Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2014/15 season runners-up, Warri Wolves and Akwa United, the 2015 Federation Cup champions have been drawn to kick-off the quest for honours in the first round of the 2016 NPFL Super 4 Tournament. The Ahmadu Bello, Stadium in Kaduna is the venue of the first leg of the Super 4 tournament starting on Wednesday, January 20 and billed to end on Sunday, January 24. A second leg of the Super 4 will be played at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, nicknamed Nest of Champions in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital from February 1 to February 5.
In the draws for the first leg released by the Office of the Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company, (LMC), NPFL champions, Enyimba International of Aba will take on the NPFL second runners-up, Nasarawa United for the second fixture of the first day. The clubs will observe a rest day on Thursday, January 21 and return to action again on Friday, with late kick-off by 5pm when Akwa United will tackle Enyimba International in the first game while Warri Wolves and Nasarawa United slug it out in a night game from 7pm.
“We have scheduled the late kick-off on that Friday to enable Nigerians watch the Super Eagles play their Tunisian counterparts in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. We consider it as part of the development of the league for players in the NPFL to watch their team mates represent the country in international competitions. Seeing their mates will fire up their own aspiration to up their game and also be in a position to make the national team”; remarked Salihu Abubakar, the LMC COO.
2015 Federation Cup Winners Akwa United FC, football, Nigeria. photo credit Alonge Akinlolu
On the last day of the tournament, Nasarawa United and Akwa United will play in the first game at 2pm while the closing fixture will be between Enyimba International and Warri Wolves play the last game of the tournament.
The LMC is organising the two rounds of the Super 4 this season to provide the four teams representing the country in continental club competitions sufficient competitive games to gain match fitness before their respective international fixtures commencing on the weekend of February 12-14
The out-going year 2015 provided a mixture of sweet and sour taste for Nigeria’s sporting atmosphere with failures and successes.
Nigeria began the year in sadness following the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Equatorial Guinea after Morocco refused to host the tournament due to the breakout of the Ebola Virus in some parts of Africa.
Nigerians painfully watched the AFCON 2015 on television as Ivory Coast defeated Ghana 9-8 Via penalty shootout to lift the trophy for the second time on February 8.
Golden Eaglets of Nigeria
The Golden Eaglets went to Niger Republic for the CAF U17 tournament, in February, and finished 4th, after losing 1-0 to South Africa in the semifinal and a woeful 3-1 loss to Guinea in the third place match, though that was enough to qualify them for the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup. Victor Osimhen emerged the top scorer with four goals, and Mali was crowned the champions.
In March, the Flying Eagles brought relief to sport lovers by winning the CAF U20 Championship hosted by Senegal and as a result qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup hosted by New Zealand. Musa Muhammed emerged the top scorer with four goals and Bernard Bulbwa’s goal against Senegal in the final was rated the best of the tournament.
Chamberlain Oguchi
In August, Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers won their first ever AfroBasket, beating Angola in the final 74–65 in Tunisia. Chamberlain Oguchi was named tourney MVP.
By winning the title, Nigeria automatically qualified for the 2016 Olympics. The next three best-placed teams, Angola, Tunisia, and Senegal, each secured a spot in next summer’s final FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
In same month, it was a woeful outing for Nigeria at the World Championships in Athletics in Beijing, China as none of its 16 athletes who represented the country could get a medal.
Kenya emerged the overall winner with seven gold, six silver and three bronze medals.
But the story changed for Nigeria in September, when, at the All Africa Games, she finished second behind Egypt. The West African giants had a total of 144 medals, claiming 47 gold, 55 silver and 42 bronze.
In para-sport at the same tournament, Nigeria finished top with 12 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze, totaling 31 medals.
Still in September, Nigeria finished 7th at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Apia, capital city of Samoa with six gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
At the 2015 World Wrestling Championships, Nigeria was only able to finish with one bronze medal, thanks to Odunayo Adekuoroye in the women’s freestyle category.
Nigeria Womens Basketball Yeam DTigress
In October, Nigeria finished 3rd at the AfroBasket Women 2015. They lost by just one point (71-70) to host Cameroon in the semifinal, but went ahead to beat Angola 65-55 in the third place. That feat was not enough to seal a qualification ticket for the Rio 2016 Olympics as only two teams (first and second) can represent the continent at the tournament.
VINA DEL MAR, CHILE – NOVEMBER 08: Kelechi Nwakali (R) of Nigeria poses with the adidas bronze boot and team mate Victor Osimhen of Nigeria poses with the adidas golden boot after the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup 2015 final match between Mali and Nigeria at Estadio Sausalito on November 8, 2015 in Vina del Mar, Chile. (Photo by Martin Rose – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
In October/November, the Golden Eaglets went on to win a record 5th FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile, beating West African brothers Mali 2-0 in the final. Victor Osimhen again emerged the top scorer, but this time, with 10 goals. Compatriot Kelechi Nwakali was the tournament’s best player. Nigeria scored 23 goals and conceded five.
In November, Enyimba won the 2014/15 Nigeria Professional Football League a record 7th time with 70 points.
Akwa United defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 to win the 2015 Federation Cup. A sumptuous free kick in the first half through Namso Edo and a rocket shot from Abdullafeez Afeez in second half ended the long wait by the Promise Keepers as they secured the first Federation Cup title in the club’s history in style.
2015 Federation Cup Winners Akwa United FC, football, Nigeria. photo credit Alonge Akinlolu
In December, Nigeria ended the year on a rather bright note as the Nigeria Under23 Men’s Football team, led by Samson Siasia, won the U23 AFCON tournament held in Senegal. The feat also saw Nigeria qualify for the men’s football event at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Oghenekaro Etebo emerged the top scorer with five goals while Okechukwu Azubuike was voted the tournament’s best player.
Glo NPFL side, FC IfeanyiUbah has been thrown out of this year’s Federation Cup competition after a tough duel with Nasarawa United at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin on Wednesday.
The Lafia kings reached the semi finals with a 1-0 win, and will now play fellow Glo NPFL side Akwa United in the semi finals.
Akwa United were stretched to the rubber by surprise packets Niger Tornadoes Feeders. Feeders had booted out top division club, Dolphins FC on penalties in the Round of 16 and again came close, before losing 3-4 on penalties after a battling 2-2 draw at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.
In Lokoja, Lobi Stars also shoved out another surprise package, BJ Foundation of Benin 2-1. A tantalizing semi final is on the cards as Lobi get set to battle Enugu Rangers.
In Abuja, Enugu Rangers’ march to a sixth title was sustained with a 3-0 thrashing of El-Kanemi Warriors.
In the women’s event, champions Rivers Angels were eliminated by Confluence Queens in an interesting contest. The Kogi Queens edged the game 2-1, and will now tackle Bayelsa Queens, 2-0 winners over Edo Queens in the semi finals.
Also through to the semi finals are Nasarawa Amazons, who whipped Osun Babes 3-1, and Sunshine Queens, who defeated FC Robo 2-0 in Oleh.
The races for the top scorer in both men’s and women’s competitions of the 2015 men’s Federation Cup competition hot up on Wednesday when the quarter final games hold in eight centres.
In the men’s event, Friday Obong of Akwa United FC of Uyo leads with five goals. He scored three of those goals in the Round of 64 against Dallatu FC, and two more in the Round of 32 match against Peacemakers FC.
Three other players have scored three goals each. Bobby Clement of Enugu Rangers, Junior Osaghale of BJ Foundation and Chinedu Iheanacho of FC Taraba. However, FC Taraba has been eliminated.
Osaghale scored one each against Kurmi Market (Round of 64), Sportlight FC (Round of 32) and Heartland FC (Round of 16). Clement netted two in Rangers’ clash with Kukuruku Dragons in the Round of 32 and another one against Kwara United in the Round of 16.
Iheanacho bagged a brace for FC Taraba against Akpamkpa (Round of 64) and one against Papilo in the Round of 32.
All of Obong, Clement and Osaghale have opportunity to increase their tally when the quarter -final games are played on Wednesday. Obong’s Akwa United clash with Niger Tornadoes Feeders in Makurdi, while Osaghale’s BJ Foundation tackle Lobi Stars at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja. Clement’s Rangers will battle El-Kanemi Warriors at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.
In the women’s event, Tina Oyeleme of Sunshine Queens has three goals, while Ijeoma Emenike (Rivers Angels) and Rafiyat Sule (Bayelsa Queens) have two each.
Dolphins FC on Sunday at the Port Harcourt Liberation stadium beat Sharks 1-0 to lift the Rivers State FA Cup.
A 17th minute freekick converted by Ifeanyi Egwim ensured Dolphins took the trophy at stake.
Dolphins had played three matches in three days, the quarter final on Friday and semi final on Saturday before Sunday’s final and it was feared they would be affected by fatigue but it did not show as the battled against their city rivals.
Dolphins Captain, Festus Austin receives FA Cup trophy from FA board member, Kingsley Woke
Dolphins Assistant coach, John Apollo said it was a good game but admitted the fatigue affected his players
“It was a keenly contested game and we just showed that we can do it.
“You can see that we were just managing but we ended up being victorious,” Apollo said.
Sharks coach, Ere Dokubo conceded victory to Dolphins.
“They deserve it. Our players were on break but we respected the Federation and we just had to play,” Dokubo said.
Dolphins players celebrate FA Cup victory
Both Sharks and Dolphins have already qualified for the Federation Cup.
This year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions will kick off with the State preliminaries on Saturday, March 7, according to NFF’s Head of Federation Cup Unit, Ruth David.
The preliminaries in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory will end with the finals on April 4-5, before a Draw is conducted for the National finals, which begins with the play-off round April 18-19, before the Round of 64, May13-14.
Federations Cup 2014
This year’s Men and Women Federation Cups’ grand finale has been slated for August 16.
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