Before the start of last season, the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) had promised that it would run an official website for the league. The contract of the job was given to a Nigerian-based outfit with names withheld. By the time, the Premier League campaign for the 2008/2009 season got underway on September 13, the official website of the NPL was hoisted but yet to get into full swing. The website was no doubt hoisted but it had little or no content after four weeks into the new season.
Throughout the whole season of 2008/2009, the official website of the league arbiter could pass for an arid land, as information were few and statistics were few weeks behind schedule with Premier League writers having to depend on their own personal data gathered from match venues and at times, electronic-mail (e-mail) from the secretariat of the NPL for top scorers and results of matches as well as logs.
At a point last season, there was a controversy over the true statistics regarding the top scorer of the Premier League. The controversy then was that Orok Akarandut was yet to score double figures in the league as represented in newspapers across the country. The statistics presented by the media committee saddled with the responsibility of collating statistics was few weeks behind schedule, which infuriated the NPL chairman, Oyuki Obaseki.
On the other hand, the consultants saddled with the responsibility of maintaining the official website of the Premier League did not do a good job either, as the website lay fallow. The website with address as www.nigeriapremierleague.com just few weeks before the end of last season finally crumbled into comatose. Apart from going into comatose, it was quite difficult for the maintainers to lure traffic to it due to its inactivity, as it was update almost one week after league matches must have been played on weekends.
But the NPL chairman explained the sudden comatose of the website saying that it is under construction in preparation for the new season. He admitted that the immediate past season was not such a success in hoisting the website since the consultants found it difficult to regularly post fresh and breaking news as well as statistics on the website.
However, it appears that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel after. Since the Nigerian firm that handled the website last year failed to make an impact, the NPL has contracted a South African-based company, PA Sport. This was confirmed by the NPL Executive Secretary, Alhassan Yakmut, during the week. PA Sport with one of its networks in South Africa is the world's leading sport news and information provider. The firm joined forces with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in a bid to develop coverage of football in South Africa.
The coming of PA Sport South Africa is no doubt a plaudit for the NPL, but the firm would still look like a foreigner in a strange without the guidance of a few persons, who have in-depth knowledge on the Nigerian league.
Since the relationship with the PSL and PA Sport South Africa started, the union has been able to deliver the PSL on mobile apart from official website. The venture of PSL Mobile has given thousands of fans in South Africa the opportunity to follow their clubs during live matches.
With such mobile service, the media, sponsors, clubs and the betting industry, which is not yet established in Nigeria, would have the avenue to monitor results and statistics up to date. PA Sport has been using this method to gather statistics and results in the English Premier League (EPL).
PA Sport South Africa has adopted the same procedure of gathering information in the EPL for the PSL. It has a total of 30 match data gatherers spread across South Africa. The coverage of PA Sport includes the PSL, Mvela Golden Leagues as well as other cup ties in South Africa. With the coming of the world’s leading sports news and information provider to the Premier League in Nigeria, it is hoped that the union with the NPL would be maximized.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Kwara Officially Agrees To Host Super Four
After several weeks of talks with the Kwara State government over playing host to the Super Four, the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has confirmed that it has finally got the nod from the state.
In a chat with chairman of NPL, Oyuki Obaseki, he said that the Premier League board received a letter this week from the Kwara State government that confirmed the state’s interest in bankrolling the one-week tournament.
Obaseki also told our correspondent that the Premier League board requested for about 250 rooms for the players and officials of the four clubs scheduled to take part as well as NPL officials and other invited guests of the league arbiter.
Nigerian champion, Bayelsa United, Heartland Football Club, Enyimba and Warri Wolves are the four clubs that would compete in the one-week pre-season tournament.
But the former Bendel Insurance Football Club chairman further disclosed that the Kwara State government could only approve 80 rooms as accommodation for the Premier League board for one week.
“I am reading a letter in front of me now that is from the Kwara State government. They have written us officially to accept to play host to the Super Four after a verbal agreement earlier. We demanded that they should make about 250 rooms available for us but they approve 80 rooms accommodation. It is a very big gesture from the Kwara State government and we really appreciate what they have done because 80 rooms for one week is a huge amount of money if we decide to break everything down in naira and kobo,” he said.
The Premier League board boss informed that the Kwara State government is only providing accommodation for the Super Four as well as facilities in the stadium, which is the most important aspect of the tournament.
On reports that the Kwara State government has made available N6 million for the organisation of the Super Four, Obaseki denied knowledge of the development stating that the NPL did not request money.
“I am not aware of the Kwara State government making money available for the Super Four. What I know is that they have made 800 rooms available as accommodation, which I have the letter from the Kwara State government stating that,” he said.
It was reported that the Kwara State government had made the sum of N6 million available to the organiser of the Super Four in Ilorin.
The report also stated that the Kwara State government is expected to provide a total sum of N18 million to bankroll the one-week pre-season tournament.
In a chat with chairman of NPL, Oyuki Obaseki, he said that the Premier League board received a letter this week from the Kwara State government that confirmed the state’s interest in bankrolling the one-week tournament.
Obaseki also told our correspondent that the Premier League board requested for about 250 rooms for the players and officials of the four clubs scheduled to take part as well as NPL officials and other invited guests of the league arbiter.
Nigerian champion, Bayelsa United, Heartland Football Club, Enyimba and Warri Wolves are the four clubs that would compete in the one-week pre-season tournament.
But the former Bendel Insurance Football Club chairman further disclosed that the Kwara State government could only approve 80 rooms as accommodation for the Premier League board for one week.
“I am reading a letter in front of me now that is from the Kwara State government. They have written us officially to accept to play host to the Super Four after a verbal agreement earlier. We demanded that they should make about 250 rooms available for us but they approve 80 rooms accommodation. It is a very big gesture from the Kwara State government and we really appreciate what they have done because 80 rooms for one week is a huge amount of money if we decide to break everything down in naira and kobo,” he said.
The Premier League board boss informed that the Kwara State government is only providing accommodation for the Super Four as well as facilities in the stadium, which is the most important aspect of the tournament.
On reports that the Kwara State government has made available N6 million for the organisation of the Super Four, Obaseki denied knowledge of the development stating that the NPL did not request money.
“I am not aware of the Kwara State government making money available for the Super Four. What I know is that they have made 800 rooms available as accommodation, which I have the letter from the Kwara State government stating that,” he said.
It was reported that the Kwara State government had made the sum of N6 million available to the organiser of the Super Four in Ilorin.
The report also stated that the Kwara State government is expected to provide a total sum of N18 million to bankroll the one-week pre-season tournament.
3SC Will Add Glamour To NPL - Howard
Head coach of newly-promoted Premier League side, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Franklin Howard, is confident that the Ibadan club would bring exciting moments to the league when it kicks off next season.
Howard explained that as one of the traditional clubs in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) that has a rich record having won the league title five times in the past, the side is set to add charm to a championship that has been shunned over the years by a larger population of the country that follow football.
Shooting Stars won the league before its title changed to the Premier League in 1976, 1980, 1983, 1995 and 1998.
The former Union Bank coach further said he knows that a number of followers in the Nigerian league would be looking forward to matches involving Shooting Stars and other traditional clubs such as Enugu Rangers and Heartland Football Club (formerly Iwuanyanwu Nationale).
“The return of Shooting Stars to the Premier League will be a good development for the competition because I am sure that we will bring back passion to the game in Nigeria and at the same time, we will be able to make football supporters come back to the stadium. We are a club with a tradition and that’s why we will bring back the lost glamour to the Premier League.
“I know some fans would already be looking forward to some of our matches ahead of next season. For example, myself I will be looking forward to playing against other traditional clubs such as Rangers and Heartland, who were formerly known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Apart from their match, we will be looking forward to the stiff rivalry with Gateway Football Club, because the match is always keenly contested among the players,” he said.
The former Nigeria international said Shooting Stars is not in the Premier League to complete the number, as it would compete for the title as well.
Howard was also full of praise for the Shooting Stars’ management led by its general manager, Mutiu Adepoju.
He said without the total support of Adepoju and other members of the management board of the Oluyole Warriors, it would have been difficult for the club to win promotion to the Premier League.
Howard also thanked the Shooting Stars’ fans for their patience throughout last season especially when there were some tensed moments.
He also heaped plaudits on the fans for conducting themselves in a civilised manner during the home games of Shooting Stars and called for such behaviour when the club begins its campaign in the Premier League next season.
“It was a good season for us because we set for ourselves a target of winning promotion to the Premier League and thank God we achieved that. I am really grateful to the players and the management for the roles they played in making sure that we get promoted to the Premier League. The fans also did well last season by supporting us even when the going was tough at some point during last season,” he said.
Howard explained that as one of the traditional clubs in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) that has a rich record having won the league title five times in the past, the side is set to add charm to a championship that has been shunned over the years by a larger population of the country that follow football.
Shooting Stars won the league before its title changed to the Premier League in 1976, 1980, 1983, 1995 and 1998.
The former Union Bank coach further said he knows that a number of followers in the Nigerian league would be looking forward to matches involving Shooting Stars and other traditional clubs such as Enugu Rangers and Heartland Football Club (formerly Iwuanyanwu Nationale).
“The return of Shooting Stars to the Premier League will be a good development for the competition because I am sure that we will bring back passion to the game in Nigeria and at the same time, we will be able to make football supporters come back to the stadium. We are a club with a tradition and that’s why we will bring back the lost glamour to the Premier League.
“I know some fans would already be looking forward to some of our matches ahead of next season. For example, myself I will be looking forward to playing against other traditional clubs such as Rangers and Heartland, who were formerly known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Apart from their match, we will be looking forward to the stiff rivalry with Gateway Football Club, because the match is always keenly contested among the players,” he said.
The former Nigeria international said Shooting Stars is not in the Premier League to complete the number, as it would compete for the title as well.
Howard was also full of praise for the Shooting Stars’ management led by its general manager, Mutiu Adepoju.
He said without the total support of Adepoju and other members of the management board of the Oluyole Warriors, it would have been difficult for the club to win promotion to the Premier League.
Howard also thanked the Shooting Stars’ fans for their patience throughout last season especially when there were some tensed moments.
He also heaped plaudits on the fans for conducting themselves in a civilised manner during the home games of Shooting Stars and called for such behaviour when the club begins its campaign in the Premier League next season.
“It was a good season for us because we set for ourselves a target of winning promotion to the Premier League and thank God we achieved that. I am really grateful to the players and the management for the roles they played in making sure that we get promoted to the Premier League. The fans also did well last season by supporting us even when the going was tough at some point during last season,” he said.
New NPL Season May Kick Off Sept 12
With the Super Four for the top four finishers in the Premier League last season set to hold between August 17 and 23, it is becoming likely that the new campaign for the top-tier of the Nigerian league could kick off on September 12.
Last season’s campaign kicked off on September 13 with the opening game at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta between Gateway Football Club and Warri Wolves.
The shift in the Super Four from July to August due to the involvement of Kano Pillars, Heartland Football Club and Bayelsa United in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup is one of the major reasons cited for the likely September date for the new season.
A staff of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) told our correspondent that the date of September 12 was mooted by executive members of the Premier League board when it met recently in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
But the September 12 is still tentative, according to our source.
“The Premier League board members in a meeting recently decided to pick September 12 as kick off date for the new season of the league. The reason for the September date is because of the Super Four, which would hold close to the end of August in Ilorin.
“I know you will remember that a circular was earlier sent out to you people in the media that the Super Four was going to hold from July 5, but the Premier League board had to shift it because of the continental engagements of three clubs in the country,” our source explained.
But it was also learnt that a commencement date for the new season could be decided when the NPL holds its congress later this month in Abuja.
Chairman of the Premier League, Oyuki Obaseki, said no date had been agreed upon for the new season, as the board is concerned with organising a successful Super Four.
However, he did not rule out a date in September as kick off for the 2009/2010 season.
“The Super Four is the first competition on our calendar for the 2009/2010 season. For us, we have decided to make that competition a pre-season tournament and that will be our first major concern. As you know, that competition would hold in Ilorin and we want to make it the best. As for the new season, we have chosen a new date yet, but there is every possibility that it will start in September by God’s grace. We do not make this decision alone because the clubs are part of the setup as well. But we will know the kick off date soon,” Obaseki, who is also the second vice-president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said.
Wolves Duo In Norway For Trials
Two players of Warri Wolves, Fengor Ogude and Anthony Ujah, are in Norway for a two-week trials, naijaligue.blogspot.com understands. Ogude and Ujah are trying out with Valerenga. The players have been with the Oslo-based club since last week. Ogude, 21 and Ujah, 18, were instrumental in the impressive run of Warri Wolves last season, which led to the newcomer in the Premier League finishing in fourth place and missing out on a ticket to CAF Confederation Cup. But the duo would have to impress officials of Valerenga to earn themselves professional contracts at the end of the two-week trials. One of the players inside the camp of the Warri-based confirmed to our correspondent that the players left the side’s camp last month for Norway. Ogude was not part of Wolves’ last match against Bayelsa United at the Oleh Township Stadium while Ujah was dressed and did not take part in that encounter.
French Clubs Queue For Rangers’ Defender
Enugu Rangers is fast becoming a selling club in the transfer market in the local scene and abroad. Some of its big stars have become subjects of target by either fellow Nigerian clubs or those abroad. One of such players is its Nigerian-born Togolese defender, Bussari Akinssola. Reports have linked the tall defender to a move to France. It is believed that a number of French Ligue 1 sides are on the lookout for the talented youngster, who only broke into the squad of the Flying Antelopes last season after another central defender, Chinedu Efugh, moved to rival club, Heartland Football Club in the January transfer window in the last campaign. A source at the club told naijaligue.blogspot.com that Akinssola was watched by a number of scouts from Europe during Togo’s World Cup qualifier against Morocco in June. Though the scouts had actually came to watch other players, it was said that they were impressed with the performance of the Enugu Rangers’ man and could swoop for him soon.
Sunshine Stars’ Forward Set For Move Abroad
Sunshine Stars may have resigned itself to fate, as its prized striker, Gbolahan Salami, may be heading abroad. The destination is still unknown for now, but an official of the Premier League side told naijaligue.blogspot.com that it is just a matter of time before Sunshine Stars loses the Flying Eagles. Salami at the end of the last edition of the African Youth Championship (AYC) earlier this year in Rwanda was involved in a transfer brawl with certain agents who had offered him to a Belgian club for a miserly amount. The deal was called off, as it was a subject of scrutiny from his family and manager. Though the destination of the player is still unclear for now, the official at Sunshine Stars hinted that Salami is likely to leave the Akure side after the World Youth Championship (WYC) in Egypt. However, the club could still keep him till the transfer window opens in January in Europe if no club closes in for his signature before the summer window shuts down in August.
Lobi Stars Lines Up Ogbeide, Tenger
The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side finished last season escaping relegation in the closing stages of the campaign after spending so much in the transfer window. It also fired its coaches while last season’s campaign was still on and finished the season without a arrow head in its dugout. Now, the club is trying once again for Niger Tornadoes’ handler, Justin Tenger, who rejected a move to the side last season. Former Warri Wolves’ head coach, Solomon Ogbeide, has also been linked with the job at Lobi Stars.
But Tenger has declared that he has not been contacted by anyone from the setup of Lobi Stars since the end of the season. Tenger told Daily Independent: “Nobody has said anything to me about joining Lobi Stars. I am hearing this for the first time.“ It was reported that the deputy governor of Benue State, Steven Lawani, who also doubles as the chairman of the club, had personally contacted the coach to move to the Makurdi-based club during last season.
Tswanya: I’ll Remain With Tornadoes
Flying Eagles’ defender at the last edition of the African Youth Championship (AYC), Samuel Tswanya, has declared that he is likely to stay back at Niger Tornadoes for next season, as there are no clubs seeking his services. “I am happy to stay for another season with Niger Tornadoes. No one has called me to say that they are interested in me. But I will stay because we did well last season,” he said.
Baballe Sure Of Starting Next Season
After missing the remainder of last season through a knee injury, Sunshine Stars’ marksman, Ibrahim Baballe, is confident that he can recover in time for the new season in September.
According to the former Wikki Tourists forward, missing out during the latter stages of the league was painful as he missed the chance to battle Orok Akarandut for the top scorers’ award.
“It was painful to get injured at that time of the season that is regarded as very important. I also missed the chance of competing for the highest goal-scorers award too. But I am happy that I am recovering from my injury and I hope that I will be able to join the team for the start of the new season,” he quipped.
Baballe was viciously tackled by an unidentified Heartland Football Club defender in Owerri on May 16 during a Premier League match.
The match was reported to have been very physical which led to the knee injury sustained by the striker, who switched from Wikki Tourists to Sunshine Stars in a shock transfer in January.
Sunshine Stars’ coach, Hassan Abubakar, disclosed that he has been in constant correspondence with the player and was happy with his progress in regaining fitness before the start of the season.
But Abubakar also cautioned that Sunshine Stars would not want to gamble on the health of the forward so as to ensure that he recovers fully from the knee injury.
The coach of the Akure outfit said Baballe is currently in his hometown in Kano, where he has been undergoing treatment on his injury.
According to the former Wikki Tourists forward, missing out during the latter stages of the league was painful as he missed the chance to battle Orok Akarandut for the top scorers’ award.
“It was painful to get injured at that time of the season that is regarded as very important. I also missed the chance of competing for the highest goal-scorers award too. But I am happy that I am recovering from my injury and I hope that I will be able to join the team for the start of the new season,” he quipped.
Baballe was viciously tackled by an unidentified Heartland Football Club defender in Owerri on May 16 during a Premier League match.
The match was reported to have been very physical which led to the knee injury sustained by the striker, who switched from Wikki Tourists to Sunshine Stars in a shock transfer in January.
Sunshine Stars’ coach, Hassan Abubakar, disclosed that he has been in constant correspondence with the player and was happy with his progress in regaining fitness before the start of the season.
But Abubakar also cautioned that Sunshine Stars would not want to gamble on the health of the forward so as to ensure that he recovers fully from the knee injury.
The coach of the Akure outfit said Baballe is currently in his hometown in Kano, where he has been undergoing treatment on his injury.
Best Keeper Nomination Excite Akpan, Ezenwa
Two of the goalkeepers nominated for last season’s safest hands have expressed happiness for being recognised in the top three best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Goalkeeper of Bayelsa United and Heartland Football Club were picked by the Award Committee of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) for their contributions in their sides run in the past season.
Bayelsa United shot-stopper, Bassey Akpan, said in an interview that his attention was called to his nomination when one of the national newspapers in Nigeria published the names of nominees for various categories in the NPL Award for the past season.
Akpan believes that his nomination as one of the three best goalkeepers in the last campaign of the Premier League is a statement of his club’s success in claiming its first league title.
“First I must thank God for a very good season. It was a good season not just for me but for the whole team as well because we won the title. At times, individual nominations such as this is due to the good work from the team. Football is a team sport and I believe that my nomination for this award represents the success of Bayelsa United in the last season of the Premier League,” he said.
Goalkeeper of Heartland FC, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, said apart from being nominated for the award it would be a bonus for him if he is named as best goalkeeper of last season in the Premier League.
“It was a long season and we worked hard to win the title but missed the chance. I am happy that I was nominated and I hope that I can win it and at least have something to show for all the efforts I put in last season,” he said.
Coincidentally, Akpan and Ezenwa conceded the same number of goals last season in the Premier League. They both conceded 27 goals.
I’ll Reveal Truth Behind My Sack - Ogbeide
The last may not have been heard of the dismissal of Solomon Ogbeide as head coach of Warri Wolves, as he has vowed to tell his own side of the story leading to the whole saga.
According to the former Lobi Stars’ coach, he does not want to join issues for now with officials of his former club after he was shown the exit door last week and replaced by Lawrence Akpokona.
Ogbeide, who is in the running for two coaching jobs at newly-promoted Kwara United and Lobi Stars, was reportedly relieved of his duty for demanding an increase in his wage. He was sacked alongside his assistant, Napoleon Aluma.
Ogbeide was relieved of his job for unsatisfactory performance in the past season, according to the management of Warri Wolves.
“This is not the right time to speak about it,” said Ogbeide of his shock dismissal at Warri Wolves. “But when the time comes I will tell the whole world what really happened.”
Ogbeide was apparently unhappy with the comments of Warri Wolves’ officials that flooded the media in the wake of his sack.
It was apparent from the way Ogbeide spoke that some of the allegations made against him he would contest, but instead he decided to keep his cool to fight another day.
“Apart from the way they treated me, I am not happy with the way they have been telling the press that I did this and did that. Well that is their own version of the whole story. Like I said, I will tell my own when the time is proper,” he remarked.
However, our correspondent decided to put Ogbeide on the spot by asking him to assess his stay with Warri Wolves, and the former Bendel Insurance handler was more than happy to state that he performed well with the side in the past season.
He explained that for Warri Wolves to have finished in fourth place ahead of some illustrious Premier League sides speaks volume of his competence.
Ogbeide added that at some stage in the 2008/2009 campaign that Wolves was competing for the title until it became a two-team race between Bayelsa United and Heartland Football Club at the closing stages of the season.
“I believe that Warri Wolves did very well last season when I was in charge. I made sure that we challenged for the title and unfortunately we finished in fourth position and missed out on the continent. But it was a good performance for a side that were just promoted to the Premier League because they finished ahead of some big clubs,” he said.
According to the former Lobi Stars’ coach, he does not want to join issues for now with officials of his former club after he was shown the exit door last week and replaced by Lawrence Akpokona.
Ogbeide, who is in the running for two coaching jobs at newly-promoted Kwara United and Lobi Stars, was reportedly relieved of his duty for demanding an increase in his wage. He was sacked alongside his assistant, Napoleon Aluma.
Ogbeide was relieved of his job for unsatisfactory performance in the past season, according to the management of Warri Wolves.
“This is not the right time to speak about it,” said Ogbeide of his shock dismissal at Warri Wolves. “But when the time comes I will tell the whole world what really happened.”
Ogbeide was apparently unhappy with the comments of Warri Wolves’ officials that flooded the media in the wake of his sack.
It was apparent from the way Ogbeide spoke that some of the allegations made against him he would contest, but instead he decided to keep his cool to fight another day.
“Apart from the way they treated me, I am not happy with the way they have been telling the press that I did this and did that. Well that is their own version of the whole story. Like I said, I will tell my own when the time is proper,” he remarked.
However, our correspondent decided to put Ogbeide on the spot by asking him to assess his stay with Warri Wolves, and the former Bendel Insurance handler was more than happy to state that he performed well with the side in the past season.
He explained that for Warri Wolves to have finished in fourth place ahead of some illustrious Premier League sides speaks volume of his competence.
Ogbeide added that at some stage in the 2008/2009 campaign that Wolves was competing for the title until it became a two-team race between Bayelsa United and Heartland Football Club at the closing stages of the season.
“I believe that Warri Wolves did very well last season when I was in charge. I made sure that we challenged for the title and unfortunately we finished in fourth position and missed out on the continent. But it was a good performance for a side that were just promoted to the Premier League because they finished ahead of some big clubs,” he said.
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