Nigeria Premier League

Paris 2024: Onyenezide replaces Ayinde as Ohale, Otu, Ucheibe to miss Ethiopia clash

Midfielder Esther Onyenezide, who impressed at last year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica as Nigeria reached the quarter-finals, has been drafted to take the place of 2023 FIFA World Cup star Halimatu Ayinde in Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament fixture against Ethiopia’s senior women national team.

The delegation of home-based players and technical and backroom staff from Nigeria flew into Addis Ababa on Sunday for Wednesday’s opening leg encounter at the Abebe Bekila Stadium, and the foreign-based players have started arriving for the big match as well. The Super Falcons will host the second leg of the second-round fixture at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October 2023.

Midfielder Regina Otu, who missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in the summer, and defender Osinachi Ohale who plays for Pachuca FC of Mexico, have been ruled out of the fixture. Another World Cup star, Christy Ucheibe, of Portuguese club SL Benfica, is also out of the encounter.

The winner on aggregate will confront the winner of the fixture between Cameroon and Uganda. The Indomitable Lionesses drew a bye, while Uganda overpowered Rwanda 4-3 on aggregate.

Ethiopia’s senior girls, nicknamed Lucy, turned back the senior women national team of Chad 10-0 in the first round of the series, played in the month of July. The Ethiopians won the first lef 6-0 in Addis Ababa on 13th July, before lashing their hosts 4-0 in N’Djamena five days later.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Lamia Atman from Algeria as referee for Wednesday’s encounter, with her compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab, Sara Kemmad and Ghada Mehat as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Angelique Tuyishime from Rwanda will serve as referee assessor while Tabitha Wambui Njoroge from Kenya will be in the role of match commissioner.

For Tuesday’s return leg in Abuja, Edoh Kindedji from Togo will be referee, with her compatriots Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou and Kossiwa Kayigan Awoutey as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively. Yacine Samassa from Mauritania will be in the role of fourth official.

Daloba Oulare from Guinea will be the referee assessor and Christine Ziga from Ghana will serve as match commissioner.

SUPER FALCONS TO BATTLE ETHIOPIA:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders: Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)

Midfielders: Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)

Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: No Respite For Abdallah Yet As Kano Pillars Extend Suspension Of Technical Adviser

The Management of Kano Pillars FC, under the leadership of Chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar, has extended the suspension of its Technical Adviser, Usman Abdallah, until after the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 28 fixture against Kwara United.

This decision was reached during a management meeting held on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata.

The extension follows a request from the committee set up to investigate the matter, chaired by the club’s Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo, which is yet to conclude its findings.

As a result, Chief Coach Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro will continue to lead the team in the upcoming fixtures against Akwa United on Wednesday, Rangers International at the weekend, and Kwara United on Match Day 28, pending further decisions regarding Abdallah’s return.

The club remains committed to upholding professionalism and discipline as it continues its campaign in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Edge Remo Stars, Heartland Pip Shooting Stars in Dramatic Ties

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 24 fixtures were concluded on Sunday with three games spread across the country.

The ties produced some thrilling encounters, with Rangers International FC and Heartland FC securing crucial victories over Remo Stars FC and Shooting Stars Sports Club respectively.

Rangers edge Remo Stars

Rangers International FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Remo Stars FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

Midfielder Saviour Isaac opened the scoring for Rangers in the 30th minute, expertly converting a free kick from outside the 18-yard box.

Rangers doubled their lead in the 48th minute, courtesy of a well-crafted goal involving CHAN Eagles’ Kenneth Igboke and Kingsley Maduforo.

Remo Stars reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, through Sikiru Alimi but it was too little too late to salvage the outcome of the match.

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

Late Drama in Owerri

Heartland FC of Owerri secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday.

Chukwuma Agor had opened the scoring for Heartland in the 31st minute, but the Oluyole Warriors equalised through a penalty kick in the 81st minute.

However, Heartland were awarded another penalty kick in the dying minutes of the game, which John Bassey successfully converted, despite initial controversy surrounding the referee’s decision.

Despite suffering back-to-back losses, Shooting Stars remained second on the log with 40 points from 24 matches.

Other result

In another match played on Sunday, Bendel Insurance secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes.

The concluding results of the matchday 24 encounters have shuffled the NPFL standings, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks.

Premium Times

Nigeria Premier League

Nasarawa United Appoints Ex-Super Eagles Coach Yusuf

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) strugglers, Nasarawa United have announced the appointment of former Super Eagles Chief Coach, Salisu Yusuf, as their new Technical Adviser.

He replaces the erstwhile manager, Kabiru Dogo, whose second stint at the club has been anything but successful.

The club in a statement released yesterday said: “We wish to announce that we have mutually agreed to part ways with Technical Director, Kabiru Dogo, effective immediately.

“This decision has been made following a thorough review of the club’s performance in the 2024/25 NPFL season, where we have fallen short of our expectations.

“Due to the precarious situation of the club, we have decided to appoint former Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf to take charge of the team immediately.”

On his part, Dogo, appreciated the management for the opportunity to serve and wished the club the best in the tasks ahead.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the newly appointed CAF ‘A’ licenced coach expressed his readiness for the rescue mission at Nasarawa United.

He said: “I am aware of the precarious position of the club but I am ready for the challenge.

“It is not going to be easy but having been around for some time, I believe I can help Nasarawa United to navigate their way out of the red zone.

“I call on the teeming fans of the club to continue to remain unwavering in their support. By the special grace of God, Nasarawa United won’t be relegated.”

Nasarawa United presently 18th position on the NPFL table with 26 points from 24 matches.