Friday, 14 June 2013
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Sarata and 5 female youthful footballers destine for greatness
As a NIGERIAN football writer, the question that everybody always wants to ask you never changes: who is the next big star of the Female Football game?
Still in Nigeria and young, Desire Oparanozie is already a veteran in the eyes of many. She is now old news.
People are already wanting to look beyond the youngster and, if you like.
There are, of course, plenty of candidates. Some will doubtless make it to the top of the game.
So, let's take a look at six teenage players tipped for the top in future years.
There are too many to mention!
6. Amirat Adebisi
A safe choice for the list, Adebisi has been tipped for the top for some time now and was the star of Robo Queens U13.
A diminutive attacking midfielder, Adebisi operates at the point of the midfield, looking to open up defences for her team's attacking players.
Also an excellent free-kick taker, the player has a taste for goals and is often found making late runs into the area to finish off attacking moves that she may very well have instigated.
The talent is there, but the step up to star at first-team level is perhaps the greatest challenge a No. 10 will face in their career.
5. Monday Gift
Having played as a wide forward at Under-10 and Under-12 level, it was recently that she began to be used as a central striker. It was in this position that her game began to evolve from one of just electric pace, to now being regarded as a fine all-around attacking player.
Gift's progress is being carefully monitored by many in high places—she will soon have the chance to prove herself at Under-17 and Under-20 level.
4. Sarata Bello
Bello is just one of a rising double-act making waves at Methodist High School. She is leading the way for the team's much-hyped next generation.
Blessed with great speed, Bello is blessed with grit and determination.
The youngster has excellent close control and has shown herself to be a fine finisher when presented with chances.
3. Barakat Olaiya
Attacking midfielder Olaiya is just one of a handful of promising talents currently emerging at Bayelsa Queens.
A rapid dribbler with the ball, the No. 10 has proven herself to possess the technical attributes needed to both beat defenders and pick a key pass to her teammates. She has also built a reputation as a consistent goalscorer at youth levels.
2. Rofiat Sule
Often praised for her down-to-earth attitude, Sule is a surprisingly mature player for her age. She is quick and well-built, but relies primarily on her technical ability and footballing intelligence to shine.
Rofiat Sule is a natural goal poacher.
1. Rasheedat Ajibade
Renowned for her intelligent positioning, ability to beat opponents and, of course, her finishing, she is already being quietly compared in style to Desire Oparanozie and the legendary Perpetual Nkwocha.
Such is the talent of Ajibade that she scored a screamer for FC Robo Queens against Confluence Queens on 17th May 2013.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
CAF U17 CHAMPIONSHIO: ALL THE FIXTURES AS GOLDEN EAGLETS REMAIN CLEAR FAVORITES
The competition will be hosted by the two beautiful cities of casablanca and marrakech
The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are the overwhelming favorites to win the championship as they were ruthless on the way to the championship.
The Nigerians capped off their impressive qualification campaign which saw them let in just a goal and scoring 21times which saw the Golden Eaglets, make a bold return at the continental fiesta after failing to qualify for the last two editions; 2009 (Algeria) and 2011 (Rwanda).
The tiki taka style of play of the team was a delight to watch at the Aspire training ground in Qatar,(where the team had their training camp for morrocco 2013 ) as the team combined sublime skills with great attacking flair to despatch an Aspire selected side 7 - 1 and their sexy football against As saad fc (a squad which have the great Raul of real madrid in their fold) made many to fall in love with the team which many observers of the game are already tipping to emulate the feat of class of 1985,1993 and 2007 by winning the FIFA U17 World cup in United Arab Emirates in october.
Other teams that one have to watch out for are host Morrocco which have over ten of the young boys playing thier football abroad also the black starlets of Ghana cannot be written off when it comes to age grade competitions.
The top four teams will qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
GROUP A GROUP B
MORROCCO NIGERIA
GABON GHANA
TUNISIA COTE D IVORE
BOTSWANA CONGO
ALL THE FIXTURES
13 April 2013
15:00
Morocco v Gabon Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
13 April 2013
18:00
Tunisia v Botswana Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
16 April 2013
15:30
Gabon v Tunisia Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
16 April 2013
18:30
Botswana v Morocco Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
19 April 2013
18:30
Morocco v Tunisia Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
19 April 2013
18:30
Gabon v Botswana Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
14 April 2013
15:00
Congo v Côte d'Ivoire Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
14 April 2013
18:00
Nigeria v Ghana Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
17 April 2013
15:30
Côte d'Ivoire v Nigeria Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
17 April 2013
18:30
Ghana v Congo Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
20 April 2013
15:00
Congo v Nigeria Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
20 April 2013
15:00
Côte d'Ivoire v Ghana Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
Semi-finals
23 April 2013
15:00
Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
24 Aprl 2013
18:30
Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
Third place match
27 April 2013
Loser Semi-final 1 v Loser Semi-final 2 Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
Sunday, 31 March 2013
AYC U 20 ALGERIA 2013 : ALL THE RESULTS FOR THE RECORDS
March 16 17:30 Algeria 0 vs Benin 0 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchen March 16 20:30 Ghana 1 vs Egypt 2 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent
March 17 17:30 Nigeria 0 vs Mali 1 Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
March 17 20:30 Congo DR 0 vs Gabon 0 Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
March 19 17:30 Ghana 1 vs Benin 0 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent
March 19 20:30 Algeria 0 vs Egypt 1 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent
March 20 17:30 Mali 2 vs Congo DR 1 Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
March 20 20:30 Gabon 0 vs Nigeria 1 Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
March 22 17:30 Algeria 0 vs Ghana 2 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent
March 22 17:30 Benin 0 vs Egypt 1 Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
March 23 20:30 Nigeria 3 vs Congo DR 1 Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
March 23 20:30 Mali 0 vs Gabon 2 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchen
SEMI FINALS FIXTURES
17:00 EGYPT 2 VS NIGERIA 0 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchen SF 1
17:00 MALI 2 (0) VS GHANA (0) 4 AET Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran SF 2
THIRD PLACE FINAL
MARCH 29 17:30 NIGERIA 2 VS MALI 1 Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
FINAL
MARCH 30 17:30 EGYPT 1 VS GHANA 1( 5-4) AET Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
EGPPT 1 VS GHANA 1 EGYPT 5 VS GHANA 4 AET THE MATCH REPORT : Egypt crowned AYC champions
Egypt won their fourth CAF U-20 Championship title on Saturday after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Ghana in the final played at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran on Saturday. The two sides had played a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Converting penalties for Egypt were Saleh Gomaa, Ahmed Samir, Ahmed ElSayed, Mahmoud Monem and Hossam Mohamed while Ramy Rabie missed and for Ghana were Richmond Nketiah, Jeremiah Arkorful, Lawrence Lartey, Ebenezer Ofori while Attama Joseph and Moses Odjer missed.
The 12th Orange CAF Youth Championship final opened with two early goals, the first coming after only three minutes when Ghanaian defender Richmond Nketiah brought down left winger Mahmoud Monem in the box. Up stepped Saleh Gomaa to convert the spot kick and the Young Pharaohs went in front. Two minutes later at the other end Ahmed Samir went for a kick clearance and fouled Moses Odjer who was first to the ball with his head resulting in the second penalty of the game. Jeremiah Arkorful sent keeper Mossad Awad the wrong way and with 7 minutes on the clock it was 1-1.
The quick goals seemed to have helped the two sides settled down into the game and flowing passing football befitting a final was soon on show. Ghana were productive attacking from the right flank where Nketiah, Odjer and Ebenezer Assifuah were combining well. Egypt on the other hand were channeling the bulk of the play via the left wing looking to use Monem who was a constant threat to the Ghanaian defenders with his silky skills each time he was on the ball. The game brought out some interesting tassels in the midfield as Gomaa, Hossam Mohamed and Mahmoud Ahmed for the Egyptians wrestled with Clifford Aboagye, Ebenezer Ofori and Salifu Seidu in a bid to control and influence the game.
On 30th minute Arkorful almost doubled the Black Satellites’ score with a delightful free-kick that cannoned off the cross bar and bounced back into play to be cleared by the Egyptians. The first half ended 1-1 and the game maintained its tempo upon resumption. The evenly balanced contest continued with action swing from one end to the other much to the delight of a good appreciative crowd that came to Ahmed Zabana stadium.
Nketiah was in the mood to shoot and on 60th minute he warmed Awad ‘s palms with a rasping shot and not long after Arkorful saw his free-kick sail centimeters wide as Ghana accumulated a few free kick around the edge of the Egyptian box. Egypt’s response was swift, captain Ramy Rabia started a run from half-way and found Omar Bassam with a pass but his progress towards goal was well checked by outstanding Ghanaian captain Lawrence Lartey who was at the hearty of most of his side’s fine defending.
Going into the last fifteen minutes it was Ghana who close to adding to the score line and a combination of keeper Awad’s reflexes and solid defending from Mahmoud Elmetwaly and Yasser Ahmed kept the Satellites at bay. Some substitutions revived Egypt’s attacking play in particular the contribution of pacey substitute Ahmed ElSayed. The last five minutes both sides seemed resigned to play extra time, as they pass the ball round not too keen to concede at this late stage.Extra time could not separate the sides and it was left to a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.
Friday, 29 March 2013
EGYPT VS GHANA IN AYC FINAL SHOWDOWN AS NIGERIA DEFEATED MALI 2-1 NIGERIA,MALI KNOW WORLD CUP FOES IN FRESH WORLD CUP DRAW
EGYPT VS GHANA IN AYC FINAL SHOWDOWN
AS NIGERIA DEFEATED MALI 2-1
NIGERIA,MALI KNOW WORLD CUP FOES IN FRESH WORLD CUP DRAW
Egypt and Ghana will play in the final of the 2013 Orange CAF U-20 Championship on Saturday at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran, Algeria. The Young Pharaohs go into the match as favourites after notching four straight wins including an opening 2-1 victory over same opponents, Ghana two weeks ago.
Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh was at pains dispelling the suggestions that the Black Satellites will be seeking revenge. “ It worries me when l hear such talk about being motivated by revenge, and wanting to get back at Egypt for that loss in the first game. That match is in the past and our approach to the final is not based on a need to even things or any such intention. We are in a final and will play to win, regardless of what has happened before. “ said Tetteh
Tetteh’s counterpart, Rabie Yassine said he would be expecting a challenging encounter with Ghana but he too will not be dwelling on the result from their last meeting. “First of all, we have a lot of respect for Ghana and their football but we are ready to face them on Saturday and l have been working on my team and concentrating on what we need to do to win. We want to make our own history, we have our destiny in our own hands and I believe we can win this tournament. We are capable, we have what it takes to win,” Yassine said.
When the sides met last time Ghana created more scoring chances but Egypt were more efficient with theirs and thus carried the day. According to coach Yassine his side will strike a balance between offensive and defensive play but will definitely take the game to the opposition and continue with the style and combinations that has served the side well so far. “We have done our homework on Ghana and hopefully my boys will again execute the game plan the coaching staff will set like they have done so well so far. We will play our football on the pitch and yes after the match l will say more too and by then God willing l will talking as a winner then” concluded Yassine
Both coaches are hoping a have a clean bill of health but admitted they have some waiting to do on some key players currently nursing injuries. The Egyptian captain Rami Rabea will have to pass a late fitness test on his injured ankle but coach Yassine is hopeful he will have his captain on the field. Rabea scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against the host nation, Algeria and has been a vital cog in Egyptian side.
Meanwhile coach Tetteh is hoping that Derrick Mensah will recover in time to be considered for selection.
Sellas Tetteh famously engineered Ghana U-20’s finest year in 2009 leading the side to the African Youth Championship in Rwanda before Ghana won the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Egypt in 2009 to become the first African side to do so. “By God’s grace we shall see how the final goes but l believe this one is for us, they had theirs in the first game. We have come very far and we are looking forward to this match. These boys do need any more motivation than being in the final. That alone is self-motivation enough to have made it this far , so we are going to work very hard to overcome and we are in high spirits, so God willing we shall be victorious." Tetteh said
Both Ghana and Egypt currently have three African U-20 Championship titles each so the winner will move onto four (4) which is tow behind record holders Nigeria with six. The final match will be played at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran, Algeria and kick off is 17h30 local time
AS FLYING EAGLES KNOW WORLCUP FOES AFTER ANOTHER FIFA DRAW
Meanwhile FIFA announces that a draw will be conducted on 30th of March 2013 to determine which groups the teams finishing second, third and fourth at the on-going 2013 African U-20 Youth Championship will be in for the FIFA U-20 World Cup,Turkey 2013.
After FIFA organized a draw in Turkey on March 25, 2013, for the final tournament of the World Championship the eventual African U-20 winners have been drawn in a group designated as "African champion " and Saturday’s draw will be about placing the remaining three teams which have been designated as “CAF” after the draw on March 25,2013 into other groups.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated the young Eagles of mali by two goals to one to place third leaving the Malians at the fourth place in a match decided friday evening in oran algiers .
The draw will take place after the final match between Egypt and Ghana and the medal ceremony on 30th March 2013 at Ahmed Zabana Stadium in Oran, Algeria.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERIA LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMPANY,NDUKA IRABOR, WRITES YOU
PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERIA LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMPANY,NDUKA IRABOR, WRITES YOU
To All Nigerians (especially football lovers, football administrators, Football Club promoters, sponsors and potential sponsors of the Nigeria Professional Football League).
Revamping the Nigerian Professional Football League…in line with the law and present day realities.
Subsequent to my several press interviews in recent days, I find it necessary to present this communiqué as a forum to consolidate and also provide an update of the workings of the League Management Committee for the benefit of all football stakeholders.
On the 27th of December, 2012, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in exercise of its statutory powers set up the League Management Committee, to ‘rescue’ professional league football. At its inauguration by Alhaji Aminu Maigari, President of the NFA, the Committee was charged with the following terms of reference:
- organize the 2012/2013 league season;
- review all contractual obligations of the Nigeria Premier League, including TV and sponsorship rights;
- review existing rules and guidelines for the election into Nigeria Premier League Board;
- develop new standards for players contracts and welfare;
- develop strategy and facilitate the reform of the league towards achieving profitability; and
- any other relevant matters the Committee may deem necessary.
This committee of eminent Nigerians volunteered for this assignment, motivated by nothing more than patriotism and a desire to revive a moribund local football league mired in litigation, insolvency and administered in a manner that was opaque and inefficient.
In the discharge of its mandate as an interim task-force, the League Management Committee wishes to publicly acknowledge the immense assistance and cooperation of the NFA President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and the good offices of the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam
Bolaji Abdullahi.
Legal Entanglements of the League
Following an exhaustive examination of the legal and financial issues that had paralyzed the football league (resulting in the dissolution of the former board), the committee decided that the interest of all stakeholders, especially the teeming millions of football lovers in Nigeria, would be best served by mapping out a new direction in the structure and management of the local premier football league.
There could be no other way forward especially after a Federal High Court had adjudged in January 2012 that the Nigeria Football League Ltd, the body hitherto set up to run and manage the local league was an illegal body. The circumstances are set out below.
Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/179/2010, between Dr. Sam Sam Jaja (Plaintiff) and Nigeria Football League Limited and 4 others (Defendants), is the chief source of the legal entanglements surrounding the League in Nigeria. The judgment of the Court in the suit delivered on January 20, 2012 erodes completely the identity and legal capacity of the body critical to the organization and management of professional football in Nigeria; this is Nigeria Football League Limited (NFL LTD), the 1st Defendant in the suit.
At page 51 of the judgment, Hon Justice D.U. Okorowo, of the Federal High Court, Abuja declares as follows concerning NFL Ltd,
“3. That the incorporation of the 1st Defendant as a company with the 1st and 2nd Defendant as the only subscribers to its Memorandum and Articles of Association is tantamount to incorporation by one person and thus illegal and void in so far as the 1st Defendant was not a legal person at the time of the subscription to the Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
Finally, at page 52, the Court specifically directs the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) (5
th Defendant) as follows concerning NFL Ltd,
“7. That the 5th Defendant is hereby mandatorily directed to immediately commence steps for winding up of the 1st Defendant for infraction of the provisions of Companies and Allied Matters Act.”
It must be pointed out that the actual management and operation of the NFL Ltd itself, while it existed, was fraught with all sorts of illegalities. For instance, all manner of persons with definitively questionable motives had intruded in the affairs of the company and purported to be holding elections to its Board. The Federal High Court in the same judgment also declared these activities illegal as follows:
“4. That any election to the Board of the 1st Defendant can only be validly conducted in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1st Defendant and the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, rather than in line with the so-called guidelines issued by the purported electoral committee (having the 3rd and 4th Defendants as chairman and vice chairman respectively) set up by the 1st Defendant. That Electoral Committee is not a body contemplated by the Companies and Allied Matters Act nor the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1st Defendant and as such not competent to issues election guidelines, qualify candidates, on the basis of the said guidelines or take any other action in relation to the election into the Board of Directors of the 1st Defendant”
In summary, the Federal High Court declared that:
i. the Nigeria Football League Ltd is an illegal body, having been incorporated in contravention of the law the Court has ordered its winding up.
ii. Nigeria Premier League (a creation of the illegal NFL) has no corporate personality and is unknown to Nigerian law.
iii. No aspect of the administration or management of football in Nigeria can be conducted in the names of either NFL of NPL.
iv. This judgment has not been overturned on appeal and remains valid.
The League Management Company (LMC)
Based on legal advice and in line within our mandate, the management committee in conjunction with the NFA opted for a new management body for the local league that will be structured on corporate governance, transparency and meets the unfulfilled expectations of local football fans.
This new legal entity was also necessary for us to be in compliance with the laws of the land and also to provide a legal base for entering into new contractual agreements with stakeholders.
The new entity, the League Management Company (LMC), has taken off unencumbered by the baggage of illegality, absence of due process and insolvency that has bedeviled the growth of the local league. The LMC, taking its mandate from the Nigeria Football Association, will run a Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) that will meet FIFA and global standards of football. The goal is to have a League for Nigeria, run by competent Nigerians and clubs for the benefit of both local and international footballers and fans.
Incorporating a new management structure is only the start, rather than the end of the necessary reforms for the local league. The football clubs will also need individual reforms to restructure as legal, corporate entities able to meet mutually agreed upon terms for their management and operations as members of the NPFL.
We have already set out to work.
The LMC has commenced the processes of restructure by putting in place machineries to deliver its mandate.
We are preparing for instance a new league rules framework which includes new rules for the qualification and licensing of clubs within the league to bring our local clubs in line with international standards.
The new rules will guarantee that clubs meet their obligations to players etc by ensuring that they have solid financial bases, setting aside 5% of the income of the LMC solely dedicated for a youth development program which will ensure that all clubs have feeder clubs of players not older than 18 years of age and of not more than 30 trainees.
These feeder clubs will help identify talents and provide a pool of future talents for the game. New standards of training of players, coaches, referees, medical personnel, match security agents etc will be enforced, amongst other things.
We are also in the process of developing a corporate governance model for the LMC, the clubs and the league. We are presently re-working and negotiating the Title Sponsorship Agreement as well as the Broadcast Rights Agreement to bring them in line with more commercial and favourable terms for the league and also in compliance with the laws of the land such as the Nigerian Broadcasting Code etc; club licensing rules are being introduced and prepared; and in order to protect our sponsors so as to guaranty the financing of the league, we are preparing Compliance Agreements with the clubs. It is very possible to conduct business in a fair and transparent manner. The business of football should be no exception.
Those unaware or who feel threatened of this new direction have, rather than ask, taken to imputing ulterior motives and unfounded accusations about what is afoot. It is laughable to suggest that any individual or group can hijack a league that truly belongs to Nigeria’s 160 million football loving citizens. Suffice it to state that the current management committee, being an interim body, can and has only acted in trust on behalf of all stakeholders in Nigerian football in the incorporation of the League Management Company Limited.
The LMC was incorporated to manage the professional league, under license from the NFA. It has a share capital of 100,000,000 (one hundred million shares). In order to meet the minimum requirement of the law for incorporation, only 25% of its share capital was subscribed on incorporation. The NFA holds golden shares of 5% and the LMC, in the name of its Chairman holds 20%
in trust for the company, which will be relinquished as the situation warrants. There is a pre-signed Nominees Agreement to this effect and an affidavit sworn to by myself and registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja to further buttress this commitment to relinquish these shares held temporarily by me. The participating clubs of the league will own no less than 60% of the Shares which they will be mandated to take up as soon as they are re-organized and operated as corporate entities in law.
These clubs are only going to hold the shares allotted to them as long they remain in the professional football league. Once any club is relegated or disqualified from the professional league it will lose its shares and the club taking its place will take over those shares. This is to make the clubs and the league truly professionally run as is the case in other parts. Football fans are aware that Glasgow Rangers was demoted from the Scottish Premier League to Division recently because it could not comply with the mandatory financial regulations of their league. Its demotion was sanctioned by the other clubs in the Scottish Premier League themselves!! Malaga FC in Spain’s La Liga has recently been barred by UEFA from the Champions Leagues because the club failed to comply with the financial regulations stipulated by UEFA for all clubs participating in its tournaments. This means Malaga will not play in the Champions League as from next season, though they are currently at the quarter finals stage of the same competition.
I implore all to note, that the administration of professional football is not whimsical, but must be in compliance with the law.
Enthusiasm and passion only cannot manage football of today, as was done in the past.
In the coming days and weeks the management of the LMC will keep the public and all stakeholders duly abreast of developments in the task to usher in a new day in Nigerian professional football. We appreciate your trust and partnership in bringing back the best of Nigerian football.
Signed,
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