WARRI WOLVES’ ETU GETS SUPPORT FROM COLLEAGUES

Chairman of Warri Wolves Football Club, Moses Etu has received support ahead of his side’s crucial CAF Confederation Cup game against Praia Cruz from Cape Verde.

Members of the Nigeria Professional Football League Media Managers Forum have thrown their weight behind him to succeed as chairman of the club.

Etu, a member of the forum was appointed chairman of the Club a month ago and China Acheru, Chairman of the Media Managers Forum says it is his belief that the Warri Wolves boss will succeed at the club.

“I have known Etu since 2002 and one thing no one can fault in him is his desire to succeed,” Acheru said.

“He is very emotional about the game and expresses it in different way many may not understand but you cannot fault his commitment.

“As a member of the Media Manager’s forum before his recent appointment, we really wish him the best and believe that the zeal he showed in his time as media manager of the club to succeed will be doubled now he is chairman.

“It will also boost the chances of some of us in the Media Manager’s forum who believe they can do better jobs if given the opportunity to serve in higher offices,” Acheru said.

Warri Wolves Football Club Chairman Moses Etu
photo credit: Etu Moses

“I have spoken with members of the forum and we are united in one stance that we want Moses Etu to succeed as chairman of the club and we believe he will.”

Warri Wolves play the first leg game against Praia Cruz on Sunday, February 14 in Warri.

LMC RESCHEDULES WOLVES MATCHES

The League Management Company has rescheduled all the outstanding matches involving Warri Wolves Football Club with the cracker against Shooting Stars fixed for Wednesday 15th, July at Ibadan.

According to a release made available to journalists by the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses, the LMC through a letter signed by Salisu Abubakar dated 23rd, June, 2015 has also fixed the match with Kwara United in Ilorin on the 22nd, July, while the home match against Elkanemi would now be played on Friday, 26th July at the Warri City Stadium.

“We have just been told of new dates for the three outstanding matches involving our Club with that of Shooting on the 15th in Ibadan, Kwara United, on the 22nd in Ilorin while Elkanemi will come to Warri on the 26th. We want our fans to take note of these dates and turn up in large numbers in various venues to cheer the team”

Warri Wolves team before their match against Racing De Bobo FC photo credit Moses Etu

Meanwhile, the League Management Company has confirmed that Akwa Unted will host Warri Wolves in Godswill Akpabio Stadium otherwise known as Nest of Champions this weekend.

“it would be recalled that the Uyo based team had relocated to Calabar for its home matches but have resolved their problem and we are glad that the pitch will allow the players to exhibit their skills.”

Warri Wolves Off To Burkina Faso For CAF Confedertions Cup First Leg

Warri Wolves Football Club will depart the Oil city for Lagos on Wednesday and further depart for Burkina Faso on Thursday to begin their campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup competition.

In a brief release made available to Sports Writers in Warri by the Media Manager, Etu Moses, the team made up of 18 players and 9 officials will leave Lagos by 15.00 hours.

According to Etu, the team has been in closed camping in Otu-Jeremi, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State after the Super Six in Abuja where the Coaches led by Paul Aigbogun have been perfecting their strategies for this crucial match.

Etu further revealed that some of the players that will make the trip are Goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi and Okiemute Odah, Goodluck Onamado, Eyimofe Joseph, Semiu Liadi who joined from Enyimba, Monday Osagie, Oke Ogagotewho and Ibenegbu Ikechukwu.

Others are Micheal Egbeta, Michael Okoyoh, Joseph Osadiaye, Stanley Dimgba, Abu Azeez and Bright Akpojuvwewo.

Warri Wolves bus

Also, some of the team’s U-23 players like Ichull Lordson, Austin Amutu, Omoforman Freedom and Achibi Ewenike have been released and may make the team depending on the Coach’s plan.

Etu however disclosed that Oghenekaro Etebo was not released because the National team Coaches sent a word that he is nursing an injury.

Speaking on the match, Coach Paul Aigbogun expressed the confidence that his wards would would do the nation proud and he called on Nigerians to pray for them.

WARRI WOLVES STORM ABUJA FRIDAY

Warri Wolves Football Club will arrive Abuja on Friday for the Super Six with 35 players and 10 Officials with the aim of doing better than last year where the team came second, losing only to Enyimba after thrashing Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United.

In a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday by the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses, the players made up of the old ones and new ones are in high spirits and cannot afford to fail.

Warri Wolves bus

The players are even happy that they will be playing with the U-20 and 23 as that will stretch them and prepare them for the CAF Continental assignment which comes up in February in Burkina Faso.

Etu also disclosed that the team will leave Abuja after the tournament for Shagamu and Ibadan where they hope to play some friendly matches all in a bid to correct the lapses noticed in the Super Six in Abuja.

” We are leaving Warri for Abuja on Friday with 35 players and 10 Officials for the Super Six. Our players are well relaxed having played some local teams here but they are very excited that they will playing against the under 20 and under 23 as they believe that these matches will prepare them well for the task ahead. ”

Warri Wolves To Retain 23 Players

Warri Wolves Football Club has sent 23 names to CAF for registration towards the forthcoming CAF Confederation Cup assignment while 12 others have been asked to look elsewhere to ply their trade as the Club prepare for the coming season.

Arising from a meeting which was chaired by the Managing Director, Davidson Owumi on Monday, Management also concluded that there would be no screening rather, the Club will upgrade two players from the feeder team who are adjudged to be good enough to play in the Premiership, recruit three young players from Delta State, and sign five players which have been invited and discussion almost concluded.

The Club also agreed not to release the names of those who have been asked to go and also those who are coming in until a later date but they should be informed that there services are no longer required.

” It was a crucial meeting where we took some drastic decisions. We are going to retain 23 players and their names have been sent to CAF for registration while we have asked 12 to look elsewhere to ply their trade. We also agreed that there would be no screening but we shall promote two players from the feeder team, look for three players around Delta State because the talents are there for us to harness. We have invited five players to beef up some areas and discussion is on with them at present.

All the names of those who are going and those whom we are discussing with would be released at a later date but I can tell you that one is coming from Crown FC, One from FC Taraba, Two from Sunshine Stars and one from Akwa United.

Management also agreed to resume in early January and to move straight into a close camping. We took all these decisions in the best interest of the Club and in view of the task ahead as we want to avoid the mistakes of the past. The most important thing is that we have a team on ground to prosecute any of the assignments.”

ETEBO BACK FOR WOLVES

Warri Wolves Football Club will have the services of prolific scorer, Oghenekaro Etebo as the slug it out with Crown Football Club in week 14 of the Globacom Premier League in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Etebo who was the highest goal scorer for the team last season has not featured for the team in the league this season as a result of his trial in Italy.

However, the diminutive midfielder who has played for the home based Eagles is back and rearing to go.

According to the Media Manager of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu, Etebo looked sharper than before in the two days training that he took part in and the Coaches did not waste time in picking for the cracker against Crown FC.

“I can confirm to you that Etebo Oghenekaro is back and will feature for Warri Wolves on Wednesday against Crown FC in Ibadan. it is a good thing that he is joining us now that we are doing everything possible to consolidate our position. He is a good player and a delight to watch, scoring goals at ease. We are all excited to have him back and I know that he is going to terrorize defenders with his sublime skills”

Speaking on his return, Etebo thanked all his fans who have been asking after him and assured them that he will make up for his absence by helping the team to where they should be in the league.

” I am happy to be back to my team and it is my hope to help the team grow and position them where they belong”.

IBENEGBU BOOST FOR WARRI WOLVES

Warri Wolves Football Club received a boost during the week when attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu returned from a long span injury he sustained in Bizerte, Tunisia in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup and will be available for selection against Lobi Stars on Wednesday in Katsina Ala.

Ibenegbu popularly known as mosquito will thus feature for the first time for the Warri based team in the domestic league and this will help the team in no small way as they look forward to consolidate their position in the league.

Speaking before the team travelled to Katsina Ala on Monday, Ibenegbu who is a member of the national beach soccer team expressed his joy that he is back to action to help his team.

The former Heartland midfielder who switched to Warri Wolves at the beginning of the season said he is also happy because Warri Wolves will play host to Heartland on Sunday at the Warri City Stadium.

“I am happy to be back to play in the league. Football is what I know and to be on the side line nursing injury is something one cannot stand but I thank God that I am back to help my team. I am also aware that we are playing Heartland on Sunday and for me, it is going to be an interesting match. I spent quite some time with that team and to play against them will be fantastic. ”

Ibenegbu also commended his team mates for doing a good work, presently, occupying the fourth place in the Globacom league with 17 points and believed the team can do more.

” I am happy that they were able to get where they are in the league. They have done well and I know we can still do more. If the Coach picks me, I will do my best to lift the team.” said Ibenegbu.

WARRI WOLVES QUALIFIES FOR STATE FA CUP FINAL

Warri Wolves Football Club on Thursday evening qualified for the Delta State FA Cup final after thrashing hard fighting Enerhen United by 4-1 at the Oleh Township Stadium.

The match which drew an appreciable crowd due to Enerhen United rising profile with the way they demolished their opponents before this stage made the Technical Adviser of Warri Wolves to field a strong side with a warning not to underrate the Gboye boys as they are fondly called.

With this instruction, Warri Wolves took the battle straight to the territory of Enerhen United and their efforts paid off when Efe Yarhrere opened the scores and it was quickly followed by Ike ThankGod header within the first twenty minutes.

Speed Star, Omoforman Freedom increased the tally in the 38th minute to end the first half and on resumption of hostilities in the second half, the Enerhen Boys got a consolation goal when a penalty was awarded to them for an infringement which was converted.
Substitute Brendan Ogbu confirmed the supremacy of the Warri side when he dribbled the entire defence including the goalkeeper to record the fourth goal.

With this victory, Warri Wolves will now meet Bobbies United in the final at the Warri City Stadium next Sunday.

WARRI WOLVES SET FOR LEAGUE

Warri Wolves Football Club will return to Lagos on This morning aboard Royal Air Maroc and move straight to Kano to confront Kano Pillars on Thursday in a re-scheduled match.

The team which lost to A.C.Bizertin in Tunis on Sunday afternoon has decided to put the loss behind them and concentrate on the league and the forth coming Federation Cup.

Arising from a meeting with the players on Sunday evening, Coach Paul Aigbogun asked the players to brace up for the challenge ahead as they will be playing three matches within seven days.

The team will play Kano Pillars on Thursday in Kano, move to Warri to have a date with newly promoted Giwa FC on Sunday at the Warri Township Stadium and then, clash with Enyimba on Wednesday in Warri next week.

Aigbogun said the team was unlucky not to have scaled through, coupled with the politics of the game which was glaring and advised the boys to put the loss behind them and remain focused towards the league and any other assignment that might come their way.

” let me commend you for what you have done against all odds as it was glaring that politics was at play here. The fans applauded you at the end of the match and everybody know that you do not deserve to go out at this stage. However, we need to quickly put that loss behind and focus our attention on the league.

We are going to play three matches within seven day starting with Kano Pillars on Thursday in Kano, then, Giwa FC in Warri on Sunday before confronting Enyimba at the same venue on Wednesday. We need to get good results in these matches.” said Aigbogun.

WARRI WOLVES IN BIZERTE

Warri Wolves Football Club arrived Bizerte on Wednesday evening to a very harsh weather as the team is kept in Corniche Palace Hotel, situated by the sea which has compounded the weather problem facing the players.

Apart from the harsh weather, the team could not train on Thursday morning because of a heavy down pour but the Coaches have decided to reschedule the training to 2.00 clock in the evening but the good news is that the Management led by Davidson Owumi is tackling what they called” psychological war” headlong by advising the players they have no choice but to deliver.

Owumi who spoke with the players early Thursday morning told the players they just have to deliver, weather or no weather and that management will do everything to motivate them towards conquering the Tunisian side who held them to a draw in Warri last week.
Owumi also told the players that Captain Azubuike who could not make the trip due to his marriage has decided to join alongside Josiah Maduabuchi who was left behind due to paper problem in Lagos.

According to Owumi, both players will join the team on Friday morning with the sole aim of qualifying for the next round.

” I want to thank all of you for your understanding and you all to know that this is another psychological war which must be won as you can see that we have been kept by the sea to make the weather worse for us. You can also see that the quality of the food wehqve been given is nothing to write home about but we must win this match for Nigerians. We will do our best to encourage you and you have no choice than to deliver” said Owumi who is not new to matters like this.

Meanwhile, the match will come up on Sunday by 1.30pm (Nigeria time) with match officials coming from Sudan while the match Commissioner is from neighboring State, Morocco.

It would be recalled that the referees for the first leg in Warri came from Morocco, Tunisia neighbour which made it difficult for the Warri players to understand the conversation between the Tunisian players and the centre referee each time there was any complaint.