Wilfred Udube has resumed with Go Round FC as chief coach after parting ways with Nnewi United. Udube will work under Technical Adviser, Ngozi Elechi as both men will think up ways to ensure the club maintains its Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL status. Udube resumed in Omoku on Thursday even though he was unveiled […]
via Wilfred Udube Joins NPFL Team Go Round FC’s Coaching Crew — newfanzoneblog
Kano Pillars forward Junior Lokosa and Heartland head coach Ramson Madu have been named the NPFL Player and Manager for February respectively by the League Bloggers Awards (LBA). Lokosa and Madu distinguished themselves in the month under review to come out tops in both categories of the award. Lokosa saw off challenges from Kwara United […]
via Junior Lokosa and Ramson Madu Win February’s League Bloggers Awards — newfanzoneblog
Heartland FC has written to the League Management Company (LMC) communicating their decision to withdraw an earlier rejection of the Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued the club for abandoning their Match Day 38 fixture in Jos against Plateau United. Plateau United had earlier accepted a Summary Jurisdiction which fined the club One million Naira (N1m) for […]
via Heartland, Plateau United accept LMC Sanctions — newfanzoneblog
Four Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have been charged by the League Management Company (LMC) for various breaches bothering on failure to provide adequate security and unacceptable supporters behavior even as match officials involved in three of the ten games of Match Day 32 also received queries. The Chairman of Heartland FC Supporters Club, one Iyke Jacob was handed a six match ban for acts of intimidation and harassment of Referees. Enyimba’s Coach, Khadiri Ikhana was also charged for making public comments that are deemed inimical to the promotion of the league and was fined N100, 000.
Nasarawa United, Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Heartland FC were fined minimum of half a million Naira as the LMC exercised Summary Jurisdiction after thorough investigation of reported crowd incidences during the matches involving the four sides.
In the various notices of Summary Jurisdiction signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar and sent to the clubs, they were issued the statutory 48 hours notice to submit to the decisions of the LMC or indicate in written response a choice to appear before a panel.
The LMC ruled that comments made by Ikhana during a post match interview did not portray the league in good light contrary to his responsibilities as a Manager under article 14 of the Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches.
In specific rulings concerning the affected clubs, Giwa FC as hosts of the fixture against Kano Pillars was cited for breach of Article C1 and B15.16 and consequently fined N500, 000 and N250, 000. For the unruly behavior of their fans which Article B15.16 makes clear is a responsibility of the club, Giwa FC was fined N500, 000 while another fine of N250, 000 was imposed on the club for failure to ensure adequate security at match venue. Recalling that Giwa FC had been cautioned after Match Day 1 against Abia Warriors for similar breach, the club was issued a final warning failing which it will be subjected to a stadium ban to supporters and or relocated to a neutral venue.
Nasarawa United was also cited for unruly conduct of their fans in the match against Lobi Stars, fined N500, 000 and warned against a repeat which will lead to stadium ban to supporters and relocation to neutral venue.
Like Nasarawa United, Abia Warriors and Heartland were also fined N500, 000 for unruly behavior of fans and failure to provide hitch free match day experience. Abubakar said “the sanctions are a demonstration of the LMC’s strong objection to failure on the part of clubs to provide hitch-free match day experiences for the thousands of fans who have since the implementation of various reform initiatives been returning to the stadiums for NPFL games”.
On the Referees, Referee I. Indabawa from Kano and his two Assistants from Kwara State, M. Surakat and S. O Toyin were recommended for investigation by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Appointment Committee for below par performance in the Abia Warriors vs Rangers fixture. Also recommended for investigation was Assistant Referee A. Bulus from Abuja for deficiencies in the handling of the Heartland FC vs Enyimba match while the Center Referee, B. Odey from Abuja was reprimanded and advised to improve performance and control of match proceedings. James Amadin from Edo State also received a reprimand and caution to improve match management. The Referees recommended for investigation were also requested to be withdrawn from further handling of matches in the NPFL until after the conclusion of investigation.
The LMC said it has increased match monitoring to ensure that clubs maintained the decorum that has prevailed all through the season and cautioned that “we can not allow some fans still steeped in the old order to bring to disrepute the integrity, pleasant match day experiences and increased positive public perception of the league”. Abubakar said the “LMC is aware that majority of the thousands of fans who throng league venues are law abiding, passionate lovers of the game and we assure these loyal fans that they will be protected to enjoy the improving quality of our matches at all times”.
Postpones game against Heartland…Other Fixtures to hold as scheduled
Port Harcourt hosts double-header Saturday.
The League Management Company (LMC) has expressed shock at the news of the armed robbery attack on Kano Pillars football club contingent along the Abuja-Lokoja Road and consequently ordered an indefinite postponement of their Match Day 1 fixture in Owerri against Heartland FC.
Chief Operating Officer of LMC, Salihu Abubakar said the LMC had been in touch with officials of Kano Pillars, monitoring the progress of the injured players and doing everything possible to stabilise the team. He said all other fixtures of the Glo Premier League Match Day 1 will hold as scheduled but that the star match will now be a double-header in Port Harcourt between Dolphins FC and Kwara United and between Sharks and Sunshine Stars.
Whilst we sympathize with the Club and strongly condemn this crime, Clubs are advised that the Match Day 1 fixtures will hold as scheduled except the Matches in Port Harcourt which will now serve as a double-header and will be televised live on Saturday.”, Abubakar said.
First round fixtures of the 2014/2015 Nigeria Professional Football League season shows that People’s Elephant, Enyimba FC will trade tackles with Akwa United of Uyo at the Enyimba International Stadium on March 7.
Champions Kano Pillars are away to Heartland FC in Owerri while El-Kanemi Warriors, who will still play their home matches in Kano as they did last season, host Nasarawa United FC.
Top cadre returnees Shooting Stars of Ibadan are away to fellow returnees Wikki Tourists in Bauchi while Sunshine Stars visit Sharks FC in Port Harcourt and Giwa FC are at home to Abia Warriors in Jos.
GLO NPFL WEEK 1 FIXTURES
ENYIMBA VS AKWA UNITED
WIKKI TOURISTS VS 3SC
EL-KANEMI WARRIORS VS NASARAWA UNITED
SHARKS FC VS SUNSHINE STARS
DOLPHINS FC VS KWARA UNITED
GIWA FC VS ABIA WARRIORS
HEARTLAND FC VS KANO PILLARS
BAYELSA UNITED VS LOBI STARS
GABROS FC VS WARRI WOLVES
FC TARABA VS ENUGU RANGERS
In Continuation of our Up Close And Personal Series Our Man Sola Rogers had a one on one Interview session with New “Super Eagles” Kid on the Block Babatunde Micheal: below are excerpts of the Interview
my name is Babatunde Micheal i am an indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, born in Maroko, Lagos but i grew up in Surulere Lagos. Somewhere around Lawanson.
Whats your Educational background?
I attended Itire Pry School. and from there i moved to Community Secondary School Mushin.
When did you Start playing Football.
I started at an early age, we had a lot of fields then in my part of Surulere. we played football in places like Agbebi, Adebayo, Oshiga and Fadairo playing grounds.
I was very active while growing up, i was the Class Captain and Games Prefect, i was part of the Athletics team and of course i played Football for my School.
Did you join any academy or team at any point in time?
I started my football career from a team called New star in Sanya Area of Surulere. From there i moved to “Great Olympic” and from Great Olympic i joined Water football Academy in Abuja.
How long were you at Water Football Academy for?
I played there for quite a few years before joining Heartland Football Club Of Owerri.
What position do you actually play on the field? we mean your ideal role?
I can play in any attacking position, i can play on both wings but i prefer playing from the right wing.
But you seem to have played a more central role at the Mundial, did that affect your game?
Not at all, in my Club my coach gives me different roles on the pitch, I can play anywhere, I can play the role of a creative midfielder, i can also double as as a Supporting Striker or even as a top Striker.
How long did you play for Heartland FC?
i was there for a year. i met guys like John Owoeri, Kennedy Chinwo, Ike ThankGod, Ikechukwu Ezenwa to name a few, i was very young then but i still got to play a lot of games.
From Heartland where did you go?
I moved to Ukraine, to join Fc Kryvbas from Krybas i moved Volyn Lutsk also in the top flight in Ukraine, We had other Nigerians like Brown Ideye, Haruna Lukman, Taiye Taiwo and Yusuph Ayila playing in the same league with me.
Have you ever experienced any form of Racism?
No, Nothing like that, i haven’t experienced it on the filed of play and even off the pitch, you see am not an out-going guy, i usually go home after training or matches.
Lets talk about the first time you heard that you had been called up into the Super Eagles
To be honest with you i was completely Surprised, i kept on Praying to God to make it happen, football is all i know and to get a chance to serve my country is the highest honour ever. i know a lot of people were surprised that a guy that wasn’t part of the Nations cup winning team was being called up.
So many people were also shocked to see your name on the Coach Stephen Keshi’s final list for the 2014 World Cup so many uncomplimentary things were said how did you feel about this?
I heard so many things, i know people were asking questions like Who is this boy? and where is he from, But this made me strong and more determined to prove my worth. i really wanted to show the World what i could do.
How were you welcomed into the Super Eagles Fold by the other players?
I have a lot of friends in the Super Eagles, Ogenyi Onazi is my friend, Emmanuel Emenike is my friend, Osaze Odenwingie is my friend, Mikel is my friend , all the Super Eagles players are my friends, we were like one big happy family. So joining the team was easy
They all welcomed me with open arms the treatment was great.
Super Eagles fans were not too impressed with the result of some of the Friendly games the team played leading up to the World Cup, how did you guys feel about this in Camp?
While we know that friendly games are important, footballers also need be be careful so as to not jeopardise their chances of making it to the World Cup Proper.
How did you feel Finally getting to put on the Green white Green for Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil?
Playing for my country is something that i can never forget? i will keep on serving this Country with all my heart, playing at the World Cup is a Big deal for me, it as boosted my career tremendously. there a lot of players out there looking for this type of opportunity, everything in life has its own time and season, and i believe that this is my time.
You incurred an Injury during the Argentina vs Nigeria game when a Shot from your friend and teammate Ogenyi Onazi hit your hands, tell us what went through your mind?
I was like wow what happened, i just found my self on the ground, I actually thought i could continue that game, i really wanted to continue playing, eventually i had to be stretchered off and later the Doctor told me that i had to go through surgery, this effectively ruled me out of the World Cup. i was devastated. but i guess that is Football for you.
We have seen Footballers suffer much worse fate than this, so i just give God all the Glory. Me and Onazi even joked about it afterwards.
Virtually Every footballer has a Nickname, So whats yours?
They call me “African Messi”. Lionel Messi is my Role Model i love watching him play.
Which Football Team do you Support?
I like Arsenal and FC Barcelona, But i am More of a Barcelona fan
Which Football team do you support in Nigeria?
Its Heartland FC of Owerri for me
Apart from Football you mentioned earlier that you also did a bit of athletics?
Yes i represented my school a couple of times at some athletics tournaments and i also played the drum sets for my church
So should we be expecting a Babatunde Micheal Album or single anytime soon?
[Laughs] No, i think i would like to concentrate on my football career
So which car is your dream car?
i love the Porsche Cayenne or the New Range Rover
Whats yours Favourite Colour?
I like White, i also like wearing Black, But White is my Favourite Colour
Whats your Favourite Meal?
i like Rice and Chicken but i love Pounded yam and Egusi more
The ladies will want to know if Babatunde Micheal is Single or Married?
[Smiles] I am in a Relationship
Any Words for young Upcoming footballers?
First ill like to Thank Coach Stephen Keshi for Giving me a chance to prove myself. And for the young ones i would to say to them that they should work hard, and also pray too, if you train once a day at the moment there’s nothing wrong with increasing it to twice a day, Hard work pays.
LMC fines Kaduna United; Slaps one year ban on Supporters Club…Warns club to restore electricity in tunnel or face more sanctions
Following reported breach of security around Match Officials in Kaduna by members of the Kaduna United Supporters Club after the Match Day 6 encounter between hosts Kaduna United and Heartland FC, the League Management Company (LMC) has banned the Official Supporters Club of the team from all league games for a period of one year.
Kaduna United in addition to some financial sanctions have also been ordered to install or restore electricity supply and proper lighting in the tunnel and dressing room area before their next home game or be made to pay N100,000.00 for each game during which this situation persist.
These decisions and others have are the outcome of the LMC investigation after consideration of the Match Commissioner’s report and have been communicated vide a letter signed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar who also announced a decision to fine Kaduna United the sum of N250, 000.
“Kaduna United is held responsible for the conduct of their fans as provided for under Rules 115:16 and is therefore fined N250, 000 as a first offender to serve as an appropriate deterrent to all others”, Abubakar wrote.
The Club was also held liable for access of unauthorized persons to Match Officials and thereby exposing them to danger. The LMC ruled that “Kaduna United failed to secure egress leading to the Dressing Rooms thereby allowing unauthorized persons access to match officials who were now exposed to potential danger.
“For this; Kaduna United shall pay a fine of N100, 000 and undertake to conduct a Supporters’ Enlightenment seminar to which leaders of their Supporters Club must be invited to before their next Home game. This seminar must be observed and approved by the LMC”.
Abubakar informed the Club that to the Supporters of Kaduna United are being reprimanded for rowdy behaviour after the match and have therefore “been put on notice of possible heavier sanctions should this type of behaviour repeat as envisaged by Rules 13:22”.
Sharks football club of Port Harcourt had a very good game at the Dan Anyiam stadium against Heartland FC after a goalless ninety minutes of action.
Both sides tried sizing each other up in the early part of the game but it was sharks that had opportunities to draw the first blood and on each ocassion the attackers went on holiday.
Heartland equally had their own share of missed opportunities after dominating possession at some point but their attackers were just so shy in the box.
Sharks inability to bury the game when they had the opportunity was a source of concern to coach Gbenga Ogunbote in the match.
“I was worried I will not lie to you because if want to be a champion you must not be wasteful, we would have wrapped it up in the first twenty minutes cos we had glaring chances”.Ogunbote said
“Anyway it is still work in progress we will not get tired until we get the desired result”. He said
Though bordered his team could not convert the chances that came their Ogunbote was however the least nervous that his defense will cave in following the barrage of attack in the closing minutes of the game.
He attributed the pressure to a collapsed midfield hence the decision to increase the number of players in front of the ball.
“I was comfortable believing that we will not make a careless mistake and we were trying to block because we lost the midfield and they kept pumping the ball so we had to block every of their move in the vital area to ensure that no ball enter our goal and we were able to do just that”. Ogunbote stressed .
Goalkeeper of the side Danladi Isah was also not scared of letting a goal in as long as it was not just his business alone to ensure they come back to Port Harcourt with at least a point.
“I won’t say I was scared because it’s not just me, it is a collective effort from the defence, midfield and attack everybody contributed to the result. I will just say we did our best to protect the last five minutes.”Isah added
A new date of Wednesday, March 26 has been announced for the postponed Match Day 2 fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and Abia Warriors.
The League Management Company (LMC) announced that the match will be played at the Kano Pillars Stadium in Kano which will now host home fixtures of the Maiduguri-based side until further notice.
Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer of LMC disclosed this and said “in the light of developments in Maiduguri and adjoining cities, we had to suspend all fixtures in the town and have moved their home fixtures for now to Kano”.
The match will kick-off at 4.15pm local time. Meanwhile, in Match Day 2 fixtures, Heartland will host Sharks in Owerri in a Friday Star Match while the following day, Crown FC will play home to Dolphins FC, FC Taraba will receive El-Kanemi Warriors in Jalingo and Rangers International are hosts to Kano Pillars.
In Uyo, Akwa United will clash with Kaduna United and in Katsina Ala, it is Lobi Stars versus Gombe United. Also on Wednesday, March 26, Warri Wolves are home to Enyimba International while Bayelsa United are home to Nasarawa United.
In a related development, host broadcasters of the Glo Premier League, SuperSport has said the repeat broadcast of the match between Kano Pillars and Sunshine Stars will start airing from 00.50 am on SuperSport Select and SuperSport Select Go.
It will also be aired on Tuesday at 2pm and 1am on SuperSport 9 while on Wednesday, it will be broadcast at 8am and 00.45am on SuperSport Select and SuperSport Select Go.
The broadcast schedule will continue on Thursday, March 20 on SuperSport 9 at 4.50pm and 00.50am while on Friday, the final repeat broadcast will be at 11.00am and 00.50am on SuperSport 9.
Dolphins Football Club has finally received a letter from the League Management Company, LMC with approval to use its Liberation Stadium home ground to host League matches.
The letter signed by the Chief Operating Officer, COO of the LMC, Salihu Abubarkar ended by saying, “It is very okay. I hereby recommend the Liberation Stadium for GPL matches.
However, the LMC pointed out certain aspects of the stadium that requires working on, some before the season kicks off and for others, a specified time frame was given to fix.
Media Officer of the club, China Acheru states that the club is happy to have their stadium approved by the LMC.
“Every team wants to play in front of its fans no matter how little they are. We are happy we can play on our ground and we will certainly make sure we do not disappoint the LMC who have given us the go ahead to use our ground.
“We understand what the LMC is doing and we will work around the clock to get our stadium as close to 100% ready as possible,” Acheru said.
“Good thing our first game is on the road to Heartland. We believe that by the time we play against Giwa FC a week later, we will be ready for the League.”
Dolphins GM has passion
General Manager of Dolphins, Joe Johnson says it is the passion he has for football that will lead him as he starts in his new role at the club.
Johnson used to be secretary of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Football Supporters club and later its chairman, a position he has held until now.
He shares an experience when he had to take twenty one members of the supporters club by road to Kumasi to watch a CAF Confederation Cup game between Asante Kotoko and Dolphins in 2008.
“I actually drove the supporters’ club bus for 17 hours from Port Harcourt to Kumasi. That journey took us 17 hours and I did the driving all by myself.
“That is the passion I have had for football for a long time. In 2008, I never knew I would be General Manager of Dolphins in future but I loved what I did and I did it with all my heart,” Johnson said.
He described Dolphins as an international club who do not sign players based on ethnicity.
“You do not have to be from Rivers State to play for Dolphins. There are players here from all over the country and they have had their share of international players from Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast and now they have a Malian player,” Johnson said.
China Acheru
The Media Officer’s Forum (MOF) of the Glo Premier League in a special meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday 28th January 2014 discussed the way forward for the 2013 / 2014 Glo Premier League season and other salient issues affecting the Forum and it was resolved as follows.
The Forum elected seven members to man the affairs of the body for a period of two years.
China Acheru of Dolphins FC was elected as Chairman of the forum to be assisted by Kano Pillars’ Media-Officer Idris Malikawa who was elected Vice Chairman of the Forum.
Cajetan Nkwopara of Heartland FC is the Secretary of the body, while Musa Elayo of Nasarawa Utd was elected as the Assistant Secretary
Sunshine FC of Akure’s Media-Officer Adewumi Ayodele Johnson is now the Treasurer.
Uwem Ekoh of Akwa Utd was also elected as the PRO of the MOF and last but not the least Mark Agbo of Lobi Stars will serve as Welfare Officer.
The Forum commended the League Management Company (LMC) led by Hon Nduka Irabor for putting machineries in motion for the smooth take off and success of the league.
The Forum also appealed to Chairmen/Boards of various clubs to pay serious attention to their Media Officers by giving them good incentives and good working environment to enhance their performance. This we at Newfanzone believe will go a long way towards enhancing the coverage of the League.
The MOF also talked about Security issues and other logistic challenges its members face in the process carry out their duties and this challenges can be met
The forum also commended members of the Nigerian team currently flying the Nigerian flag in South Africa.
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