Oliseh, Other Football Chiefs, Legends Signs up For Soccerex Seminar Lagos

 

Soccerex has announce a raft of footballing legends and big business names that will speak at the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, 27-28 September.

The latest footballing legends to have signed up for the Seminar, not only to discuss business in West Africa, but to relive their football glory days, will be former Nigerian international Sunday Oliseh, ex-Bayern Munich and Ghanaian legend Sammy Kuffour and ex-Feyenoord, Nottingham Forest and Netherlands legend Pierre van Hooijdonk.

The Chairman of Nigerian Premier League, Victor Rumson Baribote, President of Fourteen SA and World-Cup wining ex-player Christian Karembeu, International Advisor to TP Mazembe Jerome Champagne and Managing Director of ASEC Mimosas Benoit You will all be speaking on different sessions at the Seminar with the ultimate goal of developing football in West Africa.

The attendees will be speaking on a number of panels including ‘Developing Africa’s Next Star’ and ‘Successfully running aProfessional League’, and moderating the key ‘Football in Nigeria’ session which will feature the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association Seyi Akinwunmi and the President of the Nigerian Football Federation Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Commenting on his involvement, Sunday Oliseh said:

"It's with great optimism that I invite you to join me in welcoming the arrival of Soccerex to Nigeria. Nigeria is such a passionate, 'religiously' football loving country. There is an endless wealth of talent in Nigeria but there is still much work to do in order to create an appropriate environment for such talent to blossom. Soccerex is passionately interested in playing its part in making this happen and thus I am delighted to contribute to the inaugural Soccerex Seminar in Lagos."

Ikhana Expects100 percent From Falcons For AWC

Super Falcons Coach, Kadiri Ikhana

Super Falcons head coach, Kadiri Ikhana (MON), has urged invited players to the team's camp to give 100 percent commitment, in it's bid to retain the African Women championship.

Ikhana invited 27 players to the camp with 23 players already arriving on Sunday 16, 2012.

The Super Falcons’ camp was on Sunday officially opened in preparation for the 2012 African Women’s Championship (AWC).

Ikhana informed the players in camp that full training programs would commence on Tuesday morning, with the tournament just five weeks away.  

“We want to retain the AWC title so nothing short of one hundred per cent commitment is needed

“I hope the players will make it difficult for me to choose my final team for the tournament”

He also stated that he is looking out for players who show “commitment, discipline, skill and the ability to play according to instructions.”

Super Falcons Players Celebrating During a Game

The coach invited nine players who featured for the National U20 side, The Falconets, at the just concluded FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup held in Japan, and made sure to congratulate them for their performances at the tournament which saw them finish 4^th behind USA, Germany, and hosts Japan.

Players in camp include Falconets Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Okobi, Cecilia Nku, Ugo Njoku, Asisat Oshoala, Esther Sunday, and Gloria Ofoegbu.

Also in camp are Defenders Eberechi Maraihe, Gladys Akpa, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Ngozi Ebere, Ulumma Jerome, Joy Jegede.

Others are Chiudo Ehiudo, Stella Mbachu, Onyinyechi Ohadugha, Glory Iroka, Shola Oyewusi, Tshola Tawa, Tochukwu Oluehi, Ifeoma Emenike, Sharifat Saheed and Precious Dede.

Ugochi Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale are all expected to arrive The Serob Legacy Hotel on Tuesday.

The African Women’s Championship will take place in Equatorial Guinea from October 28, 2012 to November 11, 2012.

Dominic Iorfa Contemplates Return to Football

Dominic Iorfa during his playing career with Galatasaray of Turkey

Lobi Stars Chairman, Dominic Iorfa is contemplating areturn to the game that brought him fame and fortune, several years after he bid the game goodbye.

the 44 year old former Nigerian international  disclosed recently that aftermath of his team's (Lobi Stars) qualification for the Confederation of African Football CAF champions league, he is considerin elisting himself as part of the squad that will prosecute the campaign because he is still fit to play despite his age and long absence from the game.

"I have played at many big clubs in the world, when nobody in Nigeria knew about playing abroad, i have played in Turkey: (am the first to play for Galatasaray before the likes of Amokachi and Okocha played there), England etc, I am thankful for the discipline i got from playing around the world"

Iorfa continued "Dont be surprised if i play for Lobi stars on the continent next season, people will be surprised and i will do it because am still fit and know how to move among the players"

During his active years, he played professionally in England, Scotland, Turkey, Ireland and Belgium before venturing into Administration.

 Renowned for his electric pace but less than stunning control, he became a cult figure at many of the clubs he played for, particularly at Peterborough United where his name is still occasionally shouted during dull periods of matches and as an administrator he is reknowned for his controversial nature

Currently he is a member of the board of the NFF and the chairman of Lobi Stars F.C.

CAF Changes CAN 2013 Final Draw Date

CAN 2013 Logo

The Confederation of African Football has moved backwards by two days the draw date for the African Nations Cup earlier stated for 26th of of October 2012.

CAF announced that the final draw for the South 2013 Orange CAF Africa Cup of Nations will now take place on 24^th of October, 2012 in Durban South Africa.

Fifteen teams will join hosts South Africa in the draw and the matches will take place in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and Durban. 

The tournament will run from 19^th January to 10^th February. Zambia is the reigning African Champion of the continent’s biggest sports event.

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Kano Pillars Reign Supreme in Nigerian League

Kano Pillars emerge 2011/2012 Nigeria premier league champions despite losing 2-1 to Sunshine stars in the last match of the season in Ijebu Ode.

Nasiru Ali scored first for Pillars in the 4th minute before sunshine equalized through Dele Olorundare and Ajani completed the victory for the Akure gunners

Pillars had been confirmed league champions earlier in the week when the NPL board expelled ocean boys from the 2011/2012 season due to their inability to prosecute 4 games in the regular season.

The decision left other teams contesting for the league diadem with an impossible task of catching up with pillars with just one match-day remaining.

Lobi stars and Rangers were hoping to stage an upset on the last day but Thursday 6th of September decision by the NPL changed all the permutations, confirming Pillars fondly called Saima Suguda by it's supporters as runaway winners of the league.


 Other results in the last day of action in Nigeria premier league include -

Kaduna    3 - 1 Lobi
Heartland 1 - 0 Akwa
Kwara     2 - 0 3sc
Gombe    1 - 0 Wolves
Rangers   3 - 0 Sharks
Dolphins  2 - 0 Rising
N. Tornadoes 2 - 0 Jigawa (game was Abandoned)

Nigeria Premier League Expels Ocean Boys

The Nigerian Premier League have finally threaded on the line of caution after it agreed to expel ocean boys from the Nigerian premier aftermath of the team from Bayelsa missing four consecutive league matches.

This much was revealed after the NPL board met at it's secretariat in Abuja on the 5th September, 2012.

In a communique signed by Joe Amene the Board unanimously agreed to respect article 4.2(3) of the NPL statutes on a team failure to prosecute two or more league matches.

"In related development, the Board unanimously agreed that article 4.2(3) of the NPL which states thus, “if a club fails to honour two consecutive matches without an acceptable reason such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed shall be cancelled”. Therefore, Ocean Boys Fc stands expelled and its matches played and unplayed cancelled."

The full text of the communique reads -

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF NPL’S BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SECRETARIAT AT 31 KARAYE CLOSE GARKI-II ABUJA ON THE 5TH SEPTEMBE, 2012.

1.    The Board affirmed that week 38 League Matches marking the end of the 2011/2012 League season will be played as earlier scheduled at various venues across Nigeria on Friday 7th September, 2012. The venue of star match is Ijebu-Ode.

2.    In related development, the Board unanimously agreed that article 4.2(3) of the NPL which states thus, “if a club fails to honour two consecutive matches without an acceptable reason such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed shall be cancelled”. Therefore, Ocean Boys Fc stands expelled and its matches played and unplayed cancelled.

3.    The NPL wishes Nigeria’s Super Eagles well in its crucial AFCON qualifier against the Lone Stars of Liberia on Saturday, 8th 2012, in Morovia.

4.    The NPL wishes to thank Nigerians, Partner’s and stakeholders in supporting the League given its challenges in the 2011/2012 season.

Joe Amene
Chairman Media Committee

This developments highly favours Kano Pillars to win the league title with a game to play

SuperSport Nigeria and Arsenal FC To Talk Business at Soccerex Seminar Lagos

 General Manager of SuperSport Nigeria, Felix Awogu and Partnership and Development Director at Arsenal FC Felicity, Croft will be joining Head of Sponsorship, Group Corporate Affairs at Standard Chartered Bank, Simon Mould to speak on ‘The Business of Football’ session at the forth coming SOCCEREX SEMINAR in Lagos.

With the need for football in West Africa to become more self-sustainable and to stop relying on state-funded activities, this session will be essential to get a sense of the various revenue streams surrounding Nigerian football including broadcasting and sponsorship. SuperSport, Arsenal FC and Standard Chartered Bank are three of the biggest brands in Nigeria and will be at the forefront of the development of football in West Africa.

                                        Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport Nigeria.

Commenting on the announcement, Felix Awogu said:

“I am extremely excited to be attending the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, the first international football business event in Nigeria. SuperSport is committed to the development of football across Nigeria and this event provides us with the perfect opportunity to network with the whole of the football industry.”

Arsenal FC travelled to Lagos during pre-season where a number of first team regulars, including new signing Lucas Podolski, took part in a number of commercial and charitable activities to engage with football fans across the country.  

Speaking about Arsenal’s involvement in the Seminar, Felicity Croft said:

"Arsenal Football Club enjoys a large following of passionate fans in Nigeria. Our objective over the coming years is to continue to build relationships within the region and engage with brands and supporters alike through exciting and unique marketing initiatives. The Soccerex Seminar Lagos provides us with the ideal platform to interact with all the relevant stakeholders from the region and thus supporting our long-term vision."

Manu Garba Promises Youngest Eaglet Team in History

                                                     Golden Eaglets' coach, Manu Garba


 Golden Eaglets' coach, Manu Garba has promised to invite more U-15 National Team players to camp aftermath of the performance of the members of the team in an international friendly recently  as he continues to build the new look team ahead of Morocco 2013  qualifying race.

The decision of the Aminu Maigari led- NFF board to invest in the U-13 National team have started yielding dividends, the U-13 boys who have now grown to become the U-15 National team have also formed the bedrock on which the U-17 National Team,

Currently, six players, Eze Chidera, Kelechi Iheanacho,, Saliu Alibaba, Aliu Aliu, Oluwaseun Jegede and Aminu Auwalu, from the U-15 team are in the Golden Eaglets camp and their performances in a two legged friendly match against Rwanda,in Calabar, over the weekend, have left no one in doubt about the qualities of the U-15 team imports. Kelechi Iheanacho,, and Oluwaseun Jegede both grabbed a goal each when the Eaglets walloped the junior Wasps of Rwanda 5 - 0 in the first match, while gangling striker Eze Chidera marked his debut for the Eaglets with a Hat-trick after coming on as a second half substitute in the second match, which the Eaglets won 3 - 0.

Coach Manu Garba, in an interview in Calabar, boasted that he is in the process of grooming the youngest U-17 National Team in the history of Nigeria. 

"I have been with the National Teams for some times now, if you recall, I assisted late coach Yomi Tella to winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2007 for Nigeria, but I can also assure you that the current Golden Eaglets are going to be the youngest set of players Nigeria has ever presented for the U-17 competition, the era of age cheat is gone." Manu added.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets will this weekend play  Niger Republic in the first leg of the African U-17 Championship qualifying match in Niamey, the return leg of the clash will take place at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on September 22. 

Stephen Keshi Charges Victor Moses For Liberia Clash

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, says he has one weapon to unleash on Liberia as the 2013 AFCON nations Cup qualifiers gets closer.

Keshi made it known that he is banking on Chelsea's latest recruit Victor Moses to do the damage against the lone stars of Liberia on September 8 at the Samuel Doe Stadium in Moronvia.

Keshi said to Moses that he has been monitoring every of his comments especially the one regarding Nigeria’s rise to win next year’s Cup of Nations in South Africa and a must qualification for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. “I read what you said about us winning next year’s Nations Cup and for you to also lead our attack to do well at the World Cup in Brazil. You must start proving that in Monrovia, when we tackle Liberia by showing them that you are Africa’s best,” Keshi said at Monday’s evening training.

The very humble Moses, smiled away at his boss’ comment and assured that he would prove just why one of the world’s richest clubsides, Chelsea invested so much money on him. “I know coach and I will show my stuff not only against Liberia but any time I’m invited to play for my dear country”.

Keshi also used the training occasion to tell his wards that Liberia is not as weak as portrayed by the media but a very potent side that can take the best side in the world to the cleaners. “A country that has produced the likes of George Weah, who became world best footballer cannot be said to be weak in talent, but we must show that we are stronger. I expect a tough, bruising game against Liberia and I trust that all of us will rise to the occasion”, Keshi  told the players.

 

Nigerian Football League Week 8 Preview

Football Nigeriana resumes after break midweek due to financial distress in the NPL as teams jostle to improve on standings and performance on the league table.

In the weekends headline game it’s Kano Pillars up against the naze millionaire’s, Heartland

In this same fixture last season Pillars taught Heartland a football lessons courtesy of a 3 nil spanking in June 2011. Heartland on their own part is in search of their first away goal this season as they are yet to score on away soil.

Tornadoes vs with a big financial announcement from its management the only privately owned club in the league, ABS FC will make the trip to battle Niger tornadoes. Tornadoes have won all home games this season without conceding a goal scoring 5 goals in three games at home.

A southwest battle is on the cards for this weekend when 3SC hands out a brotherly welcome to last season runners up Sunshine stars of Akure. Last season a Gbolahan Salami inspired shootings stars won this fixture two nil and that match also marked the beginning of the Olympic team striker’s troubles in the league after he was reported to have assaulted coach of sunshine Gbenga Ogunbote during his goal celebrations.

Draw specialist Rising Stars with four drawn games will host the only unbeaten side so far in the league in Warri Wolves. Wolves are yet to lose any away game this season they played two nil all and a single one all score line in all their away ties.

Another headline match will see former champions Enyimba slug it out with the league’s form team Gombe united who are the only team to have won an away game and also boast of the two most prolific scorers so far this season.

 The team with the weakest defence in the league Kaduna united will go up against the tourist from Wikki. Kaduna are on minus eleven goals difference.

 League defending champions Dolphins, will hope to put recent troubles behind them when they welcome Akwa united to their Port-Harcourt fortress where only one goal have been scored by any team in the league.

Sharks with the second most porous defence in the league conceding ten so far will host Lobi stars. Last time out at home sharks played a goaless game against Akwa united and will hope to put recent bad results behind them in this fixture.

Kwara up against Rangers and Winless Ocean tackles Jigawa golden stars to complete week 8 fixtures of football Nigeriana.

Flamingoes Battle Kenya In Abeokuta

The U-17 Women National Team, also known as Flamingoes, will host
their Kenyan counterparts for the second leg of their FIFA U-17
Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture at the Moshood Kashimawo Olawale
(MKO) Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

Led by Head Coach Peter Dedevbo, the Flamingoes arrived in the Rock
City on Friday and will have a ful week to train on the turf of the
MKO Abiola Stadium before Saturday’s qualifying match against the
Kenyans.

“We are happy to have won the first leg by 2-0, but we have pushed
that to the back of our minds as we prepare for the return leg match”,
said Coach Dedevbo, who led the Class of 2010 to the quarter finals in
Trinidad and Tobago.

He said further: “We have settled down well in Abeokuta and have
everything to fully concentrate on our training programme. The NFF
President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has also charged us to ensure that we
go all out against the Kenyans on Saturday”.

Patience Okaeme scored one goal in each half to lift the Flamingoes to
victory at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on Saturday last week.
Victory on aggregate will reward the Nigerian girls with a final round
clsh with either Botswana or Zambia in March.

Nigeria Premier League Enters Day 2.

Despite the court injunction brought by Sam Sam Jaja, to the federal high court in Abuja, that declared the Nigeria football Federation and Nigeria Premier league board invalid, actions is expected to continue in match-day 2 games billed for this weekend, 21st and 22nd of January 2012 with tantalizing fixtures.

FIFA Referees To Handle NPL ‘Star Matches’

When the Nigeria Premier League season kicks off on Saturday, Only FIFA-badged referees will be listed to handle those games designated as ‘star matches.

Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Muazu Suleyman has revealed.

Speaking at the badging of Nigerian FIFA referees for the Year 2012 in Abuja on Wednesday, Suleyman said this is with a view to exposing the referees in order for world football-governing body, FIFA and continental body, CAF to appreciate their quality and give them more important assignments.

A total of 27 Nigerian referees received FIFA badges in various categories at the event that took place at the National Institute for Sports, inside the National Stadium, Abuja.

Also speaking at the occasion, which began with a minute’s silence in honour of FIFA referee Auwalu Barau who died exactly a month earlier, NFF President Aminu Maigari challenged them to strive harder in their assignments in order to be accorded bigger duties by FIFA.

BREAKDOWN OF 27 FIFA-BADGED REFS:

FIFA MEN REFEREES: Solomon Wokoma, Bunmi Ogunkolade, Ago Abubakar, Amao Joshua Opeyemi, Henry Ogunyamodi, Benjamin Odey

FIFA MEN ASSISTANT REFEREES: Peter Edibe, Sani Zubair, Robert Aundugh, Chukwudi Onumajuru, Abel Baba, Tunde Abidoye

FIFA WOMEN REFEREES: Felicia Okwugba, Folusho Ajayi, Uloma Nwogu

FIFA WOMEN ASSISTANT REFEREES: Grace Agudosi, Stella Eloji, Bosede Momoh, Agatha Iyorhe

FIFA BEACH SOCCER REFEREES: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Suleiman Jimeta, Mike Ushie, Sani Mohammed

FIFA FUTSAL REFEREES: Mark Agbo, Saheed Ayeni, Ibrahim Umar, Paul Umuago

Comoequa Debuts in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon

 The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and adidas has unveilled a newly designed official match ball for the 2012 African cup of nations.

The Comoequa

Christened the adidas ‘Comoequa’, the Official Match Ball for the 2012 Orange African Cup of Nations takes its inspiration from the Como River which runs through both host nations - Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, and the Equator which runs throughout Africa and units both host nations.   

The adidas Comoequa features a bright yellow base colour inspired by the vibrancy of African culture, and links to the flags of both tournament hosts – Gabon and Equatorial Guinea through colour markings on the central triangular panels. The adidas Comoequa, shares the same construction as the Tango 12, the Official Match Ball for the UEFA Euro 2012™, and is the third ball adidas has produced for the tournament, having started as the Official Supplier of the African Cup of Nations in 2008.

Complementing the design, the adidas Comoequa features a series of triangular panels that are thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.

Etim Advocates Scouting System for Local League

Former nigerian international Etim Esim has advocated for the creation of a scouting system involving ex-internationals to aid the discovery of new talents for the super eagles.

Nigerian Ex-International, Etim Esin

Speaking in an interview with SWB, etim revealed that current Super Eagles coach, stephen Okechukwu Keshi should get the services of ex-internationals in scouting for raw talents in the Nigerian premier league.

He added that the new system will help the coach in inventing a new look super eagles where merit and commitment will be the order of the day.