LBA gets October date

It will be an October to remember for the main actors in the Nigerian top flight, as League Bloggers Awards (LBA) honours the best of the 2011/2012 season.

The 2012 edition of the LBA will take place on October 28 at the Etal Hotel in Oregun area of Lagos.

"We have set October 28 for the League Bloggers Awards which will honour the best of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). It will hold at the Etal Hotel in Oregun, Lagos," said LBA Head, Ojeikere Aikhoje.

Aikhoje further said the categories for the LBA is now 12 after the addition of the Best Referee and Club Administrator of the Year categories.

"We've included two more categories to honour referees and club administrators as we feel some of them played key roles in the season under review. Also, we will be recognising seven corporate bodies for staying with the top flight during its trying times in the past seasons.

"Our rationale for singling out these companies for recognition has nothing to do with being nominated for any award but simply for identifying with the Nigerian top flight as a brand with potentials," Aikhoje explained.

A photo exhibition of the Nigerian top flight will also hold at the 2012 LBA.

The end-of-the-season LBA is the first edition following on the heels of successfully organising the Player and Manager of the month between January and August this year.

The LBA is the initiative of three Nigerian bloggers - Naijapremierleague.net (run by Aikhoje), Naijaligue.blogspot.com (run by George Akpayen) and Naijafootball247.com (run by China Acheru).

LBA Nominees & Categories

1. Rookie of the Year

•Solomon Jabason (Akwa United)

•Austin Amutu (Warri Wolves)

•Andrew Abalogu (ABS)

•Bright Esieme (ABS)

2. Best Goalkeeper

•Femi Thomas (Akwa United)

•Moses Ocheje (Sunshine Stars)

•Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

•Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves)

3. Best Foreigner

•Ousmane Pape Sane (Sharks/Senegal)

•Tamen Medrano (Sunshine Stars/Cameroon)

•Pierre Coly (Sharks/Senegal)

•Adama Coulibaly (Warri Wolves/Mali)

•Owusu Addae (Dolphins/Ghana)

4. Club of the Year

•Kano Pillars

•ABS

•Lobi Stars

•Enugu Rangers

5. Best Designed Club Jersey

•3SC (OWU)

•Warri Wolves (NOMIS)

•Kano Pillars (Cone)

6. Highest Goal Scorer Award

•Sibi Gwar - 16 goals

7. Manager of the Year (NPL)

•Okey Emordi (Enugu Rangers)

•Dominic Iorfa (Lobi Stars)

•Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars)

8. Manager of the Year (Africa)

•Maurice Cooreman (Warri Wolves)

•Gbenga Ogunbote (Sunshine Stars)

•Lodewijk de Kruif (Heartland)

•Stanley Eguma (Dolphins)

9. Best National Team Player

•Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)

•Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves)

•Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars)

•Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves)

10. Player of The Year

•Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars)

•David Tyavkase (Lobi Stars)

•Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars)

•Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes)

11. Best Referee

•Benjamin Odey

•Gabriel Adigwe

•Jelili Ogunmuyiwa

•Mohammed Sani

12. Club Administrator of the Year

•Dominic Iorfa (Lobi Stars)

•Abba Galadima (Kano Pillars)

•Amaju Pinnick (Warri Wolves)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

•Dubic Beer

•ULO

•SuperSport

•Lucozade Sport

•ROBB

•Marina Medical Services (HMO) Limited

•Industrial and General Insurance (IGI)

Pillars’ duo out of Liberia tie

The pair of Gabriel Reuben (pictured) and Papa Idris have been dropped by Nigeria ahead of their 2013 Afcon qualifying against Liberia on October 13.

Reuben, who is in the running for two categories in the 2012 League Bloggers Awards (LBA), is still nursing a groin injury.

His Kano Pillars' teammate and centre-back, Idris, is battling a knee injury.

Nigeria manager, Stephen Keshi explained on Monday in Abuja that he had to leave out Reuben and Idris following their recurring injuries ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations game against Liberia's Lone Star.

The Super Eagles' head coach also assured that the two players remain core members of his team as they aim to reach the finals of the Afcon in South Africa next year.

“It was a painful decision to let the two players go, but we have to look at the future of the players and the fact that we will need the two of them at the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup, that is why we have said we should give them more time to go and get themselves healed. After the game against Liberia, they should be back in the team,” Keshi explained.

The duo of Heartland’s Kalu Orji and Stanley Okoronkwo of Sharks have been called up to replace the two injured Kano Pillars' men.

Keshi has also excused the Sunshine Stars' duo of Izu Azuka and Solomon Kwambe, who arrived the Nigerian camp in Abuja on Sunday.

The Nigerian trainer said “they have special permission to stay away for now” as Sunshine Stars prepare to play hosts to Egyptian giants, Al Ahly this weekend in the semifinals of the Caf Champions League.

NPL's 15 big transfer targets

Gomo Onduku

Coaches and players are beginning to seek moves within the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) ahead of the 2012/2013 campaign as clubs bolster their playing and coaching personnel.

With speculation rife on movement in the Nigerian top flight, supersport.com lift the lid on players likely to dump their teams for new ones within the league.

ThankGod Ike (Warri Wolves)

The Wolves' centre-half commands a hefty wage and was one of top performers last term. The lure of continental club football is the only option for Ike to leave Wolves, which had their worst seasons in three years. Three clubs are on alert including his old team, Heartland but a move back to Owerri might be scuppered owing to wage issue.

Likely destination: Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars, Heartland

Morenikeji Akanbi (3SC)

This petite forward was a bit-player with 3SC last season. Akanbi has been linked with a handful of clubs abroad but there are two likely destination waiting for him in Uyo and Ilorin. The striker is only keen on moving to a club that would guarantee him first-team football.

Likely destination: Akwa United, Kwara United

Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes)

He finished as the Premier League's leading scorer last term with 16 goals. In the last two seasons, Gwar scored 26 goals in about 50 appearances at Niger Tornadoes. But the former Ebonyi Angels forward wants to move abroad in spite of huge interest from four NPL clubs. He will be honoured at the 2012 League Bloggers Awards (LBA) in Lagos in October.

Likely destination: Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers, Kwara United

Abdulrahman Bashir (ABS)

ABS' leading scorer in the last campaign remains an interest for Kano Pillars' head coach, Baba Ganaru. Bashir, valued around or more than $100,000 (about N16 million), could be a difficult pursuit for his suitors in the top flight. A loan move is, however, a possibility to Pillars, as they prepare for the 2013 Caf Champions League.

Likely destination: Kano Pillars

Bright Esieme (ABS)

A promising right wing back signed from Abia Warriors by ABS can also play in the heart of midfield. The player will definitely favour a move up north where Kano Pillars will offer a chance of winning silverware, an improved wage and featuring in the Caf Champions League next year. Esieme has been nominated for the Rookie of the Year by the LBA.

Likely destination: Kano Pillars

Tony Okpotu (Lobi Stars)

The striker, just called into Nigeria's Super Eagles for the Afcon game against Liberia, is being pencilled down as a possible addition to Kano Pillars' forward line with Gambo Mohammed likely to leave in January. Last term he scored seven goals for Lobi and can also play as a wide man.

Likely destination: Kano Pillars

Pierre Coly (Sharks)

This 27-year-old Senegalese centre-back is one of several players being watched by Enugu Rangers to fill the void in the heart of their defence after James Okwuosa left for South Africa's Chippa United. He joined the Blue Angels this year from Senegalese club, Casa Sport. Coly is one of five players standing for the Best Foreigner gong of the LBA.

Likely destination: Enugu Rangers

Gomo Onduku (Sharks)

He chalked up the LBA Player of April 2012 on the back of a superb performance for the Blue Angels last season. Onduku has also impressed PSL side, SuperSport United, now keen on signing him. But back home, he is not short of suitors with three clubs looking to sign one of the most impressive wingers of last season.

Likely destination: Kano Pillars, 3SC, Enugu Rangers

Andrew Abalogu (ABS FC)

This former Abia Warriors' striker was one of the most underrated players in the top flight last term. But after a decent return of nine goals, four top NPL sides including former African champions, Enyimba and Cup holders, Heartland want him. Abalogu has also been nominated for LBA's Rookie of the Year.

Likely destination: Heartland, Enyimba, Enugu Rangers, Lobi Stars

Isiaka Olawale (Dolphins)

The captain of Nigeria's Super Sand Eagles is being linked with a return to his hometown. After a one-season spell at Dolphins, where he did not enjoy first-team football, Kwara United are ready to offer him a deal and regular football.

Likely destination: Kwara United

Femi Thomas (Akwa United)

His superb style and display with The Promise Keepers in the 2011/2012 season did not go unnoticed as he will stand for the LBA Best Goalkeeper of the Season. Newly-promoted NPL club, Nasarawa United are one of the sides looking in the direction of their former goalkeeper.

Likely destination: Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United

Victor Ezeji (Sharks)

Undoubtedly one of the most capped players in the Premier League era in Nigeria. He has been in the system for 15 years and no wonder he has been named the LBA Ambassador and also Okey Emordi wants him at Enugu Rangers.

Likely destination: Enugu Rangers

Ousmane Pape Sane (Sharks)

He is one of the two Senegalese centre-halves at Sharks and impressed last term. Sane, who has been nominated for the LBA Best Foreigner, remains a long-term target of Coal City club, Rangers.

Likely destination: Enugu Rangers

Gbolahan Salami (Enyimba)

His disciplinary record has been his Achilles heel over the years. A very talented winger-cum-striker and after starting last season well at the People's Elephant, Salami just disappeared off the radar. But now he's being linked with a return to former club, 3SC after failed attempts to move abroad.

Likely destination: 3SC

Jonah Abutu (Lobi Stars)

Abutu played a key role in Lobi Stars' title challenge last term, which led to winning a place to the 2013 Caf Confederation Cup. The former Bayelsa United man is hot on the list of the two Port Harcourt clubs but a move to Rangers also looms.

Likely destination: Enugu Rangers, Sharks, Dolphins

Frimpong duo get Wikki test

By Ojeikere Aikhoje

Frimpong Academy duo of Sadiq Abdulrazaq and Daniel Frimpong have headed for trials at Nigeria Premier League side, Wikki Tourists.

The duo were brilliant as Frimpong Academy, financed by former Ghanaian international and Nigeria Premier League star, Joetex Frimpong, won a grassroots competition, in the Niger State capital, Minna.

Daniel, a younger brother of Joetex scored a brace in the finals, while Abdulrazaq was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the competition.

supersport.com learnt that both players wormed their way into the heart of Wikki gaffer, Ladan Bosso, who was guest-of-honour during the finals of the competition.

Bosso confirmed the presence of both players in Bauchi.

“The players are already in Bauchi and will begin their test on Monday,” the former Under20 national team manager said to supersport.com.

Daniel is an attacker, who can also play from the wings like his elder brothers, Eric and Joetex, while Abdulrazak, is a defensive midfielder.

The duo started their football development at the Minna-based Frimpong Football Academy and got the opportunity to attend trials at Enyimba, where Joetex is a club legend.

Daniel spent three months on loan at Swiss third-tier side, FC Grenchen, last term.