The Kwara United forward is set to put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Zesco after impressing the handlers of the club.

But Simba have identified Wasiu Jimoh as an interesting option and her willing to break the bank for his services.

South African outfit, Maritzburg are admirers of the ex Rivers United, Shooting Stars and Plateau United attacker.

Maritzburg sent scouts to see the KFA product at the CAF Confederation Cup and were impressed with his performance.

Wasiu Jimoh netted four goals for Kwara United at the 2023/22 CAF Confederation Cup. The highlight of his continental campaign was the curler against RS Berkane at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe says he sees Rivers United, Plateau United and Kwara United making it to the group stage of the CAF club competitions.

Though the trio are pitted against very strong North African opponents in the next round of the competitions, Egbe said getting past the North African teams is not a mission impossible.

He equally gave thumbs up to Remo Stars who crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 1-2 on aggregate to highly rated Moroccan side, AS Far.

In Egbe’s words…”Remo has shown that there is nothing special about the North African teams despite not making it. Remo had a good game in both legs and were only unlucky not to have progressed. I see Rivers United and the other two teams shocking their North African opponents in the next round.

“The good thing is that our teams would have found their rhythm when they are going into the next round of games. And with the draw Remo got away in Morocco, Rivers and co can hit North Africa confident of getting result.”

Egbe stressed that he is happy the clubs are also playing on fine turfs that allow them to fully express themselves.
“The era when our clubs played on bad turfs are gradually coming to an end and it gladdens my heart that Monimichelle is part of the revolution. Remo and Kwara played on a turf constructed by my outfit,” Egbe stated.

Organized by the Supporters Club of Plateau United Football Club of Jos, the competition which is tagged Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu Football Tournament will feature sixteen teams from Jos and environs.

Chairman, Supporters Club of Plateau , Umar Shehu said the essence of the competition is to honour Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu for his hard work, dedication and commitment to duty which propelled the team to finished second in the Nigeria Professional Football League and pick a continental ticket in the process.

He explained that the Supporters Club are motivated to organize the competition in his name after turning the fortunes of the team around in his first season at the club and for carrying them along in the scheme of things especially his support to its indigent members, something that never happened in the history of the club.

“We are really happy with him because he has been supporting us morally and financially since he assumed work here last year and we felt we appreciate him by naming this tournament after him.

An elated Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu who expressed gratitude to the Supporters Club for the honour done to him, Commended the Supporters Club for their passion and commitment to the cause of the club noting that the team would not have achieved this much in his very first season in the club.

Ilechukwu who is on the verge of finishing second on the league table and picking a continental ticket at the process , commended the Club’s General Manager, Pius Henwan and the Technical Director, Ahmed Ibrahim for their unflinching support and described the duo as the best in the NPFL.

He assured that he will continue to support the competition which will also serve as an avenue to discover young budding talents, appealed to the participating teams to play according to the rules.

The competition kicks-off Thursday 14th July, 2022 by 3:30pm at the Rwang Pam Stadium Jos and three other designated centres in the city of Jos.

General Manager of the Club, Pius Henwan and Technical Director , Ahmed Ibrahim aka Coach Bros are among dignitaries that are expected to grace the opening ceremony.

Signed:

Albert Dakup.

Media Officer,

Plateau United Football Club of Jos.

Second placed Plateau United on Sunday secured a 3-1 win over Wikki Tourists in Jos to reduce Rivers United’s cushion at the summit of the table to four points. Plateau’s win was one of five home wins recorded out of the six Match Day 28 games decided on Sunday.
With league leaders Rivers United’s failure to extend their lead on Saturday, Plateau United knew only a home win over Wikki would put them back in contention and they got just that courtesy of two goals by Jesse Akila who started and ended scoring at the Zaria Road Stadium. Defender Buhari Ibrahim also scored his sixth goal of the season for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men while Ridwan Adesina netted for Wikki.
The gap between Plateau in second and the third placed side got widened to eight points after Remo Stars edged Rangers International 1-0 in Ikenne. Sikiru Alimi’s header four minutes before the break gave Gbenga Ogunbote side the crucial three points against their direct rivals for the third place contest.

Moving to fifth on the log is Kwara United who spanked neighbours Shooting Stars 3-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium. In the game played behind closed doors, Samad Kadiri gave the hosts the lead in the 38th minute before Issa Gata (60′) and former Shooting Star Ayobami Junior (68′) took the game beyond the visitors. Opeoluwa Olufemi got the consolation goal for 3SC in stoppage time.
Katsina United continued to give themselves hope in the race to avoid the drop when they beat Nasarawa United 1-0 in Katsina. Winger Waheed Adebayo scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute to lift Usman Abd’Allah’s side out of the relegation zone.

In Sunday’s early game, bottom of the table MFM FC defeated Kano Pillars 2-1 in Ijebu-Ode to also give themselves some hope against hope. Tunde Azeez and Oladayo Alabi scored either side of Jerry Alex’s goal for the Sai Masu Gida who remain 19th on the table.
In the only stalemate on MatchDay 28, former Sunshine Stars head coach Deji Ayeni led his new side Akwa United to Akure and forced out a 0-0 draw which ensured Akwa United (7th) stay three points clear of Sunshine (8th) on the log.
On Saturday, leaders Rivers United went down 2-0 to Heartland with goals from Sunday Chinedu and Chijioke Mbaoma while in Aba, Enyimba pipped a stubborn Lobi Stars side 2-1 courtesy of second half goals by Samuel Kalu and Samuel Stone. Samuel Ganda scored for Lobi late on. In Kaduna, Munir Idris scored again for Niger Tornadoes in their crucial 1-0 win over Gombe United to ease relegation worries.
Match Day 29 will take centre stage next weekend.

Sunday Results
MFM FC 2-1 Kano PillarsSunshine Stars 0-0 Akwa UnitedKwara Utd 1-0 Shooting StarsRemo Stars 1-0 RangersPlateau United 3 -1 Wikki TouristsKatsina United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Saturday
Heartland 2-0 Rivers UnitedEnyimba 2-1 Lobi StarsNiger Tornadoes 1-0 Gombe
P-P
Dakkada FC vs Abia Warriors

The match was characterised by limited opportunities, fierce battle in the middle of the park and breathtaking defending.
Within ten minutes, the home side piled the pressure on the opposing defence line with an intent of drawing first blood. Inemesit Sunday had a clear chance at goal but his shot was slightly off target, while Ekerette Udom missed a free header which should have put the home side in front. 
Ekerette who joined from Vandrezzer in mid-season redeemed himself in the second half, sealing the game for the home side with a header, sixteen minutes into the second half. 
The visitors had a chance to get a goal in the encounter as Peter Eneji had his curler punched away by goalkeeper Thomas Omokhudu, with that being the only clear chance they had in the game. 
Plateau United handler, Fidelis Illechukwu commended his players after the game saying both sides put in thier best. 
“We played well and lost but we’ll look at the areas we need to work on and make corrections”, he said. 
He expressed optimism with his side’s chances despite the result and promising that Plateau United will give a strong fight till the end of the campaign. 
For Coach Umar Danlami, whose side are currently 14th on the log after 26 games, the visitors stretched his team, but praised his lads for being resolute. 
“It was a tough game and as expected, Plateau United is a good team to reckon with in the league and their position on the log confirms that. I’m happy my boys went through it victorious “, he said.
Dakkada hopes to keep their place on the log, but could be leapfrogged by Abia Warriors or Katsina United if the duo win their respective fixtures against Heartland and Akwa United. 
The gap between Rivers United and Plateau United could further be widened depending on the outcome of the fixture involving the former and Kwara United in Ilorin on Sunday. 

Kano Pillars FC U-15 side have progressed to the quarter-final stage of the NPFL Laliga U-15 Youth League currently holding in Ikenne, Ogun State, with both ValueJet and MTN playing pivotal roles as competition sponsor and elite partners respectively.

Bashir Muhammad brightened Pillars’ hopes of qualification when he gave the Sai Masu Gida side the lead in the first half, creating a scare for MFM FC who earlier booked their qualification to the next round, with 6 points from the first two games.

Two second half goals from Idris Khamis and Shamsudeen Mohammed sealed the victory for Kano lads, leaving MFM FC’s fate hanging in the balance, at least, until after the group decider between Lobi Stars FC and Plateau United FC.

In his post-match reaction the MFM FC, Adesina Mustapha stated that: “We only had a bad day in the office today, I know this is not how we play even on the average. I guess the boys actually became reluctant and loss of focus set in, probably as a result of the fact that we’ve already amassed 6 points from our first two games.

The match between Plateau United FC and Lobi Stars was meant to decide who joins Kano Pillars as the runners up to the quarter-finals from the group.

Lobi Stars FC had to play for nothing but pride after losing their first two games in the competition while Plateau United needed a victory by any margin to stake a claim for a quarter-final ticket.

The young lads from Jos considered two quick goals from Lobi Stars via some expensive goalkeeping errors and a second half consolation was not enough to see them through.

It was a battle of supremacy between Shooting Stars and Katsina United FC to determine the group winners, as both of them were tied on the same points going into the last group games of the competition.

After a barren first half that was characterized by physical abilities and individual skills from both teams, Katrina United took the lead through Kasimu Abdullahi’s strike from 30 yards out, but with about two minutes left to play in regulation time, Samuel Ajayi drew his side level with a swift volley that rendered the goalkeeper helpless.

The coach of shooting stars U-15 side had the following to say during the post-match press briefing: “We gave the match our best and I had faith in the boys that they would deliver because we had a decent preparation coming into this competition.”

Nelson Esor who replaced Chiamaka Mafu in first half, came in and put up a man of the man performance with two assists and was very excited with his contribution to the team. 
” I’m very happy that I came in and gave two assists. It was a nice and good game, we got the three maximum points with three goals. We played with a lot of confidence and courage playing at home”, Esor told www.npfl.ng
He has been a regular feature in the team since he joined from Go Round FC four years ago and is confident that River United will emerge champions come the end of the season. 
“We’re already there leading the log with four points. We’ll keep the momentum on without slowing down the pace. Keep moving till the end of the season and I believe at the end, we’ll emerge champions”, he told NPFL media.
But Esor also thinks it is not yet time to celebrate warning that the job is not yet completed.

“We don’t need to relent but to keep fighting, doing more hard work, remember they say hard work pays, so we’ll keep fighting till the end”.
Despite maximum points, Rivers United’s four points lead did not increase as their closest rivals Plateau United also won at home in Jos to keep up the chase. Rivers United are on 55 points after 25 games and next travel to Ilorin to take on Kwara United.

Man Of The Match – Nelson Esor
FT: Rivers United 3-0 Niger Tornadoes 
Ishaq Kayode 31′      Nyima Nwagua 33′       Konan Ruffin  80′
STATS Attempts: 12-4On target: 8-1Fouls: 15-17Corner kick: 5-2Cautions: 1-2Offside:2-3
Rivers United XI 
Sochima Victor, Kazie Enyinnaya, Chidiebube Duru(Konan Ruffin 79′), Morice Chukwu, Temple Emekayi, Fabian Nworie, Ishaq Rafiu Kayode(Olatunbosun Sikitu 67′), Akuneto Chijioke(Okuruket Solomon 67′), Nyima Nwagua(Ovoke Bernard 79′),, Chiamaka Mafu (Nelson Esor 32′), Onoja Joseph
Unused Subs
Afelokhai Theophilus, Yusuf Omotayo Sikiru, Lookman Binuyo, Festus Austin 
Coach Stanley Eguma
Niger Tornadoes XI

Lucky Abdullahi, Jimmy Abdul, Debo Fashanu(Musa Wakili 47′), Mohammed Hussaini, Sunday Akinmoladun, Abiodun Adebayo, Chinedu Ufere( Abdurazak Yusuf 71′),    Ifeanyi Okoye(Nojeem Adeyinka 47′), Segun Alebiosu, Lukman Mohammed(Edoh Echeme 37′), Emmanuel Jonas

Unused Subs

George Michael, Bolaji Adeyemo, Moses Ugwu,  Christian Nwabueze, Yusuf Abdulrazak

Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed.  

Plateau United 1-0 Remo Stars 
The Tin City Boys kept the chase on leaders Rivers United close following a hard earned 1-0 win over Remo Stars in Jos, thanks to second half header from Ibrahim Buhari.
The hosts could have taken the lead within the opening five minutes but Jesse Akila’s goal was chalked off for offside after the referee had spotted an infringement in the build up to the goal.
Plateau United dominated for most part of the first half but met a strong Remo Stars rear line with calculative goalkeeper in Kayode Bankole who thwarted their efforts. 
Whatever Fidelis Ilechukwu told his boys in the dugout worked for them as they used it to raid Remo’s defence to earn the lone goal in the 55th minute. Free scoring defender, Ibrahim Buhari rose highest to prod home from Akila Jesse’s cross for his fourth goal of the season.
Remo rallied late in the game with moments of dominance but the host held on to secure the match points. 
Plateau are still within distance to Rivers with 51 points from 25 games. 

Shooting Stars 2-0 Enyimba Int’l 
The Oluyole Warriors outsmarted the wobbling Elephants of Aba in Ibadan with a convincing 2-0 win to push up on the log. 
Enterprising midfielder Moses Omoduemeke combined well with Lucky Moses to give Shooting Stars the lead in the 14th minute.
The goalscorer would then become the provider for the second goal with five minutes to end the first half when he fed Emmanuel Lucky who made a simple tap in to send the home fans into frenzy. 
The second period was more of an exchange in control with Enyimba making series of incursions to stage a comeback but it was too late for the Finidi George boys as Shooting protected their first half goals.

Wikki Tourists 0-0 Heartland FC 
The last match on the card for Monday ended scoreless between Wikki Tourists and Heartland FC in Kaduna. 
The hosts were seeking to consolidate on their last away win at MFM but found their visitors unyielding and would remaine 10th on the log. 
Heartland have moved a step up on the log but still in the red zone. 
Matches continue on Tuesday through Thursday before the conclusion of the MatchDay 25.

Heartland grinded out a first win after five games and Coach, Erasmus Onuh Olottah, though relived by the 1-0 defeat of Plateau United urged the club management to do more to motivate the players.
Chukwudi Nwaodu’s half volley from about 22 yards in the 16th minute secured a return to winning ways for Heartland and a happy Olottah told www.npfl.ng that he knew the players would get it right at some stage despite their unimpressive results of recent. 
The Coach would go ahead to challenge the management on what must be in place for the club to move out of the relegation zone, insisting team’s logistics must be put right to ensure the players and the coaches are happy.
While commending the Management for moving the players out of their camp in troubled Orlu town to Owerri, emphasized that they can only keep the team going and active if the motivation is right.
“I’m well relieved that we picked this important three points. When you look at the game today it is still the same thing I have been harping on that we are work in progress,” Olottah said.
“The only thing that will set us back is in the area of logistics. When the logistics are taken care of, the results will come.”
Olottah thumbed up the squad for adhering to the game plan but expressed worries that they were still not converting scoring opportunities to goals.

During the match, Heartland missed several sitters that could have killed off the game even before the final 30 minutes.
“We have all seen that the game today was quite different from the ones we have played in recent time. The team’s return to Owerri has been a blessing to us because we have more time now to train than when we were in Orlu,” Olottah continued.
“When chances are created it means the players are taking the instructions of the technical crew. Putting the ball in the net is the initiative of the players because the coach won’t teach you how you will put it in the net.”
What does this mean?
It means Heartland FC have left the bottom of the table after the slim home win and they are now 18th on the table with 24 points from 24 games. Plateau United are still four points behind league leaders, Rivers United with 48 points from 24 games.
What’s next?
Plateau United will host Remo Stars in Jos this weekend while Heartland are off to Kaduna to play Wikki Tourists in Matchday 25 fixtures.

Ikefe, who had a difficult start to the ongoing campaign due to ankle injury said the winning mentality and team believe have been a strong motivation for the second placed team.

“It’s a good thing to pick a point in Ilorin because honestly, we came here with nothing but victory in our mind, and we approached it like that but as you know they are one of the best sides in the league, so we are happy to get this point.

“What is helping us is team spirit and believe. We all have individual targets; the goalkeeper wants to keep a clean sheet, the defenders wouldn’t want to let anyone past them while the midfielders are willing to provide cover for our area and supports for attackers and strikers want to score goals. So we pull these target together as one in our team, helping out for one another and it has been good for us.

“The coach even told us as it is now, no team can stand us in the Nigeria league, and we’ve taken that mindset into all games, both home or away, and we are grateful it’s been working for us. 

Asked how it feels to be back from a career threatening injury and be an integral part of the team, the former Niger Tornadoes’ defender said “As a player, it’s never easy to be injured and be out of the game for a period of time and to tell you that from the outset we’ve really prepared for this season because if you noticed, while I was out my colleagues were doing well, and I came back to strengthen the team. Luckily ever since I returned I’ve lost just a game and I want to thank the team medical staff for support and my quick return and give God the glory for the successes so far.”

Ikefe called for more support from the fans and thanked the management for the motivation the players have been enjoying so far. 
“The support from the fans and supporters have been awesome so far, they are always behind us, both home and away because many of them follow us to away games with their massive turnouts at our home games and that has been pushing us on. We will only urge them to keep the faith and believe in us.