2019 NWFL Week one Review: Bayelsa whiplash Kaduna in NWPL clash as Abia, Edo, others record wins

Nigerian champions, Bayelsa Queens recorded the highest win on matchday 1 of the 2019 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) which kicked off across eight centres and the four groups on Wednesday, July 24.

The Restoration Girls pummelled visitors, Kaduna Queens 3-0 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.

Rafiat Sule scored the match opener for the Yenagoa side in the 8th minute, Joy Bokiri takes the goal tally to two in the 30th minute while Mary Anjor grabbed the winner in the 67th minute to hand the side the whole three points at stake. Sule’s eight minutes goal went down in history as the fastest goal on matchday 1 of the new league season.

Edo queens vs Dreamstars 

Elsewhere, it was not a dreamed start for the top-flight newcomers, Dream Stars Ladies as they were piped 0-1 by visiting side, Edo Queens at the Agege Stadium in Lagos. Grace Henry lone strike proved decisive to hand the Benin City amazons the league opener’s first away victory and the three points in their kitty. The presence of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) chairperson, Aisha Falode and other dignitaries did nothing to help the course of the Lagos side to get even against highly inspired and motivated Benin City side.

Confluence Queens made their home turf counts positively with two unanswered goals against visiting side, Ibom Angels at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja. Coach Whyte Ogbonda ensured his former side went back home empty-handed to Uyo.

Kemi Famuditi scored from the penalty spot in the 29th minute to give her side the lead while Joy Michael scored the assurance goal and winner in the 57th minute.

Abia Angels defeated hard fighting first timers, Invincible Angels 2-1 in Umuahia. The Umuahia side led after eleven minutes through Grace Marcus while the Gboko side achieved parity in the 22nd minute through Favour Dagogo. Nwamaka Nneneme missed a golden opportunity to up the side goal tally from the penalty spot but Marcus rose to the occasion to make up for the loss with her second goal in the 68th minute.

Super Falcons coach Thomas dennerby enjoying the matches at one of the centre

Rivers Angels sweated to their panties to snatch a goal victory against tough side, FC Robo Queens at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Nigerian captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku grabbed the much sought after goal from the penalty spot in the first half stoppage time to hand the Jewels of Rivers the whole three points in the hotly contested encounter.

Osun Babes shared the spoils goalless with visiting side, Delta Queens at the Osogbo Township Stadium.

Sunshine Queens held former champions, Nasarawa Amazons to a barren draw at the Akure Township Stadium.

Heartland Queens, too were unable to displaced visitors, Adamawa Queens as the encounter ended barren at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

NWPL matchday 1 results:

Dream Stars Ladies 0-1 Edo Queens

Osun Babes 0-0 Delta Queens

Bayelsa Queens 3-0 Kaduna Queens

Confluence Queens 2-0 Ibom Angels

Abia Angels 2-1 Invincible Angels

Rivers Angels 1-0 FC Robo Queens

Sunshine Queens 0-0 Nasarawa Amazons

Heartland Queens 0-0 Adamawa Queens.

2019HiFL : OAU,UI headline Round of 16 as hostilities return across four campuses

The 2019 Higher Institution Football League returns on Wednesday with  four mouth watering fixtures in the Round of 16 across four centres in the country .

Perhaps the biggest of them all is the much anticipated heavy weight clash between Obafemi Awolowo University ile ife football team otherwise known as the OAU giants and the University of Ibadan also known as the UI Pioneers as the exciting Higher Institution Football League, HIFL, enters week 6.

The rivalry between the  students and graduates of both schools is legendary, at every opportunity either in pubs,libraries, workplace social gathering, the debate is always about one topic.. my school is better than yours.

With pride and Ego at stake and ultimately a quarter final ticket on the table this match ticks all the boxes of a perfect matchup.

This is an opportunity for both schools to extend and proof their superiority over one another once again,as the case may be.

There will be emotions ,passions, ultimately there will undue flow of adrenaline as both sides will  battle like a prince returning from an exile, and forcefully gunning for the throne of his ancestors. 

The turf of the OAU sports complex will suffer because high level of dexterity of skills is expected to be displayed by both teams as they compete for honours. 

OAU giants are coming into the game as favourite having made last year's super 4 in Lagos,they were drawn by in the group stage hence they will be playing their first game of the season.

Playing in front of their vociferous supporters will surely boost their confidence to go all the way and the giants from ife are set to trample on the Pioneers when they show up on Wednesday.

Though UI Pioneers struggled to make it out of their group but they did enough to outscored the dreaded LASU team,the propeller which took them to the round of 16,the game no doubt lift their spirits and will surely increase them in believe that they can face any opposition in their bid to be crowned the 2019 champion.

The fact that the Pioneers played in the group stage will surely give them some edge,mistakes would have been corrected and strategy will would have perfected.

 

The die is cast, we surely  have more than a match on our hands its  battle for the kings ,a battle royal indeed.

In the  Other fixtures, the LASU Blazers will host the FUTA tigers at the ojo campus of the Eko for show team having qualified on top of their group at the Ibadan centre the lasuites are dangerously poised to blast past the tigers from Akure.

Uniben Royals have a great first round performance and they will be high in confidence to face the FUTMINNA Transformers, another side that are not push overs when it comes to inter collegiate football in the country.

While it's going to be Royal rumble in Ilorin the Uniilorin warriors will take on Federal University of Oye Ekiti football team ,better known as FUOYE dazzlers.

The winner of these match over two legs  will proceed to the quarter finals competition as the return leg will take place in a fortnight. 

The HIFL is organised by Pace sports and marketing and proudly sponsored by Stanbic IBTC,premier cool and Indomie

Ann Chiejine upbeat as Abia Angel's takes on tricky invincible Angles

Abia Angels head coach, Ann Agumanu-Chiejine has said her side are quite ready for the testy and tricky season’s opener against newcomers, Invincible Angels.

The Umuahia side will confront debutants from Makurdi in Wednesday’s Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Group D matchday 1 clash at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The 2018/19 NWPL abridged season is due to commence on Wednesday at the various centres among the four groups.

Agumanu-Chiejine said though her side lost substantial number of players to competitors in the out gone season the rookies are damn ready to give the top-flight campaign the necessary push it deserves.

“Abia Angels are ready for the 2018/19 NWPL season as well as the starter against newcomers, Invincible Angels on Wednesday in Umuahia.

“However, worthy of note is the fact that we lost 19 key players to our rivals at the end of last season.

“We will be parading bunch of greenhorns and unknown players in the premier league though we are determined to make them known prior to the end of the season.

“I always believe that what make a coach worth his/her onion is ability to bring unknown players to limelight and stardom.

“We combed the length and breadth of the grassroots and villages to shop for rookies who will be debuting in the premier league for the first time.

“They are hungry for action and we are well primed to make them superstars at the end of the league campaign.

“Their first test is the clash against Invincible Angels and they have promised to start the campaign on a winning note,” said the former Nigerian shot stopper.

Agumanu-Chiejine insisted that her side will make amend this time around the side near miss of the Super 4 cut last season.

“Abia Angels narrowly missed the Super 4 spot in the out gone season, it’s still our target to play in the Super 4 this time around.

“I pray the players will play strictly to instruction throughout the season’s campaign to be able to top their group to earn the slot,” said the former Nigerian assistant coach.

Abia Angels will campaign for the prime position in Group D together with newcomers and matchday 1 opponents, Invincible Angels, Confluence Queens and Ibom Angels.

NWPL matchday 1 fixtures:

Rivers Angels Vs. FC Robo Queens

Osun Babes Vs. Delta Queens

Dreamstars Ladies Vs. Edo Queens

Heartland Queens Vs. Adamawa Queens

Bayelsa Queens Vs. Kaduna Queens

Sunshine Queens Vs. Nasarawa Amazons

Confluence  Queen Vs. Ibom Angels

Abia Angels Vs. Invincible Angels

JC coaching Clinic to hold on Saturday as Fidelis Ilechukwu confirmed participation

Olympic Eagles assistant coach and MFM FC of Lagos gaffer, Fidelis Ilechukwu will grace this year' JC Coaching Clinic as guest coach,the organiser of the annual coaching clinic program have confirmed.

The MFM gaffer will share some of his success stories with some grassroot coaches that will be attending this year's JC Coaching Clinic.

According to Dr. Joseph Ogunsanya,

Chairman of JC International Football Academy and the coaching  Programme Coordinator 

 "Based on his experience from Grassroot to the level he is at the moment, he will be giving time to impact his skills on coaches that are attending the clinic."

Camara as the MFM's coach is fondly called is delighted to part of the coaching course billed for Last Saturday in July at the JC international stadium along papalanto/shagmu Road.

 "I'm delighted to be part of the JC Coaching Clinic, I like new challenges and been busy all the time. That the  Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is in it off-season shouldn't mean one can learn a new thing.

"Not minding my A-list Coach status, am ready to learn from any coach as football gives back to one, what he/she has given to it.

"Coaching is symbiotic as we learn new things in the beautiful game, and new things happen everyday.

"The new things could be training methods, playing, marking patterns, attack and defence formats, scoring and defending set-pieces."

The program will be facilitated by coach Akeem Busari and Coach Olaseinde Bankole and it will feature Basic Coaching, coaching methodology, professionalism, care and prevention of injuries as well as admistration of first aid.

The program will run for 9 hours will also feature concussion of playing football and classroom training .

The one day coaching event is billed for the JC Stadium Papalanto- Shagamu, Ogun State on July 27,2019 from 8am to 9pm.

For enquiries about participation interested grassroots coach can call 08027602428,09059883585

2019 NWFL PREVIEW : All you need to know

Nigerian Women soccer fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2019 Nigeria Women Premier League season after a long summer break. The new season begins on Wednesday, the 24th of July 2019 with eight matches across all centres on match day one. 

*WHICH CLUBS MAY SPRING SURPRISES*?

Bayelsa Queens may once again be starting the new season as top title contender. However, the league is more evenly balanced than it has ever been.

With the grouping shared into four, there is every possibility that we would have more than two new clubs at the 2019 Super 4 away from the big guns like Nasarawa Amazon's, Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels, Delta Queens and Sunshine Queens. 

For the first time Edo Queens, Ibom Angels, Adamawa Queens and Confluence Queens all have opportunities to qualify for the most prestigious play offs in the country. 

*EXIT OF ANAM IMO, RASHEEDAT AJIBADE, PEACE EFIH, CHRISTY UCHEIBE, CHARITY RUEBEN*

The focus with clearly be on the big teams and the calibre of players they posses. Star studded Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons have all it takes to start well in the league. However with the exit of Anam Imo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Peace Efih, Christy Ucheibe and others to top European clubs, the focus now will clearly be on some younger players to establish themselves this season.

Maryann Ezeanagu, Anjor Mary, Christopher Precious, Rafiat Sule, Vivian Ikechukwu, Joy Omewa, Emem Essien, Yemisi Samuel, Esther Oyenezedie and many others all have a lot to prove in the 2019 NWPL season. 

*WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR*?

Rivers Angels were not safisfied with their performance in the league last season. The AITEO Cup was all that came of their hoped-for a double win. More is expected from them now and they have recruited well this season hoping for the league to kick off. 

Their closest competitor in group A, Delta Queens has hired a new manager, George Emenetie who is ambitious and wants to play at the Super 4. 

Adamawa Queens and Edo Queens look good to go in group B, 

while Group C remains the toughest group with Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens and Nasarawa Amazons all jostling for just a spot for the Super 4. 

While Group D might be among these three clubs Confluence Queens, Ibom Angels and Abia Angels. 

2019 NNL Play offs: Akwa starlets dims Shooting Stars of Ibadan to qualify for their maiden NPFL season as Warri wolves,Adamawa utd and Jigawa Golden stars also make a return

Akwa starlet have gained promotion to the NPFL for the first time in history.  

They achieved this historic feat after they defeated shooting stars of Ibadan  by three goals to nil at the Stephen keshi International stadium, Asaba yesterday in one of the matches of the Nigeria National League promotion play offs.

Warri wolves also make a return three years after they were relegated from the elite football league of Nigeria football.

Warri wolves played goalless with dynamite FC and prevailed 5 -3 on penalties to book their place in the league.

Jigawa Golden stars also make a return after 7 years of Absence in the League. The team edged NAF FC by three goals to two. The Jigawa based team last played in 2012 in the league .

Adamawa United gained promotion at the expense of FRSC FC, Adamawa utd beat the Road Safety boys by two goals to one to book their slot in the NPFL after over a decade of attempts to play in the elite league since there demotion to the lower league in the year 2007

The 20 teams that would be plying their trade in 2019/2020 NPFL Season are Enyimba International
Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers,Akwa United, Lobi Stars FC ifeanyi Ubah, Rivers United Kastina United,Nasarawa United
Sunshine Stars,Abia Warriors
Heartland Fc,Delta Force
Plateau United,Wikki Tourist
MFM FC,Akwa Starlet, Adamawa United, Jigawa Golden FC and 
Warri Wolves.

The NPFL run an abridged league last season to align with the new CAF calendar of August to May as it is being run in Europe.

The date for the 2019/2020 NPFL kick off is yet to be announced but its expected to start before the turn of the year. 

Former Super Eagles player,Mutiu Adepoju predicts great future for HIFL stars

Former Super Eagles Player and La Liga Ambassador, Mutiu Adepoju said a bright footballing career awaits the stars of the Higher Institution Football League, HIFL sportspedalng.blogspots.com can report.

He made this assertion in Ibadan,When he was answering questions from journalists after watching the games.

The mercurial midfielder, nicknamed the headmaster is confident that in no distant time some of the stars discover will represent Nigeria at international competitions. 

He  disclosed that the HiFL will help to revive the passion around school football and School sports in Nigeria, and expressed confidence that in no distant time some of the lads who perform excellently might get called up to play for the national team.

"No more competitions in schools,right from primary schools and secondary schools during our time then we used to have lots of competition.

we grew with that and we were developed that way but this time arround its be lagging i believe that with HiFL coming there will be more school competitions,there will be more interest from the  students to play football and to do sports not only football with that i believe as time goes on we can have good players in the national team." 

The HIFL started in 2018 and has been a ground for burden talents to expose their talents for scouting for bigger things.

The current striker of Kano pillars ,Emeka Ebuka was the highest goal scorer of the HIFL in 2018 and his goals have helped Kano pillars qualified for 2019/2020  Confederation of Africa Football Champions League ,CAFCLafter winning the silver medal of the 2019 NPFL championship playoffs as well as qualify the Kano b ased team for the finals of the Federation of Cup .

Many other players have secured professional contracts with NPFL and NNL teams as well semi professional sides across the country.

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.