As anticipated, the encounter started on a very sound footing by both teams, but the visitors drew the first blood when they went ahead fifth minute on the clock, after Ifeanyi Okoye’s reckless charge was spotted and a foul awarded to the visitors, meters away from the box; NPFL veteran, Rabiu Ali picked up the ball, placed it in a good position and sent a curling shot into the net, leaving Lucky Abdullahi bewildered as the entire stadium watched in in absolute amusement. Legend Indeed!

Tornadoes were forced to make an early change as Lucky Abdullahi looked demoralized and jittery since conceding the goal, George Michael replaced him on the fifteenth minute.

The hosts took control of the game and dominated proceeding with no goals to show as the team lacked the much needed cutting edge, forcing the technical bench to make double substitutions as Munir Idris and Mas’ud Danjuma were introduced.

The hosts were awarded a Free kick after a reckless challenge on David Emmanuel on the edge of the box, but Adeyinka Najeem’s free kick went over the bar.

Another begging chance went the way of
Jonas Emmanuel but his long range volley was smartly parried by goalkeeper Bassey Akpan as the Ikon Allah Boys went into the break behind.

Tornadoes continued from where they left off at half time, as they resumed with similar urge in a bid to find the leveler, pressure paid off 52nd minute on the clock when Jonas Emmanuel benefited from Munir Idris’ pass off a good team play, as he fired a low shot into the net, to restore parity, in what was his fifth goal of the season, second since joining the Ikon Allah Boys.

Twice Munir Idris came close to grabbing a second but was intercepted inside the box and moments later, his free kick sailed over inches away.

In the dying moment of the game, 90th minute on the clock, Munir was set free on goal, in a one-on-one situation with the Bassey Akpan in goal for the visiors, but in an attempt to pull a save, the goalkeeper fouled speeding Munir inside the box and the referee was left with no choice than point to spot kick. Musa Wakili conveterted from the spot in a dramatic fashion to send the entire stadium into raptures.

Five home matches, five wins. A fortress!

*Munir Idris put the National Team disappointment behind and proved quite important to the team, as he was instrumental to the two goals, an assist and a late minute penalty.
*An outstanding performance by Sunday Akinmoladun the (Birthday Boy) to prove his leadership mettle and total commitment at the heart of defence.
*Jonas Emmanuel, again, Fantastic, full of potential. A lot more is expected from the versatile forward.
*Musa Wakili, another substitute appearance, another goal. He has proved quite instrumental to the teams quest to beat the drop. Fourth goal of the season. SUPER SUB.
*Overall an outstanding team performance.

SUBSTITUTIONS:
15′ George Michael In, Lucky Abdullahi Out.
35′ Masud Danjuma In Segun Alebiosu Out,
Edoh Ocheme Out, Munir Idris In.
72′ Mohammed Sani Rabiu In, Masud Danjuma Out. Musa Wakili In, David Emmanuel Out.

UNUSED:
Bolaji Adeyemo
Abdulrazak Yusuf
Nasiru Aliyu Laba

Up Next
3SC Niger Tornadoes

Alhassan Mohammed Kutigi
Media Officer,
Niger Tornadoes FC, Minna

That’s the success story of a group of women who are wives of professional footballers in Nigeria.

This great association called Nigeria Professional Footballers Wives Association (NPFWA) was brought to life by the President, Mrs Ify Ichull Lordson and her Vice, Mrs Christian Itodo respectively on the 19th July, 2019. Along the line, the association grew in numbers and progress.

The Vision

Their vision is to ‘Uniting Nigeria Professional Footballers Wives together’

The Mission

They also have a mission which is ‘Praying (working) for ourselves and husbands to succeed.

The Association celebrated it’s first anniversary in 2020 during the lockdown and as a result, much was not done but this year is different as we were able to meet in our various states to mark the anniversary.

From the headquarters (Abuja), led by the Vice President, NPFWA and Mrs Daniel Etor who is the Coordinator of NPFWA the association visited the ophanage home as extension of love to the needy.

Secretary of the novel body, Mrs Joshua Obaje urged every footballers wives to join the union to enjoy the benefits of the Association.

“NPFWA is an association that unites and develop footballers’ wives as we teach ourselves how to be good wives and mothers who support their families through the following weekly activities:

Every morning prayers (Mondays – Sundays).
Fasting and prayers (Mondays).
MCM.
Teaching from the Bible (Tuesdays).
Question and Answer contest.
Health Tips (Wednesdays)
WCW.
Sharing Business and Empowerment Tips (Thursdays).
Games.
Topic of Discussion (Fridays).
Quiz.
Friday Night Tips.
Kitchen Tips and Recipes
Sisters Care Day (Saturdays)
Business Adverts (Sundays)

“We hope for a day where all our husbands (both home and abroad) will see themselves as one rather than rivals.

Mrs Obaje, on behalf of the association thanked those who have supported the Association to grow in strength and greatness just as they called for more collaboration with relevant bodies and organization.

“To all those following us on Facebook and Instagram we say a big thank you, we will continue to put our efforts into bringing the best in our husbands so that they can in return give their best on the pitch and always add fun to your lives, thanks for believing in us and we will not let you down. We are also open for more collaboration with well meaning body and organizations to make us strong.”

Kaduna state, in Northern Nigeria will be on fire from this weekend as the annual Walin Kakuri Ramadan football tournament takes center stage.

This year’s event which is being organised in conjunction with the award winning Nigeria sports mouthpiece (NSM), promises lots of exciting football action and some fantastic goals.

The opening ceremony of this competition took place Friday with top football stakeholders, football scouts and agents present. Organizer of the event and top aspirant for the soon to be vacant Kaduna state football Association chairmanship position, Sani Abdullahi is happy to invite chairman 36 Lion FC Hajj Gafar and the chairman/CEO Bet9ja, Kunle Soname to Kaduna as supporters of this year’s event.

He says he is offering them a platform to watch and possibly sign some of the best young footballers in Northern Nigeria. He is also using this platform to invite NPFL club owners to come and enjoy the best of football during this Ramadan break, assuring that they will never regret the decision.

The ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C, Sunday inside the main bowl of Ahmadu Bello stadium, Kaduna continued its fine form in the ongoing season as hosts, Kano Pillars forced the Enugu side to a 1-1 draw in a match day 14, NPFL 2021 fixture.

Defender, Ernest Governor was the unlikely hero of the day as his connecting header from an Esor Achibong’ inch perfect free kick on 10 minutes sent the few travelling officials from Enugu into wild jubilations while the host were literally in shock.

Coach Salisu Yusuf made three changes to the match day 13 starters due largely to injuries as Osas Okoro and Esor Achibong found their way back to the starting team while Timothy Simon had his first start of the season.

Godspower Aniefiok was at his imperious best for the time he lasted in the match combining well with Chiamaka Madu and Achibong while Nwobodo Chidiebere and Nnaji Christian were second best in their outputs.

Nyima Nwagwu, Ebuka David, Bright Silas and ageless Rabiu Ali were always a threat to any defense line but the duo of Ernest Governor and Uche John did well to provide the needed cover for Ghanaian shot stopper, Nana Bonsu.

Ali Auwal Malam’ cracking free kick from the edge of the box on 39 minutes drew the host level after the referee had spotted what looked like a handball situation.

Rangers had a man advantage for the last twenty minutes of the encounter after Yusuf Magoro got the referee’ marching order on 70 minutes for wrestling down a goal bound Esor Achibong.

Efforts to get the winning goal did not materialize for either sides till the final blast of the referee’s whistle to end the encounter as the ‘Sai Masu Gida’ side conceded its first goal at their adopted home in Kaduna.

Coach Salisu Yusuf said after the match, “It was a very good game against a very technical side but showed more hunger to win but could not achieve what we wanted in Kaduna. We continue to push and work hard towards getting our targets for the season. I will say that when the host were reduced by one man, we pushed for a possible winner but it was not to be so, we give God all the glory for the point we are taking back to Enugu.”

Ernest Governor said, “I am very happy we were able to get a good result against Kano Pillars and I am even more happier that I scored as that was what I promised some of my friends before the game.”

RANGERS TEAM: Nana Bonsu, Osas Okoro, Timothy Simon, Tony Shimaga, Uche John (Ebuka Anthony -58^th Min.), Ernest Governor, Chiamaka Madu (Ugochukwu Ugwuoke – 75^th Min.), Chidiebere Nwobodo (Christian Madu – 68^th Min.), Godspower Aniefiok (Ifeanyi Okoro -58^thMin.), Esor Achibong, Christian Nnaji (Dauda Madaki -75^th Min.). SUBS NOT USED: Seidu Mutawakilu, Tony Eliagwu.

Goal: Ernest Governor – 10^th Minute

Team Kaduna has emerged champions of the U17 North West Beach Volleyball Championship in the boys and girls category on Sunday.

In the boys final, Team Kaduna defeated Team Sokoto 2-1 (17-21, 21-19, 15-12), while Team Kaduna beat Team Katsina 2-0 (21-7, 21-14) in the girls final at the Ahamdu Bello Stadium.

Team Jigawa got a consolation bronze medal by beating Team Kastina 2-0 (21-19, 21-15) in the boys third place match while Team Sokoto defeated Team Jigawa 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) in the girls third place match.

Team Kaduna player, Bathsheba Joshua said winning her first major gold medal is a stepping stone to greatness for her.

She stated that the beach volleyball court made available by the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod made it possible to train daily.

Joshua said, “I feel excited and happy to win my first gold medal in a national championship. This will be a stepping stone to my greatness and that of my partner; I hope we will be able to be a pair for a long time.

“The beach volleyball in Kaduna by our president made it possible for me to train daily. The court put I and my teammate in good shape and my prayer is for God to guide Engineer Musa Nimrod”.

Present at the North West Beach Volleyball Championship were; Director of Grassroots at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ademola Are, Director of Sports in the North West, State Volleyball Chairmen in the North West, Sports Stakeholders in the North West amongst others.

Team Jigawa, Kaduna, Kastina and Sokoto are through to the boys Semi finals of the U17 North West Beach Volleyball Championship in Kaduna on Friday.

The U17 North West Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship is taking place at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Unbeaten Team Kaduna will take on Team Kastina in the first semifinals of the boys’ event, while Team Jigawa will slug it out with Team Sokoto in the second semifinals of the boys’ event.

In the group stage, Team Kaduna won all two matches against Team Sokoto and Team Kebbi. Team Jigawa, Team Kastina and Team Zamfara were tied at the same point after playing their group stage matches but the winners were decided by their minor points.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod expressed joy over the determination of the players during the matches.

Nimrod said the future of some of the players is bright in beach volleyball.

He said, “I am full of joy with what I witnessed at the U17 beach volleyball championship. The young players are playing with so much zeal and determination. In fact, I am overwhelmed with the skills exhibited by some of these young players.

“It is very clear that the future of some of these players at the beach volleyball championship is very bright. I hope they put more effort in the game and the rest is left for the technical department of the federation to handle”.

Kwara United Football Club and hosts, Jigawa Golden Stars ended their Week Five Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter goalless, despite numerous anxious moments and chances created by the two teams.

Jigawa Golden Stars, despite been the homers, were boosted with the result of their last match away to Abia Warriors in Aba, which they won by 1-3, but couldn’t get the needed goal at home.

Goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba was at his best, especially in the first half, making crucial saves that kept Kwara United FC in the game. Kwara United FC also had it’s fair share of the chances, which they couldn’t convert.

Jigawa Golden Stars would have been rewarded for their efforts, especially in the early minutes of the second half, as Kwara United, on three different occasions, managed to curtail the dangerous pull-outs into the box.

In response, Ufere Nwankwo nearly scored for Kwara United FC, as his switch to the right side missed the goal by inches.

Jigawa Golden Stars increased their foray into Kwara United’s defence, but were perfectly denied by the defence marshalled by Jide Williams, Bashir Monsuru, Mohammed Aliyu, Samuel Ganda, with great support from Chris Nwanze.

Samuel Stone, who got two goals against Abia Warriors was perfectly pocketed by Bashir Monsuru, with the potency of the attack reduced by that effort.

Coach of Kwara United, Abdullahi Biffo said that the draw was a better way to respond, following the draw played at home to Akwa United in Ilorin.

According to him, it was a match Kwara United would have won, especially going by the chances created, but commended the players for containing Jigawa Golden Stars, most importantly in the second half, when they increased their efforts towards the end of the game.

Coach Biffo added that they will prapare well ahead of the rescheduled match against Enyimba FC in Ilorin on Wednesday.

Chairman of the club, Kumbi Titiloye said that the players must stop being jittery, and play to the instructions of their coaches, even as he assured that the team will beat Enyimba on Wednesday.