WE’LL RETAIN 70% OF OUR OLD PLAYERS-INYAMA

Even in its quest to land its first Premier League title in Nigeria or at least pick a continental ticket in the forthcoming season, Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Chief Emeka Inyama says the club will not be signing too many new players but would rather rely mostly on old hands to realise its ambition.

Chief Inyama who disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, said the team will retain most of the players who featured for it last season while 90 per cent of the Technical Crew have also been retained in order to make room for continuity.

“Apart from (Ladan) Bosso who left at the end of last season, all the other coaches have been retained. Chijioke (Osuagwu) is the assistant manager while the others (Willy Udube, Fancy Ewulu, Igwe Madubuike and Kelvin Ejeh) are designated as coaches.

We’ve been able to synchronise all the positions and the order of flow. So I hope that retaining 70 per cent of our players, and retaining all other coaches apart from Bosso, would help the new manager, Kennedy Boboye to key in easily into the team and I am assuring him we will give him all the support he would require.

KENNEDY BOBOYE

We’ve also allowed him to come with his trainer, all in the interest of Abia Warriors”, Chief Inyama said.

He poured encomiums on the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who he said has demonstrated immense love and support to sports despite being faced with competing alternatives and dwindling economy and assured him that the Warriors will not let him down.

ABIA WARRIORS UNVEIL KENNEDY BOBOYE AS NEW MANAGER

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has unveiled the immediate past Chief Coach of Sunshine Stars of Akure, Kennedy Boboye as its new Manager.

The 37-year-Old former U-23 star was unveiled in Umuahia to the club’s fans and well wishers in a ceremony that attracted who is who in sports in Abia State.

KENNEDY BOBOYE

Boboye, who was accompanied to the occasion by his manager, Idika Okoro, is coming to Umuahia having led Sunshine Stars to a 6th finish in last season’s league and missed a continental ticket by whiskers. He replaces former Flying Eagles tactician, Isa Ladan Bosso, who led Abia Warriors in its first two Premier Seasons.

In his speech, the Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club, Chief Emeka Inyama said the club was happy to grab a man they had monitored and admired for a long time because of his technical qualities and hoped he would bring his experience to bear.

Chief Inyama, who commended the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for his relentless support to Abia Warriors, lamented that Bosso could not meet the club’s target of picking at least a continental ticket in the two seasons he held sway, adding that the club has accepted his resignation and wished him well in his future endeavours.

The Chairman, however reminded Boboye that the ball was now in his court insisting that the club’s ambition is to go for the league title or at least pick a continental ticket at the end of the season and promised him of all the assistance he needs from the management in order to succeed.

KENNEDY BOBOYE

Speaking shortly after signing the dotted lines, Boboye said he was happy to be a member of the Abia Warriors family and promised that he would consolidate on the foundation already established in order to take the club to the expected height.

While calling for all hands to be on deck, Boboye, said he had always admired the way Abia Warriors play, revealing that he decided to pitch his tent with the Umuahia based outfit despite offers coming from elsewhere, because of the professional way the club is run and promised that with God on his side he would meet the club’s aspirations at the end of the season.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS RIVERS ANGELS CRUISE TO FINALS

Rivers Angels Football club of Port Harcourt cruised into the finals of the Nigeria Women Football League Super Six competition today.

A first half goal from Ayila Loveth ensured the Edwin Okon led side wrapped up the group stage of the competition with 6 points to await the eventual winners of group B in Thursday’s finals.

And Coach Okon is a happy man

“I said it yesterday that we’re the defending champions but I want to thank the state government for hosting the competition”

“I was a happy man yesterday and I am a happy man today because we’ve qualified for the finals of the tournament and we’re looking forward to going back with the cup” said Okon.

Meanwhile Bayelsa Queens trashed Confluence Queens 4-1 later in the day to go top of group B with 4 points

Tomorrow Confluence will take on Delta Queens by 2pm while Sunshine Queens will tackle Nasarawa Amazons by 4pm

RIVERS ANGELS ON COURSE FOR WOMEN FOOTBALL LEAGUE TITLE DEFENCE

Defending champions Rivers Angels began their Nigeria Women Football League Super Six campaign with 1-0 win over Nasarawa Amazons.

The game which was played at the Umuahia Township stadium in Abia state had lots of dignitaries present including the first lady of the state, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu who set the competition rolling with the kick off.

The match between the NWFL champions and Amazons was a keenly contested one however Mercy Amanze’s solitary strike made the difference as the Port Harcourt side was able to pick all three points in the game.

Amazons came close to getting an equalizer just before half time when Winifred Eyebhoria struck the woodwork but Angels defender, Ugo Njoku was quick to clear

Few minutes into the second half, Eyebhoria’s sublime free kick was parried away by goalie, Charity John.

In the 55th minute, Ayila Loveth scored what would have been a second goal for the 2014 league champions from an Njoku’s upright hit but assistant referee ruled it off.

After the game, head coach of Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon said the game was a tough one for his side

Rivers Angels

“I think it’s a good one because it was a very difficult game, winning one’s first match serves as a morale booster to the team and am happy we picked all three points”

“Both teams played well but I think Rivers Angels was the better side today” coach Okon.

Rivers Angels will take on Sunshine Queens of Akure in their second group game tomorrow by 2pm while in group B, Bayelsa Queens will play Confluence Queens by 4pm

FIFA PRESIDENCY: Pamodzi Boss, Itemuagbor Backs Kalu

Pamodzi Sports Marketing (PSM) boss Mike Itemuagbor has backed the FIFA Presidential bid of former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu describing it as a Nigerian project worthy to be embraced by everyone.

Speaking with examples about the lopsided trends in sports administration globally and Nigeria’s indifference towards seeking such offices when the opportunities present itself, Itemuagbor stated that:”Nigeria is the only country in Africa that participates in all FIFA events in Africa despite the huge cost of these competitions, yet lacks presence in the global sports bodies.

“If a Jordanian Ali fully backed by the people and government of Jordan despite their non-participation or presence among the countries of football in the world why not people of Nigeria back Orji”

“Nigeria is the main issue and Orji is behind at the forefront of football in Nigeria because he has the requisite management experience having governed a state for 8 years in Nigeria besides being a publisher, also a football enthusiast and an administrator, who has committed his personal resources in the past. With the new recognition of Nigeria by the global community, we implore the African continent to come together and emulate Europe and Asia with their block votes.

“Today we have executive committee members from Saudi Arabia in IAAF despite no record of Athletics, because Asia went to the election with their block votes as against a divided Africa. Should Kalu Orji decides to contest for the FIFA presidency, let us all as Nigerians support with the same zeal we use to support the national teams of Nigeria. We all have to see the FIFA Election as a 90 minutes game to put Nigeria at the top as always. lets throw our hats for Orji Ozor Kalu.”

Orji Uzor Kalu photo credit politicscope.com

‘Look at what happened at the last IAAF elections in Beijing and how Asia came together to ensure two of their own, Ahmadi AL Kamali from the United Arab Emirates and Nawaf Bin Mohammed Al Saud from Saudi Arabia got elected into the IAAF Council albeit they are not strong nations as far as the sport of track and field is concerned.

‘Nigeria is a power house in continental and global football and we have results on the pitch to show for this. It is high time we took advantage of this and the fact that the whole world now see us in a positive light to assert our position as a country to reckon with,’ he said and wondered how Jordan’s Prince Ali is better qualified for the position than Orji Kalu.

‘In terms of whatever reasons or parameteres you want to use or think about, Orji Kalu presents better credentials than the Jordanian prince.This should be an eye opener to Nigerians and Africans that we should not under value ourselves, he further said reiterating that Orji Kalu possesses the right credentials to lead FIFA.

“We need to make our impact felt in these international bodies and I feel strongly that Kalu as a Nigerian, if given the chance with his wealth of management experience as enumerated above can turn things around for the good of the game.”

FORMER FIFA BOSS CONGRATULATES “MR. FOOTBALL”

World Cup, (1930-2010) A Statistical Summary”- Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze

Former President of FIFA, the World Football Governing body, Joao Havelange, has congratulated former Abia State Director of Sports, Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze popularly called Mr. Football for publishing a book “World Cup, (1930-2010) A Statistical Summary”.

In a congratulatory letter sent to Mr Football, Havelange, who held sway as the FIFA helmsman between 1974 and 1998, described the book as incisive ad interesting pointing out that the author did a good job.

The 99-year-old Brazilian Football administrator commended the former Abia State Director of Sports for having the courage to embark on the project despite obvious difficulties and for chronicling his own contributions towards the growth of world football in the book insisting that those kind words will remain with him forever.

Joao Havelange
photo credit: Felipe Sampaio Quintanilha / Fotoarena
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/legalcode

“I thank you for your beautiful words when I was at the Presidency of FIFA and be sure that I will keep them forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much”, the immediate past FIFA President told Mr. Football who is now the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports.

In his reaction, the Umuawa-Alaocha-born Ejikeme Ikwunze said he was surprised at Joao Havelange’s response to his book, pointing out that it would motivate him to more action.

ABIA WARRIORS FELICITATE WITH GOVERNOR-ELECT

The chairman, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Chief Emeka Inyama has congratulated the Governor-elect of Abia State, Dr, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for his victory at the polls.

In a congratulatory letter signed on behalf of the Board, Management and the entire Abia Warriors family, Chief Inyama noted that Dr Ikpeazu’s victory did not come as a surprise to the citizens
considering his antecedents and achievements in areas where he held sway.

Governor-elect of Abia State, Dr, Okezie
Victor Ikpeazu

According to him, his victory is a continuation of the legacies by His Excellency Chief T.A. Orji in many areas of life especially Sports and commended the Abia electorate for standing behind Dr. Ikpeazu.

The Abia Warriors chairman pledged the club’s unalloyed support to him even as the date for his swearing in draws near.

Chief Inyama called on all those who contested the Governorship election and lost to Dr. Ikpeazu not to distract him by engaging in unnecessary litigations, but rather toe the path of honour by joining
hands with the winner in order to take Abia to greater heights.

UNN Win South-East Chuma Anosike Cricket Cup Back To Back

UNN Cricket Club of Enugu have emerged the winners of 5th edition of the South-East Cricket Championship tagged The Chuma Anosike Cup as they defeated perennial rivals Royal Cricket Club of Anambra by 32 runs at the cricket pitch of Government College Umuahia.

Anambra won the toss and chose to field. UNN batted first and scored 91 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 15 overs but in the second inning all efforts by Royal Cricket Club of Anambra to upturn the scores were not fruitful as Royal Cricket Club ended their batting at 60 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 15 overs.

Owerri Cricket Club of Imo State came third after defeating Ebonyi state by 2 wickets in an explosive third place game.

The sponsor of the tournament, Barrister Chuma Anosike said this year’s edition was a reflexion of the level cricket development in the South–Eastern part of the country, adding that in the near future some of the states that had just been newly introduced to the game of cricket like Ebonyi and Imo would play at the final with the way they had performed both off and on the field.

According to Anosike, “Overall i am impressed with what i have seen and i think i want to thank the host Abia state. I believed there was going to be a challenge with hosting the tournament and they have lived up to the challenges.

The former first vice President of the Nigeria cricket Federation, NCF, expressed his delight in Ebonyi state cricket team performance adding that for their captain, Kosi Izekwe to have won cricketer of the series shows that Ebonyi state is rising fast in the game.

“a couple of years ago i challenged Ebonyi state because then in Ebonyi there was virtually no cricket being played in the state. So, i challenged them to host and of course being a host they must produce a team and i am happy to say that not only did they produce a team but they produced two teams at last year’s tournament in Afikpo.

Igweze Chinedu UNN cricket club, was name The bowler of the series, while another UNN cricketer Obinma Chisom, went home with Batman of the series title, while Izekwe Kosi of Ebonyi state was adjudged the cricker of the series, Fielder of the series award went to Nwosu Kenechukwu, The wicket keeper of the series was given to Ogbu Prince of the UNN and Best behaved team went to Abia State.

Cash prizes ware given to the champions, first and second runners up.

Ebonyi, Owerri Win Games At Fifth South-East Cricket Tournament In Umuahia

The fifth editon of the South East Cricket Championship tagged Chuma Anosike Tournament experienced some awesome runs in a game that the team from Ebonyi state went up against the Abia state team while scoring 186 for the loss of 8 wickets in 16 overs at the Government College Umuahia.

Nwanfor joel of Ebonyi scored 28 runs off 20 balls to set the pace for salt of the Nation, Oguji Friday had 14 runs off 11 balls, Okorie Rufus scored 5 runs off 7 balls while Ukwah Solomon also added 5 runs off 2 balls, Ndukwue promise had 3 runs off 6 balls.

In the second inning, Abia scored 67 runs all out in 14 overs, Oti miracle scored 8 runs off 18 balls, Stephen Promise scored 3 runs off 7 balls Ibeh Camillus scored dock off 3 balls also Orji Nkama had dock off 2 balls.

Ebonyi won by 101 runs in a game the fans had the given to Abia state before the encounter.

In the second game was between Unity Cricket Club of Anambra state and Owerri cricket Club of Imo State.

Owerrri cricket club won the toss and Unity cricket club of Anambra batted first and scored 85 runs all out in in 18 overs. Uzoewulu Jude scored 11 runs off 13 balls, Okafor scored 7 runs off 5 balls, Muolokwu Henry made 7 runs, Nweke Chukwuebuk had 6 runs off 10 balls.

Ajelu Chukwuemeka of Owerri took 2 wickets in 3 overs, Onwuliri Chukwudi had 1 wicket, Osuji Ebube also 1 wicket.

In the second inning, Owerri cricket club chased 86 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 12 overs. Mba Samuel, scored 21 off 26 balls, Mba Michael scored 19 runs off 27 balls while Onwuliri Chuchwudi had 10 runs off 9 balls.

Okoye Promise took a catch but was still unable to save Unity cricket Club of Anambra state that eventually lost to Owerri cricket club by 6 wickets in that exciting encounter.

After the first two matches of the day, general Manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, NCF, Joseph Esua said the South East Cricket tournament sponsored by Barrister Chuma Anosike was a way of giving back to the society.

According to Esua “we witnessed a lot of skill on the pitch of play, and seeing Chuma Anosike a staunch cricket administrator showing his continuous support for the game shows that he has the belief that the present board of the Nigeria Cricket federation is making a head way in the game of Cricket in the Nigeria.

“The level of the game in the South-East as shown that the future of the game in South-East zone is very bright” Esua stated.

ABIA WARRIORS/ENUGU RANGERS MATCH WAS PEACEFUL

Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the media officer of Rangers International FC of Enugu, in regards to their week 28 Glo Premier League encounter with Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township stadium in which he claimed that the team was molested at the end of the game which ended goalless.

The truth is that the match officials demonstrated clear biased officiating against Abia Warriors and did everything to frustrate every goal bound move of the homeside while also allowing Rangers players the freedom to engage in time wasting techniques and manhandling of our players.

Abia Warriors of Umuahia striker Onyekachi Peter

On at least three occasions, the referee denied Abia Warriors clear cut spot kick opportunities and capped it by disallowing a validly good goal scored by Osas Idehen mild-way in the second-half much to the bewilderment of everybody at the stadium, except, of course, the match referees and their Rangers allies.

Despite the obvious provocation, Abia Warriors fans maintained their cool at the end of the game while security agents ensured nobody was molested as Rangers team as a whole and the match officials peacefully walked to their dressing rooms without any molestation.

It is therefore, surprising when Rangers officials wrote that they were molested after the game. This fabrication is perhaps a way to divert attention so that they will go scot free with their antics.

Enugu is just about one hour drive from Umuahia and so it was not surprising that Rangers fans stormed Umuahia with a large number of their fans and the tight security ensured that the atmosphere remained peaceful, before, during and even after the game.

The Rangers match was Abia Warriors’ 14th home game of the season and no incident of any type has ever been recorded even when the result did not favour the home side.

Our promise is that teams visiting Umuahia for a game with Abia Warriors will continue to enjoy the best of hospitality as has been our trademark.

BOSSO WARNS AGAINST COMPLACENCY OVER BAYELSA AWAY WIN

Still smarting from their 3-1 away victory over continental campaigners, Bayelsa Utd in a Glo Premier League encounter, Technical Adviser of the Umuahia – based Abia Warriors; Issa Ladan Bosso has warned his boys against complacency even as they host Lobi Stars of Makurdi this weekend. Midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali had struck twice after Bayelsa United hand gone ahead through Ebimobowei Peter before Osamudia Idehen put the icing on the cake with the 3rd goal for the visitors.

Bosso, who watched as his boys celebrated in their Hotel in Benin, Edo state after the shock victory, reminded them of the enormous challenges ahead and the need to remain focused as the away victory will now attract more attention from their opponents.

He recalled that after Abia Warriors beat Enyimba International in Aba to record the first away win in this season’s campaign, his boys over celebrated and thought they have arrived only to find themselves struggling and warned that this latest away win should be consolidated upon in order to improve the club’s standing on the league table.

The former Flying Eagles coach dedicated the victory to the State Sports Loving Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, the Management and supporters of the club for their assistance and promised that they will not be disappointed.

Bosso said he had never doubted the ability of his boys to deliver even during the trial period, adding that with the reinforcement of the team the sky will be the limit as long as the boys remain focused and make room for improvement.

“I want you to play our subsequent matches as if the league has just started”, he told his boys.

The Niger State born tactician who took Bayelsa United to the continent last season before he crossed over to Umuahia said that part of the victory was that he knew the home side inside out having handled them just last season and expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for Abia Warriors to be the first team to record two away wins this season.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, stand-in captain and a son of Edo soil, Austin Obarakpo said it was a great achievement to beat Bayelsa United in their home and assured the coaches, Management and supporters of the team that better days lie ahead.

The defender, who stood like a giant at the back during the encounter, said the victory will not get into their heads, pointing out that they have resolved to win their remaining matches in order to be where they want to be.

MY BEST IS YET TO COME SAYS ABIA WARRIORS’ ONYEALI

Two-goal hero in Abia Warriors’ 3-1 away win over Bayelsa United in Benin, Edo State, schemer, Ifeanyi Onyeali has said that his performance against the highly rated Yenagoa side is just a tip of the iceberg as he still has more to unleash as the season progresses.

Onyeali, the only Warriors player to have started ten of the team’s eleven games so far, had smashed in the equalizer just three minutes after Ebimobowei Peter had given Bayelsa the lead in the 35th minute and then gave the Umuahia side the lead at the hour mark before Osamudia Idehen made assurance doubly sure for Ladan Bosso in the injury time with the 3rd goal to seal the three points.

The former Akwa Starlets star who said the goals will boost his morale in subsequent matches, noted that the players were disturbed at the positioning of the club on the league table and were determined to improve their standing hence, the victory against Bayelsa United.

With our victory, we have sent a signal that we are equal to the task” he said insisting that Abia Warriors have established players who can take the club to the Promised Land.

He commended Coach Ladan Bosso and other members of the technical crew for their fatherly advice, which, he noted has been of immense assistance to his career and expressed happiness at the level of determination of the team to succeed.