NPFL: Enyimba go top despite 1-1 draw against Rangers

Enyimba FC of Aba moved into the summit of the Glo Premier League (Nigeria Professional Football League) for the first time this season after forcing southeast neighbours, Rangers, to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Pre-match analysis favoured Enyimba to complete the double on Rangers due to their impressive run in the top division this season so far, and the fact that they had made stellar additions to their intimidating squad.

Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana, gave mid-season signing, Musa Najere, his debut in the blue colours of the club while record league goalscorer, Mfon Udoh, returned to the match day squad for the first time since May.

Coach of Rangers, Imama Amapakabo, also surprisingly gave out-of-favour Super Eagles goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim the nod ahead of Itodo Akor in the startlist.

Rangers made the first impression as Onoriode Odah should have given them the lead but Enyimba keeper Femi Thomas went down well to make a one-handed save from a one-on-one situation.

But Odah made amends for his earlier miss by scooping a header over Thomas for the opening goal just nine minutes after kick-off. It was 1-0 to Rangers with Enyimba faithful stunned into silence.

It took the Peoples Elephant 28 minutes to restore parity. A well-planned move by Enyimba around the box freed Markson Ojobo on the right, who squared into the near post for Najere to convert unmarked past Agbim to put the score at 1-1.

That was the much the game produced in terms of goals as the two teams shared the points. Enyimba have now opened a point lead at the top of the league table having earned 37 points while Rangers stay rooted in 10th place with 28 points.

Leaders before match day 20, Sunshine Stars, dropped to second place after suffering a shock one-nil defeat at FC Taraba. Stephen Adah scored from a rebound just before half time after Ibrahim Sanusi's penalty kick struck the woodwork and bounced into play for the striker to tap home.

Another team in the top-four, Wikki, also failed to win by playing out a goalless draw with Heartland. Wikki are now third while Heartland remain in fifth place.

Giwa FC eased past Kwara United by a lone goal in Jos through Charles Henlong's second half goal. The win takes the Jos-based club to fourth position with 34 points.

League defending champions, Kano Pillars, edged Lobi Stars 2-1 to give their new coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru a welcome win. Rabiu Ali and Shehu Shagari scored for Pillars in the opening 35 minutes before Tony Okpotu netted Lobi's goal three minutes into the second half. Pillars have climbed into seventh place but Lobi have now dropped into the bottom-four.

Shooting Stars held out well at El-Kanemi for 65 minutes before succumbing to Abraham Audu's goal that proved to be the winner for the Maiduguri club.

Two other matches ended in score draws of 1-1. FC Ifeanyiubah held Abia Warriors in a derby while Akwa United had to wait until added time to see Aniekpeno Udoh's goal cancel Bayelsa United's lead.

Source: npfl.ng

Enyimba ace Rasheed Olabiyi joins Houston Dynamo

Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi has been signed by MLS side Houston Dynamo.

The club made this announcement on Thursday.

"We're pleased to welcome Rasheed to the Houston Dynamo," Dynamo vice president/general manager Matt Jordan said in a statement.

"He’s been training with us and has integrated well within our group. We look forward to seeing him continue to grow in our environment and contribute to the success of the team as we begin the second half of our season."

Olabiyi who is a central midfielder spent his entire professional career with Enyimba, one of the largest clubs in Nigeria, after joining the Aba club in 2007.

He won the Nigeria Premier League with the People's Elephant in 2010 as well as three Nigeria FA Cups (2009, 2013, 2014) and two Nigeria Super Cups (2010, 2013). Enyimba also reached the semifinals of the CAF (African) Champions League in 2011.

Enyimba, Pillars bundled out of federations cup

Defending champions of the federation cup Enyimba and last season premier league champions have been knocked out of the federations cup.

Both teams lost to National League sides Remo Stars and Plateau United respectively in the round of 32 on Wednesday.

The matches ended in a draw after regulation time and were decided on penalty shoot-out.

Here are some other results: Ifeanyi Ubah beat Bayelsa 2-1, Heartland 1-0 Sharks FC, Lobi 1-0 Tornadoes, FC Kukuruku 0-3 Rangers, Prime beat J Atete 3-2 on penalties, Elkanemi Warriors also edged Gateway 4-3 on penalties,  Kwara United 5-3 ABU (Pen), Akwa united 3-1 Peacemakers FC

Federations Cup: Enyimba gets Nassarawa Feeders FC as Bayelsa United draws Nembe City

Defending champions Enyimba have been drawn against Nassarawa Feeders FC while Nembe City and Bayelsa United, (teams from the same state) were pitched against each other in the Round of 64 Federations Cup draws on Thursday 30th April 2015.

Here is the full draw:

Doma United FC Vs Jalingo United FC

Nembe City Vs Bayelsa United

A.B.U Zaria FC Vs Ajiroba Oni FC

Niger Tornadoes Feeders Vs Shinkafi United FC

Zagbai FC Vs Niger Tornadoes FC

Cardinal FC Vs Remo Stars FC

Kano Pillars FC Vs Zara FC

Inter FC Vs Dolphins FC

Plateau United FC Vs 3SC FC

Heartland FC Vs Bizi Cashless FC

Gabros FC Vs Chuson FC

Caliphate sokoto Vs Crown FC

Makwada Warriors FC Vs Jigawa Golden Stars FC

Kurmi Market FC Vs BJ Foundation

FC Taraba Vs Akampa United FC

Giwa FC Vs Kukuruku Dragons FC

Doma United Vs Jalingo United FC

El Kanemi Babes Vs Abia Warriors FC

Akwa United FC Vs Dalhatu United FC

Christ Ambassadors FC Vs Prime FC

Bilani FC Vs Gateway FC

Akwa Starlets FC Vs Kwara United

Enyimba FC Vs Nasarawa Feeders FC

El Kanemi Warriors Vs Kwara Academy

Kaduna United FC Vs Rangers International FC

Idah United FC Vs Spotlight FC

FC Abuja Vs Wikki Tourists FC

Papilo FC Vs Gombe United FC

J.Atete FC Vs Sunshine Stars FC

Peacemaker FC Vs New Stars FC

Nasarawa United Vs New Vision FC

FRSC FC Vs Sharks FC

MATCH DATES

Round of 64 takes place on May 13th & 14th,

Round of 32: 8th & 9th July,

Round of 16: 22nd & 23rd July,

Round of 8: 12th & 13th August

Semi Finals: 19th August & Final: 30th August

Ejiogu to miss out of Enyimba's Champions League tie against Smouha SC

Chijioke Ejiogu

Enyimba FC Goalkeeper Chijioke Ejiogu has been ruled out of their Champions League first round, second leg tie against Smouha SC this weekend.

The 30-year-old who picked up a shoulder injury a fortnight ago that seemed to have healed, flared it during training on Tuesday; effectively keeping him out of Kadiri Ikhana's 18-man squad to Alexandria.

Report on the club's website have it that Moses Ocheje would accompany Femi Thomas as the second goalkeeper.

Ejiogu was in goal for Enyimba in the first leg which The Elephants won by a lone goal, thanks to Raphael Boumsong's thumping header in the 56th.

He had also featured and kept a clean sheet in the preliminary round, second leg fixture in Cotonou against Buffles du Borgou, a game Enyimba also won one nil.

Glo Nigeria Premier League Week Two Roundup: Heartland shock shooting, Pillars win as Sunshine Stars escape upset

Nigeria Premier league returnees Shooting Stars have lost two games back to back as they were shocked by visiting Heartland on Saturday.

Google Image: Kano Pillars

Another away victor saw FC Taraba United continued with their impressive performance on in their second game of the season as they defeated Akwa United 1-0 in Akwa Ibom.

Current title holder Kano Pillar were 2-0 better than Bayelsa United, Rangers beat Sharks 3-2, Nassarawa 2-0 Wikki Tourist, Kwara 2-1 Elkanemi Warriors, as Sunshine Stars battled their way through to avoid upset at home edging Gabros by 2-1 in Akure.

Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Dolphins FC were busy on the continent as they had their week two games postponed.

Lobi Stars will host Enyimba while Wolves welcome Giwa FC midweek.

Enyimba held, Wolves beaten in Glo Nigeria Premier League opener

The Glo Nigerian Premier League has kick off over the weekend with exciting games from across different match centers.

In the opener on Saturday, it was a double header in the city of Port Harcourt as Dolphins FC were held at home by visiting Kwara United while Sharks FC aslo played out a goalless encounter with Sunshine Stars.

It was goals galore in the match between new entrants FC Taraba and Rangers as the game ended 3-2 in favour of the home side.

Enyimba of Aba also welcomed Akwa United an it ended scoreless, Gabros bashed Warri Wolves 2-0 as Wikki Tourist came tops in the battle of the newcomers winning 2-0 over Shooting Stars.

Full Match Day One result:

Bayelsa Utd 1-1 Lobi Stars ‪
Enyimba 0-0 Akwa Utd ‪
FC Taraba 3-2 Rangers
Gabros 2-0 Warri Wolves

Giwa FC 0-0 Abia Warriors
El-Kanemi 1-0 Nassarawa Utd
Wikki 2-0 Shooting Stars
Sharks 0-0 Sunshine Stars
Dolphins 0-0 Kwara Utd ‪

Like Arsenal like Dolphins FC as Enyimba claim forth FA Cup glory

It was a weekend with lots of expectation as the Nigerian club football season was capped with the Federation Cup on Sunday 23rd November.

Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos hosted the men from the East and all football lovers who troop to the commercial never of the nation to be thrilled with raw football skills as Enyimba and Dolphins FC took the center stage right after the female category saw Rivers Angels dazzled the Queens from the Sunshine State, Akure.

Of course the creme de la creme in the Nigerian football scene graced the occasion.

Without much ado, From the blast of the whistle, Dolphins FC seemed the better side as Emem Eduok continued to trouble the Enyimba defense, but Goalkeeper Femi Thomas was at his best to stop all Dolphin efforts at goal.

Dolphins had a couple of scoring opportunities that could have seen them throw Enyimba off balance but Eduok was left alone to wander in the den of Lions, a defense led by a no nonsense Udoji.

Someone should have told Dolphins the story of Arsenal just a day before their match how Gunners had plethora of chances begging to be buried against rivals Manchester United.

Obviously no one told them. Enyimba came back resurgent and they didn't waste much time before their marksman Mfon Udoh scored in the 55th minute to put the Aba Boys ahead. You should have seen how the fans reacted with their non-stop Uzobu Enyimba Enyim, fireworks and so much noise. Trust me, the chanting from the opposing side subsided and it was all about Enyimba.

It didn't take long before the more or less quiet Udoh found himself gifted a scoring chance by the unsettled Dolphins defense but he opted to set up Chinonso Okonkwo who fired in to doubled Enyimba's lead.

With about ten minutes to see of the game, Man of the Match Eduok rewarded his efforts as he saw the back of the net. Call it a consolation and you're absolutely right.

Enyimba have now defended the title they won last year on the same ground, grabbing their fourth of the Federation Cup glory.

Predict and win: Enyimba vs Dolphins FC in Federations Cup Battle

Dolphins FC and Enyimba FC will battle for the Federations Cup title today, right inside the Teslim balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos.

Both teams finished strong in the league and would be representing at the continental club games. Enyimba, CAF Champions League while Dolphins will play in the Confederations Cup.

Dolphins FC are four time champions of the Federations Cup and they are going into the cracker with Emem Eduok who has a total of 20 league goals in the recently concluded season.

Enyimba International are holders and three-time winners of the federations cup. They also have a marksman in Mfon Udoh who has made a name for himself as all-time highest goal scorer with 23 league goals.

Here's the deal, Predict the correct score and win recharge cards

NOTE: Prediction closes at 3pm today, First 2 correct enteries to be rewarded.

Drop your name and phone number.

Vote your Nigeria Glo Premier League Wonder Goal between Rasheed Olabiyi, Ifeanyi Egwim and Ajia (WATCH VIDEO)

Fans and lovers of the Nigeria football have been given a chance to vote their best goal in the Glo Premier League for the 2013/2014 season.

Rasheed Olabiyi of Enyimba

Enyimba’s  Rasheed Olabiyi, Ifeanyi Egwim of Dolphins and Emmanuel Ajia of El-Kanemi Warriors are in the running for the 4th Wonder Goal Award.

Ifeanyi Egwin of Dolphins FC

The nominees were announced in the League Management Company (LMC) website, www.lmc-ng.org  with fans urged to vote for any of the players whose goal is considered the most spectacular. The LMC had at the inaugural edition of the Wonder Goal scheme stated that it was instituted to reach out to fans and enhance engagement between the Clubs, the fans and the communities.

“The Wonder Goal also seeks to reward marksmanship of the highest quality in the Glo Premier League as it was instituted to celebrate eye-catching and brilliant goals as well as the collective effort that resulted in the superb finish,” the LMC stated on the website Wonder Goal page on its website.

Voting will end by 11.59pm on Saturday, October 4 and the player whose goal attracts the highest number of goals will receive the prize money of N100, 000 from which 50% will be donated to a Charity of his choice within the city where the club is based.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH GOALS  

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Enyimba see hope in Bamako

With hopes of turning the table around, Enyimba of Aba will today take on six times Malian champions AS Real of Bamako in an all important 2nd Leg of the first round of CAF Champions league.

The two-time champions suffered a shocking loss at home to the Malians at home by a margin of 1-2 last Sunday which marked the first time the side will lose at home on the continent. However, if Enyimba will qualify for the next round, they must go for the ''impossible'' by winning above the margin to which they fell in Aba.

Speaking to Journalist, Coach Zakary Baraje (Enyimba) agreed that it is a make or break situation.“If our dream of qualifying is to be attained, we must defeat AS Real Bamako on their soil. Since they came here to beat us, I don’t see why we can’t go to their house and do the same to them. I have told the players that must be ready for play the game with their life”, said the former El Kanmi Warriors coach.

Also speaking, striker Abdulrahman Bashi said “we will just have to brace up for the second leg.” Mfin Another striker, Udoh Udoh  said “we have no choice than to work harder for the second leg and prepare for war on the pitch over there in Mali. I believe if they could win here, we can equally do the same in Bamako.”

 
Meanwhile in the CAF Confederations Cup, Wrri Wolve and Bayelsa Unite have their destiny in their own hands as they look to completing the job they both began last week. Warri Wolve go into the match with the 3-2 advantage they secured against Union Sportive Douala of Cameroon while Bayelsa will play FC Kondzo, the first leg ended in a goalless draw in Brazaville.

“If our dream of qualifying is to be attained, we must defeat AS Real Bamako on their soil. Since they came here to beat us, I don’t see why we can’t go to their house and do the same to them. I have told the players that must be ready for play the game with their life”, said the former El Kanmi Warriors coach.
Also speaking, striker Abdulrahman Bashi said “we will just have to brace up for the second leg.” Mfin Another striker, Udoh Udoh  said “we have no choice than to work harder for the second leg and prepare for war on the pitch over there in Mali. I believe if they could win here, we can equally do the same in Bamako.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/last-chance-enyimba/#sthash.xCPCgqeI.dpuf

“If our dream of qualifying is to be attained, we must defeat AS Real Bamako on their soil. Since they came here to beat us, I don’t see why we can’t go to their house and do the same to them. I have told the players that must be ready for play the game with their life”, said the former El Kanmi Warriors coach.
Also speaking, striker Abdulrahman Bashi said “we will just have to brace up for the second leg.” Mfin Another striker, Udoh Udoh  said “we have no choice than to work harder for the second leg and prepare for war on the pitch over there in Mali. I believe if they could win here, we can equally do the same in Bamako.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/last-chance-enyimba/#sthash.xCPCgqeI.dpuf

“If our dream of qualifying is to be attained, we must defeat AS Real Bamako on their soil. Since they came here to beat us, I don’t see why we can’t go to their house and do the same to them. I have told the players that must be ready for play the game with their life”, said the former El Kanmi Warriors coach.
Also speaking, striker Abdulrahman Bashi said “we will just have to brace up for the second leg.” Mfin Another striker, Udoh Udoh  said “we have no choice than to work harder for the second leg and prepare for war on the pitch over there in Mali. I believe if they could win here, we can equally do the same in Bamako.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/last-chance-enyimba/#sthash.xCPCgqeI.dpuf

“If our dream of qualifying is to be attained, we must defeat AS Real Bamako on their soil. Since they came here to beat us, I don’t see why we can’t go to their house and do the same to them. I have told the players that must be ready for play the game with their life”, said the former El Kanmi Warriors coach.
Also speaking, striker Abdulrahman Bashi said “we will just have to brace up for the second leg.” Mfin Another striker, Udoh Udoh  said “we have no choice than to work harder for the second leg and prepare for war on the pitch over there in Mali. I believe if they could win here, we can equally do the same in Bamako.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/last-chance-enyimba/#sthash.xCPCgqeI.dpuf

All the best in Bamako.

Enyimba in, Pillars crash out of Champions League

It was a weekend of mixed result for Nigeria representatives in the CAF champions league as Enyimba international qualified for the First Round of the CAF Champions league having edged out Anges De Notse of Togo.

Although Enyimba lost 1-2 yesterday but qualified 4-3 on aggregate. The Nigerian side beat their opponents 3-1 in Aba a week ago in the reverse fixture. 

On the other hand, Kano Pillars could not make it to the next round as the lost 4-3 on aggregate to AS Vitam of DR Congo.  

Pillars lost 3-1 in Kinshasa and their 2-1 victory in Kano was inconsequential.

Nigeria is left with one representative in te Champions league.

Anything for Pillars to learn from Enyimba? Why crashing out so early. All the best Enyimba.