Warri Wolves were the side with the last laugh in their Matchday 23 tie of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL against Lobi Stars on Wednesday at the Delta State Polytechnic Stadium in Ozoro.

The Seasiders beat the Makurdi Lords by a lone goal to record their first win of the second round of the top flight campaign.

The downpour witnessed in the early stages of the encounter did not allow the two teams express themselves well on the wet grass surface.

However, against all odds, Warri Wolves took the lead in the 36 minutes.

Efe Yarhere was well positioned to volley home a Williams Sunday’s cross inside the net to put the home team ahead.

The tie was thus settled before 90 minutes were exhausted and even before it became a more physical contest.

Speaking after the game, Warri Wolves head coach, Ortega Deniran, said the match was very intended.

“Very intensed,” he said. “Too much pressure. The boys are under pressure.”

“We’re trying to get the team out of the relegation zone.”

“For me, it’s a good game. My boys attacked well. The other team as well did.”

“It makes it interesting.”

Warri Wolves will next be in action in the league against Katsina United on Matchday 23 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

Warri Wolves Media

Warri Wolves will on Matchday 23 of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, play hosts to Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Wednesday at home.

In the revised fixture, Lobi Stars had beaten Warri Wolves 3 – 0, and since then, it has been mixed run of results for the Seasiders.

Ahead of Wednesday’s tie, the Wolves showed a foregleam of a keen contest against their Matchday 23 visitors, when they recorded a 3 – 3 draw against Adamawa United in Gombe on Sunday.

In the light of that result, the chairman of the Delta State Football Association, DFA, Ken Nwaomucha has charged the Warri Wolves to go for the jugular against visiting Lobi Stars.

While reacting to the team’s result against Adamawa United, Nwaomucha urged the Seasiders to improve on the positives recorded in that tie, with the hope of securing a favorable score against Lobi Stars.

“I salute them for a job well done in faraway Gombe against Adamawa,” Nwaomucha noted.

“On Wednesday, let them go for the jugular against Lobi Stars. Work on the positives from the last game and secure a favorable outcome.”

“The target to stay alive in the league could be achieved collectively at the end of the day by the team.”

The clash between Warri Wolves and Lobi Stars at the Delta State Polytechnic Stadium in Ozoro will be the first ever meeting between the two sides at that ground.

The last time Lobi Stars locked horns with the Seasiders on Delta soil it ended in a barren draw at the Warri City Stadium.

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

Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, club, Warri Wolves have stated that the executive chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, DSSC, Tonobok Okowa, is worthy to be celebrated over and over again.

The Seasiders noted this in a felicitation statement to the executive chairman of the state sports commission on his birthday on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

The club described Chief Okowa as the architect and pillar of sports in modern day Delta State, adding that the sterling performance of state teams in recent national competitions are a pointer to this fact.

The oil city team praised and thanked the executive chairman for supporting and ensuring that the side get all their entitlements accordingly in the 2020/2021 campaign of the NPFL.

The Seasiders wished Chief Okowa good health, long life and prayed that the Almighty gives him wisdom to plot sports in Delta State to more enviable heights.

Warri Wolves Media

The 2021 NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises final takes place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday with Katsina United facing Warri Wolves.

Defending champions Katsina United are bidding for their third crown, whereas Wolves are gracing the biggest stage of U15 football in Nigeria for the first time and would be one of the most surprising winners in the competition’s history.

The current crop of players discovered in Enugu have the ability to ensure that the next decade or so is fine for Nigeria, with some of the best young players and quality in every area of the pitch.

Katsina United

The omens are there for Katsina United, then, but it has not all been plain sailing up to this stage; they were lackluster in the semi-final against MFM FC but pulled through 4-2 on penalties.

With the exception of the MFM FC match, Kastina United have relied on defensive solidity more than attacking flair, but with Nafiu Dahiru and the likes of Yakubu Sadiq, Umar Bala and Umar Abubakar in their ranks they are certainly capable of turning on the style in the final third should the need arise.

The talent at the team’s disposal meant that his side were always among the favourites to lift the trophy in Enugu.

Warri Wolves

Wolves’ journey to the final has been described as remarkable, and with the talent they have in their team it is easy to overlook just how big an achievement it is.

There is no getting away from the fact that Wolves have had a tough route all the way to the final, with most of the pre-tournament favourites devoured by the Seasiders.

They pipped Akwa United 1-0 in the semi-final with Okiki Oghenevwegba on song at the Cathedral.

There is no doubting their heart, then, and they have the smatterings of a promising talent to go with it – from Okiki, who is a top candidate for best player of the tournament, and Uwakwe Samson to Angayama Jeffery and Mamah Stephen.

Whether that quartet can have as much of an impact against Katsina United remains to be seen – it certainly appears to be the best midfield and defence they have come up against so far – but they have made it this far on merit and should they pick up one more victory then it will be a remarkable feat.

Team News

All eyes will be on Umar Abubakar on Sunday as the youngster plays like Rashidi Yekini.

Doing so would be a fitting finale to a stunning tournament from the attacker, and while it is far too soon to suggest that he may go on to enjoy a career like Yekini, rarely does such a prodigious talent emerge and then perform on the biggest stage.

Such has been Umar’s impact that others have had to play the supporting act, including Khalifa Aminu.

Muhammed Sani is expected to keep his place in the side.

Momentum seemed to give the Katsina United players an extra boost. So, the technical crew are unlikely to make any changes if they can avoid it.

There are no injury concerns, and Okiki Oghenevwegba’s performance in the semi-final is expected to have earned him another starting spot for the final.

Angayama Jeffery was Wolves’ main dangerman against Akwa United and he should be crucial again today.

Katsina United possible starting lineup: Abubakar Anas, Aminu Sani, Kasimu Abdullahi, Yakubu Sadiq, Umar Bala, Muhammed Sani, Nafiu Dahiru, Khalifa Aminu, Abubakar Yasir, Ummaru Sule, Umar Abubakar

Warri Wolves possible starting lineup: Onakpoya Marho, Richard Eriga, Usen Emmanuel, Isaac John, Alatan Azuka, Believe Nse, Uwakwe Samson, Asomusho Kelly, Mamah Stephen, Angayama Jeffery, Okiki Oghenevwegba

This is contained in a congratulory message sent to the young Seasiders after they beat Akwa United by a lone goal in the semi-finals on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Etu said the Warri Wolves U-15 team came into the tournament as unsung heroes, thanking the Delta State Government through the Delta State Sports Commission, DSSC, led by Tonobok Okowa for supporting the team morally, financially, and otherwise.

He stated emphatically that the allowances and bonuses of the Junior Wolves have taken care of accordingly.

“They should go for the trophy on Sunday against Katsina United,” Etu said in the club congratulory statement issued by him on behalf of the Seasiders.

“Nothing short of the cup. We should go out for the cup now.”

“They came to the tournament as unsung heroes. But with the support of the executive chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, who approved their budget, their allowances and bonuses have been regularly paid.”

“When I say regularly, I mean regularly. They’ve justify the confidence and investment in them.”

“They should not allowed anything distract them now. They should be at their best again against Katsina United and bring back the trophy.”

“The executive chairman of the state sports commission will lead the state delegation to Enugu on Sunday.”

In their first Pool B game of the league, the Junior Wolves had beaten Katsina United 4 – 1.

On Sunday, the young Seasiders will their rivalry with the young Changi Boys from Katsina in the final game.

Kickoff time is 4pm.

Warri Wolves Media

The encounter had ended 0-0 at regulation time, as Katsina United got to the finals.

MFM FC striker Lucky Akinleminu was wasteful in front goal as he missed six chances. But credits should go to goalkeeper Abubakar Anas who was brilliant behind the sticks.

In the shootout, the team from Lagos rued their afternoon after two of their players missed from the penalty spot.

In the other semi final between Warri Wolves and Akwa United, the Seasiders won 1-0.

A 20th minute solo effort from Okiki Oghenewvegba was enough to set the high flying Junior Wolves against Katsina United in the final.

Okiki picked up the ball from the edge of the arc and skipped past four Akwa United players before finding the back of the net to deliver a golden moment for the young Seasiders’ team, who have been one of the best sides in the competition.

Wolves will face Katsina United in the final on Sunday.

Kano Pillars, Warri Wolves, Akwa United and MFM FC all recorded victories at the NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises on Monday.

The Day 9 games produced a total of nine goals at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

First half of the game between Kwara United and Kano Pillars ended goalless.

The match opened up in the final 10 minutes, with Idriss Khamsa and Imrana Musa helping Pillars conquer the Harmony Boys 2-0.

Defending champions, Katsina United were the next prey of Warri Wolves in a 4-1 defeat.

Umar Abubakar cancelled out Abdul Samuel’s opener.

But Wolves went hunting with Nwakwe Sampson, Vwegba Solomon and Uchenna Ejiogu successful in crushing the prey.

Nsikak Umoh was on target as Akwa United pipped Lobi Stars 1-0 at the Cathedral.

Wastefulness in front of goal from Heartland cost them as they were defeated 1-0 by MFM FC. Akinleminu Lucky accounted for the solitary goal.

Day 9 Results

Kwara United 0-2 Kano Pillars

Katsina United 1-4 Warri Wolves

Akwa United 1-0 Lobi

Heartland 0-1 MFM FC

Day 10: Tuesday 27th April, 2021

MFM FC v Akwa United

Lobi Stars v Heartland

Warri Wolves v Kwara United

Kano Pillars v Katsina United

It was a dominant display in the second quarter-final game of the ongoing 2021 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL/La-Liga U-15 Promises Youth League in Enugu, as Warri Wolves beat defending champions, Katsina United, 4 – 1.

The Junior Wolves opened scoring in the 22 minutes of the enthralling encounter through Abdul Samuel, after some beautiful team interchange of passes in the build up.

The impressive young Seasiders held the advantage until the 38 minutes, when the young Changi Boys leveled terms with an Umar Abubakar’s effort on goal.

A minute later the defending champions got the perfect response from the Seasiders, as Uwakwe Sampson restored their lead with a well timed strike.

The first half ended with the young Seasiders as the side in the lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Vwegba Solomon made it 3 – 1 for the rampaging Wolves.

In the 58 minutes, substitute Uchenna Ejiogu grab his second goal of the competition and Warri Wolves’ fourth goal of the match.

Warri Wolves will play Kwara United in their next game of the league on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

Kano Pillars had beaten Kwara United 2 – 0 earlier on.

It was Kwara United who faced Abia Warriors in an entertaining opening match of the day.

For the Young Harmony Boys, they wanted to pick a positive result and they got it thanks to Olatunbosun Lateef.

With the 1-0 result, United have four points from two games, while Warriors have no joy after two games.

In the second game of day 3, hosts Rangers could not contain their fast-paced opponents, Warri Wolves, as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss.

Okiki Oghenoruese popped up with an all important 40th minute winner.

In the final match, coach Babatunde Elijah led his MFM FC side in search of a win over Plateau United.

The game was very entertaining as both sides played a high pressing game.

Despite keeping their counterparts under siege at some stage, Plateau United were not clinical upfront.

At the end of proceedings it was goalless between the Olukoya Boys and Plateau United.

Meanwhile, Kwara United will now turn their focus to Akwa United for their last group game, while already eliminated Abia Warriors will try to save face against Jigawa Golden Stars.

NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises – Day 3 Results

Kwara United 1-0 Abia Warriors

Rangers 0-1 Warri Wolves

MFM FC 0-0 Plateau United

Topscorers As At Day 3

2 Goals

Chikwere Chigaemezu – Heartland

Umar Abubakar – Katsina United

1 Goal

Ugochukwu Okpara – Heartland

Abubakar Yasir – Katsina United

Jibril Isah – Kano Pillars

Imrana Musa – Kano Pillars

Idris Khamus – Kano Pillars

Olatunbosun Lateef – Kwara United

Okiki Oghenoruese – Warri Wolves

Samuel Effiong – Akwa United

Emmanuel Edem – Dakkada FC

Chidiuto Emelda – Enyimba