OWOSPORTS

The new Assistant Coach of the Shooting Stars Football Club, Yinka Gullit Baboni has described his appointment a great opportunity to prove his mettle. Popoola said this in his first official reaction after bagging the job while on a visit to the Jericho on Tuesday.   He expressed appreciation to all and sundry for the numerous goodwill messages with a promise not to disappoint. "I want to express my gratitude to everyone that believes in me as I received my appointment as the Assistant Coach of the Great Shooting Stars Sports Club (3sc) today"; he said. "It is such a divine opportunity for me to work for this great club. The chance given to me is highly worthy", he added. "You have provided me with a great chance and I will prove myself to be an asset to this club and you will be proud of your selection against the post", he concluded. Yinka Popoola, until his appointment, was one of the club's U15 team to the last LMC-La Liga tourname

The newly appointed Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) manager Olamide Edith Agoye has picked coach Yinka Popoola popularly called Gullit as his assistant coach. Popoola, before this appointment, was a coach with the club's U-15 team to last NFL - La    Liga Junior tournament in Lagos and he will join Kabiru Alausa and Lati Yusuf to complete the list of the Shooting Stars technical crew. 3SC will be competing in the country second tier division, Nigeria National League after they were relegated from the elite league last season. Coach Agoye main task is to return Oluyole warriors to elite division, Nigeria Professional Football League. The Technical Crew At A Glance Edith Agoye (Head Coach) Lati Yusuf (Goalkeeper Coach) Kabiru Alausa(Assistant Coach) Yinka Popoola (Assistant Coach).

BY: ECHE AMOS Member representing Billiri-East Constituency at the Gombe State House of Assembly, Honourable Rambi Ibrahim Ayala, says he can't hide his strong admiration for sports. Honourable Rambi stated this in an interview with yours truly at the grand-finale of the 31st Edition of the CBN/NFF ALL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOOTBALL COMPETITION held at the Lafia City Stadium, on Saturday last weekend. According to the House Committee Chairman on Water Resources and Environment, he has been a very strong supporter of sports at all levels. "I love sports a lot, especially football. Back at my Constituency, I get involved in sporting activities, though not as a player, but I ensure I contribute my quota to the growth and development of sports, most especially football, which is why I am in Lafia." "Coincidentally, the team that won the third-place play-off of the CBN/NFF Football Competition today, Tangale Micro Finance Bank FC, is from my Constituency&quo

Captain Mikel John Obi, forward Ahmed Musa and midfielder Ogenyi Onazi top the list of 24 players that Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited for next week’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match away to Algeria, and the prestige friendly with Argentina in Russia four days later. Goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi also made the cut, as well as defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun and William Ekong, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo. There is a first call for impressive Deportivo La Coruna of Spain safe hands Francis Uzoho, as well as former U17 World Cup winner Chidiebere Nwakali. Russia -based Brian Idowu has been placed on standby only for the friendly with Argentina. 2013 AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo is on standby for both matches, alongside former junior international Alhassan Ibrahim, who now plays in Austria. All invited players are expected to arrive in a c

Chairman of Club Owners Association, Barrister Isaac Danladi has congratulated Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Member, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh after the Niger State FA chairman was reappointed into Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Standing Committee. The vice-chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee has been appointed into CAF Technical and Development Committee for duration of two years. Fresh was reappointed into CAF Standing Committee for the third term consecutively. The cycle of the Committee would run from 2017 to 2019. "I want to congratulate my friend and hardworking football administrator, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh for his reappointment into CAF Standing Committee. I join all stakeholders to appreciate the good work Fresh has been doing which got him recognition on the Africa continent," said the Nasarawa United chairman. "For CAF Executives to considered him for the third term to serve Africa confirmed the administrative qu

 48 hours after his confirmation as the substantive Head Coach of the Shooting Stars Football Club, Olumide Edith  Agoye is still enjoying the  overwhelming acceptance from all quarters! Apart from his former boss, Fatai Amoo who joined the multitude to congratulate him shortly after his confirmation, other top stakeholders of the club have described the appointment as Perfect!  The former General Manager of the club and Super Eagles Coach,  Chief Adegboye Onigbinde through a phone call expressed his confidence in Agoye whom he believes will  bring his experience to bear in the resurgence of the team.  "Congratulations on your appointment and I pray you succeed in  steering the team to glory. With your knowledge and experience in the game, I believe you can do it", he adds. Also, his former coach in the club, Niyi Akande,  while reacting on a phone in programme commended the club's management for making the right choice. "I made bold to say on behalf of

All is now set for  the Karate federation of Nigeria open championship for both male and female categories. A statement issued by the federation and signed by the Secretary general Evelyn Fabunmi said the event billed for the indoor sports hall parkage B of the National stadium in Abuja would hold between 21st to 25th of November 2017. The Kumite female category will involve the 50kg,  61kg and 68kg while that of the Kumite make category will witness the 60kg,  67kg 75kg and 84kg respectively. Meanwhile  the Karate federation of Nigeria ably led by the President and deputy governor of Nasarawa state Hon. Silas Agara has appointed the members of the organizing Committee with a charge on them to organize a befitting championship. The organizing  Committee has chief Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedimma as Chairperson,  Dr B Bello,  Mr Dave Jegede, Hajia Zainab Saleh as members with Evelyn Fabunmi as Secretary.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Friday congratulated NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, after the soft –spoken administrator and marketing and strategic development expert was appointed a Member of the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee. FIFA ratified the appointment of Dikko at its Council meeting held Friday, 27th October 2017 in Calcutta, India. Dikko’s appointment made him the third Nigerian to be appointed into a FIFA Committee this year, after Pinnick himself was enlisted into the influential Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions and former Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips was elected Member of the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Council). “It has been a glorious year for Nigerian Football. We have qualified for the FIFA World Cup with remarkable ease, much more comfortably than anyone could have imagined after the group phase draw. We qualified for the CHAN. Now, we have people in very

Pioneer Aiteo Cup winners and CAF Confederation Cup contenders for 2018 season Akwa United Football Club of Uyo have announced Thursday November 2nd, 2017 as the date for resumption of  training ahead of the new Nigeria Professional Football League season. Players and Coaches are mandated to report to camp in Uyo on or before Thursday November 2nd as the first training session will take place on Friday November 3rd at 8:00am prompt. The team embarked on an end of the season break few days after lifting this year's Aiteo Cup. The Promise Keepers will be competing in three competitions next season; the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL, Aiteo Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup.

Players of Taraba Football Club and Taraba Queens were assaulted by the Nigerian police force for  peaceful protesting against their almost a year and half unpaid salary in Jalingo. On Thursday morning, the football players gathered before the Taraba State Government House and prevented anyone from entering their offices or getting inside the premises. A player from Taraba Queens name withheld, said the state government deliberately withhold the salaries and bonuses, despite the bailout funds given to them by the federal government for past months. The players were resolved to stay at the premises of the government house until the issue was resolved, and efforts of the many government officials who tried persuading them to leave failed. The Nigerian police attached to the Taraba State Government House and some force command assaulted the players. The police were armed with horsewhips and rifles, tear gas that make 3 players (Male and Female)  injured and taken to custody

The management of 3sc football club has elevated the Chief Coach of the team,  Olumide Edith Agoye, who is also an ex- player, to the substantive position of Head Coach for the next football season.  Agoye was the Chief Coach under Fatai Amoo as the Technical Adviser in the last dispensation. The decision to elevate Agoye as the Head Coach was taken by the club management after an exhaustive interview session involving several coaches. The club's Executive Chairman, Mr Gbolagade Busari said the management settled for Agoye primarily because of his knowledge about the composition of the team and to maintain continuity in the development of the young players who will form the fulcrum of the new Shooting Stars. "Majority of our players are from the feeders and to continue inspire their development, we felt Agoye is in good position to do this,” Mr. Busari said in a statement issued on Thursday afternoon in Ibadan. He further said the mandate given to the new Head C

Former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Champions, Kano Pillars Football Club will compete in the fifth edition of Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament.  The Nigeria’s first and well organised Pre-season tournament is set to begin on Wednesday November 15 through Friday November 24, in Ilorin, Kwara State. Following Crown FC, withdrawal from the tournament, the organisers replaced the Ajilete Valiants with the former Gold Cup champion who are now automatic competitors in the 10- team, 10-day event billed to take place in Ilorin, at the Kwara Sports Complex and Kwara Football Academy. Crown FC were reportedly to have withdrew from the tournament due to unwarranted circumstances and this opened the door for Sai Masu Gida to be reinstated into the biennial tournament restricted to teams playing in the three tier leagues in Nigeria. “We have been consulting with all the teams we invited, but Crown FC won't be participating due to

The Management of Shooting Stars Football Club has relieved the Team’s Technical Adviser, Fatai Amao, of his post. The management equally said that it is reviewing the status of all the remaining technical crew members, saying that decision will soon be made on them. In a statement issued in Ibadan by the club Media Officer, Jubril Arowolo, on Monday, the management confirmed that Mr. Amao will not be leading the team in the professional league campaign next season, noting that the team will forever be grateful for the former Technical Adviser’s commitment and input to the team. Jubril explained that the management came to the conclusion to relieve Coach Amao's contract after reviewing the performance of the team in the Nigerian Premier League last season, adding that the positions of other technical crew members are also under review. “The management acknowledged the effort of Mr Fatai Amoo to inspire the team during the failed season. We wish Mr. Amao success

The organisers of Nigeria's most organized Pre-season Tournament, Gold Cup have reactivated a partnership deal with one of the leading Sports firms in the country, Phreestyle Sport for the 5th edition of the event scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 in Ilorin, Kwara State. Gold Cup organizers led by astute Sport Journalist, Tunde Shamsudeen thought it wise to go beyond football this time and enlighten participating teams on 'leadership and attitude management' during the tourney, hence the need for this recent development with  Phreestyle Sport. Shamsudeen who's the General Coordinator of the most elaborate tourney, while describing the model of the seminar said; "We've given Phreestyle Sport the mandate to talk to players and officials of all the participating teams during the upcoming tournament in Ilorin, on 'leadership and attitude management'. "The club managers, coaches, and captains will be tu

The Nigeria Basketball Federation board is excited about the prospect of watching another Nigerian in the National Basketball Association (NBA) soon after Ikenna Iroegbu was recently signed by the LA Clippers Basketball franchise ahead of the 2017/2018 season. Iroegbu was signed on Friday, 13th of October by Ontario based Agua Caliente Clippers ahead of the new G-League which starts in November. The board led by Engineer Musa Kida said the latest development will see the player who spent the last 4 years with Washington State become a more mature player for the senior national team. “For a young talent to train in a world class facility, interact with quality players such as Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Miloš Teodosić and other competitive players will not only accelerate his development but boost his confidence. This is no mean feat coming few weeks after he made his international debut at the 2017 FIBA Africa Basketball Championship where he averaged 14.5poi

11th Media Global Concept has signed a partnership agreement with Nigeria's most elaborate Pre-Season tournament, Gold Cup. 11th Media Global Concept is a full entertainment outfit that deal in Soccer players scouting, photography, video coverage, movie production, event packaging/planning, MC, PR, magazine production and printing. “Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament is a laudable project that has come a long way. It is a great platform for Nigeria clubs to prepare ahead of new season and get to scout for new players. "I applaud the organisers of this great tournament, they deserves all support and encouragement from sports lovers to keep moving," says Olusola Alao, the founder and CEO of 11th Media Global Concept. The 5th edition of the tourney which will get underway on Wednesday November 15, in Ilorin, Kwara State will see defending champions Lobi Stars lock horns with Nigeria Professional Football League newcomers, Kwara United. The tournament is

Defending champions Lobi Stars Football Club will lock horns against Nigeria Professional Football League newcomers, Kwara United FC, as the 5th edition of the Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament kicks-off on Wednesday November 15, in Ilorin, Kwara State. The game will be played at the Main Bowl of the Kwara Stadium as they are both drawn in Group A, disclosed the General Coordinator of the most elaborate Pre-Season tourney, Tunde Shamsudeen. "The fixture of the 10-day tourney has been drawn, as the trio of Remo Stars, Crown FC and debutants Rivers United completes the group which has been tagged 'Group of Death'. "Last year's runner-up now CAF Champions League campaigners, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministires (MFM FC) leads Group B with Aiteo Cup runners-up, Niger Tornadoes, Katsina United, FC Ebedei and former NPFL giant-killers, ABS FC of Ilorin," said Shamsudeen. There will be other Group A matches as two known gladiators in the Gold Cup tourney

2015 champions of Nigeria’s oldest and biggest domestic competition, Akwa United FC of Uyo on Sunday reclaimed the title, now named AITEO Cup, on a brilliant and exciting evening at the Agege Stadium, Lagos. Scoreline at the final whistle was 0-0 but the Promise Keepers prevailed 3-2 after penalty shoot –out to become the first winners of the captivating AITEO trophy. The colourful final was watched by a glittering array of eminent personalities, including Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger State), CAF President Ahmad, CAF Vice Presidents Kwesi Nyantakyi and Omari Selemani, CAF Emergency Committee members Souleman Waberi and Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Executive Committee members of NFF, chieftains of sponsors AITEO, NFF Management, Members of the Lagos State Executive Council and members of the diplomatic community. Victory handed Akwa United, whose goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo won both the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valua

Management of Bet9ja Nigeria National League ,has removed Lagos state based Football Club,My People from the 2016/2017 League season, and pronounced a five year ban on the Club that will see it not participate in the League for the period. The Club owned by Pastor,televangelist and philathropist,Temitope Balogun (T.B) Joshua was withdrawn from the League following cumulative violation of competition rules, as it failed to honour MATCH DAY  29,30,31,and 32. Bet9ja NNL Chief Operating Officer,Lawrence Katken said all matches involving  My People, played and not played consequently have been cancelled This also means that points ganered by clubs that played My People have been duly deducted ,this is as currently and appropriately reflected in the latest Southern Conference log. Aside the five (5) year ban ,My People FC will pay a fine of N5,000.000,00 (Five Million Naira) to the coffers of NNL for bringing the game into disrepute. 'We had on several occasions warned agains

The Emergency Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which is about the most powerful panel in African football, will hold a meeting in Lagos on Saturday, 14th October 2017. CAF top guns confirmed to thenff.com that the meeting, which will hold in Ikoyi, would deliberate on recent happenings in the African game, as well as discuss on CAF competitions coming up next year, including the African Nations Championship, which hosting right has been withdrawn from Kenya. The CAF Emergency Committee, which is chaired by CAF President Ahmad, also has the three Vice Presidents of CAF as Members, as well as NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Liberia FA President Hassan Musa Bility and CAF Referees Committee head, Souleiman Hassan Waberi. All are also members of the CAF Executive Committee. CAF’s three Vice Presidents are Ghana’s Kwesi Nyantakyi (1st Vice President), Democratic Republic of Congo’s Omari Constant Selemani (2nd Vice President) and Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa (3rd V

Former Coach of defunct Sharks FC and COD United FC has heaped praises on the organisers of Nigeria's most incredible pre-season tournament, Gold Cup for raising the standard of the competition. Allen claimed a 3-2 penalty win over Shooting Stars after a one all draw to win the second edition of the prestigious tourney with Sharks as an assistant coach to Gbenga Ogunbote. He also tutored  COD United to the third edition of the event but they failed to progress to the next round of the competition. "I never doubted the integrity and standard of the foremost pre-season tournament in the country by large in the sub-region, having participated in the second and third edition with defunct Sharks FC and COD United respectively. "The tournament is growing larger with sponsors swarming around it like honey bees, this 5th edition to be hosted in the state of harmony (Kwara), will better the previous editions, kudos to the organisers led by Tunde Shamsudeen", Festu

The Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos is expected to wear a new look ahead of the 2017 FIBA Africa Zone 3 club championship eliminations starting on 19th, October 2017. This was made known by the Vice President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Babatunde Ogunade in Lagos. Ogunade said the move became necessary to put the venue in proper shape in readiness for the competition which will feature 32 clubs (men and women) from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Liberia. With no structural changes expected to be made, the LOC chairman said the Nigeria Basketball Federation will make the necessary facelift to some of the facilities inside the Indoor Sports hall which last hosted a continental event more than 6 years ago, when First DeepWater hosted the FIBA African Women Club Championship in 2011. “We have concluded plans at the federation level to ensure that we p

Select Sports company Denmark  have confirmed its partnership with the Gold Cup preseason tournament. Its ball will serve as the official match balls when the 5th edition of the prestigious tourney for clubs in Nigeria's domestic league kicks off in Ilorin, Kwara State. Sole representatative of the Danish sports brand in Africa, Emmauel Ifeanyi Ekwueme, an ex Super Eagles star who's based in Poland, disclosed: "We are delighted to enter a partnership deal with the organisers of the Gold Cup Tournament. "Over the years, its standard has gown looking at the caliber of teams that has taken part in it. "Its a productive platform for teams to know their strength and weakness before starting the season. "The end result, is success for teams too. Give it to the organiser who have broken boundaries, they deserve all encomiums. "This informed why we want to be part of the Gold Cup by been official sponsor through our balls that will be used thro

The organizers of the annual Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament have invited teams from Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) for the fifth edition of the prestigious football event which is billed to take place Wednesday November 15 through Friday November 24, at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin. Lobi Stars Football Club emerged winners of the last edition after beating Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM FC) 5-4 on penalties in the finale in Ijebu-Ode after full time ended goalless. According to the General Coordinator of the tournament, Tunde Shamsudeen, he noted that the fifth edition promises to be bigger and more competitive with invitation extended to Rivers United Football Club. The invited teams for the prestigious pre-season tournament are defending champions, Lobi Stars, Remo Stars, MFM FC, Crown FC, Kastina United, Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes FC, FC Ebedei, Rivers United, and ABS FC. Sham

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has asked the Super Eagles to be calm but clinical in Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup showdown with the Zambians. “The tendency is for teams to get uptight and tensed for this kind of match. I have spoken to them and the approach should be to take full control from the beginning and take the chances that come without being too anxious. “We defeated the African champions, Cameroon, by maintaining focus and with the team imposing its game and taking the chances that came their way. That should be the approach for Saturday.” Zambia last tasted victory against Nigeria in a competitive football match at senior level 32 years ago. There have been 18 matches in all, with the Eagles winning seven, Zambia winning five and six draws. But this is only the second FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the two teams, the first won by the Eagles in Ndola last year. NIGERIA & Z

Super Eagles’ captain Mikel John Obi has declared the players have no need to say too much before Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo. The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions visit the 2013 winners in a match of high importance at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, which should determine the swing of Africa’s Group B ticket to football’s biggest houseparty in Russia next year summer. “We know how important the match is; that is enough motivation to go all out and give our very best. There are several players in this team who have not played at the FIFA World Cup. They want to be there in Russia next year. “The talking will be done on the pitch. I have no doubt we have the quality to achieve victory, but we will not make the mistake of under –rating the Zambians.” The former Chelsea FC of England enforcer told thenff.com that a good run in the qualifying campaign has been down to focus, determination and m

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on Wednesday redeemed his pledge of $10,000 per goal for the matches against Cameroon to the Super Eagles, while calling on the three –time African champions to go all out for a win against Zambia on Saturday and expect ‘a handsome reward’ from him. Governor Emmanuel had promised the players the sum of $10,000 for every goal, two days before their clash with the African champions, whom the Eagles walloped 4-0 in Uyo on the first day of September, before earning a 1-1 draw with the Lions in Yaounde three days later. On Wednesday, the football –loving Governor and great host of the Super Eagles in this qualifying campaign, said there is more where the money came from, if the team earns a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance by winning on Saturday. “I know you have the quality to overcome in this important match, but I don’t want you to under –rate your opponents. I love the professionalism and dedication to the cause that you h

The Gold Cup Pre-Season got a big boost as two first-class Ilorin based hotels, Bovina View, Stadium Hotel and sports news bulletin, SportsPro have partnered with the Gold Cup Pre-season tournament. General Coordinator of the county's most glamourious and prestigious club tourney, Tunde Shamsudeen, disclosed after the pact with the two hotels and news bulletin; "We are delighted to announce Bovina View and Stadium Hotel as our official partners. "Bovina View, a three star rated hotel in Ilorin is a choice haven to behold and its services are first-class. "Their facilities meet standard for Nigeria Professional Football League clubs who intend to use the swimming pool and gym to prepare their players for a game. "The environment is also a lush one, as players can cool off surfing the internet, as there is free Wi-Fi for customers." "Stadium Hotel is cost-effective for clubs with conducive accommodation. Their services are o

As part of its restructuring programme to immediately return Shooting Stars Football Club to the elite division of the Nigeria League, the Management of the team has released 20 players out of the 40 registered last season. The Management in a statement of Monday by the Media Officer of the Team, Mr. Jubril Arowolo explained that the decision to release the players and placed them in transfer markets  was taken after evaluating the contributions and performances of every player in the team that got relegated from the Premier League. The Media Officer revealed that the players that survived the reorganization include Abubakar Adamu, Michael Uweru, Kayode Bankole, Seun Akinyemi, Alaba Osawe, Omololu Waheed, Opeyemi Adetoyi, Oginni Olatubosun, Ayobami Abiodun Jnr, Shile Ibrahim, Sunday Faleye, Jide Apena, Abayomi Adebayo and Rafiu Wasiu. Others are Shittu Taiwo, Isiaq Rafiu, Ajani Ibrahim, Kunle Olukokun, Bode Daniel and Sherrif Sanda, while the rest 20 players have b

The players’ representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Ejike Ugboaja has hinted that the federation will soon go into talks with clubs in the Nigerian League system to fix the minimum wage for players. Ugboaja made this known after a 2-day retreat with players plying their trade in the Nigerian Basketball League system (Premier League, Division 1, Division 2 and Zenith Women Basketball League) in Lagos. The players' representative who rose through the ranks in the national teams during a career that spanned 17 years said the new NBBF under Engineer Musa Kida is poised to protect the interest of players. “As a federation, we are going to enter into a discussion with clubs to decide on a minimum wage for players in the league system. I am going to serve them and do exactly what they expect of me and no player will be left behind.” He appealed to all players to join hands with the federation to bring the desired change and sanity to the lea

The organizers of Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament have concluded plans to stage the fifth edition of Nigeria's most glamorous pre-season tourney in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi are defending champions after they defeated Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM FC) 5-4 on penalties in the finale in Ijebu-Ode. MFM FC and Enyimba International Football Club participated in the last edition of the tourney in Ijebu-Ode, the two teams had a successful campaign in the recently concluded Nigeria Professional Football League season and they will be flying the Nigerian flag in 2017/18 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively. Ten clubs in the NPFL, Nigeria National League and Nationwide League One, have signified their interest to take part in the most elaborate and prestigious tourney, as its a platform to prepare for the new season. General Coordinator of the club tourney, Tunde Shamsudeen disclosed; "Ilorin is

Top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation led by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, were at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Sunday on a first inspection ahead of the grand finale of this year’s AITEO Cup competition. Pinnick was joined by 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd Vice President/LMC chairman, Mr. Shehu Dikko, Executive Committee members Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Aisha Falode, President of the Nigeria Referees Association, Tade Azeez, NFF’s Director of Communications Ademola Olajire and CAF Assistant General Coordinator Samson Adamu. The inspection team checked out several areas of the facility, nicknamed The Temple, and which has been slated to host the men’s grand finale of the AITEO Cup competition on Sunday, 15th October 2017. Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the AITEO Cup Organizing Committee, told thenff.com after the inspection: “There are a few things we have to put right but, generally, we have a good facility here. “From Monday