Naija Football Extra

Nigeria Professional Football League side, Akwa United has agreed a deal with Dana Airlines for this season. According to officials of the Uyo based club side, ‎Akwa United will be flying Dana Air for all away matches this season.  "This agreement will help us in all our away matches. And it will help the players relax in away games because they will get to match venues early. ‎"All the paper works will be signed on Friday and Dana Air will officially become a partner with Akwa United".  Akwa United is currently on top of the NPFL table with 13 points.

Former  league champions, Enugu Rangers International F.C, Monday, at Lafia City stadium, in a match Day 5 encounter of 2017/2018 NPFL fixture lost all three points at stake as host’ Nasarawa United ran away with a 2-1 victory. The host started the game on a high and were rewarded on 9 minute when some hesitant defending from Rangers back line gave Abubakar Abdullahi enough time to slam home the opening goal to send fans of the home side into wild jubilation. Stunned as they were, the visitors took the game to the host with Kelvin Itoya, Godwin Aguda and Abu Azeez probing for the much needed leveller but Suraj Ayeleso, in goal for the host, was in fine form as he blocked, parried and clutched all that was thrown at him. On 16, 26 and 37 minutes of play, the experienced shot stopper blocked out Abu Azeez stinging shot while also parrying out Godwin Aguda’ half volley and standing his ground to deny Azeez another sniff at goal to the relief of the half full sta...

Enyimba striker Chinonso Okonkwo endured a mixed outing in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Rivers United in Port Harcourt. A man-of-the-match display, which included winning a late first-half penalty, was soured when the powerful forward was sent off for dissent ten minutes to the end. Okonkwo chatted with  Enyimba Media , explaining his sending-off, and also bared his anguish at missing Wednesday's Abia Derby. Transcript below, and attached is the interview audio. General appraisal of the game I really thank God for the result, and I thank the players for the way we came out in the game. Also, I'm very very happy about myself, although toward the dying minutes of the game, I was so disappointed about the red card. But if you watched the game, you'd know that, at a time, it became so frustrating to me because, [off] the ball, the (Rivers) defenders were kicking and hitting me. I know that was their game plan, but it was quite unfortunate that I got the...

Rivers United and Enyimba International played out an exciting 1-1 draw on Sunday as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) entered match day five. United dominated early at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt with Elum Sochima coming close on several occasions without hitting the opposition’s underbelly. Enyimba then took over, dominating possession and carving out chances at will. They took the lead on the stroke of half time when the referee ruled that Gabriel Olalekan had fouled Chinonso Okonkwo in the United box. Stanley Dimgba kept his composure and sent Sunday Rotimi the wrong way to send shock waves running down the spines of the home faithful as Enyimba went into the break with the psychological advantage. United stepped on the accelerator after the restart and duly gained due reward when Daniel Israel headed home a cross on 77 minutes to restore parity. There was to be no more scoring as both sides settled for a point apiece fro...

A private fitness firm based in Enugu has announced it's partnership with the management of former Nigerian league champions, Enugu Rangers International F.C in the provision of free fitness training facilities for members of the team as the club challenges for laurels in the new season. In an  chat, the Managing Director of the firm based in the coal city, Stanley Odoh, said that his love for the success of the club, within and outside of the country inspired him to make the move. “No doubt, Rangers is a big brand and it has been my desire to contribute in one way or another towards the good of the club hence, my resolve to make available facilities in the fitness centre to players of the club free of charge so that we can all celebrate at the end of the season,” said the youthful M.D. He said that two players were currently enjoying the services as they recover from their various injuries. Earlier, the G.M/CEO of Rangers, Prince Davidson Owumi, confirmed to...

Enyimba, by the usual high standards, have endured a below-par start to the 2018 Nigeria Professional Football League season. Two points from the opening three league games have left the People’s Elephant mired in relegation: unfamiliar terrain for the seven-time African champions. A shock loss away to Katsina United at the weekend is the latest setback, and in appraising the game, goalkeeper Fatau Dauda didn't pull his punches. "We all did not have a good game," he admitted in a chat with Enyimba Media. "It was not like the first [away] game (vs Lobi Stars), where we deserved to win but conceded a penalty in the second half. Here (vs Katsina), none of us played well." The Ghana international called in the team to raise their competitive level, and was keen to find a silver lining in a dark period for the club. "Enyimba always want results, and some can't handle the pressure. But this is a sign, that we must step our game up 200...

It was end to end stuff as former  Nigerian league champions, Enugu Rangers International F.C secured their first win inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in the ongoing season as a 78 th  fortuitous strike from midfield maestro, Godwin Aguda, earned all three points for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ against an enterprising, Katsina United side. Rangers’ gaffer, coach Olugbenga Ogunbote, made two changes to the starting team that secured a road win over oriental neighbours, Heartland, at the weekend, drafting Adun Osamudiamwen and Shedrack Francis in for injured Brownbraye Okpus and Semiu Liadi with Okey Odita anchoring the backline. The midfield quartet of Chiamaka Madu, Godwin Aguda, Christian Madu and Bright Silas worked hard to contain the men detailed by the opposing coach, Abdullahi Biffo, with Destiny Ashabi and Usule Martins turning in the screw ceaselessly. There was no clear cut opening on either post as much play was anchored in the middle of th...

Go Round Fc dropped points at home for the first time in more than one year as they were forced to a draw by Heartland. The encounter at the KrisDera Hotel Stadium ended 1-1 after Julius Ubido equalized following a Chidi Nwachukwu goal that had put the home side ahead. Heartland had not scored a goal in the league before this encounter while Go Round FC were were confident that they had not dropped points at home since the loss to Remo Stars two seasons ago. As early as the 11 th minute Chidi Nwachukwu headed home a sublime freekick taken by Morris Chukwu to put the home side ahead. Five minutes before half time, Adelani Adeseun thought he had the second goal when he stole the ball from Heartland’s goalkeeper, Ebele Obi who had spilled the ball off a free kick, but the referee spotted an infringement and ruled out the goal. In the 43 rd  minute, Lucky Emariojoke shold have equalised when he found some loose space in the Go Round FC box and rattled th...

Go Round FC fell in Makurdi to Lobi Stars in a game they could have gotten a result judging from their second half performance. Lobi Stars started like a house on fire and could have gone four goals up in the first half as the Go Round FC players just could not find their feet. Starting with four debutantes- George Ameh, Kamaru Ogunjobi, Olafimihan Atinushola and Pius Dennis as well as and one playing for this first time this season, Obinna Ukwu, it seemed, by their first half performance that the occasion was too big for the Go Round FC players. Kamaru Ogunjobi, Atinushola and Dennis seemed jittery on the ball while George Ameh flapped at crosses but Lobi Stars just could not score. As early as the 2 nd minute, a free header from Samad Kadiri whistled past the Go Round FC post as the keeper, George Ameh stayed rooted to the ground. In the 9 th  minute Ebube Duru crossed into the Go Round FC penalty box but Ameh flapped at the cross that went out fo...

Bakary Bamba and Guy Kuemian scored either side of half time to inspire Rivers United to a richly-deserved 2-1 victory over Kano Pillars in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday. In-form Junior Lokosa scored Pillars’ consolation just after the half hour mark as the ‘Pride of Rivers’ overpowered ‘Sai Masu Gida’ 2-1 in a compelling contest decided at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt. It was billed as the ‘star match’ of match day three of the NPFL and it didn’t disappoint. The big news before kickoff was that veteran goal keeper, Sunday Rotimi would make his season’s debut following a complete recovery from a groin injury that side-lined him for United’s two opening NPFL games against El-kanemi Warriors and Plateau United. Ali Chiwendu replaced Zoumana Doumbia at left back while Guy Kuemian, Olalekan Gabriel and Markson Ojobo all got the nod to start following substitute roles and exclusion from the match day squad in the 0...

For much of the 2016/17 NPFL season, Enyimba struggled to fill the right full-back position. Goodluck Onamado and midfielder dynamo Dare Ojo filled in for the most part, before, in a flash of inspiration, winger Andrew Abalogu was converted midway through the season. However, with the arrival at the club of Yinka Onaolapo, it appears those troubles are now at an end. The former Nasarawa United man has himself undergone a conversion of sorts - naturally a central midfielder, he nevertheless made his league debut playing at centre-back for the Lafia-based side - but caught the eye dominating the right flank for the Solid Miners last term. Onaolapo is well aware of long-standing vacancy in his position, but insists he is unfazed by it and by the challenge of turning out for one of Africa's biggest clubs. "I’ve heard about the issue with the right back spot (from last season), but I don’t think playing under pressure brings the best out of anyone," he...

Former Nigerian international, Raymond King also known as Ramoni Oba will be interred in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, 10th of February. The late flamboyant goalkeeper, according to erstwhile international, Tajudeed Disu, will be laid to rest at his Abeokuta residence.  Before the interments, the deceased will be laid in state at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, just as ex-Abiola Babes, IICC Shooting Stars players and friends play a novelty game on Friday, 9th of February, in memory of late goalkeeper.   Some of the ex-Abiola Babes' players that will feature in the novelty match are; Tajudeen Olusegun Disu, Biodun Odejimi, Yisa Sofoluwe, Friday Ekpo, Friday Christopher, Toyin Ayinla, Bolarinwa Charles, Rafiu Fagbenro while Kola Taiwo and former Enyimba FC handler, Kadiri lkhana will coach the team.  The deceased was a goalkeeper trainer for Gateway FC of Ogun State, but his appointment was terminated alongside other technical crew members of the clu...

Rangers coach, Gbenga OGunbote has assured numerous admirers of his resolve to take the team to the continent next season after his wards succumbed to a 2-0 loss in the hands of Akwa United F.C as the 2017/2018 NPFL season kicked off at the weekend. The vastly experienced gaffer gave these re-assuring words at the post match press conference in Uyo stressing that the loss instead of putting his team under pressure would spur them to action in coming fixtures. “It is sad that we lost but we have to put the loss behind and quickly gather ourselves together and push for victories in other matches. Our set target of ending the season in an appreciable position is still intact. I assure our teaming supporters that we shall come out better after this loss,” stated coach Ogunbote. He said further, “All we need to do is to make amends where necessary. No excuses but we have to remember that this is our first real challenge since I joined the team and some of the players are...

Twenty eight players have been registered to play for Go Round FC in the 2017/ 18 Nigeria Professional Football League season. Out of this number, thirteen are newly signed while fifteen remained with the club from last season’s twenty four. Top of the names that remained with the club from last season are top scorer, Ekunta Etenfa who scored eleven goals and captain, Nelson Esor who scored seven times in the League. After putting pen to a new three year contract, Esor said he has stayed on with Go Round FC to win and to put Omoku in the spotlight for good reasons. “ The town has had some security issues that has painted it in bad light but we are happy now that things have changed and our good performances will bring a breath of fresh air and some positive news around Omoku,” Esor said. “ It is our first ever time in the league but we will not be looked down on. We will play as though we are regular in the top league and make names for ourselves.” ...

Two away wins heralded the start of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League season. Niger Tornadoes with new coach, Erasmus Onuh travelled to Ilogin and shocked Kwara United. Defending Champions, Plateau United also started very well by beating Nasarawa United by a lone goal. Rangers lost 2-0 to Akwa United, while Heartland and Sunshine Stars played a goalless draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. Heartland 0-0 Sunshine Nasarawa 0-1 Plateau ⚽️ Ayagwa 87’  Rivers 1-0 El-Kanemi ⚽️ Keumian 67’  Abia Warriors 2-0 MFM ⚽️ Effiong 52’, 66’  Katsina Utd 2-2 Pillars ⚽️ Ajanah 45’, Ashadi 90’ (p) - Lokosa 33’, Alassan 61’‎ Akwa United 2-0 Rangers  Kelly Kester 30th; Dennis Nya Lobi Stars 1-1 Enyimba Ezekiel Mba (65 pen), Chinedu Udeagha 39th Wikki Tourists 1-0 Go Round Kabuga 45 Ifeanyi Ubah 2-1 Yobe Stars Obaje 37, Adeboye 73, Ohanachom 61 Kwar and United 0-2 Niger Tornadoes Frimpong 11, Babawo 49

Rivers United have unveiled new players that will‎ represent the football club in the 2018 football season. The unveiling ceremony took place on Saturday, January 13 at the club’s home ground, the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt. Apart from the new players, chief coach, Ndubuisi Nduka was also unveiled on Saturday. Prince Aggrey, who was among the footballers unveiled expressed readiness to give his all to the ‘Pride of Rivers’ in the upcoming campaign. “I will wear the number ten jersey and I understand the responsibility that comes with that,” he told our official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng . “I think my contribution will act as a big plus to the team. “Most of the new players that have joined the club are good players; quality players and I believe we will contribute in making this club the best in Nigeria,” Aggrey stated. Also speaking after the unveiling ceremony, attacking midfielder, Ochowechi ‘Oche’ Salefu noted that he will look to replicate his ...