Naija Football Extra

General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Prince Davison Owumi has been elected the chairman of EX-Rangers International Football Club Association in Enugu, Tuesday. The election which was conducted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu produced Owumi as the chairman with 33 votes as against his opponents 18 and zero votes. Ex-Rangers, Owumi, Arthur Egbunam and Stanley Okoronkwo contested for the post of chairmanship and Egbunam gathered 18 votes while Okoronkwo had no vote. For the post of Secretary, Edmund Ndukanma won with 35 votes as against Sunday Emele 15 votes. Christian Isiadinso became the vice chairman after winning Ifeanyi Ezeji and Ignatius Okafor with 25 votes as against 16 and 9 votes respectively. In the post of financial secretary, Michael Ogbodudu defeated Akim Ashiru with 37 votes as against 10 votes. The post of Publicity Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasury and Welfare officer were un-oppose...

There has been further adjustment to the fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2017/18 season arising from CAF Club competitions involving four of  the NPFL Clubs. Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company (LMC), Salihu Abubakar made public the adjustments in a memo circulated to all the clubs, Monday afternoon. Abubakar explained that the NPFL draws were made before the continental fixtures were released hence the adjustments being made as Nigerian clubs advance in the competitions. Two Match Day 10 fixtures,  Akwa United versus Heartland Go Round versu Plateau United which were originally scheduled for last Sunday, February 25 are now to hold on Wednesday, March 21. Likewise, this weekend’s Match Day 11 fixtures involving all four clubs playing continental matches have been moved to Wednesday, March 28. The fixtures are Enyimba versus MFM, Plateau United versus Yobe Desert Stars and Katsina United versus Akwa United. Ma...

Head Coach of the U20 Boys’ National Team, Paul Aigbogun has called to camp 28 players as the seven –time African champions begin preparations for the qualifying series for 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. *THE INVITED PLAYERS* Ikouwem Udoh (Enyimba FC) Peter Eneji (Plateau United) Nur Muhammed (El-Kanemi Warriors) Wasiu Abdulazeez (Enyimba FC) Aniekieme Okon (Akwa United) Valentine Ozounwafor (Enyimba FC) Aminu Nuhu (Akwa United) Nazifi Yahaya (Kano Pillars) Isa Ndala (Nasarawa United) Adesina Gata (Akwa United) Alhassan Ibrahim (Kano Pillars) Douglas Achiv (Nasarawa United) Jamilu Muhammed (Kano Pillars) Mubarak Abdulsalam (Wikki Tourists) Sadiq Abdullahi (Nasarawa United) Akila Jadima (MFM FC) Charles Agbo (El-Kanemi Warriors) Frank Kappe (Katsina United) Idris Said (Niger Tornadoes) Ospino Egbe (MFM FC) Malachy Chibuzor (Rivers United) Sunday Anthony (El-Kanemi Warriors) Abiodun Joseph (Sunshine Stars)  Nurudeen Mudashiru (ABS FC) Waheed Adebay...

The Management of Akwa United Football Club have expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their prayers and supports which they say helped a great deal in their qualification to the First Round of the CAF Confederation Cup competition on Wednesday in Banjul. Speaking after the team's victory against Hawks FC in Banjul, Chairman of the club Elder Paul Bassey expressed gratitude, first to God and to Nigerians for standing by the team despite the first leg lost in Uyo. Elder Bassey was particularly grateful to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State for his massive support and trust in the team even during the most difficult times. " His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel is a football lover who believes that hard work and dedication are the keys to success. " His Excellency's love and support for the beautiful game has been massive and that support was instrumental in Super Eagles qualification to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. " The Governor's e...

Three Nigerian clubs on Wednesday qualified for the next stage of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. Plateau United travelled to Cameroon and defeated Eding Sport 0-1 to move to the next stage of CAF Champions League on a 4-0 goals aggregate. Plateau United will now face Tunisian side, Etoile Du Sahel in the next round. MFM, playing at the renovated Agege Stadium defeated Real Bamako of Mail 1-0 after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. MFM will now tackle MC Algiers in the first round after eliminating Real Bamako on a 2-1 goals aggregate.  Akwa United playing in the CAF Confederation Cup beat Hawks of Gambia 2-0 after losing 1-2 at Uyo in ‎the first leg. Akwa United will now play against Libyan side Al-Ittihad in the next round. Enyimba who drew bye in this round, will take on Energies sports from Benin  Republic in the next stage of the Confederation Cup.

The management, technical crew and players of former Nigerian League champions, Rangers International F.C have sent their heartfelt condolences to Kano Pillars F.C family on the untimely demice of their defense lychpin, Chinedu Udoji.  Udoji died in an auto accident, Sunday night after leading his side to a 1-1 draw against his former side, Enyimba in a match day 9 NPFL encounter in Kano. In a release by the media officer of the 'Flying Antelopes', Norbert Okolie, it said that the news of the death of the all action defender came as a rude shock to the Enugu side and prayed for the repose of his gentle soul. "This is unbelievable but true. This is one death too many. We, in Rangers deeply mourn the death of Chinedu Udoji whose sad news on his demise came to us this morning. Some of our players who played with him at Enyimba are deeply touched by this sad news," the release signed by the Team Manager, Barrister Amobi Ezeaku said in part. In separate charts...

Players and officials of Akwa United have arrived Banjul, capital of Gambia for the second leg of the preliminary stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. The team comprising 20 players and 9 officia ls will battle for the ticket to qualify for the next stage against Banjul Hawks on Wednesday.  Akwa United lost the first leg 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo‎. Coach Abdul Makaiba said after the NPFL game against MFM at the Agege Stadium, that he visited confident that will qualify after the second leg game on Wednesday. "I'm confident we will get the job done on Wednesday in Gambia.  "We have prepared very well for the game and the players know what is at stake and are raring to go," Makaiba noted. 

Enyimba proved they can pick up points as they battle Kano Pillars to a 1-1 draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. Junior Lokosa got the first goal of the match in the 36th minute to take his tally to eight goals in nine matches. Four minutes later,Emmanuel Anyanwu ‎scored an own goal to gift the Aba side a priceless leveller in the game watched by a capacity crowd. Kwara United did not believe what they got at the Lafia Stadium as they got a point from the game against Nasarawa United. Nojeem Olukokun scored Nasarawa United's third goal on 84th minutes, before Stephen Alfred pull one back for Kwara United two minutes later and on the dot of 90 minutes, Michael Ohanu got the equaliser for a priceless point for the Ilorin side.  Matchday 9 | NPFL  Heartland FC *2-1* Wikki Tourists  8' Abubakar Umar  16' Nnamdi Egbujor 90' Nnamdi Egbujor Katsina United *3-0* FC Ifeanyi Ubah  40' Eric Dufegba  45+2' Tasiu ...

Reprieve came the way for some players and officials of FC feanyiUbah who were last season banned for one year for violent conduct at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja at the end of the 2016/17 Match Day 36 fixture. The LMC notified the club that the ban has been lifted on condition of good behavior until the end of the season.  The club officers are Chidi Nwogu (Secretary) and Obi Adirika (Kits Manager). The  players are Isaac Loute, Wilson Elu, Godfrey Uchenna Jnr, and Michael Egbeta. Others are Kone Soumaila, Ngoma Loumba, Stephen Eze, Adeleye Olamilekan and Nkurwna Douglas.

In an unprecedented application of the Nigeria Professional  Football League (NPFL) Framework and Rules, a three point  deduction has been imposed on Sunshine Stars of Akure by the  League Management Company (LMC). In a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued the  club Friday night, the LMC reviewed a series of pass  breaches of the rule by the club dating back to the  2014/2015 season for which varying sanctions, including  monetary fines, playing without fans,  ban of use of home  ground and an order to identify for prosecution, supporters  cited for acts of breach of security and or interference  with match officials. “These repeated breaches constitute  aggravated circumstances which are considered with a view  towards imposing more severe sanctions.  It is noted that  despite the imposition of a range of corrective sanctions  including fines, ‘closed door’ orders and stadium bans,  Suns...

Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) today held a colourful ceremony to officially kick off their historic partnership. The agreement will have two of Nigerian Breweries Plc’s biggest brands, Star Lager and Amstel Malta headlining the partnership as official alcoholic and malt beverages of the National Football Teams of Nigeria. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, MD/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said, “Nigerian Breweries Plc identifies with the Nigerian passion for the game of football, as well as the desire and expectation for more groundbreaking feats by the national teams. We are delighted to be partnering with the Nigerian Football Federation to celebrate this true passion that is fueled by patriotism, resilience and desire for victory, through the platform of Football”. Describing the historic nature of the agreement, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, the NFF President stated, “This strategic partnership that w...

Kano Pillars forward Junior Lokosa and Abdu Maikaba of Akwa United have been named the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) Player and Manager respectively in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the month of January. Lokosa and Maikaba emerged winners for their outstanding performance with their clubs in the month of January. They finished head and shoulders ahead of six other nominees from LBA's shortlist of four each in the player's and manager's categories. The Kano Pillars striker, currently the leading scorer in the country's top division, accounted for 67 percent of his club's total goals in January. He scored six goals in six matches, only failing to score in the 0-0 draw at El-Kanemi Warriors. It was in the game against title holders Plateau United that Lokosa netted twice to help his club to a 2-0 success. His tally ensured he won the player's award for January ahead the trio of Samad Kadiri of Lobi Stars as well as the Akwa United pair ...

The Nigeria Football Federation have finally released the list of coaches for the various National Teams. In a statement Mon day evening, the football body names Salisu Yusuf as Head Coach of the Olymphocytes team, while Enyimba handler, Paul Aigbogun will be in charge of the U-20 side. Manu Garba returns to a familiar terrain in the U-17 teamy. Qualifiers for the teams will start later this year. SUPER EAGLES B/OLYMPIC MEN TEAM: Salisu Yusuf (Head Coach); Imama Amapakabo; Kennedy Boboye; Fidelis Ilechukwu; Alloy Agu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer) U20 MEN (FLYING EAGLES): Paul Aigbogun (Head Coach); Abdullahi Maikaba; Abubakar Bala; Hassan Abdallah (Scouting); Suleiman Shuaibu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer) U17 BOYS TEAM (GOLDEN EAGLETS): Manu Garba (Head Coach); Nduka Ugbade; Jolomi Atune Ali; Bunmi Haruna (Scouting); Abideen Baruwa Olatunji (Goalkeepers’ Trainer) U15 BOYS TEAM (FUTURE EAGLES): Alala Danladi Nasidi (Head Coach); Haruna Usman ‘Ilerika’; Ahmed Lawal Dankoli; Patrick B...

IfeanyiUbah FC turn on the screws as they beat Heartland 2-0 in an Oriental batitle the Ifeanyiubah stadium in Nnewi. Ekene Awazie and Seka Pascal scored the two goals for the Nnewish based side. Rangers left it late until the 82nd minutes before Kevin Itoya scored his second goal of the season. Emeka Godwin  and Stephen Alfred scored two goals for Kwara United as they defeated Katsina United 2-1 with Martins Usule with the lone goal for Katsina. Newly promoted Go Round scored early in the third minute through Okon Otop. Kano Pillars continued their good run as they held Sunshine Stars to a goalless draw at the Akure Stadium. *Matchday 8 | NPFL* FC Ifeanyi Ubah *2-0* Heartland FC  _25' Eken Awazie_  _53' Seka Pascal_ Kwara United FC *2-1* Kastina United  _50' Emeka Godwin_  _64' Stephen Alfred_  _84' Martins Usule_ Niger Tornadoes *1-0* Nasarawa United  _11' Segun Alebiosu_ Yobe Desert Stars *1-0* Rivers United ...

The management, coaches and players of former Nigerian League champions, Rangers International F.C at the weekend made donations of food stuffs and toiletries to two less privileged homes in Enugu metropolis. Led by technical adviser to the side, Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote, the team made presentations to Guardian Angels Motherless Babies Home, Emene, Enugu and Enugu Cheshire Home, Uwani, Enugu. In a shot speech after making the presentations, Ogunbote said, "It is with great joy that we as a team make this little donations for the upkeep of the home. We feel obliged to make this with the consent of the general manager, Prince Davidson Owumi, who is unavoidably absent. We hope to make this more regular." Sister Martins-Agnes Ibewuike, matron of Guardian Angels Motherless Babies Home said, "We appreciate greatly your gesture towards o ur home and pray the good Lord to continue to prosper in your chosen endeavors." In her reaction, the matron of Enugu Cheshi...

The League Bloggers Awards (LBA) has named eight nominees to vie for the Player and Manager awards in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for January. Kennedy Boboye of Plateau United, Duke Udi of Sunshine Stars, Akwa United's Abdu Maikaba and Ibrahim Musa of Kano Pillars make the shortlist for the manager's award. The player's award category has Samad Kadiri of Lobi Stars, Junior Lokosa of Kano Pillars, Akwa United pair of Victor Mbaoma and Dennis Nya. Samad is in the hunt for a first LBA recognition as he returned with an impressive figure of four goals and an assist for Lobi in the opening month of this season's campaign in the top division. He scored in their 2-1 win at Enugu Rangers and followed up with the solitary strike to knock down newcomers Go Round FC. The former Sunshine Stars man fired in a brace of goals and provided an assist in their 3-1 home win over Niger Tornadoes on January 28. Kano Pillars forward Lokosa has enjoyed rave reviews fo...

The imposed order restricting Sunshine Stars FC from fielding its new players has been partially relaxed by the League Management Company (LMC) on Friday. Last Sunday in Jos, Sunshine Stars were forced to make do with an entire team of 11 old players in a league meeting with Plateau United as the LMC enforced its ruling over litigation issues bordering on the Club's alleged indebtedness to its former personnel. However following renewed efforts made by the team's management and other stakeholders to address the issue the league body has agreed to lift the ban partially with only seven of the Club's new players now eligible for Sunday's match against Kano Pillars. Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) chairman and Club president, Otunba Tajudeen Akinyemi who confirmed the development to Sunshine Stars FC media revealed that for delays in response from some concerned parties the case would have been fully resolved by now.  _"Yes LMC only allow us to use sev...

Ochowechi ‘Oche’ Salefu dispatched a late penalty to hand Rivers United FC maximum points against Go Round FC in the points in the ‘Rivers derby’ as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) entered match day seven on Sunday. United won 1-0 in a game lacking in quality. The ‘Pride of Rivers’ United never really got off first gear for the entirety of the game against a Go Round side that appeared happy to play for a draw. The ‘Lions’ from Omoku were happy to sit back for most parts and try to catch the hosts’ underbelly on the break. Goal opportunities were few and far between until a rash challenge by Awala Moses on Samuel Akinbinu in the 79th minute gave the hosts a chance win it late on with a goal from open play looking extremely unlikely from both sides. Salefu is a man for the big occasion and when he stepped up to take responsibility from 12 yards, there was never any doubts about the eventual outcome. Technical manager of Rivers Un...

Dana Airlines, have officially sealed their sponsorship as Airline of the foremost Premier league, Akwa United.  In an impressive ceremony held at the Akwa United Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Mr. Obi Mbanuzu, Chief Operating Officer/Accountable Manager of Dana said his airline, a foremost player in the Nigerian aviation industry was delighted to partner with one of Nigeria’s most exciting clubs. “The decision to partner with Akwa United is not accidental.  Overtime, we have come to confirm them as one of Nigeria’s most exciting club side and their top position on the league table today confirms our research. “Add to that, the rewarding experience we have had flying in and out of Uyo, capital of a very hospitable state and friendly people so this is also a way of putting something back into a rewarding operational base” He said. In his response, Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Sports and Chairman of Akwa United Foo...

Rangers striker, Kelvin Itoya says he is excited that he scored his first goal for the Enugu based side against Rivers United. Itoya already with two assists in two games before the ‎game against River United last Thursday.  "I'm so happy that finally I have scored this season. After two assists in two matches, the next steps for me is to score and that I did against Rivers United. "The goal will propel me to further give my best this season and I'm ready for the challenge. "The team is beginning to play well and our confidence is back. "What happened at the start of the season is just one of those things in football. "We have not lost hope and we are confident that all will be well", Kelvin said. Rangers is presently placed eighth on the NPFL League Table.

A swift build up from the middle of the pack started by substitute, Ugonna Anyora, whose telling pass found Godwin Aguda to release on-rushing Kelvin Itoya to blast home from a very tight angle past impressive, veteran goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi, at the hour mark, was the ‘Flying Antelopes’ needed to secure maximum point in a Match Day 6 NPFL encounter against Rivers United. Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote wards endured a first half that saw the ‘Pride of Rivers’ players covering every blade of grass at the ‘Cathedral’ to frustrate and deny the host a clear sniff at goal by the the quartet of Kelvin Itoya, Abu Azeez, Chiamaka Madu and Godwin Aguda. The Coal city landlords kept faith with the starting squad of match Day 5 that questionably lost to Nasarawa United, save for Ugonna Anyora, who made way for Chiamaka Madu and tried as they could to settle into their fluid, systematic build up from the back as the rock solid defence of the visitors shielded by an equally enterprising m...