Former Top Scorer Wins First Title At Sfaxien

Last season’s top scorer in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Akarandut Orok, has won his first trophy with Tunisian club, Club Sportif Sfaxien, in less than a year since he joined the side.

Orok, a former Akwa United player, told Naijaligue.blogspot.com that his club won the 2009 edition of the North African Cup Winners Cup on December 20 at the Stade Taieb Mhiri in Sfax, Tunisia.

CS Sfaxien defeated Libya’s Ahly Benghazi via the away goals’ rule in the final of the competition for North African clubs.

The Tunisian club drew 1 – 1 in the first leg at the Hugo Chavez Stadium, Benina in Libya on December and played goalless in the return game last Sunday in Sfax and Orok was part of the side in that game.

“I won my first trophy with my team CSS on Deember 20. The match ended a goalless draw in our home but we played 1 – 1 draw in Libya before the grand final in our home town, Sfax. The name of the team we won is called Ahly Bengazi from Libya. My medal is with me now. I am so happy my brother,” he told Naijaligue.blogspot.com from Sfax. 

Ikhana Meets Sahel In Niamey Next Week

Former Sharks Football Club head coach, Kadiri Ikhana, could likely conclude discussions with Niger Republic club, Sahel FC, after Christmas after agreeing to hold extensive talks with its representatives.

Ikhana told Naijaligue.blogspot.com that the Nigerien club approached him with the offer of taking up the job of head coach and has subsequently invited him to Niamey to hold further talks on the possibility of becoming its manager.

The representatives of the club, who approached Ikhana has also extended an invitation to the coach to travel down to Niger Republic’s capital, Niamey, for talks, which could lead to concluding the deal.

Sahel FC is the current champion of Niger Republic and would participate in next year’s edition of the CAF Champions League.

The former Enyimba and Kano Pillars’ manager also made it clear that he is yet to hold serious talks with the modest club until he travels to Niamey next week when the Christmas celebration would have subsided.

It is also apparent that the Nigerien club has decided to open talks with Ikhana due to his achievement with Enyimba in the CAF Champions League.

“Yes, I was approached by a club from Niger Republic. The club is Sahel FC,” Ikhana confirmed in an interview with Naijaligue.blogspot.com on Wednesday afternoon. “They have only approached me to become their coach and they will be playing in the CAF Champions League next year. But nothing is concluded yet. I don’t know anything about Niger Republic as I speak to you. I will be travelling to meet them after Christmas.”

But Ikhana revealed that he would still have to thrash the issue of his wages with the club when he meets its representatives next.

Nominees For Naija Premier League Online Xmas Award

After careful deliberations, the panel for the maiden edition that includes the teams of naijaligue.blogspot.com and www.naijapremierleague.com decided to pick its final nominees for the maiden edition of the Naija Premier League Online Xmas Award below. 

The winners of the 10 categories will be named on the eve of Christmas Day  alongside the Xmas XI by the same panel of the two online Premier League agencies.

Top Scorer: Osas Idehen (Enyimba)

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Osas Idehen (Enyimba), Fengor Ogude (Warri Wolves), Chijioke Ejiogu (Enyimba)

Best Goalkeeper: Chijioke Ejiogu (Enyimba), Austin Brown (Heartland)

Best Club: Enyimba, Warri Wolves, Enugu Rangers

Best Coach: Okey Emordi (Enyimba), Kelechi Emeteole (Heartland), Lawrence Akpokona (Wolves)

Best Newly Promoted Club: Dolphin FC, Ranchers, Kwara United

Best Rookie: Son Hingir (Lobi), Joseph Obinna (Dolphin FC)

Best Foreigner: Signswonder Chibambo (Heartland/Zambia), Bill Sheriff (Heartland/Liberia), Ousmane Sane (Sharks/Senegal)

Best Returnee: Garba Lawal (Lobi), Terkimbi Akighir (Ranchers), Joseph Obinna (Dolphin FC)

Best Website: www.shootingstarssc.com, www.enyimbafc.net