Defending champions, NNL All Stars were made to work hard for their victory after a 76th minute Lasoju Sulaimon screamer which broke Abraysports FC hearts

It was entertainment galore in the game between Kwara Football Academy and Jazzy Stars, with the former winning 1-0 thanks to impressive Sunday Samuel who bagged a stunning goal.

Gotie Taofeeq scored the winning spot-kick – as Laycon FA sealed a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Amapro Selected. Goalkeeper Taye Kolawole was the hero for the Offa based side with two saves at the shoot-out.

Wasiu Alalade bagged a brace as NPFL All Stars eased past Dickalo FA 2-0 and they will next play Laycon FA in the semi-final.

The other semi-final fixture will see defending champions NNL All Stars put their title on the line against giant killing KFA.

Day 4 Results:

NNL All Stars 1-0 Abraysports
KFA 1-0 Jazzy Stars
Amapro Selected 0-0 Laycon FA (AP 2-4)
NPFL All Stars 2-0 Dickalo FA

Football community in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning mood following the shocking news of former ABS FC midfielder, Ibrahim Odiba who slumped and died on Saturday in Lokoja.

Odiba was reported to have slumped and gave up few minutes into joining the Kogi All Stars’ training at the Confluence Stadium.

The Kogi born Odiba who played for notable clubs in Nigerian leagues including ABS FC and Kaduna United did not show any sign of ailments.

One of the members of Confluence All Stars, Tomiwa Lawal told OnwardNews24 that Odiba was a lively and friendly member who has always shown optimum professionalism all through.

He said Odiba will be greatly missed just as he prayed God to bless his soul and grant his immediate family fortitude to bear his demise.

“We are sadden and shocked with the death of one of us, Ibrahim Odiba who slumped this morning at Confluence Stadium, Lokoja today during training.

“There was no touch, no contact from anybody, he slumped to his face after about five minutes of entering in the second half our training this morning.

“We were able to bring him back to life and he was back to life and he even asked what happened.

“He was driven to the hospital to continue treatment but unfortunately he couldn’t make it.

“We will miss him so dearly, he was a very nice and humble man, very professional and committed member of the All Stars family.

“May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace and I pray that God will grant his family fortitude to bear his untimely death.

No fewer than 29 players and 11 officials of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC on Friday under go COVID-19 test.

The team led by its Coordinator, Andulmalik Olasunkanmi, had the test at the Sobi Isolation centre, Ilorin.

Addressing journalists at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin after the test, on Saturday, the ABS Coordinator said what happened on Friday was part of requirements to begin the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL), season.

He said ABS is a club that does not joke with international best practices when it comes to the running of its day to day activities.

Olasunkanmi explained that as part of activities to ensure a safe environment for all players and officials of NNL clubs, it was important to conduct the test and expressed the hope that other teams would follow same path.

In a statement made available by the Chairman, Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Prince Olayioye Ajide Shola, the appointment of ACC was a right step in a right direction.

Prince Olayioye expressed the Nigeria Pillar of Sports’ excitement on the announcement of one of the members as a member of the NFF committee.

According to the statement, Alloy Chukwuemeka has what it takes to serve in that capacity.

” Alloy Chukwuemeka is a master strategist who had participated in all stages of sports administration and has been contributing to sports promotion and development in Nigeria.

“ACC’s agility, knowledge and commitment earned him appointment as manager of a professional league side, Executive Secretary, Football club Owners of Nigeria aside having served as media officer of many clubs. He was part of Enyimba FC strategists that won elusive African Champions League Cup among many of his feats.”

The Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports appreciated the NFF and encourage the football ruling authority to identify people like him to take sports to a greater height.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick has done well in constituting the various committees that will help reposition the round leather game in Nigeria.

The Chairman, Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Olayioye Ajide sounded that the office would continue to applaud sports policies and decisions that will give hope to sports enthusiasts in Nigeria.

In a brief ceremony held at OUR HOMES SUITES in ikeja Lagos on Monday, the two organizations agreed , to activate platforms to identify and develop young talented Footballers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director General of KIFA Prince Dapo Ajibade said the choice of ABSFC was in recognition of their outstanding performances and solid structure that support the development of youth players.

He added that KIFA/ABS FC partnership will see to the joint implementation of a discovery and development strategy using the Academy’s global mileage and the professional status of ABSFC.

Director of Football of ABS FC Ilorin Alloy Chukwuemeka described the partnership as a workable approach because the network of both KIFA and ABS FC is huge in both structures and investment opportunities.

He assured that the club will explore all avenues available to it and KIFA to create a solid Football base for exceptional players to rise to stardom.

The event event was witnessed by KIFA coordinators from all the states of the Federation, officials of ABS FC, sports journalists and Football stakeholders.

Unveiling the players, the club’s Director of football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, urged the players to be good ambassadors of the club.

He told them that the motto of the club is Discipline and that they must uphold it wherever they found themselves not only on the pitch.

Chukwuemeka assured them that their welfare will be given top priority and asked the new boys to reciprocate with good performances when the league kicks off on Friday.

The Nigeria Premier league Club Owners’ Scribe, congratulated the new players for scaling through the trial processes before they were picked by the coach and asked them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Technical Crew.

Two of the 17 players unveiled, Sufian Bello and Muri Dagbo were from the youths. 

The other 15 players are Abiola Sabitu, a goalkeeper, Obinna Ezeoha, striker, Abdulraheem Saad, Eghosa Anderson, Mubarak Akorewe are all wingers. 

Saheed Ogunmoye, Elijah Akanmu, Yunusa Nazifi, Ridwan Gafar, (defenders), Joshua ObengChristopher Chukwujekwu
Taofik Aremu, Azeez Abdulsalam (midfielders), Ignatius Goje andSamaila Bulus are wingers. 

The Kits Manager of the club, Rasheed Adeniyi, was presented with the staff outstanding award for the year while coach Shuaib Abdulkadir, who was sent to a refresher course by the club, also presented his certificate to the club’s Director of football. 

The unveiling was witnessed by the chairman of the Kwara Football Association, Malam Idris Musa, the ABS Head Coach, Yomi Elijah, veteran sports journalist, Bayour Issa, chairman Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Kwara chapter, Coach Tunde Sanni and a host of others. 

Elijah said this after his team lost 2-5 to visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure on Monday in Ilorin in a friendly match.

The Saraki Boys had lost 0-2 to Crown FC in Ogbomoso on Sunday before the Monday defeat to Sunshine Stars. 

The former Kogi United handler, said most of the work to be done have not started but the games are good for him because he is getting an opportunity to see the players.

“We are still a team in progress, these are young guys, we have not started work on the boys yet.

“We are only taking advantage of the friendly matches because many of our opponents are ready and we still have a little bit of work to do before the season starts.

“We are going to search for more grade A matches to see more players and access the ones we have already seen to know their readiness” Elijah said. 

He said he has seen the players and explained a few of them will have to go but he hasn’t taken a decision on who is going and who will stay. 

ABS had in a training tour of Lagos recently defeated MFM FC 4-1, played a one-all draw with Ikon Allah Academy, drew goalless with FC Bethel. 

The had lost back to back 0-1 each to both Niger Tornadoes of Minna and Crown FC of Ogbomoso in Ilorin before the training tour of Lagos. 

The Nigeria National League (NNL) side will on Wednesday play La Planet Academia of Ilorin and host Kwara Football Academy on Friday. 

Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, has unveiled 47-year-old Yomi Elijah as its Technical Adviser.

Speaking at the ceremony, the club’s Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, said he is delighted to have Elijah rejoining the Ilorin based team. 

Chukwuemeka said the club will build on a solid foundation that would keep the club going and also create an avenue for young talented footballers at the grassroots level to become superstar. 

According to the management of the club, the coach will be handed two bedroom flat apartments and also an official car to ease his job.

“At ABS we work day and night to discover talents with dedicated staff. “Presently, we have two of our players at the U-17 level as we speak and we will have more this season by God’s grace” Chukwuemeka said.

The Nigeria Premier League Club Owners Scribe, also announced that a grassroots Coach, Shuiab Abdulkadir will assist Elijah on the job. 

He said the club picked Abdulkadir because of his meritorious service to grassroots football development. 

Chukwuemeka disclosed that the team will train Abdulkadir just as it has done to those who had passed through the club like him. 

Reacting after his unveiling, Elijah promised to bring programme that will encourage and develop Youth football, insisting that he came to ABS Ilorin FC to make a positive impact.

He said ABS has always been close to his heart and he is delighted to return to the club that gave him his first opportunity to lead a team. 

“I am here to make a difference, this is one of the best club in Nigeria with a modern day structure in football. 

“My passion is to bring out the best in players and we will do this with some of the young lads here at ABS. 

“My return to ABS will produce more players that will represent the country now and in the future” Elijah said. 

Meanwhile, the club has announced that it will resume on Monday, Sept. 30