INSIDE THE CLUBS

Warri Wolves
Though the players are yet to get the balance of their signing-on fees as at the time of writing this report, the management of the club has purchased a duplex in the heart of Warri. The Delta State Sports Commission is believed to have bought the house to serve as the new club house, which would also serve as camp for the players. It is expected that the building that has enough land would undergo renovation to accommodate facilities such as a swimming pool, a gymnasium and a football training pitch. A source at the club told our correspondent that the management is already making estimates on renovation, which could gulp more than N10 million to make the club house befitting.

Sunshine Stars
The Akure-based Premier League outfit has commenced reshuffling its playing personnel as well as coaching staff ahead of the new season billed to commence in September. Out of the 45 players the club registered for last season’s campaign in the Premier League has decided to keep 30 while the remaining did not have their contracts renewed. The 15 players were declared surplus to requirement by the club. On the coaching staff, chief coach, Hassan Abubakar, was fired by the management. It is believed that the contract with its technical consultant, Fatai Amoo, may not be renewed after all since the club has an eye on bringing in a new coach. The club wants to allow Amoo face national team assignment squarely.

Nasarawa United
It is over a month since the Premier League was concluded and players of Nasarawa United are still waiting and hoping that the state government, which is the sole financier of the side, would pay up their signing-on fees. One of the players, who spoke on anonymity, said he and his team-mates have written officially to the Nasarawa State governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma, on their plight at the club. He disclosed that the letter to the governor was dropped at the Government House after he and some of the players’ representatives to pay Doma a visit were not allowed into the office of the state governor last week. But the player explained that they are yet to get any reply from the Nasarawa State government. At the moment, some of the players are still stranded in Lafia, as they do not have transport fares to return to their families after the end of the season that witnessed the relegation of the club. The player said: “We have been abandoned by the club and no one wants to pay us our money. We wrote to the governor but nothing has happened and we don’t know if they have given him our letter because they did not allow into his office to drop the letter for him or one of his secretaries.”

Delta Force
The National Division I League side is being put up for sale by the Delta State government, which owns the club. After disbanding the club alongside Okpe United and Isoko United, the Delta State government has decided to sell the slot of Delta Force to interested buyers. It was learnt that the state government could no longer fund all the clubs in the state. An informed official disclosed to Daily Independent that the move to sell off Delta Force is to concentrate on the Premier League team, Warri Wolves, in a bid to ensure that it becomes of the best sides in terms of results and management in Nigeria. This could be an opportunity for those clamouring the return of Stationery Stores Football Club to pounce barring any family wrangling.

Ranchers Bees
Newly-appointed head coach of the club, Ganiyu Salami, has since resumed duty at the club and has submitted his programme to the management of the Bees. In the programme of Salami, the club is expected to resume first week of August ahead of the new Premier League season tentatively fixed to kick off in September this year. The programme also includes screening players for places in the team of the Premier League newcomer.

Kano Pillars
Though the side is currently enjoying a fine run in the CAF Champions League, the club management has one eye fixed on the coming season and is keen to make sure that the club makes its mark after surrendering its title to Bayelsa United last season. Spokesman of the club, Shehu Adamu, told Daily Independent that the Kano-based side is putting up contingent plans in place to make sure that the 2007/2008 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) champion do not falter in competing in two fronts - the CAF Champions League and the Premier League.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC)
Officials of the Oluyole Warriors as Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) is called are planning to make a big market out of the promotion of the club from the National Division I League to the Premier League. One of the club officials responsible for re-branding the club, Shola Akinwale, disclosed that there are plans in the offing to begin merchandising replica jerseys and other items in the logo of the club soon. He did not disclose if the process would commence next season, Akinwale said the marketing strategy is not a new innovation to the Nigerian market since football followers in the country have been buying merchandises of foreign clubs.

Gateway FC
The club is planning to go on a playing tour to prepare for the new season, but the plans for the event is still in wraps, according to head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote. The coach of the Rock City Boys told our correspondent that the decision to go on the trip rest with the sports commissioner of Ogun State, Bukola Olopade, who also doubles as chairman of the club.