Nigeria Sports Arena

Impressed by Gold Cup standard and quality, Ekiti State is set to hijack the nation's prestigious pre-season tournament hosting right from Benue State. The General Manager of Phoenix Athletic Sports Club, Bayo Olanlege, disclosed to Newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, that he has been given the mandate by Ekiti State to woo the organisers of the foremost Nigerian pre-season tourney.  "This is one pre-season football Tournament I follow with keen interest when you look at the clubs that has taken part in it. Any state that really love and knows the important of hosting a football event of this magnitude will bid for the hosting of the event. He continued "I there say that the Gold Cup have helped clubs to become champions or gained CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup ticket. "I can use the likes of Lobi Stars and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM FC) as a reference. Be mindful that Remo Stars who are on the verge of returning to the NPFL have f...

A goal mouth scrambled effort by Anthony Okpotu ensured defending champions Lobi Stars salvaged a point in grueling matchday 3 of the ongoing Gold Cup Preseason Tournament in Ilorin on Friday. Victor Denis had earlier shoot Pillars ahead in the 25th minute as his overhead kicked crossed the line before Kano Pillars' keeper, Lawrence John could pick. Pillars' Ibrahim Alhassan tried a distance shot on target Lawrence John held firmly on the line. Ebube Duru raced past his marker to take a shot for Lobi Stars in the sixth minute but his attempt went inches wide. Kano Pillars thought they had taken the lead two minutes later when Rabiu Ali gets a through pass from Nwagua's low pass but John denied him as he parried to corner. Lobi responded with a renewed vigor as Ojo Tolulope run down the right flank to locate Okputu but Pillars' defenders combined well to clear their line. Kano Pillars' goal arrived in the 25th minute when Victor Denis' overhead kick went pa...

Stephen Alfred's 60th minute strike denied Rivers United their  second victory at the ongoing Gold Cup Preseason Tournament decided at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on Friday afternoon. The two teams started the match like a house on fire, firing from all cylinders. Rivers United created the first attempt on goal in the fifth minute of the entertaining encounter when Samuel Akinubi tested the Afonja Warriors goalkeeper, Eze Chidiebere with a ferocious shot. Kwara United's last season top scorer in the Nigeria National League, Micheal Ohanu had a chance to get the opener for his team but his flick header couldn't beat Rivers United goalkeeper, Cole Roberi. The remaining minutes of the first half turned out to be a cagey affair as both teams struggled to find a breakthrough. The second 45 minutes of the game saw both teams scoring a goal each. Stanley Eguma's men were awarded a penalty after a foul on Martins Usule by Lanre Shuaibu and Ali Chiwendu nicely converted...

Nigeria's foremost sports kitting company Cone Sportswear has entered into partnership agreement with the organisers of Gold Cup Pre-season Tourney as official kit sponsor ahead of the 5th edition of the most prestigious domestic league pre-season tournament. The partnership deal was sealed on Friday in Kaduna after the Chief Executive Officer of Cone Sportswear, Cletus Okojie CEO, Adamu Alhassan (Cone Chief Operating Officer) and General Coordinator of nation's prestigious tournament for clubs, Tunde Shamsudeen concluded talks. Cone Sportwear announced it will kit the finalists, ball boys and match officials as from next edition.   According to Shamsudeen: "It's another feather in the cap for the tourney as it has come into partnership agreement with top sportswear brand, Cone. “We are excited with the Cone partnership. Cone's presence is an indication that the tourney has a bright future." Okojie said his firm entered into partnership with the organize...

Former Nigeria Premier League Champions, Kano Pillars Football Club and Nationwide League One side, FC Ebedei of Sagamu, will be seeking a bright start to the third edition of Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament when they face off in the tourney’s official opener this evening (Thursday) at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode. Pillars gaffer, Mohammed Babaganaru, told newsmen in Ijebu Ode that the team is ready and competitive ahead of the tie against the mobile Oliseh Boys.  "I'm aware FC Ebedei is a very good side, with young boys and very tricky. They have very good players so we have to be careful, but I have told my players they must be prepared to give their best. My players are determined to do the job," the experienced coach said. However, former Secretary General of Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, will perform the traditional kick off of the favourite pre-season tournament.

The third edition of Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament scheduled to take place at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode from January 31 to February 9, as been rescheduled to hold between Thursday February 4, through Saturday February 13, 2016 at same venue. The tournament was announced to be postponed by the General Coordinator of the tournament, Tunde Shamsudeen, stating that Ogun State Government want to use the stadium from January 27 to February 2, as part of activities marking the 40 years of the state existence.  Shamsudeen stated further that new arrival date for all teams is now Wednesday February 3, and regret any inconveniences the postponement might cause.  The participating teams are Shooting Stars, FC Ebedei, FC Yarmalight, Supreme Court, Ikorodu United, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Crown FC, Remo stars and Lobi Stars. Sharks FC of Port Harcourt won the last edition and there is a giant befitting trophy for this year winner courtesy of Senator Abdul Fatai Buh...

Photographs by Onikute Micheal and Oluwayemisi Cole Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, team manager, Oladimeji Lawal must learn how to be more professional in handling situations when it comes to referees decision hence the newly promoted Oluyole Wariors may relegate to the Nigeria National League. The final battle of the 2015 Gold Cup sees 3SC and Sharks FC of Port Harcourt trading tackles yesterday in Ijebu-Ode at the Dipo Dina Stadium, the Ibadan based team lost the Gold Cup to the Blue Angels 3-2 after 90 minutes of one all draw. The ex-International put up a-not-too-good act yesterday when the centre refeere awarded a spot kick to Sharks few minutes to end the first half, Shooting Stars protested the refeere's decision but guess what? The team manager who didn't handle the protest in a professional way according to reports gathered from a journalist who saw the game live. Micheal Onikute is a Multimedia Sport Journalist, he was at the stadium to witness the match pr...

Nigeria National League (NNL) side Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos attacking midfielder Chukwuka Onuwa Emmanuel wants to lift his first trophy with the Oluyole Warriors today in the final of the ongoing Gold Cup pre-season tournament against Sharks of Port Harcourt in Ijebu-Ode. The newly promoted Shooting Stars got to the final of this year's pre-season tournament after edging out Kogi United 4-3 on penalties while Sharks FC of Port Harcourt narrowly beat Osho Fatai led Supreme Court FC of Abuja 1-0 to keep a place in the final. Onuwa who is on a pre-season trial with the Ibadan based team is hopeful of a deal and at the same time looking forward to lift the 2015 Gold Cup. The sneaky midfielder told olawalequadry.blogspot.com in a chat that he will be teaming up with Shooting Stars and also said that his hard work has brought him thus far. "I should be joining 3SC by the special grace of God, hard work and God's grace has brought me thus fa...

Ameh Henry, Team Manager of Nigeria National League, NNL side Kogi United has described his club's participation at the preseason soccer tournament tagged Gold Cup as a blessing which he said will help the team to do better in the coming season. Henry said positives were drawn from the tournament as selected players were put to test to have a feel of the challenges ahead. Kogi United competed in the Gold Cup along side seven other clubs which include Shooting Stars, Sharks FC and Supreme Court. The Confluence state club were grouped in Pool A with Sharks FC, FC Ebedei and Kwara Football Academy, KFA where they ended second with six points. The club played 1-1 with Shooting stars in the semi-final before losing out 3-5 on penalties. Henry noted that the motive of participating at the tournament with level of opponents faced and players' performance which will assist when the league started just as commended the management for making funds available for the tournament. ...

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side newcomers Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan beat Kogi United 4-3 on penalties after they laboured  to register a goal  during the regular period yesterday at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode in a pre-season tournament tagged Gold Cup. The Nigeria National League (NNL) campaigner Kogi United broke the deadlock after 25 minutes of play through their influential midfielder, Destiny Ashadi who was a delight to watch in the encounter. 3SC goalkeeper Kola Ige was the hero of the day as he made great saves which could have resulted into goals for the Wada Boys. Shortly after the goal the Oluyole Warriors mounted pressure to get an equaliser but Kogi United rose to the occasion and defended so well and at the same time suppressed the pressure from the newly promoted 3SC. The first 45 minutes ended with the Kogi based team taking a goal advantage into the second half. Okiki Afolabi drew level for for Shooting after 15 minutes i...

The Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament is leaving-up to expectation again with interesting semi-final fixtures to be decided tomorrow (Wednesday) in the cracker billed for the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode. Nigeria National League side, Kogi United will go up against Nigeria Premier League returnee Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan by 4.pm, while Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt will tackle Supreme Court FC of Abuja by 4.pm. Sharks top group A with six points from three group matches, likewise as Kogi United qualified with six points as runners-up. 3SC garner nine points to top group B, while Supreme Court made it to the semi-finals with six points from three matches. The four teams have all set their sights on winning the coveted trophy of the showpiece. Speaking with Kogi United coach, Yomi Eliajh, he said he has told his players to have self-confidence and determination with the mindset of getting to the finals and winning the competition. He said all th...

Kogi United recorded a shocking 2-1 victory over Premier League side, Sharks FC in the continuation of Gold Cup Preseason Soccer Tournament. Abdulkareem Yekini opened the score sheet for the Kogi United fifteen minute into the game when he converted a spot kick after Destiny Ashadi was tripped in the box. Babangida Chindo doubled the lead for the Confluence state club in the 41 minutes with a well taken shot to give his side comfortable half time lead. Sharks tried to show the stuff they were made of in the restart as they kept Kogi United in their half and they were rewarded with a penalty chance. Stephen Musa lost his footing as he pulled down oncoming Sharks attacker and Abdul Ali Ganja converted the spot kick for Coach Gbenga Ogunbote led Sharks. The Port Harcourt side put all they have into Kogi United's defense to get the needed equalizer even after Yekini was sent off but keeper Shola Sheshere in goal for the Wada Boys was at his best on number of testing times for Unit...

Former Super Eagles midfielders, Seyi Olofinjana, and Mutiu Adepoju, have expressed joy and stated that they were impressed with the organization, conduct and display of the clubs participating in the second edition of Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament. Olofinjana and Adepoju, who were present for the opening games at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode lavish praises on the organiser's initiative for bringing what is obtainable in developed countries to play in Nigeria. They believed that the tournament as created a platform for the teams to make corrections and adjustment in their squad prior to the new season and affirmed that the teams are capable of triumphing in their various leagues. "This is a good initiative by the organizer of the tournament, and I need to thank Tunde Shamsudeen (General Coordinator Gold Cup), it is indeed a good pre-season tournament, such tournament is only obtainable in Europe and don't forget I was here last year for the fi...