The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Salisu Yusuf as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles B (otherwise known as CHAN team) as well as the U23 (Olympics) team.

Yusuf, who was Head Coach of the Super Eagles B when the team emerged runner-up of the African Nations Championship in Morocco in 2018, will work with Kennedy Boboye (Assistant Coach); Fatai Osho (Assistant Coach); Abubakar Bala Mohammed (Assistant Coach); Fidelis Ikechukwu (Assistant Coach); Eboboritse Uwejamomere (Match Analyst) and Ike Shorounmu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer) and Suleiman Shuaibu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer 2).

In other appointments, Ladan Bosso retains his position as Head Coach of the U20 Boys. He will work with former U17 Head Coach, Fatai Amao (Assistant Coach); Oladuni Oyekale (Assistant Coach); Jolomi Atune Alli (Assistant Coach) and; Baruwa Olatunji Abideen (Goalkeepers’ Trainer).

For the U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets, Nduka Ugbade was named Head Coach. He will work with Ahmad Lawal Dankoli (Assistant Coach); Omoniyi Haruna Ilerika (Assistant Coach); Yemi Daniel (Assistant Coach) and; Mohammed Nasiru Isah (Goalkeepers’ Trainer). Ugbade captained Nigeria’s first cadet team that won the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985.

For the U13/15 Boys known as Future Eagles, Patrick Bassey will be Head Coach and will work with Abdullahi Tyabo Umar (Assistant Coach); Mohammed Kalli Kachalla (Assistant Coach); Ifeanyi Uba (Assistant Coach); Alh. Mohammed Kwairanga (Assistant Coach) and; Abubakar Abdullahi (Goalkeepers’ Trainer).

The NFF also stated that a new Head Coach for the Super Eagles will be announced and officially unveiled once the processes for his engagement and contract-signing are concluded.

The NFF Executive Committee has also approved the recommendation of the Technical & Development Sub-Committee for the new Head Coach to work with Coach Salisu Yusuf (whenever he is available from Super Eagles B/U23 Team duties) as 1^st Assistant. Former Nigeria international Finidi George will be 2^nd Assistant, with Usman Abdallah as 3^rd Assistant. Eboboritse Uwejamomere will be the Match Analyst and another former Nigeria international, Ike Shorounmu will be the Goalkeepers’ Trainer.     

Still basking in the euphoria of the 2-0 drubbing of high-flying Enugu Rangers Int’l last Sunday at the Aper Aku Stadium, Lobi Stars have moved with the victorious spirit into the city of Port-Harcourt to challenge table toppers Rivers United for the maximum points in the re-arranged MatchDay 21 of the 2021/2022 NPFL season on Thursday April 7, 2022 at the Adokie Amesiamaka Stadium.

Lobi Stars Match-day 21 opponents, Rivers United who have been at the summit of the table for several weeks are inarguably in imperious form and can easily send shivers down the spines of their opponents.

With 43 points from 20 matches, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ have enjoyed an unbeaten run since MatchDay 12 after their only defeat of the season in the current season which came against Plateau United in Jos.

However, even as Lobi Stars may be seen to be coming into the contest with a not too impressive record of a lowly 22 points from 20 games, leaving them one step below the red line after the MatchDay 21 games that took place on Wednesday, April 6, they can be spurred on by the convincing 2-0 victory over Enugu Rangers last Sunday.

With former international, Dominic Iorfa, back in the saddle as the Vice-chairman/CEO, a new wave of optimism is oozing in the camp of Lobi Stars so the ‘Ortom boys’ can’t be dismissed with a wave of the hand even if the odds are heavily against them.

Moreover, on all time Head-to-Head, Lobi Stars are standing taller than their opponents, having engaged Rivers United 23 times with 12 wins and 3 draws, leaving the garden city boys with only 8 wins.

Out of the 23 games, Lobi Stars scored 27 times averaging 1.7 goals against Rivers United who managed to score 22 times, with an average of 0.96 goal per game, a deficit of 5 in goals scored and 4 in number of matches won.

But on current form, Rivers United have performed better than Lobi Stars as they have not lost any game in their last 5 outings, winning 3 with 2 draws while their MatchDay 21 opponents just woke up from slumber to record their first win over Enugu Rangers in five matches .

The Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars, Baba Ganaru, while speaking to the Club’s Media Crew, expressed confidence that something positive will come out of the potentially explosive clash with Rivers United.

“Every match is a different game and has a different approach. I am aware of the set objectives of the club. We are in a precarious position and to move out, we will have to be picking home and away points.

“It is not going to be easy but if my boys will maintain the fighting spirit they showed against Rangers last Sunday, we won’t return to Makurdi empty handed,” said the former El-Kanemi Warriors technical adviser.

A combination of motivation and zeal in the camp of Lobi Stars is at play and can make a whole difference against Rivers United in this encounter, all things being equal.

Austin Tyowua
Lobi Stars Media
08033771180

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.

Kwara United will be facing visiting Enyimba on Wednesday in an NPFL rescheduled match day 2 encounter which is expected to be a tough duel.

These two teams will go into this battle with their morales boosted having done well in their last two games respectively.

Biffo and his wards picked deserved point in Kaduna against Jigawa Golden Stars, while Enyimba were at their best beating Kano Pillars 2-1 in Aba.

In history, Kwara United and Enyimba have met 17 times in competitive games with the People’s Elephant having an edge after getting nine wins against the Harmony Boys.

Kwara United have so far beaten Enyimba five times in top flight encounters with the other remaining three games ending in draw.

Last season, Enyimba did not visit Ilorin due to the outbreak of deadly COVID-19, but their last visit to the ancient city in January 2019 ended in a 3-2 defeat for the Aba based team.

Abdullahi Biffo who is the handler of Kwara United confirmed his wards readiness for the clash against Enyimba claiming the Aba club will fall in Ilorin.

“The game against Enyimba is an important one for us and we are ready for it as I enjoin all Kwarans to continue praying for us and we will overcome,” Biffo told Kwara United media team.

Biffo also explained that Kabiru Balogun will be missing the match against Enyimba due to injury, while Joshua Agboola is having malaria.

The duo of Afeez Nosiru and Ejeh will also not be available as they are still on suspension after being red carded against Rivers United.

Meanwhile, Enyimba are currently occupying fifth position on the NPFL table while Kwara United occupy 15th and the Harmony Boys will be having another home game this coming Sunday against Ifeanyi Ubah FC.

Wins for Kwara United against Enyimba and Ifeanyi Ubah will take Biffo and his charges back to the top 4 on the standings.

The Lagos born humble gaffer joined the ‘People’s Elephant’ as the assistant coach at the start of 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL season and worked with Usman Abd’Allah who was later shown the way after a couples of below par displays by the NPFL big wig.



“The working environment at Enyimba is a delightful one bearing in mind where l’ve worked before. Here you have all the support needed with zero worries.

“In term of recruitments, quality players are coming in, the environment is so conducive, they are serial winner. Every discussion is all about how you are going to win and they want to give support all the time to actualise the dream,” Sugar as he’s fondly called stated.



The former Crown FC and Remo Stars Sports Club handler, last season turned the strings of misfortunes suffered by the team with a renaissance aided by an eye-catching, easy-on-the-eye footballing style which lifted the most successful club in Nigeria from 13th position to 2nd on the log according to LMC Point Per Game PPG framework.

“The chairman of the club has a winning DNA, what makes him happy is seeing the team doing very well, he wants you to be successful in all ramifications, he would look after your needs and forces you to be successful.


“You win today, he has to let you know that you have to win the next day. He enhances your winning mentality along the line and that’s one thing that made the job easier for me. He’s a good man to work with, l couldn’t have prayed for better person.



“He made me realized that whatever l need is considered being done, it’s such a honor to work with him and am happy with his attitude towards the job.

“Our target is so high in Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) likewise on the continent, we have been integrating new faces into our tactical developments and they are responding very well.


“Few tune up games played so far had shown we have the potentials going far, guys are sinking in what we preach and teach. The players know the gravity of the task ahead and they are eager to bring pride to the country.” Osho informed.