HIFL week 4 wrap: UI Pioneers beats LASU blazers 2-0 to join Others In Round of 16

UI Pioneers,the University

of Ibadan Football team have secured their placed in the Round of  16 at the on going 2019 HIFL,higher institution football league, after defeating LASU blazers by two goals to nil on Thursday at the University sports complex.

With a win to book their place in the knockout stage, the pioneers quickly settled into the match against an already qualified, LASU blazers, and secured victory with goals from Oladieji Abdumalik and Alabi Salam  University of Ibadan.

The pioneers celebrating their victory

With this Victory Pioneers emerged as group B runners up, with five points, having recorded two consecutive draws against Lead City University Gladiators and Afe Babalola University ABUAD Stars earlier in the series.

LASU Blazers emerged as group winners after garnering six points from three games, the lads from Lagos State University defeated their counterparts, LCU Gladiators and ABUAD Stars by two goals to one  and three goals to one respectively While the match between Lead City Gladiators and Afe Babalola University ,ABUAD stars, ended in three goals to one in favour of the Gladiators but it turned out to be a mere formality as both teams failed in their to make it from the Ibadan centre.

In ABUJA, UNILORIN Warriors, emerged group F leaders following their outstanding finish as part of the super four teams in the 2018 edition of the league. 

They are joined by FUTMINNA Transformers who gathered a maximum six points after a convincing three one win against PLASU Boulders, and an impressive five goals to one trashing of Nile Rovers, the highest goal margin so far in the 2019 edition.

Meanwhile PLASU Boulders lost to Nile Rovers  of Abuja by two goals to one on Thursday in the group's last match but it wasn't enough to propel the Abuja team to the next round.

HiFL® is organised by PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA). 

The league is proudly sponsored by Stanbic IBTC, Premier Cool and Indomie Nigeria. 

The top 32 Universities from NUGA-member institutions will play over a period of 21 weeks, with the final four billed for the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

Rohr urges focus, total commitment ahead semi final clash

 

Even before knowing the identity of their AFCON 2019 semi final opponent, Super Eagles’ technical adviser Gernot Rohr on Thursday morning charged his wards to be focused and fully committed to the task at hand as they countenance another tough session on Sunday night at the Cairo International Stadium.

 

“The next match in a championship is always the toughest, so it is always important to approach it that way. That is why we must now forget what we achieved against South Africa in our quarter final match and start to build up towards the semi final.

 

“There is no time to rest on our oars. We must make all the sacrifices we can now to achieve our objectives at this tournament. We must stay focused and be fully committed.”

 

The three –time champions were back at the Aerosport pitch inside the Cairo Airport on Thursday morning to begin training for Sunday’s encounter, which would be against the winner of the Algeria/Cote d’Ivoire fixture.

 

Also on Thursday morning, the management of the Le Meridien Cairo Airport hotel presented a big cake to the Super Eagles for the 2-1 win over South Africa on Wednesday that has taken Nigeria into the last four of Africa’s biggest and most prestigious football championship.

 

The hotel manager, Atef Wilson, on behalf of the management presented the cake to Coach Gernot Rohr and forward Odion Ighalo, who received on behalf of the team.

 

Victory over South Africa took Franco –German Gernot Rohr’s record with Nigeria to 20 wins in 34 matches, of which he has drawn five and lost nine.

 

2019 AFCON: Dangote,Otedola to reward Super Eagles with $75k for each goals henceforth

 

The day after their exquisite and efficient performance against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa (conquerors of seven –time champions and host nation Egypt) that saw them reach the semi finals of AFCON 2019, the Super Eagles received pledges of more dollar rain from two of Africa’s richest businessmen.

 

On a visit to the team’s Le Meridien Cairo Airport hotel on Thursday morning, during which he urged the players to even redouble their efforts in order to cross the semi final stage on Sunday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick put a call through to the two well -known philanthropists and tasked them to commit to supporting the team.

 

While Dangote made a pledge of $50,000 to the team for every goal in their remaining two matches at the championship, Otedola pledged the sum of $25,000 for every goal.

 

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who holds Nigeria’s second highest national honour (GCON) is the President of Dangote Group and is ranked as the richest person of African descent in the world. The Dangote Group has interests in various commodities in Nigeria and other African countries.

 

Oil baron Femi Otedola has recently been involved in a number of commendable interventions for ailing former Nigerian international players, including 1980 AFCON winning team –captain Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu and goalkeeper Peter Fregene.

 

Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana as Ekong Troost Late Winner secure semi final birth for Nigeria at AFCON 2019

 

Nigeria soared into the semi finals of the 32^nd Africa Cup of Nations finals after an unlikely William Ekong winner two minutes to full time at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday night.

 

Bongani Zungu scored in the 70^th minute as the ball hit the back of Super Eagles’ forward and tournament top scorer Odion Ighalo from a free kick, to cancel out a Samuel Chukwueze strike in the 26^th minute that had kept Nigeria on top all evening. But Ekong popped up at the far post to slam the ball into an empty net as goalkeeper Ronnie Williams and his entire defence missed the ball from substitute Moses Simon’s corner.

 

No doubt, the game lived up to its billing as a confrontation between two fierce rivals, with both teams sizing each other up in the early minutes and being very cautious in their approach. But Nigeria were quicker off the blocks, with Ahmed Musa guilty of a poor pull out and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi watching his shot sail narrowly over the bar in the 5^th minute.

 

As the game wore on, Samuel Chukwueze tried to stamp his authority on the right wing, combining beautifully with defender Chidozie Awaziem. In the 26^th minute, Alex Iwobi sold a dummy and cantered to the right side of the Bafana Bafana defence, before a sharp cut-back for Chukwueze, whose first shot was blocked. But the young forward followed up and snatched the rebound, and then slotted past Williams for Nigeria’s first goal.

 

The atmosphere was electric at the Cairo International Stadium, with the near 20,000 fans all rooting for the Super Eagles. But Musa, on a counter attack, failed to make it count with a poor cross, and then Chukwueze himself concocted a poor finish from Ahmed Musa’s pass with 10 minutes left before interval.

 

In the second half, Oghenekaro Etebo rocked Williams’ crossbar from a 25 –yard free kick, and Musa and Chukwueze had their hands on their heads from missed opportunities, before South Africa equalized somewhat fortuitously in the 70^th minute.

 

The ball hit the back of forward Odion Ighalo from Percy Tau’s free kick as Nigeria massed to defend, and flew to Zungu, who directed his header to the far corner and beyond a flat footed goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

 

Yet, Nigeria would make hay late, with Ekong’s winner, and now the Super Eagles await the winner of the tie between Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire in the semi finals at the Cairo International Stadium.

 

In the first semi final, Senegal’s Lions of Teranga (1-0 winners of Benin Republic in the first quarter final match on Wednesday) will take on the winner of the Madagascar/Tunisia match.

2019 HIFL: LASU Blazers,FUTMINNA through to of Round 16 as the Ibadan derby ends in deadlock

LASU Blazers have secured their place in the round of 16  after thrashing Afe Babalola University football team,ABUAD stars by three goals - One to take up their point haul to 6 points which is enough to guarantee the team a second round berth at the Ibadan centre as 

UI Pioneers and Lead City Gladiators settled for a goalless draw in the second  match of the day in Ibadan.

The thrilling encounter saw the Pioneers dominated the opening minutes of the game with all the  possessions of ball but the Gladiators defense was formidable to thwart all the attack thrown at it by the Pioneers.

Elsewhere at the Abuja centre, FUTMINNA Transformers beat defeated PLASU Boulders, plateau state  University Football team by two goals to one to book their place in the Round of 16 having trounce Nile Rovers earlier in the round to secure unassailable 6 points to top the group.

Meanwhile the battle for qualification continues today  the teams involved are in a win or break situations. 

UI pioneers will need to beat  LASU blazers to make it to the next round irrespective of the outcome of the match between Lead City Gladiators and ABUAD stars

While at the Abuja Centre PLASU Boulders will need to avoid defeat against the host,the Nile Rovers.

NFF sets up Member Associations Adhoc Committee

The Nigeria Football Federation has in line with its Statutes set up a Member Associations Adhoc Committee, saddled with the responsibility of maintaining excellent relationship with its 44 affiliate bodies.

 

Acting President of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, made this known to thenff.com on Wednesday, while underscoring the importance of having such a body in order to constantly and firmly keep the affiliate bodies on the same page with the supreme –governing body for the game in the country.

                                                           

Akinwunmi also disclosed that the membership is composed of the current zonal coordinators, with himself as chairman, while Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Emmanuel Ibah and Babagana Kalli are members.

                             

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, will serve as secretary of the committee.

                                             

All the Football Associations in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory are members/affiliates of the Nigeria Football Association, alongside the Nigeria Referees Association, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Players’ Union (National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers) and the Leagues (Nigeria Professional Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League One).

 

…announces composition of NFF Foundation

 

The Nigeria Football Federation also on Wednesday set up the NFF Foundation, which would be saddled with the responsibility of targeting and raising funds for noble programs and legacy projects.

 

The Foundation is headed by Mr. Mohammed Edewor, with Mallam Danladi Bako, the Kogunan Sakkwato and former Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, as the vice chairman.

 

There are also His Excellency Silas Agara, the immediate past deputy governor of Nasarawa State who had earlier served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the same State, as well as Hon. Goni Bukar Lawan, Chairman of the House of Rep’ Committee on Youth and Sports Development in the eighth session of the National Assembly; football –passionate businessman Yemi Idowu; former Nigeria international player and President of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers, Tijani Babangida and; foremost sports journalist and editor of Saturday Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Onochie Anibeze.

 

The committee will appoint its secretary.

 

Essentially, the Foundation will raise funds for empowerment initiatives for ex-international players by way of training and skill development; football community and social change programs; grassroots development programs and; football-for-the-girl-child and women football empowerment programs.

 

Acting President of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will serve as Adviser/NFF Liaison to the Foundation, which will adopt and adapt the governance structure of the (English) FA Foundation, with appropriate modifications to comply with the laws of Nigeria and take care of the local situation and environment.

Rangers Hires 'Surugede' as Caretaker Coach

 

Management of Coal city ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C ably led by Prince Davidson Owumi, has engaged the services of former senior international and club’ defense Trojan, Benedict Ugwu as care-taker head coach pending when a substantive technical adviser is hired.

In an exclusive chat, Prince Owumi said that Ugwu has been saddled with the task of taking care of the technical department of the team especially as the players retained return to begin pre-season activities following the expiration of the contract of former gaffer, Olugbenga Ogunbote.

“There is no room for any vacuum and Ugwu has shown through his actions and technical contributions that he has what it takes to lead our team on a care-taker basis. As a senior national team player, Benedict distinguished himself. As a player of Rangers, he was full of the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit. Even when he took his game oversea, he was a great ambassador of club and country. When he came back, he showed some great stuff with the feeder team. Naturally, it is the belief of management that he has what it takes to guide us before a substantive technical adviser come around,” said the G.M of Rangers.

Benedict Ugwu came to the lime light with the famous Benue Cement Company F.C of Gboko where he shorn like a million star to help the Gboko side to a national challenge cup and CAF cup winners cup in 1990 the same year he won the best player award in the country and third best play on the continent.

Ugwu, who spent a dedicated ten years service to the ‘Flying Antelopes’ in his playing days, was a strong member of the team that won the national challenge cup for the Enugu side in 1983 and 1984 before taking his skills to such clubs as El-Kanemi Warriors and 3SC where he also excelled before venturing overseas.

‘Surugede’, as Coach Benedict Ugwu is fondly called is a N.I.S, Lagos and CAF coaching license holder.