Veteran manager Stanley Eguma has been relieved of his chief coaching position at Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL side Rivers United.
Eguma’s former assistant Evan Ogenyi took charge of the team in yesterday’s 0-0 draw against Kwara United.
The news of Eguma’s sacking filtered through immediately after Rivers United’s 2-1 defeat to Remo Stars last Sunday.
The experienced tactician was mandated by the club to win the game against the Sky Blue Stars.
He left the Port Harcourt club in 13th position.
Eguma, nicknamed ‘Capelo’, guided the club to the 2021 NPFL title win, and equally led the Pride of Rivers to second place finish in the 2016 NPFL their first in the NPFL after sponsors, Rivers State Government merged Sharks FC and Dolphins FC to form what’s today known as Rivers United FC.
He also oversaw United’s back to back CAF Confederation Cup quarter final appearances, falling to USM Algiers in this season’s edition.
Tag: Nigeria Premier Football League
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Kano Pillars’ management has appointed Jangora Ahmed and Ahmed Yaro Yaro Garba as coaches for the remainder of the team’s fixtures in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season.
Both managers will take charge of the team following suspension of head coach, Abdullahi Maikaba as announced by the club on Tuesday.
The veteran tactician had earlier complained about his working condition at Pillars which didn’t go down well with the club’s management.
The new caretaker coaches who assisted Maikaba during this season’s campaign played for the Sai Masu Gida in the past.
Kano Pillars have recorded 44 points from 32 games in this campaign. -
Chief coach Abdu Maikaba has talked himself into trouble at Kano Pillars.
Consequently, the management of former champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League suspended Maikaba, allegedly, over comments credited to the former Enugu Rangers gaffer recently.
Though the reason for his suspension has not been made public, it could be connected with Maikaba’s statement during a meeting organized by the Kano Pillars supporters at the state press centre where he was critical of certain things at the club, stating he could resign.
The former Enyimba, Wikki Tourists and Plateau United handler was suspended a few days after beating Enugu Rangers in the President’s Federation Cup Round of 64.
He stated shortly after that game in Abuja that he had not had a proper working environment since taking over at the beginning of the current season.
Pillars’ chairman Babangida Umar Little, had since announced the setting up of a committee that will investigate the coach whom he insinuated might face further punishment if found guilty of the allegations levelled against him. -
Nine time champions of the Nigeria top-flight Enyimba International are working so hard online to exploit a branding opportunity occasioned by MMA legend Israel Adesanya.
The former UFC middleweight champion Adesanya of Nigerian origin recently posted a picture of him sporting Enyimba away jersey while training in a gym.
Stylebender as Adesanya is known captioned the post, “Soaring to new heights…Pray you keep up the pace.”
https://twitter.com/stylebender/status/1788025616702538118?s=19
In a reaction on their X handle, the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions identified with Adesanya’s post by reposting it with the caption, “Champions always look good in our strip 💪🏿😎
“Soar on @stylebender.”
https://twitter.com/EnyimbaFC/status/1788113270886355337?s=19
The UFC and MMA star is also backed by Stake, who are Enyimba’s shirt sponsors, making it easier for him to use his platform to fly the flag for the domestic game.
Enyimba are the current NPFL champions after new Super Eagles boss Finidi George led the Elephants to the title last season in his first coaching role.
The People’s Elephants remain firmly in contention to make it ten league crowns this campaign as they occupy 3rd position in the NPFL standings. -
The race to the top scorer’s prize in the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season NPFL is down to two players.
With six rounds of game remaining in the championship, Remo Stars striker Sikiru Alimi and his Enyimba counterpart, Chijioke Mbaoma are both locked on 14 goals apiece.
Alimi stepped up his chase for the gong by netting a brace in Remo Stars’ 2-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes last weekend to hit 14 goals.
Mbaoma equaled the mark by scoring from the spot in Enyimba’s 1-0 win over Katsina United in Aba on Sunday.
Both players are expected to continue their chase for the individual accolade in the remainder of the campaign.
The odds favour Alimi as his club Remo Stars have seven games remaining in the season, while Enyimba have six games left.
Meanwhile, matchday 32 of the NPFL will conclude today with Bayelsa United welcoming Rivers United in a regional derby slated for the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa.
A win for the 17th placed Bayelsa will take them out of the relegation zone while Rivers need the maximum three points to bolster their chances of getting back to Continental football.
After today’s game, the NPFL will take a month long break to accommodate Rivers United’s outstanding games. -
Striker Sikiru Alimi shot to the top of the goalscorer’s chart after firing a brace today for his team Remo Stars in a 3nil demolition of visiting Niger Tornadoes.
The victory in this weekend’s match day 32 opener of the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL vaulted Remo 4 places into 2nd in the standings.
Alimi put his team in front from the penalty spot in the 28th minute before adding his second and 14th of the season on 31 minutes.
Ahmed Akinyele wrapped up the win for the Sky Blues with a great strike on 74 minutes to send Remo surging through the log to 2nd with 53 points while Tornadoes occupy 10th spot.
Tomorrow sees two potentially pivotal encounters, with Bendel Insurance hosting relegation-threatened Heartland, while Doma United aim to halt their slump against high-flying Kwara United.
Round 32 of the championship concludes on Sunday with leaders Rangers International and visitors Plateau United headlining a potential title decider in Enugu.
The Flying Antelopes suffered a setback against Rivers United last time out and will be keen to cement their place at the summit with a statement victory against United, who sit fourth in the table.
Elsewhere, Akwa United and Kano Pillars lock horns in a clash with significant implications at both ends of the table, while defending champions Enyimba host Katsina United in what promises to be a cracker in Aba.
In Lagos, newly appointed Sporting Lagos boss Abdullahi Biffo takes charge of his first home game as the Tech Boys welcome Abia Warriors to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
With the title race finely poised and the relegation battle intensifying, Matchday 32 could prove pivotal in shaping the destinies of teams at both ends of the NPFL spectrum. -
The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday announced the imminence of a Football Awards that will recognize, celebrate and reward the best players and coaches in the country on a monthly basis.
These Awards, meant to further generate, enable and inspire positive conversations around the Nigeria game at home and abroad, will feature seven categories in its initial format, highlighting the contributions of players and coaching staff across the ‘beautiful game.’
The NFF Awards will not only recognize and honour individual excellence, but also provide valuable sponsorship opportunities, potentialities and possibilities, allowing companies and institutions to support the development, growth and sustainability of the Nigeria game.
With a focus on celebrating achievements and sector-wide accomplishments, fostering meaningful and fruitful fan engagements, showcasing Nigeria Football on the global stage and keeping conversations on the Nigeria game permanently on the front burner globally, the NFF Awards promise to be a cornerstone programme for the sport in the country.
The NFF projects that the Awards, and the robust conversations that it will generate online and offline, will contribute immensely to the new drive and efforts to reposition the country’s domestic Leagues, and ultimately engender steadfast interest of the private sector in the Nigeria game.
Further details on the Awards, including award categories, nomination process and launch date, will be released in the coming weeks.
Credit: NFF Media
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The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL will witness another re-adjustment of fixtures as the current season reaches crucial stage.
According to the NPFL, there will be a pause in the season after matchday 34 to allow Rivers United play their outstanding matches.
Rivers have a backlog of outstanding matches to be executed following their involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup where they were eliminated in the quarter final stage by defending champions USMA of Algeria.
Aside Rivers’ continental campaign, the re-arrangement of league fixtures was also necessitated by the involvement of some NPFL clubs in the Federation Cup.
Matchdays 35 to 38 will be rearranged at later dates with the 2023/24 NPFL season expected to end next month. -
Heartland FC marked their return to the Dan Anyiam stadium with a 1nil win over visiting Shooting Stars Sports Club 3SC in a Matchday 31 encounter of the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL played today in Owerri.
Divine Ukadike curled in a direct free kick past 3SC wall & GK Okiemute Odah in the 24th minute to earn Heartland the three valuable points.
Despite the win the Owerri based side are still 2nd from bottom in the standings while 3SC who tasted their first defeat after three successive victories are placed 5th.
The Shooting Stars’ match was Heartland’s first game in Owerri after they were banished to Aba due to poor state of their home facility.
The rest of Matchday 31 fixtures will be played tomorrow and Sunday 21 April.
STATS:
Heartland Vs 3SC
Possession 48% – 52%
Shots (on target) 6(2) – 6(1)
Corner kicks 1 – 6
Saves 1 – 1
Yellow cards 5 – 2
Red cards 0 – 0 -
Heartland FC will return to their home ground Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri to play Shooting Stars Sports Club 3SC in a Matchday 31 Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL tomorrow.
The newly laid turf at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State.
There were uncertainties surrounding the venue of the game on Wednesday as Heartland had adopted the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, as their makeshift home ground following the ban on their facility.
The NPFL approved the Naze Millionaires’ return to Owerri following an inspection of the ground.
Christian Obi’s side recorded only one win in the two matches played in Aba and will be banking on the support of their home fans in their quest to escape relegation.
Heartland currently occupy 19th position in the NPFL table with 26 points from 30 games.
woramangra 