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.

The Promise Keepers had hoped a win against the Elephants would help them close in on Rangers of Enugu and Remo Stars of Ikenne, occupying third and fourth place on the log, respectively. Rangers had edged Heartland 3-1 in Awka, while Remo Stars were beaten 2-0 by Abia Warriors in Okigwe on Saturday.

Enyimba had their goalkeeper, Djeri Bassa, to thank for stunning saves in the first quarter-hour. The Togolese had denied Bello Babatunde twice before stretching at full length to prevent Ubong Friday from putting the Promise Keepers ahead, just ten yards out.

Ayeni’s men had to wait till the 40th minute for a breakthrough in a half they dominated. Bello Babatubde’s 25 yards free-kick strolled past Bassa, who thought he had things covered.

Enyimba approached the second half with a different mentality, pushing the home side to defend for the first quarter-hour. The champions gathered momentum to reverse the trend midway through the half.

The visitor’s brilliant display in the second half almost earned them an equalizer ten minutes before time. Victor Mbaoma failed to make it count when he missed a sitter inside the penalty area. At the other end, Wisdom Fernando could have sealed the game for the home side on 83 minutes, but for the woodwork.

With a minute of stoppage time played, Enyimba grabbed a precious point courtesy of Mbaoma’s header inside six yards. The result pushed Enyimba to 7th on the log with 39 points, six adrift of Rangers in the race for the third place, while Akwa United is 5th.

Match Stats:
Corners: 4-2
Shots: 14-9
On Target: 7-5
Fouls Won: 14-8
Yellow: 0-3
Red: 0-0
Saves: 4-6
Offsides: 2-3

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)

After netting the first of two goals for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), forward Moses Omoduemuke expressed great delight at being pivotal in the 2-0 win over Enyimba International on Monday.
Omoduemuke deployed a lethal instinct to tap home his first goal for Oluyole Warriors in the 14th minute after Enyimba goalkeeper had parried Malomo Taofeeq’s effort. 
The former Rivers United attacker turned provider five minutes before the half time break. He benefited from Enyimba’s failure to clear their lines and selflessly set up Emmanuel Lucky who tapped into an empty net for his third goal of the season and 3SC’s second of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 encounter.

Omoduemuke disclosed how he shrugged off illness and mentally prepared himself to break the duck against Enyimba.
“I’m so delighted for the way I played today. For the past few games, I was not feeling fine. I had typhoid and had to treat that. But I’m happy to put that behind me and show what I am made of today,” Omoduemuke said.
“I knew I would score today right from our preparation. I did my personal training. I also did my prayers. I was very confident that my goals for the team would start counting today. So I’m happy I did it and helped the team too,” he added
Omoduemuke also reflected on his selfless act to set up Lucky’s goal which drew applause from the fans.
“I met him (Emmanuel) here. I knew we would connect right from when I watched him during a friendly game for us. He is young and hardworking. We now live together and I think all these things are helping us work together and help the team get better,” he concluded.

SHOOTING STARS XI
31 Ogundare Detan, 11 Ezeh Chidera, 13 Anaekwe Ebuka, 6 Olatunji Damilare (Isiaka 53′), 5 Adekunle Adeniyi, 4 Ezeala Uche, 9 Emmanuel Lucky (Opeoluwa 82′), 22 Ghali Falke (Ewenike 69′), 23 Omoduemuke Moses (Adejubu 69′), 10 Uko Anietie, 28 Malomo Taofeeq (Sochima 82′)
SUBS1 Okanlawon Olaide, 14 Augustine Bafan, 3 Omololu Waheed, 2 Isiaka Mutiu, 35 Ewenike Achibi, 24 Opeoluwa Olufeni, 27 Adejubu Ayo, 26 Archibong Utibe, 17 Sochima Elum
GOALS: Moses Omoduemuke 14′, Emmanuel Lucky 40′
YELLOW CARD: NIL
RED CARD: NIL

ENYIMBA XI
21 Djeri Sabirou Bassa, 2 Emmanuel Ampiah, 6 Nabil Yarou, 23 Adekunle Adeleke, 32 Bilal Yakubu (Obasi 76′), 13 Sadiq Abubakar (Godwin 76′), 16 Philip Ozor (Farouk 57′), 20 Cyril Olisema,  9 Emeka Obioma, 14 Samuel Kalu (Orok 57′), 25 Victor Mbaoma
SUBS  1 John Noble,  3 Daniel Darkwah, 17 Chigozie Obasi, 19 Orok Gabriel, 27 Farouk Mohammed, 28 Abel James, 38 Godwin Emmanuel
GOAL: NIL
YELLOW CARD: Samuel Kalu 35′
RED CARD: NIL