INSIDE THE CLUBS

Kwara United:
The Kwara State government has promised to commence work before the end of this year at the main bowl of the Kwara Stadium in Ilorin after 32 years of abandonment. Part of the N19 million bond acquired by the state would be expended on the project, according to the state’s Commissioner for Sports and Energy, Zakari Mohammed. The commission believes that the Kwara Stadium, which is projected to have a sitting capacity of 30,000, would also serve as home to Kwara United when it is completed.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC):
It is becoming increasingly clear that the Ibadan-based outfit would be unveiling new players before this week runs out or early next week ahead of its September 19 Globacom Premier League opener against northern giant, Kano Pillars. The club’s general manager, Mutiu Adepoju, confirmed to the official website of the club that after the screening exercise embarked upon by the club recently, new players would be unveiled soon. “We are in the process of rounding up the trial exercise, and very soon we shall announce the names of players that have made the grade. For now, all I can say is that the exercise has been worth, and in due course we shall disclose the players’ identities,” said Adepoju. The website of the club also disclosed that Nofiu Taiwo from Sunshine Stars of Akure, Nasarawa United’s Ebiakwu and a former 3SC striker Kabiru Alausa of Heartland Football Club are among those to be presented to the club’s fans.

Enyimba:
With the reports going the round about Okey Emordi rejoining the club and Austin Eguavoen’s contract not being extended at the Peoples Elephant, the spokesman of the club, Tonnex Chukwu, told www.naijaligue.blogspot.com that such reports should be disregarded. Chukwu reminded once again that the contracts of Eguavoen and his assistants, Ike Shorunmu and Ifeanyi Onyedika, were renewed after the Federation Cup triumph in Lagos. He also revealed that the three coaches were part of the reception organised for the club’s contingent over the weekend. The official of the Aba millionaires further said the club would rather want to concentrate on its preparation for the new season instead of focusing on reports that is meant to tear the side apart.

Akwa United:
It appears that Akwa Starlets Football Club of Ikot Ekpene would suffer for the relegation of Uyo-based side, as its camp on Okop Eto Road has been deserted. The residence of the club has been locked for several days now with the whereabouts of the club’s players and coaches still unknown. But it has been learnt that majority of the club’s players and officials have resurfaced in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, with National Division I League side, Akwa United. The development signals that Akwa Starlets may have been subtly disbanded without any formal arrangement to that effect. As at the weekend, six players from the side had moved ship to team up with Akwa United ahead of the new Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign.