Nigeria Premier League

Osimhen, Oshoala Make 2023 Ballon d’Or Nomination List

Nigerian Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons’ Asisat Oshoala have been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

It is an exceptional first time that two Nigerian players have been nominated for this prestigious award in the same year.

Osimhen had a phenomenal season with Napoli during his last break; Thanks to this, the Neapolitan club won the first Serie A championship in over 30 years. The Nigerian finished the season as Italy’s top scorer with 26 goals, a feat never before achieved by an African player, and started the new campaign brilliantly with three goals in three games.

Osimhen’s exploits are not just down to his club as he has also done great things in the green and white colours of Nigeria, earning him a national honour bestowed on him by the government of Muhammadu Buhari.

Osimhen was a key player for the Super Eagles, helping them qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in one game. He is also the qualifying series’ top scorer; stressed his key role in the campaign.

Other contenders for the 2023 Ballon d’Or include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Halland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka,

Meanwhile, Oshoala has been in equally impressive form for years since Barcelona Femeni who she helped achieved a historic treble that culminated in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The 28-year-old, who scored 21 goals in 28 appearances for Barcelona last season, has also been fantastic for the Super Falcons national team.

Oshoala, despite her injuries, helped the Super Falcons reached the Round of 16 at the last World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

World Women’s Champion Aitana Bonmati, Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa and Colombian teenager Linda Caicedo were also on the nomination list alongside Oshoala.
Full list of Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees:

André Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia
Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad

amal Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool v Egypt

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid v England

Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Rangers Throws Gates Open For Remo Stars Tie

The management of reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International FC, ably led by Amobi Ezeaku Esq., has graciously thrown open the gates of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, venue of the match day 24, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture against table topping, Remo Stars FC for fans to come in their numbers to witness the top of the table encounter.

The ‘Flying Antelopes’ who are currently on the 5th spot of the twenty team log are fired up to stop the Ikenne side that is currently leading the pack as they aspire to successfully retain the trophy it won last season.

Technical Adviser of the champions who is also one of the assistant coaches to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, in a chat ahead of the encounter said that it is must win for his wards as they aim to successfully defend the trophy they won last season with the Daniel Ogunmodede side coming second.

“We are ready for the game. It is a very important match for us this season. I know Remo Stars very well. They are in top shape going into this weekend’s fixture but we are also on the rise after a not too good start to the second stanza and we are building on the new found form to earn a good result on Sunday. We are positive going into this encounter despite the fact that our opponent are on an 8-Game unbeaten run. We have our work cut out and the players know what is at stake and we are not going to disappoint our teaming fans that we expect to fill the stands to drum their support for us.”

Also speaking ahead of the encounter, defense Trojan, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, said, “On Sunday, our expectation is to win and grab the three points at state so as to ensure we get ourselves back on the winning ways and stop the high flying Remo Stars just as we did last season after also losing to them in Ikenne. Let our fans come out in their numbers to see good football and a very good win over the Ikenne side that is currently topping the league table. Our ‘Never Say Die’ spirit is still alive.”

On his part, former league top scorer, and last season’ club highest goal scorer, Godwin Obaje, said, “We are expecting a tough encounter from the Remo Stars team but we have our target for the match which is to get all three points at stake and we are motivated to get the result to put us back in the running for a successful title defense. I call on our fans to keep believing in the team as we have all it takes to get a good result on Sunday against Remo Stars.”

Going down memory lane, both sides have clashed nine times in the top flight with each side picking up three wins apiece while three encounters have ended in a draw with the 5-2 whitewash of the Ikenne side on March 24, 2019 still the game with highest number of goals.

Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars Chairman praises players despite loss to Remo Stars

Kano Pillars chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar has commended his team despite their 2-1 defeat to Remo Stars in Ikenne on Sunday.

Speaking to the club’s media, Umar expressed pride in the players’ performance and praised their dominance throughout the match.

“I must commend the players and the technical crew for the way they approached the game. From the first whistle to the end of regulation time, they played with passion and dominated the match,” Umar stated.

He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, attributing the loss to bad luck.

“Sometimes, football can be cruel, and we were just unlucky not to secure all three points. We must build on this performance. The season is still ongoing, and I believe with more effort, we will achieve our objectives,” he added.

Kano Pillars are set to face rivals Katsina United in a rescheduled matchday 20 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Wednesday.

Nigeria Premier League

Brown Ideye Set to Return for Enyimba After Injury Layoff

Former Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, is set to make his return for Enyimba in their upcoming league game following a brief injury layoff.

The 36-year-old striker has missed Enyimba’s last two league matches due to a minor injury. Enyimba’s media officer, David Orji, confirmed that Ideye has resumed personal training in preparation for his return to action.

“Ideye is back in training after sustaining a minor injury and should be fully fit soon,” Orji stated.

Ideye has made four league appearances for Enyimba, scoring once. Enyimba will host league leaders Remo Stars in a week 24 fixture in Aba on Sunday, as they aim to improve their standing from the eighth position in the league table, where they currently have 31 points.