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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Sunshine Stars Host Heartland FC In Akure

Heartland FC will take the search for their first win of the season to the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure where they are guest of Sunshine Stars on Saturday October 14th, 2023 in one of the Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Three ties.

The Naze Millionaires got a 2-2 draw at home to Lobi Stars before the close 1-0 defeat to Plateau United in Jos in the league games they have played this season. The Owerri have all to play for in Akure knowing that barely three seasons ago they got a morale boosting draw at the same venue.

Heartland FC returned to Owerri from Jos on Tuesday after having a brief stop over at Otukpo, Benue State on Monday and the team had two training sessions on Wednesday to prepare for the game. The team headed to Akure on Thursday and will have the mandatory training session at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure on Friday at the official kick off time.

The Owerri side’s build up to the weekend league game has been very seamless and without hitches and it is expected that the team would translate it to success on Saturday in Akure. The support from the Imo State Government led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma through the Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo has been very massive.

Speaking to Heartland FC Media, the head coach, Heartland FC, Christian Obi tasked his players to be willing to take risks for the good of the team as they file out on Saturday against Sunshine Stars in Akure.

Obi who regretted a couple of near misses his team fluffed in Jos against Plateau United stated that with a little extra push, they could have left the Jos Road Stadium, Jos with at least a point.

He charged his players to perfect the errors noticed in the opening two games and ensure they play with everything they have with the zeal to return to Owerri with at least point if they are unable to claim the maximum points.

“I will say that the Plateau United boys were more determined than our boys. Their loss at Ibadan to Shooting Stars motivated them into playing the way they did. If they had dropped more home points against us,.it would have been a disaster from their own side. They were quicker to the ball than our boys it contributed to them having an edge over us in the game,” Obi said.

“European players take risks to achieve their aim of scoring. Patrick Nwogbaga was close to scoring for us. He would have have hit target with a little more effort.

“We have identified some of our problems in our last game and we are working on those areas. If we put things in order and correct our mistakes, we will get at least a point there.”

The former Flying Eagles goalkeeper to the 1983 FIFA U20 World Cup in Mexico confirmed the unavailability of Fabian Omaka and Rolland Koffi who are presently nursing injuries but disclosed that he has capable replacement to take their places.

“We have a few injuries here and there but the most important thing is that they are recovering. Fabian Omaka is out he is recovering and still on medication. Rolland Koffi is still on treatment table as well,” Obi added.

“We have other players around. Frank Erikan came in and he contributed his quota to the team. He didn’t do badly.”

Last Five Matches Between Sunshine Stars and Heartland FC

2-7-2022 Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars

2-3-2022 Sunshine Stars 3-1 Heartland

4-7-2021 Heartland 0-1 Sunshine Stars

21-2-2021 Sunshine Stars 1-1 Heartland

2-2-2020 Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars

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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.

 

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Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars Chairman praises players despite loss to Remo Stars

Kano Pillars

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.

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Nigeria Premier League

Brown Ideye Set to Return for Enyimba After Injury Layoff

Brown Ideye

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.

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