Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United will prepare for the 2017 CAF Champions League in Madrid, Spain. The announcement was made on Saturday by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (CON). Governor Wike, a Real Madrid CF fan, explained that the move was geared towards exposing the team to state-of-the-art […]
via Rivers United to prepare for CCL in Madrid — newfanzoneblog
Coming quickly on the heels of his well attended testimonial game, the former captain of the Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo has been appointed by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, as the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on sports development. According to Simeon Nwakadu, Special Assistant to the governor on electronic media, the appointment […]
via GOV. WIKE APPOINTS YOBO AS SPECIAL ASSISTANT By Akeem Busari — newfanzoneblog
Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike will score the first goal of the #YoboTestimonial which takes place at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt this Friday. Yobo, in whose honour the game is being played, said instead of the usual ceremonial kickoff, there will be a ceremonial penalty, to be taken by the governor against […]
via WIKE TO SCORE FIRST GOAL AT #YOBOTESTIMONIAL — newfanzoneblog
The Management and Players of Sharks FC have apologize to the government, fans and people of Rivers State over their inability to avoid the drop to the lower league.
The General Manager of the club, Okey kpaluku stated this shortly after his teams zero-one loss to Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township stadium yesterday.
Kpaluku who was so optimistic of staying afloat the premier League next season described the loss in Umuahia and subsequent relegation as heart breaking.
“let me apologize to our fans and the government of Rivers State led by Barr. Nyesom Wike for failing to meet their expectations”.
“Am still trying to come to terms with our relegation to the NNL because we did not bargain for it as we did everything possible to stay afloat but our best was not good enough to keep us in the premier League “. kpaluku said
Captain of the side, Odinga Odinga commenting on his teams relegation, described it as one of the saddest moments of his career because it happened at a time when they thought the team was better positioned to escape the drop.
Odinga stressed that they have themselves to to blame for failing to make the avalanche of chances they had in the match against Abia Warriors yesterday.
“We came into the game with so much expectations, had the game going for us, threw away begging chances and we got nailed for it”.
“Am saddened by our relegation to the lower league, I just pray that our Governor who has done so much for us in such a short period will have a place in his heart to forgive us for disappointing him”. odinga said
Odinga also seized the opportunity to thank shirt sponsors, Eunisell for identifying with the team and apologize to the chemical solution company for letting them down,.
He appealed to the Rivers State government, fans and Eunisell to keep faith with the team for a quick return to the premier league
Dolphins Football Club on Sunday became the first club in the Nigerian league to draw in Kano this season and players/ officials of the club have dedicated the point to Governor Nyesom Wike.
After going two goals down, Dolphins rallied round to end the encounter 2-2 and Media Manager, China Acheru says it was the payments made to players just three days before the game that geared them up.
“I have always said that a well paid players does not guarantee success, but one thing you are sure of is that they will be focused on their immediate assignment,” Acheru said.
“For eight months the team had lacked focus as players and officials were either running from creditors, their landlords or not able to pay school fees for their kids.
“However, with what happened in Port Harcourt last week and all debts seemingly paid, the boys can stay focused and we are happy we did the near impossible on Sunday in Kano,” Acheru said.
Victor Ezuruike, who came on in the last fifteen minutes of the game added that the boys have solved some of their problems and are now focused on the task ahead.
“Honestly, it was that payment that “gingered” us to perform and that is because that money we received at least helped us solve some problems around us and we just want to thank the governor,” Ezuruike said.
Coach of the side, Stanley Eguma thanked the governor for his swiftness in responding to their welfare.
“By the time we left Port Harcourt I sensed we were going to get a result because the players all wore bright faces.
“We just thank the governor for the gesture and believe he will continue to handle our matters with this kind of speed,” Eguma said.
Dolphins have remained in Kano since their draw on Sunday and will depart for Katsina on Tuesday for a league game against Elkanemi at the Karkarda Stadium on Wednesday.
The last time Kano Pillars drew a home match in the League was April 30, 2014 against Heartland. The encounter ended 1-1
The Camp of Sharks FC came alive during the week following the payment of back log of salaries owed the team as approved by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Captain of the side Odinga Odinga who described the development as breathtaking thanked His Excellency Barr. Nyesom WIKE for giving them cause to rejoice as footballers.
“We thought it was one of those political gimmick, when Governor Wike said he will clear the back log of salaries owed us by the immediate past administration but today the reverse is the case and the excitement in camp is just overwhelming”. Odinga said
“And on behalf of the team I want to say a big thank you to his Excellency, The executive Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike for putting smiles on our faces”.
Speaking further Odinga said the largess from the Rivers State Chief Executive, will no doubt spur the team to fight the battle of their lives against relegation, beginning with tomorrow’s cracker against Heartland FC.
“We are condemned to win, starting with Sunday’s match against Heartland because so much as being given to us and much is expected, at least that is all we need to end the season well”.Odinga stressed
Similarly, General Manager of Sharks FC Okey Kpaluku also gave Governor Wike thumbs up for matching his words with action following the payment of outstanding salary.
Kpaluku also appealed to the sports loving Governor to consider the outstanding Sign on fees owed the team.
“His Excellency has swept us off our feet, by clearing all that is owed the team and it as coming at a time when we need everything on and off the field of play to fight our way up the league table”.Kpaluku said
Another cheering news for the team according to Kpaluku is that approval for outstanding match bonus has also been made by His Excellency to further motivate the boys.
Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has reiterated that players of Dolphins, Sharks and Rivers Angels will get paid their debts this week.
The governor, had on Wednesday sent a message through the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports that all teams will be paid on Monday, June 22, 2015 and on Saturday confirmed his earlier statement that monies had been released to make payment possible.
Speaking live on a privately owned radio station in Port Harcourt on Saturday morning, Governor Wike said he remembers the players of these clubs have not been paid for eight months.
“How do they perform well if they have not been paid for so long? We looked at it that these young men and women cannot continue suffering this way and it was based on this that we said we must pay them,” Governor Wike said.
The Governor added that his predecessor refused to pay, saying the clubs must generate their own funds but he didn’t think the time was right for that.
“The former Governor said they should pay themselves, but how can they do that?
“We own the clubs for now, and we sponsor them so have to pay them their salaries.
“When the Permanent Secretary told me they haven’t been paid for eight months, I did everything I could to see that we get funds to pay them,” The governor said.
The last time staff of the three Rivers State run football clubs were paid their salaries dates back to September 2014.
Players and officials of Dolphins FC are in joyous mood after the governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike sent a savory message to them just before departure to Nnewi for a league game.
Media Manager of the club, China Acheru said that the team was preparing for the trip to Nnewi for a league game against Ifeanyi Ubah FC when the governor’s message arrived.
“Governor Wike told the players that all salaries owed to them will be paid up until May 2015,” Acheru said.
“You all know the team have been owed salaries and match bonuses since August 2014 and this message from the governor has come as a welcome development,” the Media manager added.
Captain of the team, Festus Austin said before departure that the message from the governor has really lifted the spirit of the players.
“We just want to thank him. We know he is not the one who actually owed us but it is a debt he inherited so we are happy that just less than three weeks after he was sworn in, he has given a time line to pay us.
“The players are happy. We have been trying our best in those dark moments and we will do even better now that we have hopes of getting paid and will actually be paid,” Austin said.
According to Acheru, the governor has said all monies owed the team up till the end of May 2015 will be paid by Monday, June 22, 2015.
“That is what we got from government house just before departure that every one will be paid by Monday next week as the governor has approved the release of funds to offset all debts,” Acheru added.
You will recall that On May 27, players of the team as well as those of Sharks barricaded the gates of the Rivers State government house, two days before the handover ceremony to inquire from the outgone governor why they had not been paid and a promise was made to pay before the inauguration on May 29.
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