Sunshine Gold Cup Champions

  Sunshine Stars International Football Club of Akure, have emerged the winner of the maiden edition of Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament after defeating FC Ebedei of Sagamu, 2-0 at the weekend.

  The Akure Gunners at the end of the 3-Day tournament at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode top the table log with 5 points.

  Sunshine striker, Kingsley Eduwo, got the curtain raizer in the 5th minute after capitalizing on a defensive blunder to shot pass FC Ebedei goalkeeper John Chisom, former Rangers pacy attacker, Alex Oduokpe, made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute in a keenly contested tournament.

  In the other game, Prime Football Club whitewashed Crown Football Club of Ogbomosho, 3-1 to move to the second spot on the log with 4 points.

  Prime striker, Christopher Akpough, haunted Crown with a brace of goals in the 4th and 46th minute, before Ghanian import, Bright Moses, sealed victory for the Omoluabi Giants in the final 12 minutes.

  Ibeh Christian scored Crown consolatory goal via penalty kick.

  Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament, according to the General Coordinator, Tunde Shamsudeen, would be staged annually to help clubs in the Premier, National and Nation-Wide Leagues prepare for the new season.

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New Post : FC Ebedei pip Prime FC 2-0

As Crown, Sunshine Stars, settle for goalless draw

 Nigeria Nation-Wide League side, FC Ebedei of Sagamu, on Friday evening defeated highly rated Prime Football Club 2-0 as hostilities continue at the on-going Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament staged at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode.

 Prime coach, Abimbola Samuel, paraded a new set of players against the Oliseh Boys resting his first team players that pulled a vital point against Sunshine Stars on Thursday.

 The Omoluabi Giants conceded the two goals in the first half via penalty and set piece. Efforts to draw level was abortive as FC Ebedei boys were secured to secured the maximum points.

 In the earlier game between Crown and Sunshine Stars ended goalless as the two Globacom Premier League sides were unable to convert the chances created.

 Day 2 Results

Crown 0 Sunshine Stars 0

Prime 0 FC Ebedei 2

How the teams stands

                    P   W   L   D   GF   GA   GD   PTS
Crown         2    1    –    1   3     1      +2    4

FC Ebedei   2    1   1    –    3      3      –      3

Sunshine    2     –   –     2   1      1      –      2

Prime          2    –    1    1   1       3     -2    1

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NWFL CONGRESS HOLDS IN LOKOJA

The Board of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has announced that Lokoja, the Kogi State capital will host the 2013 General Congress of the League body.

Announcing this in Abuja at the weekend, the Chairman of the League body, Chief (Mrs.) Dilichukwu Onyedinma said the congress will take place on Saturday February 1, 2014.

According to her, “we are expecting all our congressmen and women to arrive Lokoja on 31st January. The General Congress will be followed by the draws of the 2014 Women
Premier League. We would also play the Champion of Champions match between the Delta Queens of Asaba and Rivers Angles of Port Harcourt.

As you are aware, both teams won the Group A and B of the 2013 League. This is to determine the overall champion of the 2013 League”.
Continuing, the League Boss said “I want to tell you that as at the close of registration on 31st December, ten clubs have registered fully, while the two that could not meet up the
deadline, would have to join the professional cadre, with their places taken over by other willing clubs, who are capable of meeting up with the demands of playing in the Premier
League.

I also want to inform Nigerians that arrangements have been concluded with a national television station to be picking at least one Premier League match live every
weekend, with the highlights of other matches been shown later that same week. We are very grateful to the Executive Governor of Kogi State Captain Wada for his support in
ensuring that the Congress holds in his State.
We also thank him for ensuring that Confluence Queens remains among the
best in the country”.

The NFF Executive Committee member said “Based on the resolutions of all the clubs in our last meeting, the Premier League will begin on 15th February. We are going to have a star match in Abuja, to formally herald the Women Premier League in the country. There will be a seminar for all the club officials, followed by the draws of the Professional
League. The climax of the day would be an award nite, where players and officials that excelled in the last football season would be recognized.
We would also recognize some individuals that have contributed positively in the
development of Women Football in the country”.

Mrs. Onyedinma was full of optimism that the 2014 League season would herald a new era for Nigeria Women Football League.

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New Post – Ogunbote Evaluates CHAN Eagles

Sharks Technical Adviser Gbenga Ogunbote in a chat with Naijasportscentre.com took time out to analyze the chances of the Nigeria National Team in the Championship of African Nations tournament in South Africa while taking time out to explain the exclusion of the two other invited players from Sharks FC with only Christian Pygbara making the final list.

ON THE SQUAD AS A WHOLE:

“It’s quite unfortunate that we are going with new set of players after the departure of some of the players that constitute and qualified the team for the championship to Europe, but with all things been equal, I know that we have capable legs that can make the country proud in South Africa.

The only challenges they might be facing is that they don’t have enough time to prepare, but even at that, they can still go far with the little preparation.”

ON ETEBO, NAJARE MISSING OUT:

“The truth of the matter is that the Nigerian League is blessed with abundant talent take it or leave it.

“It’s just that if Etebo is dropped that means we have someone that is better than he is, all I know is that every coach will always want to win every tournament he is participating in with Stephen Keshi not an exception, and
you can’t do that if you didn’t go with your best legs, something I am sure Keshi will never do. I am sure the players that travelled to South Africa are the best during the
camping season.”

ON CHRISTIAN PYGBARA INVITATION:

“Well it’s quite unfortunate that three of Sharks FC players were invited and only one could make the final squad. It’s not because of low performance but due to injury it was a
painful one for me.

“We have only Christian Pygbara in the squad and am pretty sure it was a merited call. I know he’s going to learn a lot from there and also add to his attributes, he will surely come
back a better player.

“Once you played for your nation, the ego is there already and you will not want to fall below the standard that gave you the invitation in the first place. So been part of the team is a good thing for him and the club too. I am really happy for him.

“There are some clubs that has no representation there and for Sharks ordinarily, we should have had three because
there is no way Isah Danladi and Gabriel would have been dropped if not for the injury, they are all quality players, I know that will get over the disappointment.”

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Osun Babes resumes for new season

Nigeria Women Premier League side, Osun Babes Football Club of Oshogbo, on Monday, kick starts the team preparation ahead of the new season.

The management of the team disclosed that screening exercise for new players is on-going at the Sports Complex of Fountain University, Oshogbo.

According to the Acting General Manager of the state Sports Council, Akin Adio, he said the team started preparation in ernest to enable the team to put proper touches to the lapses noticed in the team last season and to also allow the players blend on time prior the league hostility action.

Adio, further revealed that new players would be screened and only exceptional ones would be considered for a place in the team.

He further informed that the management has acquired a well-furnished camp for the players in the ancient town.

However, the team camp was thrown into joyous mood when news was brokered that two of the team players were invited to the Super Falcons.

The team head coach, Kehinde Johnson, informed newsmen that enterprizing midfielder, Zirike Elizabeth, and defence stalwart, Alani Aminat, who both played a pivotal role in the team success last season, are to report to the FIFA Goal Project on Monday January 13, 2014.

The team captain, Elijah Esther, is presently with the the Falconet currently preparing for the Female Under 20 World Youth Championship.

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