Abdullahi Biffo who is the gaffer of Kwara United on Monday, August 2, broke the record set by Samson Unuanel at the Ilorin based club following his wards’ win over Adamawa United in Gombe.

Michael Ohanu and captain Christopher Nwaeze scored the two goals that gave Kwara United 2-0 win over Adamawa United in what was the Harmony Boys last away game this season.

In the history of Kwara United, Coach Samson Unuanel has the highest number of away wins in a season which was 3.

Biffo has now surpassed this record following his away victories this season at Plateau United, Sunshine Stars, Katsina United and Adamawa United making it four away wins this term which is an incredible record.

Interestingly, Kwara United under Abdullahi Biffo were also the first team in history to beat Katsina United at their home ground in an NPFL game.

Kwara United’s win at Adamawa United has now restored the hope of continental ticket with one game each remaining for all the NPFL teams.

“I want to use this medium to thank my management, players, fans, government and all Kwarans because it is their supports that has been helping us.

“We will try our best to win our last game and we hope that Thursday will be a good day for us,” Abdullahi Biffo explained to Kwara United media.

As things stand presently, Kwara United must beat visiting Katsina United in Ilorin this coming Thursday in final game of the season.

The Promise Keepers did well to extend their lead at the top of table to four points. Charles Atshimene and Mfon Udoh were on target for the Uyo based side at the Nest of Champions.

Gbadebo who still out injured praised the way Akwa United dispatched the visitors in Uyo.

“We have had five massive games in the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“It has been a hard programme and the lads deserve a lot of praise for that.

“This was not a 100 per cent top performance from us but we never gave in. “That is what the character of this club is all about. No other club in the country has got that. “We are fantastic at gritting our teeth and getting something out of a dead situation.”

The 24-year-old, who has been consistent this season has missed Akwa United’s last three games in the NPFL.

In his absence, Kennedy Boboye has played Charles Okafor as a central defender.

Following the win over Adamawa United, the former Enyimba man is stepping up his fitness in a bid to return to the starting line-up as soon as possible.

Samson Gbadebo will be determined to continue his best form upon return for Akwa United at the business end of the season.

The Promise Keepers host Adamawa United at the Nest of Champions and the Nigeria international insists that his men should be considered the team to beat.

“Favourites to win the game? Us. It’s hard to pick a favourite in a game, but playing at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, we’re favourites because we’re at home,” he said.

“We’ve already shown how to beat the best in the league. We have to be ourselves and fight, sweat blood and tears, give our all.

“We have to play our game. They have talented players, but we’re fearless.

“We aren’t scared of them. We’ve already beaten in Gombe. An Akwa United player must never be scared.

“The gaffer works and studies all the details. Kennedy Boboye speaks from his heart and knows how to get the best out of his players.

Etim Matthew has become an everpresent member of the Akwa United backline this season.

It was a dream start for new head coach, Ortega Deniran, as Warri Wolves shared the spoils with Adamawa United in a six-goal thriller on Matchday 22 of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, on Sunday.

Two minutes into the game, Stanley Otu poked home a Stephen Eregare cross to put the Seasiders in the lead.

Seven minutes later, Anayo Ogbonna leveled terms for the Yola side to the utter disappointment of the visitors.

The Wolves went back into the lead again, when Williams Sunday profited from a defensive error inside the box and scored.

But that lead did not last, as United came back to reckoning again with an Anayo Ogbonna equalizer.

Four minutes after the resumption of the second half, Efe Yarhere arrived the box at right time to finish off a fine move and send Warri Wolves into the lead for umpteenth time in the encounter.

Inside the final quarter of an hour, Idris Abubakar took a swing from outside the box and beat Warri Wolves’ goalkeeper John Lawrence, to tie the match at 3 – 3 at the end of the 90 minutes duration.

Speaking after the game, the chief executive officer of the club, Etu Moses, praised the team for putting in a decent shift during the game.

“It was a good game,” he says.

“The boys gave it their all. But there’s need for more work in the next game against Lobi.”

“The battle continues. It’s not over yet.”

He gave the team a cash reward of one hundred and fifty thousand naira.

Warri Wolves will next play Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Wednesday, May 26 on Matchday 23 at the Delta State Polytechnic Stadium in Ozoro.

Warri Wolves Media

Jubril Isah opened the scoring for Pillars in the 26th minute before Imrana Musa made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute.

The third goal of the match was scored by Idris Khamus with three minutes left on the clock.

In the second match of the day, Heartland hammered Adamawa United 3-0.

Chikwere Chigaemezu started the rout in the 24th minute. He completed his brace before halftime.

Partner in crime, Ugochukwu Okpara sealed the win for Heartland in the 45th minute of the match.

In the third game of the day, defending champions Kastina United devoured Rivers United 3-0.

Umar Abubakar bagged a double on the 18th and 53rd minutes respectively.

Abubakar Yasir put the beyond Rivers United in the 55th minute.

The NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises tournament continues on Saturday with three games.

Kwara United will battle with Abia Warriors in the first game of the day at 7:30am.

Rangers International have a tricky test with Warri Wolves.

MFM FC versus Plateau United will compete for three points in the final match of the day.

The fearless energetic defender who spoke to news men on his team’s arrival in Gombe, stated that they are in Gombe State for a mission against Adamawa United FC, hence the need to stay focused and determined, adding that this particular fixture last season was a bitter pill to his side.

“We’re in Gombe for a mission, so we’re staying focused and determined, said Franklin, who recorded his first NPFL assist in his side’s away win at Heartland on Match Day 2.

“We left Gombe empty handed last season when we met with Adamawa United FC, but this time we’re ready to prove a point. 

The Solid Miners are currently enjoying one of their best starts to a season in recent times, picking 7 points from a possible 9, and Franklin believes the quality of the team’s technical crew led by coach Bala Nikyu, has greatly impacted on the team both in character and performance. 

“Our technical crew has been excellent so far, and they’re responsible for the output of the entire team, he said.

“They’ve always given us reasons to face each game at a time, with determination and discipline, concluded Franklin. 

The grassroots football tournament, which is taking place in four local government areas in Gombe South, will end on December 29.

It has 65 teams drawn from Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom LGA teams competing for honours in the championship.

Speaking on the championship, Head of Technical/Local Organising Committee, Promise Uwaeme said the tournament is being used to expose the youths and also give them the platform to exhibit their skills.

“The Adamu Yola Cup has come to stay. Over the past editions, talents discovered in the tournament have taken their skills to better places.

“Our vision is to help youths be more focused in their career and imbibe good character as they grow. We used strict measures to register the clubs participating in the tournament to avoid any anomalies.”

He added, “We are determined to instill discipline and good conduct to the clubs.”

The donor, Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola and Engr Sule performed the draws.

Also at the draws were Mr. Julius Ishaya Lepes – Gombe State Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Sports and Mr. Yakubu Salma – Gombe State FA Chairman.

The Full Draws

BALANGA LGA

GROUP A
G. UNITED BAMBAM
GELENGU UNITED FC
SWA UNITED FC
BALANGA WONDERERS FC
LIVERPOOL FC

GROUP B
DYNAMIC FC
TALASE UNITED FC
GURMA UNITED FC
TALASE LIONS FC

GROUP C
BARCELONA BAMBAM
GREATER TOMORROW FC
BALANGA UNITED
TIKSIR UNITED CHAM
ECWA GOODNEWS FC

GROUP D
BALANGA LGA
DALKU FC
YOUNG AMATURE FC
DEGRI ALL STARS PUTOKI
HOT LEARNERS BAMBAM

BILLIRI LGA

GROUP A
KALMAI CITY FC
PAKOLIN UNITED FC
POKWARA UNITED FC
FC TODI WARRIORS

GROUP B
SHEMBE UNITED FC
KOMTA CITY FC
BARE CITY FC
SPORTLIGHT KALKULUM

GROUP C
K. UNITED FC
AWAI UNITED FC
MAIYAMBA FC
SANSANI UNITED FC

GROUP D
POSHIYA UNITED FC
FC DORTMOND TODI
TANGLANG UNITED FC
KOMTA UNITED FC

KALTUNGO LGA

GROUP A
ALL STARS FC (def cham)
FLAMINGO FC
BARCELONA KALTUNGO
ALL STARS WARRIORS

GROUP B
AMDO UNITED FC
SAMBA BOYS FC
POKAR UNITED FC
GOD WONDER ACADEMY

GROUP C
RISING STARS KALARIN
KALTUNGO BOYS FC
ASTON VILLA FC
KAMPANDI UNITED FC

GROUP D
OSKA FC
POKWANGLI UNITED FC
ROYAL WONDER BOYS FC
DINGE FLYING BEES

GROUP E
SUPER PILLARS FC
KILANG UNITED
AWAK BOYS FC
FC ELDERS KALTUNGO

SHONGOM LGA

GROUP A
KULISHIN UNITED FC
LALAIPIDO UNITED FC
PERO BOYS FC

GROUP B
PANWA UNITED FC
KUSHI PILLARS FC
TEDMUKJU UNITED FC

GROUP C
LAKENTURUM UNITED FC
LASHADAR UNITED FC
KALBULAK UNITED FC
ALFAYO UNITED FC

Zira who spoke as a Guest of the FCT Football Update Personality Interview Segment was of the opinion that if a considerate time in leadership positions are provided in the administration of football in the country, the incessant crisis in the game will be reduced. “I have always been in the forefront of fairness, equity and use of common sense in occupying leadership role in our football, at whatever level and this sit or hold tight attitude to leadership is always the reason why fights in our football system has become a recurring decimal.”

Zira, suggested the way forward saying “We should always give up power peacefully, voluntarily and in a civilized manner to save our football. Our football is bigger than any individual. This is the prism from which i viewed my actions. Also hoping that a lot of our administrators can do same for our football system to always be the winner.”

The former Board member of the Nigeria Women Football League dispelled claims that he resigned from the position, saying that he left when the NFF dissolved the Board with the intention of appointing members into the Boards of the League bodies instead of elections “We were dissolved by the NFF with a year to spare in order to test run the present new governance structure they wanted to introduce which they told us will bring the desired sponsors for the leagues.”

Before the abrupt decision by the NFF, Chief Dilichukwu Onyedinma was chairperson of the League.

Zira said he only resigned recently as the Secretary General of the Nigeria Women Football League Club Owners Association.

The experienced football administrator revealed that the North-East club is one of the underfunded amongst its rank.

According to him, the club still exists because of personal sacrifice, including the mortgaging of his personal properties to keep it afloat.

His words “Adamawa united is indeed one of the teams that have suffered from poor funding. I have had to navigate my ways to keep the clubs afloat, Including putting up my personal resources that are yet to be refunded till today, to rescue the club. The last time I got some funding for the clubs was in 2010, which was to the tune of N8.3 million.

“Nothing since then, apart from the monthly subvention of N6.4 million naira that was gradually improved to it’s the present position of N12.5 million. So it has been tough for me, and I had to mortgage my house to keep the clubs afloat” he stated

He added that “It was from this amount I pay salaries to Adamawa United, Adamawa Queens, and the feeder team. It has been very very tough sustaining the clubs. I give all the glory to God Almighty that I did not disappoint the people of Adamawa State.

However, Zira is hoping to draw positives from the global pandemic to further establish the club.

“I am currently taking the advantage of the global pandemic to completely reorganize the club, bring in some new innovations that may succeed in bringing in some financial relief to the clubs.”

“I know the corporate response to sports sponsorship has diminished, if not varnished completely in Nigeria, so it is very very tough getting sponsorship out there, but we will keep trying and giving it a shot.”

Going forward, he hinted on having ideas that are currently being developed to market the State-owned club for self-sustenance to be able to reduce government covering.

Zira, who spoke at the weekly Personality Interview segment of the FCT Football Update WhatsApp program said the PPG decision, was a necessity of event where football authorities in the country and clubs found itselves and battling with the global pandemic, where resources were becoming unavailable and leaner for clubs to begin to travel for matches. “I think with the circumstances we found ourselves, the PPG decision was the best mode for selecting teams for continental engagements. It was a fair decision. Nigeria not appearing at the world cup would be a big blow to FIFA, so also Clubs from Nigeria not showing up at the continental tournament is a big blow to CAF, so the PPG was adopted to choose our representatives in the continent” he reasoned.

The Adamawa United FC Chairman, accepted the fact that he is a ” cat with nine lives” in sports administration in Adamawa state.

With humour, the football administrator said “this is because of my honesty, sincerity and belief in doing what is right.”

“I have never ever done anything that is dubious and critical against the code of ethics of my activities as a chairman of the club, instead, I do things that will protect the integrity of the club and the interest of the state as a whole. I don’t break the rules!”

Zira, also recount how he sometimes had to dole out personal funds in order to keep the club afloat.

He maintained that he has been able to survive due to his honesty and never cheating on players and the technical crew alike because I hold them accountable if the team fails. “This is how I do my own operations. I don’t like doing what is dirty” he concluded.