NIGERIA STATE FA CUPS FINALS FIXTURES

OSUN- PRIME VS AJIROOBA OONI

OYO- 3SC VS CROWN

PLATEAU- PLATEAU UNITED VS GIWA

SOKOTO- AA STARS VS SOKOTO NORTH

TARABA- FC TARABA VS JALINGO UNITED

GOMBE- GOMBE UNITED VS DOMA UNITED

IMO- HEARTLAND VS PAPILO

JIGAWA- JIGAWA GOLDEN STARS VS CBN CASHLESS

KADUNA- ABU ZARIA VS KADUNA UNITED

Winners Golden Bet/Lagos FA Cup

KOGI- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE VS IDAH UNITED

KWARA- KWARA UNITED VS KWARA FOOTBALL ACADEMY

LAGOS- CHRIST AMBASSADORS VS NATH BOYS

AKWA IBOM- AKWA UNITED VS AKWA STARLETS

BAUCHI- WIKKI TOURISTS VS WUNTI

BAYELSA- BAYELSA UNITED VS NEMBE CITY

BENUE- LOBI STARS VS MIGHTY JUNIOR

CROSS RIVER- AKAMKPA UNITED VS BLACK CATS

DELTA- GOD’S TIME VS J. ATETE

EBONYI- CHUSON VS MGBO AMBASSADORS

EDO- BJ FOUNDATION V KUKURUKU DRAGONS

EKITI- NEW VISION VS MARACANA FC

ABIA WARRIORS FC

ENUGU- RANGERS VS SAMBA

FCT- FRSC VS FC ABUJA

NASARAWA- NASARAWA UNITED VS NASARAWA FEEDERS

NIGER- NIGER TORNADOES VS TORNADOES FEEDERS

OGUN- REMO STARS VS GATEWAY

ONDO- SUNSHINE STARS VS PEACE MAKERS

*All matchs will be played this weekend across the nation

NFF Appeal’s Committee Upholds O & D Ruling On Nasarawa Vs Giwa

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee met in Abuja Wednesday and upheld the decision of the League Management Committee (LMC) that the botched Match Day 35 fixture between Giwa FC and Nasarawa United should be played. It dismissed Nasarawa United’s appeal and ordered that the match be played on Friday, November 14 in Abuja. The Committee also upheld the NFF Disciplinary Committee’s decision on Nembe City’s appeal but reduced the ban on the club’s Coaches to the end of the season/

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee met in Abuja Wednesday and upheld the decision of the League Management Committee (LMC) that the botched Match Day 35 fixture between Giwa FC and Nasarawa United should be played. It dismissed Nasarawa United’s appeal and ordered that the match be played on Friday, November 14 at the FIFA Goal Project, Package B of the Abuja National Stadium.

The Appeals Committee noted that the match was to be played during a difficult time in Nigerian football resulting in several communication breakdowns that resulted in Giwa FC not honouring the rescheduled date for the match. In the preliminary ruling which was also upheld by the NFF Disciplinary and Organising Committee, the LMC had accepted as reasonable the defense of Giwa FC that it became aware of the communication rescheduling the fixture late.

Consequently, the Appeals Committee held that the LMC acted in fairness, good sportsmanship and in the overall interest of the League. It also ordered that Giwa FC must pay the fine of N1m as ordered by the LMC and upheld by the Disciplinary Committee, directing also that the fine must be paid before the match or Giwa FC will forfeit the three points and three goals to Nasarawa United.

The LMC had ruled in a preliminary decision of the fixture handed N1m fine on Giwa FC for not diligently following up on its earlier request for a change of date for the match scheduled for Wednesday, October 29 to Thursday, October 30 and which was granted.

The decision of the LMC was initially upheld by the Organising and Disciplinary Committee leading Nasarawa to go to the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee also ruled that LMC should write off the cost of Nasarawa United’s effort to honour the botched fixtures as ordered by the O & D.

The Appeals Committee noted that the match was to be played during a difficult time in Nigerian football resulting in several communication breakdowns that resulted in Giwa FC not honouring the rescheduled date for the match. In the preliminary ruling which was also upheld by the NFF Disciplinary and Organising Committee, the LMC had accepted as reasonable the defense of Giwa FC that it became aware of the communication rescheduling the fixture late.

Consequently, the Appeals Committee held that the LMC acted in fairness, good sportsmanship and in the overall interest of the League. It also ordered that Giwa FC must pay the fine of N1m as ordered by the LMC and upheld by the Disciplinary Committee, directing also that the fine must be paid before the match or Giwa FC will forfeit the three points and three goals to Nasarawa United.

The LMC had ruled in a preliminary decision of the fixture handed N1m fine on Giwa FC for not diligently following up on its earlier request for a change of date for the match scheduled for Wednesday, October 29 to Thursday, October 30 and which was granted.

The decision of the LMC was initially upheld by the Organising and Disciplinary Committee leading Nasarawa to go to the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee also ruled that LMC should write off the cost of Nasarawa United’s effort to honour the botched fixtures as ordered by the O & D.

Giwa vs Sharks! Sharks Beg For Answers

It is no longer news that the inconclusive match between Giwa Fc and Sharks will now be replayed at the FIFA goal project in Abuja.

This to us is okay but not by all standard because clubs like Gombe united and Lobi stars both who had a similar case like ours got three points in matches against Nembe city which was inconclusive like ours,so the big question we ask is why were these teams awarded three points and Sharks was asked to replay its own match against Giwa fc.

This is just one of the many question we want to ask the organizing and disciplinary committee of the Nigeria football federation because we strongly believe that justice was not done in the matter between Giwa and Sharks haven found the former (Giwa) guilty of the offense levelled against it, so we appeal that the three points be awarded to Sharks like the O and D did for other teams.

It also baffle us to know the O and D was silent on who will foot the bill of the treatment of Gabriel Olalekan,the player hit by a missile thrown into the field of play by fans of Giwa fc and what about who will foot our travelling expenses to Abuja if our appeal for the three points is not awarded to us,come to think of it the guilty club is barnished to Abuja a journey less than four hours from jos while we have to do ten to twelve hours to honour the match where is the justice here

LMC Explains Nembe City’s Return To Omoku

The League Management Company (LMC) has clarified that Nembe City were returned to play their home games at the Krisdera Stadium, Omoku to allow their appeal against the banishment to Benin to be heard by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Organising and Disciplinary Committee.

Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar issued this clarification and noted that decisions of the League body on disciplinary matters are never final but subject to the ruling of the relevant organ of the NFF.

He also disclosed a second consideration which arose from concerns raised by the Edo State Football Association over the logistics challenges of hosting the match. He noted that given the timing of the Edo State response, it was not possible to move the match to any other venue with the away team already on their way for Match Day 29 fixtures.

“We have consistently stated that our decisions are preliminary rulings that are subject to that of the NFF Committee, specifically, the Organising and Disciplinary Committee, remarked Abubakar, adding, “this explains why we always state that our rulings are without prejudice to whatever decision the NFF may arrive at on disciplinary matters”.

The COO continued, “We were also informed by the Edo FA that they lacked the logistics to host another guest club in addition to Bayelsa United that are already playing their home games in Benin. At this point, it was not going to be workable to contact another state FA and still have weekend match played as proposed especially with the away team already on the road”.

The LMC affirmed that it remains committed to applying the rules firmly at all times within the ambit of its powers as stipulated in the NFF Statutes

Nembe City Fined, Banished To Benin

The League Management Company (LMC) on Thursday ruled that Nembe City will play their next three home matches in Benin.

These decisions and others including a financial fine on Nembe City were reached in the aftermath of the inconclusive Match Day 26 fixture between Nembe City and Lobi Stars at the Krisdera Stadium, Omoku, Rivers State.

The LMC found that the match was discontinued as a result of fans invading the pitch in protest of extra time penalty awarded by the center Referee against Nembe City. It noted that it was the action of the fans and not the protest of Nembe City players, who though initially protested the penalty award that caused the pitch invasion and inhibited the continuation of play.

It further observed that play could not have resumed even if Nembe City players returned within five to twenty five minutes as stipulated by the Rules when the fans refused to vacate the pitch and accordingly fined the club N500, 000 for the unruly conduct of its players, officials and fans.

The LMC therefore ordered that the botched match will be concluded at a neutral venue on a date preceding the 2014 Federation Cup finals. The match will be re-started from the time it was halted and with the same result that prevailed at the time of the disruption.

The LMC said these immediate actions are without prejudice to the Organizing and Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

Giwa, Nembe Replay Match Day 18 Fixture On Independence Day

The replay was in consonance with the ruling of the Nigeria Football Federation

October 1, the nation’s Independence Day has been announced as the date for the replay of the Match Day 18 fixture between Giwa FC and Nembe City.

The replay was in consonance with the ruling of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which on June 12 ordered a replay of the match which was earlier ruled a walk-over by the League Management Company (LMC) following Nembe City’s failure to show up for the encounter.

Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar said in a notice to both clubs that the rescheduled match will hold at the Rwan Pam Stadium, Jos and wished both clubs a successful match.

It will be recalled that Match officials led by the Match Commissioner, Musa Talle had performed the walk-over ceremonies and awarded three points and three goals to Giwa FC. But Nembe City appealed the preliminary decision to the NFF Organising and Disciplinary Committee citing the report of their vehicle breakdown. Their appeal was upheld by the NFF which ordered for a replay.

Abubakar said “the fixture will provide independence day football delight to fans in Jos and its immediate environs”.

Federation Cup: Lafia Rumbles For El-Kanemi, Dolphins

This year’s Men Federation Cup competition hits the Round of 16 stage on Thursday with a number of interesting fixtures, including three ties involving Premier League teams.

Two former champions, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri and Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt will lock horns at the Lafia Township Stadium, while two-time African champions Enyimba FC of Aba trade tackles with Nembe City at the Akure Township Stadium in Akure.

The Enyimba International Stadium, Aba will host the clash between Crown FC of Ogbomoso and Nasarawa FC of Lafia.

Sharks FC of Port Harcourt and Dynamite of Benin City will battle the Kayode Oluyemi Stadium in Ado-Ekiti; Giwa FC, conquerors of Enugu Rangers in the last round will try to get the better of Bendel Insurance in Ilorin and; Lobi Stars of Makurdi take on Plateau United of Jos at the Minna Township Stadium.

Bayelsa United, which pipped FRSC of Abuja 2-1 to get to this stage, will seek a quarter final ticket at the expense of Gateway FC of Abeokuta at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, with Prime FC of Osogbo also up against First Bank of Lagos at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Federation Cup

ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES (THURSDAY, 17TH JULY)

Enyimba FC Vs Nembe City – Akure

Sharks FC Vs Dynamite FC – Ado-Ekiti

Crown FC Vs Nasarawa United – Aba

Bendel Ins. Vs Giwa FC – Ilorin

Lobi FC Vs Plateau United – Minna

El-Kanemi FC vs Dolphins FC – Lafia

Bayelsa United Vs Gateway FC – Goal Project, Abuja

First Bank Vs Prime FC – Benin City

Federation Cup: Rangers, Giwa light up Abuja…,

The Round of 32 games in this year’s Men’s Federation Cup competition come up on Thursday and Friday with a number of interesting fixtures.

Traditional powerhouse Enugu Rangers FC, who ousted Ikpeazu FC in the Round of 64 in Umuahia, are up against Giwa FC, conquerors of ABS FC of Ilorin. The big match takes place at the FIFA Goal Project, National Stadium Package B, Abuja on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Enyimba FC of Aba clash with Niger Tornadoes in Benin City, while FC Taraba ambush Plateau United of Jos in Katsina-Ala.

On Friday, Professional Football League top dogs Heartland FC and Sharks FC tango in Abuja. Kogi United are up against Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt in Benin City, with First Bank of Lagos taking on Gombe United in Lokoja and Abia Warriors to tussle with El-Kanemi Warriors also at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

Federation Cup

2014 FEDERATION CUP FIXTURES (ROUND OF 32)

THURSDAY (10TH JULY)

Enyimba FC Vs Niger Tornadoes – Benin City

Nembe City Vs Ibom Youth – Enugu

3SC FC Vs Dynamite FC – Lokoja

Leopard FC Vs Crown FC – Lafia

Apa FC Vs Nasarawa United – Jos

Bendel Ins. Vs Bobbies FC – Ondo

Enugu Rangers Vs Giwa FC – Goal Project, Abuja

Yarmalight FC Vs Lobi Stars – Old Parade Ground, Abuja

FC Taraba Vs Plateau United – Katsina-Ala

Bayelsa United Vs FRSC FC – Ilorin

FC Abuja Vs Gateway FC – Ado-Ekiti

FRIDAY (11TH JULY)

Heartland FC Vs Sharks FC – Goal Project, Abuja (2pm)

Abia Warriors Vs El-Kanemi Warriors – Goal Project, Abuja (4pm)

Kogi United Vs Dolphins FC – Benin City

First Bank Vs Gombe United – Lokoja (2pm)

Prime FC Vs Warri Wolves – Lokoja (4pm)

Sharks FC-Management To Transports Supporters To Omoku

The management of Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt has promised to provide vehicles to convey fans and supporters of the club to Omoku on Wednesday for the week ten game against Nembe city.

General Manager of the club, Okey Kpaluku said the gesture is to appreciate the fans for their unflinching support towards the team.

He stressed that the management is also working towards providing vehicles to convey them (supporters) to the club’s matches taking place at nearby states in subsequent games.

“We are grateful to the fans and supporters for the strength they have been lending to the team and to encourage them to do more we have decided to provide vehicles to convey them to our match with Nembe City on Wednesday taking place in Omoku”Kpaluku said

“And not just that, we also intend to extend the gesture to matches taking place in nearby states as our finances improve”

Kpaluku also implored the supporters to continue in their relentless support and cheer the players to more victory.

“I also want to urge our fans and supporters to continue their good work, we’ve come this far because of you, but we still need your support to win the ultimate goal this season, which is a continental ticket.” Kpaluku said

The will buses will be stationed at the Sharks FC stadium as early as 8am for onward journey to Omoku at exactly 10am

GLO NPL ! AIGBOGUN CRAVES FOR GOOD OFFICIATING

The Technical Adivser of Warri Wolves, Paul Aigbogun has advised the League Management Company to pay more attention to officiating if they want football to grow in the country.

Aigbogun who is not used to complaints said he has to speak out in view of the level of officiating in the game between Sunshine Stars and Warri Wolves at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday which ended in favour of the Akure team.

According to Aigbogun, LMC said people should not condemn the league but with this type of officiating, one will be forced to speak out because Nigerian football will be worse for it.

The former Enyimba gaffer made reference to the red card given to Michael Egbeta who was only carrying out an instruction from the centre referee to wait for a change to be made before taken the corner kick, only for the referee to give him the marching order for time wasting.

Apart from that, the first assistant referee ignored the rules and was basically the 12th player, aiding and did everything possible to help the Akure outfit.

” Those who know me can attest to it that I don’t complain when my team loses but it has got to that stage when we need to cry out. If LMC says we should not talk, then, they have to do something because we cannot continue like this. How can players put in everything in a game and will have nothing to show for it. Our football will be worse for it because of what we are seeing now.

This is pure rubbish and the Akure team knows that the referee assisted them to win. We played better, scored first and they equalised, scored the second goal and another which hit the inside net was ignored before he allowed two offside goals. All stakeholders should rise up and condemn this type of officiating . ” said Aigbogun.

Meanwhile, Warri Wolves will on Wednesday lock horns with Nembe city at Omoku in a re-rescheduled match and Aigbogun has urged his boys to work hard and put the defeat in Akure behind them.

LMC Conditionally Clears Nembe City, may play on Sunday…Club ‘drops’ Baribote from Board

Nembe City has received provisional approval from the League Management Company (LMC) to participate in the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season but with an additional proviso that the Club must send a written acknowledgement stating it has read and understood all the conditions set forth in the letter of admittance. The acknowledgement is to reach the LMC before 12 noon on Friday, April 5 or Nembe City may not play the Match Day 5 fixture in Uyo against Akwa United.

A letter from LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar informed the Chairman of Nembe City that the Club has partially fulfilled the conditions set by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) emergency committee meeting to enable the Club be admitted to participate in the league. It however, pointed some serious discrepancies in the documents submitted by the club and directed that such be rectified on or before Match day 9.

The LMC particularly drew the attention of Nembe City to the irregular signature of the Chairman, Mrs. Ebiakpo Rumson on separate documents submitted in the course of the registration. It specifically noted that the signatures of Mrs. Rumson on the letter of allegiance and the letter of appeal of their non-registration are not the same. “Nembe City is required to duly fill and submit LMC Form 17 (list of authorized signatories to LMC”, the letter read.

On stadium approval for home games, the LMC said Nembe City has submitted a letter from Krisdera Hotel granting it the use of the Krisdera Hotel Stadium for its home games but demanded that “however, Nembe City is required to submit by Match Day 9 a proper lease agreement with Krisdera Hotel in line with the LMC recommended lease agreement and minimum conditions assuring priority of use on match days and granting unrestricted access”.

The LMC while acknowledging that Nembe City in a letter signed by Mrs. Rumson has declared that the club is not involved in any litigation against the NFF and LMC in any court of law and also provided a list of members of its Board of directors, however noted that “the letter failed to categorically dissociate Nembe City activities from Mr. Rumson Baribote who is serving a 15 year ban by the NFF and is in clear contravention of the rules, currently pursuing several court cases against the football authorities including the LMC”. It was however, also acknowledged that the name of Mr. Baribote was not among the list of board members of the club and that his name has been removed from the official stationery of the Club.

“Accordingly, the LMC will henceforth deal and communicate with only those officials whose names Nembe City has submitted to it in all matters pertaining to the club’s participation in the league, subject to NFF directive on imposition of sanction of three points and three goals in event of a breach of the club’s obligation not to associate with persons banned from football activities by NFF, CAF or FIFA”, the LMC warned.

Nembe City are also to meet requirements on provision of performance guarantee on or before June 24 or it will face sanctions of points deduction while it may be directed to host games outside of the nominated Krisdera Hotel Stadium should it fail to upgrade facilities at the venue as may be directed by the LMC. Furthermore, the Club is also to submit contracts it signed with its management personnel including the General Manager, Financial Officer, Media Officer and Security Officer amongst others while it must also show proof of its head coach having a CAF License B.

Concluding, the LMC wrote, “in view of the foregoing, the LMC has granted your Club provisional registration to participate in the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season subject to the LMC receiving a of acknowledgment of the terms and conditions of this letter from your club by 12noon on Friday, April 4, 2014. Your Club will thereafter commence participation from the upcoming Match Day 5 (Akwa United versus Nembe City) on Sunday, April 6 at Uyo”. It assured Nembe City that the outstanding four games not played will be rescheduled beginning from Wednesday, April 9.

Giwa FC in Conditional Clearance as Nembe City gets Wednesday Deadline

Giwa FC has been granted provisional approval to participate in the 2013/14 Glo Premier League as the club was adjudged by the League Management Company (LMC) to have substantially met four of the requirements listed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at its emergency meeting that considered the appeal by the two clubs that failed registration requirements at the start of the season.

However, the second club, Nembe City FC has been given up to close of business today, April 2 to make good some of the conditions it failed to meet and which included the dissociation of the Club from dealings with its former Chairman, Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, currently serving a 15 year ban imposed by the NFF. Baribote is also at various stages of litigation against the LMC and NFF and the Club did not provide any proof of discontinuation of the cases.

In separate letters to the two clubs signed by Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer, reference was made to the four conditions imposed by the NFF on the Clubs and which they were to meet within seven days to be eligible to participate in the fixtures. The four conditions include submission of a signed letter of allegiance to the LMC in accordance with the approved format, appoint a stadium to be inspected and approved by the LMC, submission of detailed Medical Profile (passport) of all players in line with the LMC approved Medical forms and discontinuation of all matters and litigations in court.

“The LMC can confirm that Plateau State Football Association officials have provided us evidence of discontinuance of cases filed against the LMC by associates of Giwa FC. This evidence has been verified by our Lawyers”, Abubakar stated.

Specifically, Giwa FC was directed to write a formal letter of acknowledgment upon receipt of the letter of conditional approval as a pre-condition to be allowed to play the rescheduled Match Day 4 fixture against Rangers International on Wednesday in Jos. The letter from Giwa FC was received by the LMC Tuesday night and signed by the Chairman, Chris Giwa, it thanked the LMC “for the opportunity given Giwa FC to be back to play in the Glo NPL. We pledge our loyalty to the league body”.

The LMC in granting provisional approval for Giwa FC to join the league also set out other conditions to be met on or before June 24 in line with the ruling of the NFF emergency meeting. Top of these conditions was a directive to the Club to ensure that it filed a proper letter of allegiance using the form provided to it and with no caveat attached as was the case with the filing that led to the Club’s disqualification. Other conditions are the submission of N25m performance guarantee, submission of new contract documents with the players indicating compliance with the N150, 000 minimum wage with verifiable proof of payment and thirdly, all other registration requirements as provided for in the minimum registration conditions. Failure to meet any of these conditions will lead to the LMC applying relevant sanctions including but not limited to deduction of nine points from the already accrued points.

Giwa FC are further required to provide a proper lease agreement with the owners of the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos using the sample lease agreement designed by the LMC and also providing details of stadium certification. The Club was further directed to embark on stadium upgrade to correct defects observed by LMC Stadium inspectors during the pre-season inspection exercise.

“Note that failure to comply with any of the requirements by Match Day 9 will result in your stadium being banned and your team moved to another venue and or points deduction as provided for in the rules and regulations”, LMC warned in the letter.

Though, Nembe City provided a letter granting the club access to use the Krisdera Hotel Stadium for its home games and a letter of allegiance to the LMC signed by Mrs. Ebiakpo Rumson, the Club failed to provide valid Medical Profile (passport) of their players as well as not signing and submitting LMC Form 17 for list of authorized Club signatories.

“Your Club has substantially failed to comply with the four mandatory conditions required to be fulfilled within seven days of the NFF decision to allow your Club re-admission into the League”, Abubakar wrote to Nembe City and concluded, “note that failure to comply with any of these requirements by 5pm on Wednesday, April 2nd 2014 will result in your Club being banned from the 2013/14 Nigeria Professional Football League season as provided by the NFF Emergency Committee decision of March 24, 2014 on your appeal”.