Nigeria Sports Arena

  Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United FC is one of 16 clubs in the hat for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage draw which will be conducted in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday. Technical manager of United, Stanley Eguma says he is calm ahead of the draw for the 2017 Caf Confederation Cup group stage.  “This is a very big competition, no Nigerian club has ever won it before and we are looking to make history,” Eguma told our official website,  www.riversunitedfc.com.ng .    “Of all the clubs that have qualified for this stage, we are the least experienced as we are less than two years old.  “However, we have beaten more experienced sides in the past both in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup so we will not be fazed,” he said.  United will definitely draw one of four sides in the shape of TP Mazembe, Zesco United, FUS Rabat and CS Sfaxien who have all been seeded.  The ‘Pride of Rivers’ will also face two of 11 other sides in pot two of the draw.  Eguma

  Rivers Hoopers head coach, Ogoh Odaudu is happy to have bounced back from his first loss and win against Police Baton on Saturday and hopes his team follows it up with a home win on Thursday.   Hoopers Basketball Club of Port Harcourt will play hosts to Ilorin-based side Kwara Falcons in their third match of this season's Kwese Premier Basketball League tomorrow.   The KingsMen successfully rebounded from an opening day defeat against Nigeria Customs in Lagos to beat Police Baton on Saturday but they are fully aware The Falcons pose a different type of threat altogether. “Whether we lose the first game or not it’s a 28 game league. You lose one you still have 27 more games to recover which we have just done. We have lost one and we have just taken one back away we will just go back and put in some more hard work and hopefully put another one away when Kwara come visiting,” said Odaudu.   Still speaking ahead of the clash against the Ilorin based side, the former Nigeria internati

  Nigeria’s foremost energy solutions company, Aiteo Group, on Wednesday signed a 5-Year partnership agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation, which has conferred on the company the title of   Official Optimum Partner of the NFF . The financial obligation to Aiteo Group is valued at N2.5 Billion in support to NFF and activation of the partnership agreement, and the marketing agency is Mediterranean.   The partnership, which is the first in-country sports sponsorship for the energy giant, will start on 1 st  May 2017, and has an initial option of one-year extension.   “Aiteo Group’s overarching social responsibility objectives are to encourage a positive impact, through our activities on the society-at-large and has successfully done so for several years. Football brings joy to the lives of Nigerians and each moment celebrated by families in their living rooms over a goal scored or friends catching up on highlights of a well –taken free –kick by their local heroes, leaves an indel

  The Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) takes centre stage at the midweek with some exciting match up across seven centres.  The first game of the week five round of matches will see Bayelsa Queens square up against Moses Adikwu's Heartland Queens at the Nembe City Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.  Tarila Okorowanta's wards will no doubt be aware of the importance of the game as a defeat at home will be a huge setback to their Super Four bid. Heartland, however, will like to pick maximum points and move up in the Group A log.  The action continues at the Lafia City Stadium where Nasarawa Amazons will look to build on their success against Saadatu Amazon as they play host to Pelican Stars.   Amazons are currently top of the Group B log and a win could see them pull away from their rivals.  Pelican Stars' last three league games saw them pick just one point. Their head-to-head record of one win, two draws and three defeats in six meetings with Amazons since 2013 makes this c

  Apparently turbo-charged to make the country proud among the match officials, Nigeria's ambassador to the ongoing FIFA World Beach Soccer Championship, Jelili Ogunmuyiwa FIFA has passed the first preliminary stages to be qualified to handle matches.  Ogunmuyiwa who landed Bahamas three days ago has passed the mandatory medical and physical fitness test conducted by FIFA under the supervision of FIFA Physical Fitness Instructor, Mr Marco at Sir Kendal G.L Isaac's gymnasium of Sir Thomas Robinson National stadium, Nassau Bahamas. The Nigeria Referees Association, NRA President , Tade Azeez while congratulating Ogunmuyiwa for this limp, urges him to show class at the championship and emerge a worthy ambassador of the NRA and Nigeria at large.  

Kogi United's combative midfielder, Micheal Bolaji has called for focus from his team mates as they face Yobe Desert Stars in the Matchday 6 of Nigeria National League, NNL on Saturday. The match billed for August 27 Stadium, Damaturu will be United's second consecutive league games on the road after their 0-1 defeat against Kaduna United last Sunday. The Confluence state club would hope to raise their games on Saturday to make a serious statement of challenge for honors in the ongoing season. Bolaji who was disappointed with their last weekend's result has however called for renewed determination against a resurgent Yobe Desert Stars who have lost only once in five league games. "We have a great opportunity tomorrow to show a reaction," Ancelotti told Kogi United Media. "It's painful we lost the last game (against Kaduna United) but we need to forget that and forge ahead, we are here now and we need to show that we've corrected our mistakes from

  The Director of Football, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC, Emmanuel Adeyemi, has congratulated team's technical adviser,  Fidelis Ilechukwu and Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leading scorer, Stephen Odey for claiming the prestigious League Bloggers Awards (LBA) for the month of March. Ilechukwu and Odey were named the LBA Manager and Player for the month under review. The MFM FC manager beat off competition from top NPFL coaches, Kabiru Dogo of Nasarawa United, Abdullahi Biffo of Abia Warriors and Kadiri Ikhana of Kano Pillars with 14 points from four home wins, two away draws and two away losses. Odey, 19, was instrumental for MFM FC's glorious outing last month scoring seven out of his team's 10 goals, won the LBA player's award for the second time in three months ahead of Samuel Mathias of El-Kanemi Warriors, Mfon Udoh of Enyimba and Nasarawa United goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso.   An obviously elated Adeyemi congratulated Ilechukwu and Odey on

  The National President of Stationery Stores Supporters Trust, Pastor Eliashib Ime-James, has declared that the darling team of Lagos - Stationery Stores FC, is on the march again. In a release jointly signed alongside SSST National Secretary, veteran sports journalist Yomi Opakunle, the man of God noted that, coming on the heels of Super Stores FC's 2-1 victory at its very first LSFA 2017 FA Cup preliminary round match last Tuesday against G12 FC, the Adebajo Babes can only continue to soar high in its quest of marching back to glory days of yore.  Also commenting, the SSST Global President, Adebayo Olowoake, urged all who love the founder of the Flaming Flamingoes, Late Israel Adebajo, to troop out for the 8.00am Friday April 21, 2017 next round of match against St. Vincent FC of Lagos, taking place at the Agege Stadium. SSST National Treasurer, Fire 2 Trojan - Soji Akintola, equally called on all Fire 2 veterans and other Super Stores Supporters alike, to storm the match venue

    Rivers Hoopers were outrebounded and outshot from three point range losing to Nigeria Customs 60-49 at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium Lagos on Thursday.   Despite falling to Customs, former Customs power forward, Solomon Ajegbeyi scored 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists delivering consecutive baskets in the first but not enough to salvage the loss to Customs.   Ikechukwu Benjamin’s jumper before the buzzer ended the first quarter (15-19). The Port Harcourt side produced a brilliant first half performance looking ready to go for the kill in the second half but was brilliantly guarded by the Customs defense in the third quarter.   Customs guard, Okiki Afuwapa Michael who was their best player finished with a game high 25 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.   Okiki’s shooting pushed Customs to the lead and in over 4 minutes of play, Hoopers couldn’t score leaving the host to  their biggest score run(9-0)  in 6:22. The two time champions were left with series of missed shots

  Mountain of Fire and Ministries FC  duo of Fidelis Ilechukwu and Stephen Odey have been named the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) Manager and Player for March respectively. Ilechukwu and Odey were the standouts in the NPFL for the month under review. The MFM manager led his team to four wins, two draws and two losses. Ilechukwu masterminded two away draws at Enyimba and Wikki Tourists and then followed up with two back to back victories over title contenders Plateau United and one of the division's heavyweights River United. Ilechukwu also oversaw defeats at Katsina United and Gombe United but his team had put together 14 points, three more than any other side in March. The trio of Kabiru Dogo of Nasarawa United, Abdullahi Biffo of Abia Warriors and Kadiri Ikhana of Kano Pillars fell short as their teams got 11 points apiece. Odey was influential in front of goal for MFM FC, scoring seven of their 10 goals in March - 70 per cent of their total goals for the month under review. The t

  Kogi United's second half push was not enough for them on Sunday as they lost 0-1 to Kaduna United in the Matchday Five of Nigeria National League, (NNL). Captain Hamisu Shamsudeen's 37th minutes strike was enough for the hosts to claim the total points in the grueling match played at the Township Stadium, Kaduna. The Confluence Boys were on the back foot at the formative stage of the game as the duo of Abubakar Danlami and goalkeeper Salisu Ogbe put them in the game with their brilliant block and save. The Lokoja based side could only found their rhythm at about 25th minutes of the match, but couldn't take their chances through Emmanuel Onuh who shoot wide from edge of the box and Matthew Idoko's couldn't connect well with John Jerome in another attack.   While the tempo and composure of both sides was at par, Kaduna United initiated an attack from right flank and Songo Paul's cross met Shamsudeen in Kogi United's box. The attacker turned Stephen Musa aro

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos chapter, has described the defence by Remo Stars FC of Sagamu on the assault of a sports journalist as an unfortunate sad commentary on the attitude of the club towards the safety and security of participants and the growth of the Nigeria Professional Football League. The League Management Company (LMC) last Tuesday, in a summary jurisdiction, found Remo Stars guilty for allowing several acts of violence by its supporters against its visitors, including Sportsville reporter, Ekerete Kelvin who was manhandled and suffered both physical, material and emotional damages during their match day 16 home game with Wikki Tourists. Remo Stars admitted guilt in all other charges but denied responsibility towards the journalist on the claims that "Kelvin Ekerette was neither accredited as a Journalist for the game nor seated at the media tribune for easy identification like other over 15 Journalists that covered the match." Chairman

Osun United Football Club impressively defeated Go Round Football Club 2-1 in one of the Week 8 contest of the Nigeria National League at the Oshogbo Township Stadium to keep their 100 percent home win streak. Osun United began the game brightly, with Victor Okeji, Dare Olatunji, Hakeem Olalere and Tosin Omoyele, showing flashes.  Omoyele, opened the scoring for the Omoluabi Giants in the 9th minute after he supplied a delicate cross that was deflected on the edge of the box by Kpekpe Chris.  Go Round winger, Nwachukwu Solomon, and lanky striker, Ugwu Onyedinaka went into act of threatening as their pace and dribbling skills ensured they had a foot to stand on as Osun United backline stood strong. Bassey Ezekiel, in the 38th minute almost got an equalizer for Go Round when Nwachukwu, after being put through on goal by, squared the ball to a rushing Ugwu Onyedinaka, who failed to make contact. In the 42nd minute Osun United goalkeeper Ayo Ojo parried to corner a set piece from Chu

  Kogi United left back, Kingsley Emeka Iwuji has talked up his club's chances of getting a meaningful result in their Matchday 5 of the Nigeria National League, NNL encounter on Sunday. The battle of United which is slated for Township Stadium in Kaduna by 4pm will be the hosts' fist game at home having not played the earlier fixtures due to Giwa FC's expulsion from the 'most important' league in Nigeria. The match will also be Coach Tunde Abdulrahman's first on the road after joining the Lokoja based side penultimate week ago. Iwuji who has been in fine form for Kogi United this season noted that his side would approach with all sense of seriousness as their hosts would be under pressure being their season's opener in front of their home fans. The Kaduna born player also talked about his side's promotion ambition as he said its long overdue for United to compete at the apex league. "It's good time for us to face Kaduna United, we want to put e

The centre of attraction equalised late in the game and were clearly the more threatening side in the second half but Macwjeff Fc showed they are a force to be reckoned with after coming from behind to lead at some point in the game.   Cynosure Fc showed spirit and drive as the began the quest to extent their unbeaten run to 19 games in preseason on a high note as they created early chances which did not yield any fruit. Joseph Thomas definitely the most outstanding player on the pitch for the home team with his impressive run on the right wing with his beautiful runs and crosses. Both teams showed caution and tactical discipline to ensure that the first half ended goalless. The second half resumed with a lot of drama and excitements. Cynosure Fc task seemed to be made easy when Daberechi Anyanwu broke the deadlock in the 59th minute of the game with a crisp finish. The fleet-footed attacker raced past the Macwjeff defence, to finish a typical Cynosure Fc build up play characterized by

Mountain of Fire an Miracles Ministries FC diminutive midfielder, Lawal Sulaimon became the toast of many at the Oshogbo City Stadium during his team's Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Under 15 Promises tournament. MFM FC's brilliant performances could not see the lads through to the next round of the competition. The Olukoya Boys who lost their first game of the competition 1-0 to ABS FC beat Sunshine Stars FC 3-0 and played out a one-all draw against Shooting Stars and Remo Stars with GTBank Principal Cup back-to-back top scorer, Eniayewu Hammed, Lawal Sulaimon, Atoyebi Gideon, Hammed Saheed, Olugade Jacob and Aina Ayobami, putting up five-star displays.   Lawal propelled his side to their first win of the tourney over Sunshine Stars, he provided the assist that led to Eniayewu first goal of the competition off a well taken free kick. The skilful playmaker capped his performance on that day with a goal from the penalty spot. His overal

  Cynthia Aku scored a brace in an effective second half as Nigeria Women Premier League champions, Rivers Angels secured a 3-0 home victory against FC Robo on Wednesday.   The first half saw the both sides struggling to find their foot with Chinaza Uchendu, Cynthia Aku of and last season’s NWFL highest goal scorer, Rafiat Sule, missing chances in front of goal.   In the 32nd minute, Cynthia had just goalkeeper Amole Damilola to beat but blazed her shot wide while five minutes later  Chinaza's  header from an Osinachi Ohale’s cross failed to hit the target.   Five minutes before half-time, Sule also missed a sitter as the Jewel of Rivers headed into the dressing room goalless at half-time.   It was, however, a different ball game in the second half as Sule was substituted for Mercy Amanze who was involved in Angels's first goal as she delivered a sensational cross to Cynthia to break the deadlock in the 67th minute.    Chinaza Uchendu doubled the lead from the spot in the 74th

    Chairman of NPFL side Abia Warriors, High Chief Emeka Inyama was a surprise guest at the Owerri centre of the ongoing NPFLU15Promises Tournament on Tuesday. Inyama who we learnt supervised the screening exercise of his team back in Umuahia to ensure only players under the age grade were picked was impressed with the lads' output despite going down 0-3 to Rivers United U15, a day after they lost 5-0 to Akwa United U15. One of the stars of the show, Abia Warriors' No. 10, Henry Udezuka who thrilled spectators with some lovely footballing skills however had cause to smile after the game when Inyama, the former NNL Chairman rewarded him with a cash prize of #10,000.   Udezuka who was shocked and delighted by the gesture immediately sent #8,000 to his mum through one of his coaches while he shared the remaining #2,000 with his teammate. Inyama stated that it was his own way of encouraging the young lads who he believes have a great future ahead of them in the game regardless of