At a time that Nigeria is facing an assumed crisis in the areas of goalkeeping especially in the senior national, Coach Suleiman Shaibu is emerging to support in bringing solutions to that critical area in the senior national team.

Shaibu who was recently appointed as the second assistant goalkeeper coach with the U.23 National team and the home based Super Eagles team, is not new in the National teams nor Nigeria football. He still hold the record of the oldest goalkeeper that had ever played in the Nigeria League. He kept for various clubs from 1981 to 2007.

Young Suleiman Shaibu started his journey as a goalkeeper with a non League club in Kano Fagge Pele Football Club of Kano in 1981. He spent only one season in the club before he was scouted by the handlers of Raccah Rovers of Kano, where he played until 1986, before the then city rivals Wreca FC signed him. In 1987 he went to the then Nasco jets before returning to Bank of North FC of Kano until 1991 when he teamed up with ITF of Jos. He played only one season with the Training Fund team before Dantata United came for his signatures in 1994

Katsina United was his next stop in 1995. Wikki Tourists came calling in 1996, a club he played with till 2003 when he moved over to Jigawa Golden stars and retired as a Coach player in 2007. Same year he was honoured by the Nigeria Professional League as the oldest goalkeeper that played in the league.

Goalkeeper Suleiman Shaibu who was born on 1 July 1967, won various honors with teams he played for. He was a member of the Kano state Academical team that won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the Manuwa Adebanjo cup in 1985, 1984, and 1983 respectively. He was a member of the all the conquering National U.20 team (Flying Eagles)that won the African Youth Championship in 1985. He helped in promoting Katsina United in 1995, Wikki Tourists in 1997, and Jigawa Golden stars in 2007. He also have several medals from the Federation cup for the clubs he kept for.

After 27 years between the sticks in the league, Suleiman Shaibu who hails from Kwara state, but born and bred in Kano state, attended the National Institute For Sports in 2005, where he obtained the Basic Certificate in Football Coaching, he is CAF C and B licensed coach. He has also attended the FIFA MA goalkeeping course among others.

He was a goalkeeper trainer of the National U-17 team (2008-2009), National U-20 team(2010-2012; 2018-2022). He has just been appointed into the U.23 National team and CHAN Eagles.

Shaibu worked with various Premiership clubs like Jigawa Golden star of Dutse (2006-2010); Enyimba International of Aba (2010-2014); Rangers International of Enugu(2015-2017); El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri (2017-2018) and presently Abia Warriors of Umuahia (2020- Date).

No doubt, with the coming of Suleiman Shaibu to the senior cadre of the national team, the dreams of having great goalkeepers for the senior national National team may now be a reality.

Abia Warriors netted twice in the second half to end a winless run against Remo Stars last Saturday in Okigwe and Coach Imama Amapakabo put the win down to a quick decision to exploit dead ball situations.
Abia Warriors returned to the second 45minutes to take the lead from Yakubu Ahmed 61st minute free kick while Valentine Odoh scored the second goal in the 80th minute.
Speaking to www.npfl.ng post match, Amapakabo explained that after observing the Remo Stars lineup, he had to improvise a match plan for the second half and leaned on the players to make better use of set pieces.
He revealed that the team has been working on set pieces and was happy to have gotten a set piece goal. 
“We needed to utilise the set pieces that we have had. We have been terrible with set pieces. We worked on it but when anxiety sets in, players tend to lose it but fortunately we were able to get a goal through a set piece”, the former Rangers Coach remarked.
He also spoke of his reading of the Remo Stars game approach from what he saw of their squad.
“Fortunately when I saw the lineup, I knew they would be coming up with a different formation. They kept a very low line and they kept a high number of players behind the line”.

“What we were not doing right in the first half was trying to keep possession and we didn’t have that individual brilliance and we were not making positive runs. We knew that we needed to drag them out of possession. We needed some bit of creativity”
Remo Stars coach, Gbenga Ogungbote said he was disappointed with the result as his team were careless in the game. 
“It was a disappointing game for me too. You see we had many careless moments especially in the second half. But sometimes when it happens you pick your pieces and then move on”, rued Ogunbote
Abia Warriors will go away to play Dakkada in Uyo in the next fixture while Remo Stars host Rangers International FC. 

It was a rain of goals and display of natural talent and soccer artistry as Remo Stars FC U-15 side put Abia Warriors FC U-15 to the sword, in Day 3 of the ongoing NPFL Laliga U-15 Premises Youth League.

The Junior Sky Blues raced into an early lead with two quick goals from Arierhi Kparoboa and Adejimi Peter, while entertaining the fans with their individual skills and team cohesion at the same time.

They put the game beyond the reach of the young Warriors with three second half goals from Promise Meliga, Peter Adejimi and Oreoluwa Agbenla.

Remo stars coach, Tiago Conde, while giving his post match reaction said; “The early goals we got in the match actually paved the way for us to do far better in the second half.

“Although after the first two goals, the boys lost focus for a while and then, the second half was far better and they got three goals, but above all, team work, consistency, determination and commitment is key; if we have all these in our team at any point in time during this competition, I am sure we would go far.”

In the second match of the day, goals from Kolawole Olalekan, Mahmud Balogun and Olatunji Yusuf ensure that Gombe United U-15 side fell to the fire power of Kwara United U-15. However, the North Eastern team didn’t go down without a fight, as a consolatory goal from Miko Dalhat saw the scoreline at 3-1 after the final whistle.

In his post match reaction, the coach of Kwara United, Mukaila Ayala maintained that his side has greatly improved compared to how they played in the last edition in Enugu.

“I am happy with the way we played; the team has improved tremendously compared to how we played in the last edition. We created a lot of chances but we couldn’t utilize anyone of them, but this time around, it is a different ball game, as we were able to utilize three of our chances in the first half.”

The final match of the day saw team Rangers Int’l beat Sunshine Stars 2-1, with goals from Salami Taiwo and Sunday Oreoluwa, while Adeyemi Ola got the only goal for the young Gunners of Akure.

“It’s really challenging because we’ve failed to deal with teams ahead of us though hard luck has also been a factor during this period but we are very optimistic that we will come back better”, Biffo concluded.

Both teams had filed out with purpose of intent as seen in the opening fifteen minutes of the match.

The first real chance at goal came after 20 minutes when Fatokun found Alao Danbani with a delightful pass but the striker missed a sitter. Moments later, Abia Warriors Anumudu found space down the left but his effort was saved by Iwu in goal for Kwara.

Kwara United nearly took the lead just past the half hour mark when Samuel Bamidele’s effort from a freekick clipped the right post. Just when it seemed the half was drawing to a close, Danbani found Samuel Tiza who finished past Edafe Vincent to give his side the advantage going into the break.

The opening five minutes of the restart was action filled. Afeez Nosiru earned a yellow for a reckless challenge on Valentine Odoh followed by a double substitution by the Harmony Boys with the duo of Samad Kadiri and Ayobami Junior replacing Junior Lokosa and Chisom Emmanuel respectively.

Moments later, Abia Warriors got the equaliser when Godwin Obaje’s Inviting cross from the right found Odoh whose volley could not be cleared on time leaving referee Buhari Bawa to rule that the ball had crossed the line.

Nigeria International Michael Ibe has returned to his boyhood club Abia Warriors until the end of the season.

The Umuahia based club won the race to land Ibe, with some NPFL clubs also reported to be keen on the attacking midfielder, who chose to return to his first NPFL team.

Ibe, started his professional career with Abia Warriors before joining Akwa United where he won the Aiteo Cup in 2017.

In 2019, he reunited with his former coach Abdul Maikaba at Plateau United before moving to FK Andijon in Uzbekistan.

His exploits with Andijon saw him join Mash’al Mubarek mid-season, in one and half season with the team, Ibe scored 10 goals and 6 assists in all competition for Mash’al.

Ibe is currently in Umuahia and will hope to bring his wealth of experience into Imama’s tutored Abia Warriors.

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.

It was Kwara United who faced Abia Warriors in an entertaining opening match of the day.

For the Young Harmony Boys, they wanted to pick a positive result and they got it thanks to Olatunbosun Lateef.

With the 1-0 result, United have four points from two games, while Warriors have no joy after two games.

In the second game of day 3, hosts Rangers could not contain their fast-paced opponents, Warri Wolves, as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss.

Okiki Oghenoruese popped up with an all important 40th minute winner.

In the final match, coach Babatunde Elijah led his MFM FC side in search of a win over Plateau United.

The game was very entertaining as both sides played a high pressing game.

Despite keeping their counterparts under siege at some stage, Plateau United were not clinical upfront.

At the end of proceedings it was goalless between the Olukoya Boys and Plateau United.

Meanwhile, Kwara United will now turn their focus to Akwa United for their last group game, while already eliminated Abia Warriors will try to save face against Jigawa Golden Stars.

NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises – Day 3 Results

Kwara United 1-0 Abia Warriors

Rangers 0-1 Warri Wolves

MFM FC 0-0 Plateau United

Topscorers As At Day 3

2 Goals

Chikwere Chigaemezu – Heartland

Umar Abubakar – Katsina United

1 Goal

Ugochukwu Okpara – Heartland

Abubakar Yasir – Katsina United

Jibril Isah – Kano Pillars

Imrana Musa – Kano Pillars

Idris Khamus – Kano Pillars

Olatunbosun Lateef – Kwara United

Okiki Oghenoruese – Warri Wolves

Samuel Effiong – Akwa United

Emmanuel Edem – Dakkada FC

Chidiuto Emelda – Enyimba

A solitary strike from the impressive Samuel Effiong helped Akwa United claim a 1-0 win in their 2021 NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises opener against Abia Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Thursday.

Abia Warriors had the better of the play, but could not turn their dominance into three points.

According to Abia Warriors coach, Emenike Ezeugo, his boys weren’t lucky in the game.

“The boys tried and played very well. This is the first match and I can’t judge the boys. In our second match, we should hopefully pick it up from there,” he said.

“It was just hardluck, it is not easy to create chances. When you create chances and don’t convert them, then the luck isn’t there.”

“The target is to qualify from the group stage. From there, I will think about the next level.”

Coach Edward Edemekong who tutored the Young Promise Keepers felt relieved with the win.

“I give kudos to the players for their resilience. They were magnificent and got a good result.”

“I think Abia Warriors have a good team. The last time we met, it was 4-1 in our favour. I think they have really improved. I give them a lot of credit.”

Kwara United and Jigawa Golden Stars settled for a 0-0 draw at the Cathedral.

The Harmony Boys pressed for the lead before halftime, but the teams went into the break level.

It was more of the same after the break as Kwara United continued to make all of the running. It was goalless at full time.

The last game of the day saw Enyimba forcing Dakkada FC to a 1-1 draw.

Emmanuel Edem stunned the Aba boys with a sizzling effort but Chidiuto Emelda helped Enyimba level matters.

Enyimba continued to push forward in the closing stages and had a number of chances to grab a winner, but couldn’t find a way past the disciplined Dakkada FC side.

The 2021 NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises action continues on Friday with three matches scheduled to hold at the Cathedral.

Kano Pillars and Lobi Stars will face off in what is an intriguing clash. Both teams will believe they should make the next round, and so victory in this one would be a giant step towards achieving that.

The second match is between Adamawa United and Heartland.

Defending champions, Katsina United will have their hands full against Rivers United.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

Abia Warriors 0-1 Akwa United

Jigawa Golden Stars 0-0 Kwara United

Dakkada FC 1-1 Enyimba FC

FRIDAY’S FIXTURES

Kano Pillars Vs Lobi Stars

Adamawa United Vs Heartland

Katsina United Vs Rivers United

GOALSCORERS

1 goal

Samuel Effiong (Akwa United)

Emmanuel Edem (Dakkada FC)

Chidiuto Emelda (Enyimba FC)

The event had
FIFA Futuro III Referees Technical Instructor, CAF trained Referees Technical Instructor and Assessor, Chief Eke Onyeforo as the Resource Person.

In his opening remark, Abia Warriors Chairman Pastor Emeka Inyama advised the participants to attach seriousness to the seminar as that is the part of the requirements for the commencement of the new season.

The participants were taken through the recent introductions in the laws of the game, especially as it relates to offsides and hand.

Reacting at the end of seminar which was attended by State FA Chairman, Referees Chairman and Coaches Chairman, the Head Coach of Abia Warriors Imama Amakpakabo was appreciative to the management of the club for the opportunity given to the players and officials to keep abreast of the recent changes in the laws of the game. He said such will surely help the team when the league begins.

The People’s Elephants who humbled rivals Abia Comets 2-0 in their last group game, went unbeaten to top the Group A log with 10 points from four matches, set up a clash with Jos based, Plateau United who placed second in Group B with 10 points.

The Peace Boys are yet to be defeated in Aba, with three wins and one draw at the competition.

The Nigerian representatives at the CAF Champions League would be using the game to test the strength of their players ahead of the continental showpiece.

Abia Warriors have a tricky test with giant killers A&A in the second semi final game billed for on Friday at 3pm.

Winners from the two semi-final games will clash in the finals on Saturday November 21, 2020.