship final after beating Laycon FA 3-1 at Kwara Stadium Complex on Saturday morning.
Midfielder Oyedeji Samuel drew the first blood from the penalty spot after five minutes.
Offa-based Laycon FA deservedly levelled matters through talented striker Gotie Taofeeq on 22 minutes.
Wasiu Jimoh nodded home a fine cross from Musa Afeez to put NPFL All Stars on the ascendency 10 minutes into the second half.
Kwara United teenager Abubakar Idris put the game beyond Laycon with a thunderous strike that caught goalkeeper Taye Kolawole napping.
KFA 0-1 NNL All Stars
Defending champions NNL All Stars will face NPFL All Stars in the final after they overcame KFA 1-0.
Neither side were able to find the back of the net in the first 89 minutes, with the match almost heading to penalties.
Playmaker Ajiboye Moses popped up with a curler at injury time to stun KFA.
The 2022 Amapro Football Championship took centre stage at Kwara Stadium Complex with the four quarter-finals being held on Friday.
Defending champions, NNL All Stars were made to work hard for their victory after a 76th minute Lasoju Sulaimon screamer which broke Abraysports FC hearts
It was entertainment galore in the game between Kwara Football Academy and Jazzy Stars, with the former winning 1-0 thanks to impressive Sunday Samuel who bagged a stunning goal.
Gotie Taofeeq scored the winning spot-kick – as Laycon FA sealed a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Amapro Selected. Goalkeeper Taye Kolawole was the hero for the Offa based side with two saves at the shoot-out.
Wasiu Alalade bagged a brace as NPFL All Stars eased past Dickalo FA 2-0 and they will next play Laycon FA in the semi-final.
The other semi-final fixture will see defending champions NNL All Stars put their title on the line against giant killing KFA.
Day 4 Results:
NNL All Stars 1-0 Abraysports KFA 1-0 Jazzy Stars Amapro Selected 0-0 Laycon FA (AP 2-4) NPFL All Stars 2-0 Dickalo FA
In a bid to contribute their quota to the development of Nigerian football space as well as add to plans of Nigeria Professional Football League and the Nigeria National League (NNL) teams proper preparation for the 2022/2023 season scheduled to kick off in September 2022, the organizers of the ValueJet Cup have unveiled the maiden edition of a Pre-season tournament, tagged ‘ValueJet NPFL Preseason Tournament
The tournament according to the organisers will kick off on August 24th and ends on September 3rd, 2022 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Otunba Tade Azeez disclosed on Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 that the prestigious preseason tournament will feature the top Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs.
“We have invited 18 clubs to participate in the tournament and we are offering them the platform to prepare for the new season. We appreciate ValueJet for coming on board, and we have put together a solid Organizing Committee to deliver a top-notch tournament,” said Azeez.
The winner of this year’s edition of the ValueJet Cup will cash home Two Million Naira (N2,000,000), the first runners-up and second runners-up will be rewarded with a cash prize of One Million Naira (N1,000,000), and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) respectively.
There’s however something to smile home with for all clubs, regardless of their finishing position at the tournament as all participating clubs have been earmarked to cart home a sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousands Naira (N250,000) as appearance fees that will ease the club’s logistics.
“We are investing ValueJet sponsorships to support the clubs, we want them to experience a top-quality preseason tournament and our objective is to ensure the clubs have the best preparation ahead of the new season, especially for our clubs that will participate in the continent. We have cash prizes in millions and all the participating clubs will get an appearance fee to make their preparation easy,” Azeez added.
The Organizers in their quest to make this a worthwhile tournament and benchmark for other preseason have confirmed seasoned Nigerian football experts, Mr. Bashir Badawiy and Mr. Oye Bawala as the tournament’s coordinators.
ValueJet was founded in 2018 as a virtual airline brokering flights through other airlines, moving to establish itself as Nigeria’s newest low-cost carrier.
Folabi Ojekunle has stated that he resigned his position as Kogi United head coach earlier in the month.
The UK trained tactician thanked all those who were there for him in the emotional letter addressed to the club.
It was widely circulated in the Media space on Tuesday 26th July that the coach was sacked by Kogi United but he has come out to declare he actually resigned.
In the letter dated 13th July to management of the Lokoja based club, the ex Udala FC gaffer mused, “I wish to formerly notify you and management of decision to resign my position as the head coach of Kogi United.”
“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me by his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State to act in that capacity.”
“I also thank the CSO, players, technical crew, backroom staff, Kogi SWAN, individuals, Kogites, Supporters Club and members of Lokoja Club for their support during my stay at Kogi United.”
“The club car in my possession has been handed to the secretary. I wish the club the very best in the nearest future.”
The next destination of Folabi Ojekunle is unknown as clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League and Nigeria National League have are reportedly interested in his services.
Ojekunle who has a UEFA B coaching licence should be making a decision on his future in a couple of weeks.
After achieving promotion to the top flight league of Nigerian Football, the management of Bendel Insurance believes that the team is ready and capable of pulling a ‘Leicester City’ next season.
Bendel Insurance gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League from Group B1 of the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNL) after close challengers, Gateway United lost to Vandrezzer FC 3-1, thus increasing the gap between both teams to seven points.
The Benin Arsenal however increased the lead to 10 points after whipping Ikorodu City FC 2-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. A goal mouth scramble leading to a goal in the 52nd minute was scored by Deputy Echeta and a spot kick by Osarenkhoe in the 68th minute gave Insurance a deserved victory in front of home fans.
The celebrations at the stadium were a wild one indeed as everyone jubilated over Bendel Insurance’s return to the NPFL. The Acting Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu joined the players and staff of the club is celebrating the feat, with two games to spare.
Speaking with the Acting Governor of the state, who also is a player with the team, Comrade Shaibu revealed the team’s intention at the NPFL
“We are very open to what the coach wants and we are ready to support him on his return to the NPFL, we must remain in the NPFL and talk about winning trophies and the league not about returning to the NNL.” Comrade Shaibu revealed.
In the mood of celebration, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Ali, who came on board in less than a year thanked the team for their efforts and further reiterated the club’s target at the NPFL.
“I think it’s teamwork. The team started working from day one and if you have two games to play you are at the top level.
“As I said, we are like Leicester City, we are now in the top league, we are going to win the league, that is our target, we don’t take second place, I think the coach has said it all, we’ll wait, reinforce the team, I think the goal now is on how to win the league and we are going to put everything in place.
“When you say it and it happens, guess what you are a sound thinking person. That is what we are saying now, our next motive now is to win the league.” Yusuf Ali told the pressmen.
The League Management Company LMC in furtherance to the recent circular from CAF, has warned that only clubs that met the club licensing requirements would be allowed to participate in next season NPFL League.
Arising from a marathon meeting of the LMC and the Executive members of the Club Owners held on Wednesday in Abuja, the League body gave the order following a near- sealed potential massive partnership/sponsorship deals which would herald the next season League.
The meeting which was led by the CEO of the LMC Davidson Owumi and the COO Salihu Abubakar charged the Clubs to shun any act that could bring the League to disrepute in the remaining four league matches in the ongoing season, restating the earlier circular sent to Clubs on point deduction for any breach of the NPFL rules and framework.
“The four remaining fixtures shall be given special monitoring to avoid any act that can bring the game to disrepute, all hands must be on deck to have a successful season to herald the new bumper package for next season “ Owumi said.
The meeting referred to the recent CAF notice to Clubs on Licensing and urged the NPFL Clubs to adhere strictly on some basic criteria which must be met ahead of the upcoming season which include Legal foundation, Infrastructure, Administrative structure, Youth Development and financial viability amongst others.
The meeting noted that LMC chairman, Shehu Dikko is a ranking member of the CAF organizing commitee for inter clubs competitions and management of clubs licensing system thus the absolute need for NPFL clubs to lead by example.
The LMC management further held a closed door meeting with all the compliance officers of the LMC on the four remaining League games and plans ahead of the next season.
Others Stakeholders who were at the meeting include the chairman of the Club Owners Association of Nigeria and Nasarawa United FC boss Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, Executive Secretary of the Club Owners Association of Nigeria Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka and other compliance officers of the LMC.
Former Enyimba manager, Usman Abdallah has been announced as the new head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Katsina United after the first round of games.
Abdallah who won the league title with Enyimba in 2019 and got to the semifinal of the CAF Champions League will now serve as the new head gaffer of the Northwest side as he was unveiled in Kastina at the club secretariat by the chairman, Abdulsamad Badamasi.
“The main reason is to bring back our lost form in the ongoing NPFL season and put smiles back on the face of our fans both at home and outside the state,” The club Chairman said.
The former Wikki Tourists gaffer now has 21 months contracts under his belt with an option for an extension as The Changi Boys aim to bounce back and survive relegation, finishing in a comfortable position, which Abdallah believes he is capable of.
“I am very happy with this appointment and I am going to put in my best to make sure that our club succeed and with the help of God things will get better. I am very much at home, all we need do is concentrate and achieve our aim.” Abdallah promised the fans.
His appointment is coming two days after the sack of Azeez Muhammed who started the season with the club.
The Changi Boys are currently seated 15th with only 21 points after 19 rounds of games, only one spot above the relegation zone.
The management of Akwa United has announced Former Sunshine Stars Head Coach, Coach Deji Aiyeni as their new gaffer following the exit of Kennedy Boboye and poor results by the Attune Jolomi led technical crew.
Coach Aiyeni has moved from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in less than a year. He was a coach at Ekiti United before joining Sunshine Stars and now Akwa United.
The Club disclosed his appointment via its social media handle.
The gaffer who started his managerial career at Cynosure FC will take charge of The Promise Keepers ahead of the kickoff of the second stanza of the season.
The defending champions are currently seated 6th on the log with 27 points after 19 games in the league.
Nigeria Professional Football League club, Katsina United have parted ways with its Technical adviser Azeez Muhd Audu due to ‘circumstances beyond their control ‘.
The management’s decision was made known to the club’s technical adviser through a letter dated March 21, 2022, which was assented by the signature of the club’s chairman, Abdulsamad Badamasi.
Azeez Muhd Audu, Ex-Katsina United Technical Adviser
The spokesperson of the club, Nasir Gide, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria. According to him, he stated the reason for the sack.
“The Management of the club deemed it necessary to relieve him of his duty as a result of circumstances beyond their control, promising to pay his salary for March, immediately civil servants in the State start getting their salaries.
“The Club Chairman promised to pay the former Club TA his salary for March, immediately civil servants in the state started receiving their salaries.
“The Management of Katsina United FC, therefore, thanked him and wished him success in his future endeavours.” Gide told NANS
After 19 games, Katsina United are seated 15th on the log with 21 points and a -6 goal difference, a point above the relegation zone.
The vice-chairman of Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, Tama Aondofa, has revealed that the club will undergo a major restructuring before the resumption of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Premier Football League in April.
Aondofa, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka on Sunday, said Lobi Stars FC will frown at lack of commitment from its players and would return as a better squad with zeal.
He said, “About 15 to 20 players have been lined and pencilled down to move on. They will be let off and the equivalent number who are doing well in the league will join almost immediately.
Speaking on their last match before the break, Aondofa said Lobi had a good away match with Rangers International FC, at the Awka Township Stadium on Saturday but lost to tactical indiscipline.
Lobi Stars were defeated 5-3 by Rangers in their Week 19 encounter at their new temporary home ground in Awka.
The Flying Antelopes grabbed the game by the horns after netting three goals in the first half and another two after the break while Lobi scored all their three goals in the second half.
“The three goals of the first half were virtually donated to our opponents because of tactical indiscipline, there were so many backs passes in front of the goal, but in the second half we fought back and scored three goals but we ran out of time.
“We will go back to the drawing board and look at our player’s recruitment, we will flush the system and several players who have not shown the desired commitment have been identified,” he said.
“Refereeing is getting better but some things are still wrong. People are still buying games, betting in the matches, it will take a little more time for the League Management Company to clean up the system,” he said.
Lobi Stars have 19 points from five wins and four draws from 19 matches played.
Platinum News 