Playing the first match of the day on Sunday, both teams needed the lottery of penalty shootout to determine the winner after a scoreless regulation time

In the second match, Kebbi edged Osun to progress to the next stage.

The 3rd match of the day, a tough encounter between Rivers and Ebonyi, it ended 5-4 on penalties in favour of the former.

Akwa also relied on penalty shootout to overcome Kogi in the 4th match of the day after recording a goalless draw at full time.

Bauchi humbled star studded Kwara in the 5th match via penalties to book their passage to the next round.

The game between Niger and FCT ended 1-1. It was the FCT that won 4-3 on penalties.

The Ote4Wealth Football Tournament holding at the Water FC Stadium, Apo Abuja is in honour of Diamond Jubilee celebration of Nigeria’s foremost philanthropist and Business mogul, Femi Otedola Femi Otedola who clocked 60 on November 4.

Day 3 Results;

Plateau 0-0 Abia (AP 2-4)

Osun 1-2 Kebbi

Rivers 0-0 Ebonyi (AP 5-4)

Kogi 0-0 Akwa (AP (2-4)

Kwara 0-0 Bauchi (AP 1-3)

Niger 1-1 FCT (AP 3-4)

Delta 0-0 Bayelsa (AP 2-4)

Bauchi 0-0 Kano (AP 6-5)

The presidential ambition of the frontrunner in the forthcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Presidential Election, Dr. Christian Emeruwa has received further boost as the Executive Governor of Abia State. Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has thrown the full weight of the state behind the aspirant.

The Governor made the official declaration on Saturday when he received Dr. Emeruwa who hails from Ikwuano-Oboro Local Government Area in Umuahia, Abia state, at the Governor’s Lodge in Aba, the commercial nerve center of Nigeria.

Dr. Ikpeazu who attentively listened to Dr. Emeruwa who briefly presented his strategic plan for Nigeria football, expressed his joy that one of his indigenes has a lofty vision that can transform Nigeria football.

The Governor who has been funding two Nigerian Premier League clubs Enyimba International and Abia Warriors Football Clubs since he came into office seven and half years ago commended Dr. Emeruwa’s bold steps to run for the NFF President post.

An elated Ikpeazu therefore welcomed him to Abia state and assured Dr. Emeruwa of the full support of the people and government of Abia state led by his good self.

He also encouraged Dr. Emeruwa to trudge on, saying that it will be a good thing for an Abia indigene who is a technocrat that understands the game to champion the way the game will be administered in Nigeria.

He said: “I am highly impressed with what I have seen and heard. Above all, it will be a good thing for an Abia indigene who is a serving international football technocrat that understands the game to champion the way the game will be administered in Nigeria”.

“I assure you that you will have the full support of the people and government of Abia state led by my humble self to ensure that you realise your ambition to become the next President of NFF come September 30 in Benin City, Edo state.

The visit to Governor Ikpeazu was part of Dr. Emeruwa’s wide consultations with critical stakeholders in football in Nigeria including state governments that sponsor most of the football clubs playing in various Nigerian football leagues.

Dr. Emeruwa will also during the trip hold strategic meetings with critical stakeholders in the South East before returning to Abuja to continue his engagements with other Election Delegates ahead of the the September 30 NFF Elective Congress in Benin City.

Enyimba produced another spectacular performance to liven hopes for their fans who have endured indifferent outings in the season with a convincing 3-0 win over Gombe United. 

The Aba based team started the game lively from the 3rd minute, as Sadiq Abubakar’s  pass found Victor Mbaoma close to the box, but the strikers effort was saved by Gombe Goalkeeper Kazeem Yekini.

Enyimba scored their first goal in the 6th minute when Yakubu Bilal found Obioma Chukwuemeka close to the opponents 18 yard box and the striker slotted home calmly.

Gombe however tried to respond early after conceding, as in the 11th minute, Somiala Bello had his cross from the right flank, shot off the bar, by Yusuf Abdulazeez.

Enyimba Victor Mbaoma scored his team’s second goal of the day in the 16th minute, after a fine interchange of passes between him and his strike partner, Emeka Obioma. It was his 11th goal of the season in the league for Enyimba.

Samuel Oyediji came close to getting a goal for Gombe United but his shot went inches wide in the 20th minute. 

Enyimba’s third goal arrived in the 29th minute after  Cyril Olisema benefited from a fine pass from Samuel Kalu and slotted past the Gombe Goalkeeper.

The visitors kept pushing for a goal as Abba Maigari had his chance in the 31st minute, but his long range shot was saved by Enyimba Goalkeeper John Noble as Enyimba took a 3 goal lead at half time.

The second half started with Gombe United seeking for a respite, but couldn’t score as Abba Maigari , Ahmed Jimoh and Yusuf Abdulazeez missed glaring chances in the 55th , 61st and 65th minute from giving themselves a consolation.

Enyimba almost got a fourth goal in the 70th minute, after Victor Mbaoma met Yakubu  Bilal’s cross, but his shot at goal inches wide.

Gombe United Substitute Christian Innocent came close in the 68th minute, but his effort went wide, while Ahmed Jimoh’s shot went over the bar from a good position in the 78th minute.

Gombe United kept pushing for a goal stronger  but failed to find a breakthrough again in the 80th minute.

Enyimba Coach Finidi George introduced Captain Austin Oladapo, Gabriel Orok and Ghanaian midfielder Farouk Mohammed for Samuel Kalu, Obioma Chukwuemeka and Godwin Emmanuel, as the home side searched for more goals.

Enyimba will be guests to Akwa United Fc, while Gombe Utd will host Sunshine Stars of Akure on matchday 27.

Speaking to www.nfpl.ng Enyimba coach Finidi George said his team played well especially in the first half.

“We had a good game today against Gombe United, especially in the first 45 minutes as we scored early goals before 30 minutes, it’s still work in progress as we seek to finish the season on a high note”

His opposite on the dugout, Aliyu Zubiaru blamed the defeat on his players loss of concentration.

“We lost to a better Enyimba team, as we couldn’t take the game to Enyimba, and conceded early goals which made it difficult to come back, but we will make amends in our next game at home”.

Man of the match: Cyril Olisema (Enyimba Fc)

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has praised the Super Eagles after they held Black Stars of Ghana to a goalless draw, in their 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff first leg in Kumasi.

The Eagles battled their host to a stalemate in front of a over 50,000 home fans inside the Baba Yara Stadium on Friday.

Reacting to the result, Kalu urged the Eagles to make sure the clinch the World Cup ticket in the second leg.

“It was not a bad performance from our boys yesterday. Well done, Super Eagles! Our focus should be the next game here in Abuja. It is a must win for us to be in Qatar. I wish the team all the best,” he wrote on facebook.

The second leg comes up inside the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday.

Enyimba FC had to wait till injury time before breaking Orlando Pirates with a strike from Cyril Olisema to qualify for the quarter-final of CAF Confederation Cup.

The People’s Elephants left it late in a match they needed nothing short of an outright victory to qualify for the quartet finals thereby boosting their chances of winning the African second tier club title.

Enyimba was without their suspended captain and leading scorer Augustine Oladapo and his absence was hugely felt in the middle of the pack for the Aba giants.

The hosts were more dominant against an unbeaten Bucs who came into the game with nothing to lose.

Chances were created in both halves by the hosts but the likes of Anayo Iwuala, Victor Mbaoma and Samuel Orok couldn’t found the needed target until the fifth minute of added when Olisema find himself at best place at right time to bury past the Pirates’ keeper.

The Fatai Osho led side however finished the group with same points (9) as leaders pushing Orlando Pirates to second based on head to head rules.

Both teams will have to till Friday to determine who their quarterfinal opponents will be during the draws.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the former Governor of Abia State has left door of staking aims as one of shareholders of Arsenal FC.

Senator Orji Kalu made this known on Wednesday while fielding questions from journalists on Nigeria Sports Mouthpiece, NSM Rebranded a popular WhatsApp sports platform in Nigeria.

I put a Bid up for Arsenal that Was rejected – Senator Kalu

It has been rumored that the North London club will be put up for sale by the largest share holders, Stan Kroenke with Spotify owner, Daniel Ek showing strong interest to buy, the development Arsenal has denied.

Meanwhile, the former Abia Governor who is a successful businessman in Nigeria disclosed that he had collaborated with an American based bank to help persuade Kroenke to sell Arsenal and help return the club known as pride of London by it’s supporters to the elite level which the America businesses mogul refused.

He however not rule out plans to submitting a new bid to convince the owner to sell.

“Honestly I’m not an Arsenal fan, I only wanted to use Arsenal to make money as a businessman.

“I put a bid before and I wanted them to sell the club but they were not serious in selling, I pray they will listen to the voice of nature, we were serious (to buy) and we backed up by one of the biggest banks in America, we put a bid forward through mail but they said we will come back.

Senator Orji Kalu is known for turning around fortunes of Enyimba FC while as Governor of Abia State as his passion for football helped Enyimba to win back to back CAF Champions League (2003 and 2004).

Arsenal have been struggling to be among the strong contenders in English and European football.

Former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed displeasure over the current status of state owned club, Enyimba Int’l calling on the Abia government to give the team a needed attention.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu stated this on Wednesday when he was a guest on a popular sports platform on WhatsApp called Nigeria Sports Mouthpiece, NSM Rebranded.

The former two term governor of God’s Own State who under his administration led Enyimba to their historic back to back CAF Champions League glories noted with dismay what once loved by all club has turned to.

Senator Kalu disclosed that the club’s present dip in form was as a result of neglect by the present Abia state government which has made the team fell short of glories and motivation to record successes.

He recalled how motivated the team to record laurels and glories during his reign as Governor and called on the present government to give the club more attention which would make it returned to being admired by many as it were.

“Enyimba is an international club and its sad to see that a club I loved so much is not doing well as its used to, Enyimba was the pride of Aba people and Nigeria, they worship the club after God, but I’m not very happy with what is happening with the club right now, I believe they’ve reigned and they will continue to reign.

“Enyimba are in their worst part now since I left them, they have not done well and I don’t see them well because you cannot owe players, you can’t keep coaches happy you cannot motivates the coaches, and even the media that are promoting the team. If you don’t do this, its absolutely very difficult for a club to do very well.

“I used to travel from Umuahia to Aba to go and train with Enyimba and I used to follow Enyimba almost everywhere they go and those are parts of the motivation.

“I believe (they will improve) but they are struggling, may be tomorrow something will change, time will tell, so they will come back one day,” he said.

Senator Orji Kalu who is representing Abia North at the upper chamber of the National Assembly revealed how he planned to commercialized the People’s Elephants during his reign but the plan was jettisoned by his successor, Governor Theodore Orji who also changed his privately formed club, OUK FC to the state owned now called Abia Warriors.

“Before I left, we wanted to commercialized Enyimba and make it to go public working on it till I left and I briefed the Governor coming after me thinking he would follow suit but he failed to do that because Enyimba was really the love of our people and it was everything.

‘You know I created two teams back then, the other one was in Umuahia, I named them Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK FC) but they changed the name to Abia Warriors, I believe they will come back one day and I will be taking the club (Abia Warriors) back just that time isn’t right now.”

Founded in 1976, Enyimba have won a record eight Nigerian League titles and also won four FA Cup glories.