APFON begs Kwara govt to support Sani Abacha's family

THE Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) has appealed to the Kwara State government to as a matter of urgency assist the family of the late captain of Kwara United, Sani Abdullahi Abacha.
The former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) defender who died in Ilorin last week left behind a pregnant wife, Bisola and three children.
APFON in a communique issued after a meeting in Ilorin also implored Kwara United, Enyimba FC, 3SC, Sharks FC, Lobi Stars and Gateway FC to provide gainful employment for the wife of the deceased as a way of empowerment.
The communique stated that the association equally approved the organisation of a charity match to raise fund for the family as a way of alleviating their predicament.
APFON while soliciting support for ex-footballers whose conditions are pathetic in retirement also urged the football authorities in various states and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to engage ex-footballers meaningfully, in all spheres of endeavours.
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Globacom Premier League Update:

Ubale's goal wreaks Enyimba in Lokoja

In what could be described as poetic justice, Kano Pillars on Tuesday recovered the three points they lost in the boardroom as they defeated Enyimba FC 1-0 in a rescheduled Globacom Premier League Week 29 game played at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.
The hero of the match was substitute Manir Ubale whose header in the 90th minute beat goalkeeper Femi Thomas for the only goal of the match.
The Organising and Disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had first awarded the match to Enyimba following the crowd invasion witnessed when both sides met at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
The homers were leading through Gambo Muhammed's strike before the encroachment of home fans
with three minutes remaining.
Ubale gave Pillars cause to rejoice at the end in a replay ordered by the appeal committee of NFF thus took his team back to the top of the log with 60 points.
Pillars are left with just one home game (against Dolphins week 37) and two away games against Gombe United (week 36) and Lobi Stars (week 38).
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League table

Matches played, points & goal difs


1. Kano Pillars                   35   60   +09
2. Bayelsa Utd                   35   58   +03
3. El-Kanemi                     35   57   +09
4. Enyimba                        35   56   +11
5. Warri Wolves                35   52   +12
6. Rangers                        35   52   +10
7. Sharks                          35   50   +02
8. Sunshine                       35   49   +05
9. Gombe Utd                   35   49   -06
10. Lobi Stars                   35   49   -07
11. Kwara Utd                  35   48   +01
12. Dolphins                     35   47   -03
13. Kaduna Utd                35   47   -08
14. ABS                           35   47   -12
15. Heartland                    35   46   +08
16. Nasarawa Utd            35   46   -04
17. Nembe City               35   46   -14
18. Wikki                        35   45   -07
19. Akwa Utd                 35   44   -07
20. 3SC                          35   43   -04

Caption of the photograph: The late ex-Kwara United skipper, Sani Abacha

I'm in Liverpool to enjoy my football--Moses

NIGERIAN international Victor Moses has said that he is in Liverpool to exhibit his own brand of football that would earn the team goals.
The on-loan player from Chelsea told www.liverpoolfc.com that he is not under pressure whatsoever to deliver given the position of his manager, Brendan Rodgers.
"I'm confident with wherever the manager wants to play me. So, for me, it's just about enjoying my football. The manager has said he wants me to go out there and enjoy my football, create and score goals. I'm very comfortable with the No. 10 role. I don't really mind wherever I play up front," said Moses who scored on his debut for Liverpool in a 2-2 draw with Swansea at the Stadium of Light.
The former Crystal Palace forward stated that his main preoccupation is to offer support for Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge upfront.
"We all know Suarez and Sturridge are both great strikers and probably two of the best strikers in the Premier League at the moment. Suarez coming back is a big boost for us and linking up with Sturridge up front is really vital for us this season.
"I think they can both do as well as they want this season as a pair of strikers. The most important thing is that they score for us. I can see them both scoring more goals in every game because their link-up play is incredible. I'm just here to do my job and try to support them in any way that I can to make sure that they score more goals," said the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner.
Moses who is among the players listed by coach Stephen Keshi for the October 13 World cup
play-off with Ethiopia in Addis Ababa also acknowledged that he is undergoing tutorial in Liverpool.
"Daniel (Sturridge) is the same in training as he is in the games. You can learn a lot from him because he is an experienced player as well," Moses owned up. "I've played a lot of games and I've been around him a lot, and it's a pleasure to play alongside him."
Moses had tweeted after scoring on debut for The Reds that: “Good point for us but disappointed not to win the game. Amazing feeling to score my first #LFC goal”.

Globacom Premier League update: I won't lose sleep over Enyimba--Ganaru

Kano Pillars chief tactician Mohammed Baba Ganaru is confident that Enyimba will fall in a rescheduled Globacom Premier League Week 31 game.
The grudge match holds on Wednesday, October 9 at the Lokoja Township Stadium, Kogi State.
Ganaru said his team had no option but to accept the decision of the Appeal Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which ordered a replay in good faith.
"I am confident that we will win the match, we are not worried at all. We have what it takes to beat Enyimba regardless of venue and my players know this. There is nothing to worry about," said the former El-Kanemi Warriors sweat merchant.
The league title holders were leading by a lone goal at the first meeting in Kano through Gambo Muhammed's strike until the game was disrupted after pitch invasion by home fans with three remaining.
Pillars are third on the log with 57 points while Enyimba follow with 54 points.
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League table

Matches played, points & goal difs

1. Bayelsa Utd                   35   58   +03
2. El-Kanemi                     35   57   +09
2. Kano Pillars                   34   57   +08
4. Enyimba                        34   54   +12
5. Warri Wolves                35   52   +12
6. Rangers                         35   52   +10
7. Sharks                          35   50   +02
8. Sunshine                        35   49   +05 
9. Gombe Utd                  35   49   -06
10. Lobi Stars                  35   49   -07
11. Kwara Utd                 35   48   +01
12. Dolphins                     35   47   -03 
13. Kaduna Utd                35   47   -08 
14. ABS                           35   47   -12
15. Heartland                     35   46   +08
16. Nasarawa Utd             35   46   -04
17. Nembe City                 35   46   -14
18. Wikki                          35   45   -07
19. Akwa Utd                   35   44   -07
20. 3SC                            35   43   -04

Caption: Baba Ganaru

Ayalogu: The emergence of another 'Arugo Monkey' in Nigerian football

GODWIN Ayalogu was indeed the hero of the Globacom Premier League Week 35 game played on Wednesday in Akure saving two penalty kicks to force Sunshine Stars settle for a 1-1 draw with his team Rangers of Enugu.
Ayalogu, a former Ebonyi Angels goaltender first saved the spot-kick taken by Sunday Emmanuel
which would have given Sunshine Stars the lead right in the 18th minute of the game.
His brilliance gingered his outfield teammates to take the lead later as Chinedu Udeagha put the Flying Antelopes ahead in the 39th minute; before Sunshine rallied to a leveller in the second half through Philip Auta.
It was the day Ayalogu was destined to be a hero as he stopped another spot-kick awarded Sunshine Stars in the dying minutes of the match taken by Christian Josiah.
His heroics forced many faithful of Sunshine Stars to leave the stadium back home in sad mood but back in Enugu wormed himself into the hearts of the die-hard fans of the Flying Antelopes.
Ayalogu has no doubt become another Chijioke Ejiogwu 'Arugo Monkey' of Nigerian football as observed by followers of local league.
Ejiogwu discovered by Arugo FC of Owerri later starred for Julius Berger, Dolphins, Akwa United, Enyima, Heartland and now Sharks is famous for his art of saving penalty kicks which often helped his teams to win games and at times escape defeats.
The former Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) FC goalkeeper was equally amazed at his heroics in Akure.
"I am so happy saving two penalties at an away game and I'm happy that the effort was good enough to save us from defeat. We played well not to lose and thank God we came out with a point," Ayalogu remarked.

Caption: Rangers goalkeeper, Godwin Ayalogu

Ex-Kwara Utd player, Sani Abacha dies.

 Ex-Kwara Utd player, Sani Abacha dies
FORMER skipper of Kwara United died in Ilorin late Wednesday night. He was said to be hale and hearty before he slumped in his residence and later died in an hospital in Ilorin.
His remains were interred today in Ilorin.
Abacha survived by a pregnant wife, Bisola and three children, two girls and a boy, hailed from Kogi State. He also played for Enyimba, Sharks and Gateway FC of Abeokuta during his time.

The former Shooting Stars Sports Club defender was a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ilorin until his death and owner of Shining Stars FC of Ilorin.
He had two caps with the Super Eagles in the late 1990s and was one of the players who played for 3SC in the 1996 Champions Cup now CAF Champions League.
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Globacom Premier League Update: Wolves get boardroom points

THE appeal committee of the Nigeria Football Federation today (October 3) in Abuja awarded three points and three goals to Warri Wolves after their Globacom Premier League Week 29 with Kwara United in Ilorin was disrupted by home fans.
The Organising and Disciplinary committee had earlier ordered the inconclusive match  be replayed in Abuja on September 29 before the Seasiders appealed the decision which was upheld.
Interestingly, the Afonja Warriors also lost 0-2 to Kano Pillars in a 58th minute game decided today in Kaduna. Pillars were leading 1-0 courtesy of an own goal by defender Uche John before a downpour halted the game yesterday.
Pillars today added a goal in the 71st minute through Promise James to make the scoreline 2-0 leaving the defending champions now second on the log with 57 points behind Bayelsa United.
Meanwhile, the appeal committee also ordered that the abandoned Week 31 league match between Kano Pillars and Enyimba be replayed at the Lokoja Township Stadium on Wednesday, October 9.
Pillars were leading 1-0 with three minutes remaining before their faithful encroached on the pitch at the Sani Abacha Stadium while the People's Elephant capitalised on the incident to stop play.
The O&D in its ruling then awarded the match to the Aba side before the appeal committee of NFF overruled the decision today in Abuja.
Enyimba after a 1-1 draw with Shooting Stars Sports club (3SC) in a mid-week game at the Lekan Salami Stadium stayed back at their hotel lodge around Oke Ado, Ibadan.
An informed source said the reigning Federation Cup champions will remain in Ibadan till weekend before heading for Lokoja where they will also rest enough before the grudge game against Kano Pillars.
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League table

Matches played, points & goal difs


1. Bayelsa Utd                35   58   +03
2. Kano Pillars                34   57   +08 
2. Enyimba                     34   54   +12
4. Warri Wolves             35   52   +12
5. Rangers                     35   52   +11
6. El-Kanemi                 34   52   +05 
7. Sharks                      35   50   +02
8. Sunshine  Stars          35   49   +05 
9. Gombe Utd               35   49   -06
10. Lobi Stars               35   49   -07
11. Kwara Utd              35   48   +01
12. Dolphins                  34   47   -01 
13. Kaduna Utd           34   47   -08 
14. ABS                      35   47   -12
15. Heartland              35   46   +08
16. Nasarawa Utd       35   46   -04
17. Nembe City           35   46   -14
18.. Wikki                   35   45  -07
19. Akwa Utd             35   44   -07
20.. 3SC                     35   43   -04

Globacom Premier League Update: Sunshine in penalty drama in Akure

SUNSHINE Stars today lost two penalty kicks in their Globacom Premier League Week 35 match at the Akure Sports Stadium to settle for a 1-1 draw with visiting Rangers FC of Enugu.
Sunday Emmanuel first lost the spot-kick awarded the Akure-based side in the 18th minute as Rangers later in the 39th minute shot into lead through Chinedu Udeagha's solo effort.
Philip Auta on resumption for the second half equalised for Sunshine.
The homers again through Christian Josiah wasted the spot-kick that would have earned them the maximum points in the dying minutes of the match.
Rangers finished the match with 10 men following the marching orders received by Christian Madu in the 66th minute over his unsporting behaviour.
At the Lekan Salami Stadium, the woes of relegation-haunted Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) were compounded as they forced Enyimba FC to a 1-1 draw.
Andrew Abalogu put the People's Elephant ahead in the 55th minute before 3SC rallied to a leveller through the spot-kick converted by defender Francis Edem in the 82nd minute.
Sharks FC were truly at home in the Garden City as they hammered Heartland FC 3-1 in another mid-week fixture.
Sharks opened the scoring through Jonah Abutu's magnificent free-kick in the 25th minute while Thompson Stowe increased the lead in the 60th minute with a grounder.
The cash-strapped Heartland reduced the tally through Isah Akor Umoru four minutes later with
a long range shot.
Omoniwari Fortune put the game beyond dispute in the 90th minute with a free-kick which caught goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi helpless.
Bayelsa United smiled home with three points courtesy of Azubuike Okechukwu's goal against
Warri Wolves after a goalless first half at the Samson Siasia stadium, Yenegoa.
The Ladan Bosso-piloted side are now on top of the log with 58 points, one ahead of Enyimba as both sides have three games left to know who clinches the coveted trophy.
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Pillars, Kwara Utd back to pitch at 9am Thursday

THE inconclusive Globacom Premier League Week 35 match betweek Kano Pillars and Kwara United will kick off at 9am tomorrow (Thursday) in Kaduna.
The match was called off on Wednesday due to a downpour right in the 32nd minute with Pillars leading 1-0 courtesy of an own goal by Uche John in the sixth minute.
Also, El-Kanemi Warriors will confront Dolphins of Port Harcourt in another Week 35 game tomorrow.
The match was shifted by the League Monitoring Company (LMC) based on the complaints of
Dolphins concerning their safety in the road trip to Maiduguri.
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League table
Matches played, points & goal difs

1. Bayelsa Utd        35   58   +03
2. Enyimba             35   57   +15 
3. Kano Pillars       33   54   +06 
4. Rangers             34   52   +11
5. El-Kanemi         34   52   +05 
6. Sharks               35   50   +02
7. Warri Wolves    34   49   +09 
8. Sunshine           35   49   +05 
9. Gombe Utd       35   49   -06
10. Lobi Stars       35   49   -07
11. Kwara Utd     33   48   +06
12. Dolhins           34   47   -01 
13. Kaduna Utd    34   47   -08 
14. ABS               35   47   -12
15. Heartland        35   46   +08
16. Nasarawa       35   46   -04
17. Nembe City    35   46   -14
18. Akwa Utd      35   44   -07
19. 3SC               35   43   -04
20. Wikki              34   42   -07

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Globacom Premier League Week 35 results

Sharks              3        Heartland       1
Sunshine Stars  1         Rangers         1
ABS                1         Nasarawa      0
3SC                 1        Enyimba         1
Akwa Utd        0        Nembe City    0
Bayelsa Utd     1        W/Wolves       0
Wikki Tourists  2        Kaduna Utd    0
Lobi Stars       2        Gombe Utd      0

Caption: Daniel Akpeyi of Heartland FC, beaten thrice today in the Garden City.

Globacom Premier League Update: Enyimba will fall in Ibadan-3SC coach

COACH of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Hakeem Busari believes nothing will stop Enyimba FC from leaving Ibadan empty-handed when both sides clash in a Globacom Premier League Week 35 fixture tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
Busari aware of the precarious position of the Oluyole Warriors on the log says the strategy to tame the People's Elephant has been designed waiting to be executed.
"We know what to expect from Enyimba and we are fully prepared for it. Our target is to get the three points at stake and we will work hard to achieve this. yes we lost in Aba in the first round but the situation on the ground is not about vengeance.
"There is no doubt that we will be playing under pressure because we are already in the relegation zone but we will try as much as possible to remain calm throughout the game. we won't lose focus and I believe we have what it takes to beat Enyimba.
"Of course yes, our target is to escape relegation and we remain hopeful that 3SC will play in the premier league next season because we are left with four more games and so, it is not yet over until it's over," said Busari.
The relegation-haunted side will no doubt miss its leading scorer, Gbolahan Salami who has been axed by the organising and Disciplinary Committee (o&D) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for his unsporting behaviour during the ill-fated Week 30 clash with Sunshine Stars in Akure.
However, 3Sc will bank on Philip Asuquo, Tony Edjomariegwe, Osagona Ighodaro, Gabriel Adiukwu
and veteran defender Mutiu Adegoke, among others to force Enyimba leading the log with 56 points out of Ibadan empty-handed.
In another mid-week thriller, banished Kano Pillars will for the first time play Kwara United home away from home as the match is scheduled to hold at the Lokoja Township Stadium.
The Sai Maisugida exponents were humiliated out of Ilorin in the first round after the Samson Unuanel boys recorded a convincing 3-0 victory.
Pillars who are third on the table with 54 points are in dire need of three points to remain in contention for the race to retain the title which they won last year, just as Kwara United are already in cloud nine that the match will hold on a neutral ground this time.
Meanwhile, the match between El-Kanemi Warriors and Dolphins Fc in Maiduguri has been shifted to Thursday according a source close to the League Monitoring Company (LMC) in line with the
prayer of the Garden city side over complaints bothering on their safety.
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League table
Matches played, points & goal difs

1. Enyimba              34   56   +15 
2. Bayelsa Utd        34   55   +03 
3. Kano Pillars        33   54   +06 
4. El-Kanemi          34   52   +05 
5. Rangers              33   51   +11 
6. Warri Wolves     33   49   +09 
7. Gombe Utd        34   49   -06 
8. Kwara Utd         33   48   +06 
9. Sunshine            34   48   +05 
10. Sharks             34   47   +02 
11. Dolhins            34   47   -01 
12. Kaduna Utd    34   47   -08 
13. Heartland        34   46   +08
14. Nasarawa       34   46   -04
15. Lobi Stars       34   46   -07
16. Nembe City    34   45   -14
17. ABS               34   44   -12
18. Akwa Utd      34   43   -07
19. 3SC                34   42   -04
20. Wikki              33   39   -07

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Globacom Premier League Week 35 fixtures, Wednesday, October 2

Sharks          vs       Heartland
Sunshine Stars  vs   Rangers
ABS             vs      Nasarawa Utd
3SC             vs      Enyimba 
Akwa Utd      vs    Nembe City
Bayelsa Utd     vs   Warri Wolves
Wikki Tourists  vs   Kaduna United
Kano Pillars    vs     Kwara United
Lobi Stars      vs     Gombe United
El-Kanemi       vs   Dolphins
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Caption: Shooting Stars players celebrate after scoring during a premier league match in Ibadan.