Nigeria Sports Arena

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC head coach Tony Bolus has praised his charges after their 1-0 win over Heartland FC in a Matchday One fixture of the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season decided at the Okigwe Stadium in Owerri on Sunday. The Olukoya Boys gave a good account of themselves against the Naze Millionaires as they claimed an opening day win courtesy of a 39th minute header from Clement Ogwu when he connected a long throw-in from Najeem Olayinka. Fidelis Ilechukwu's men created lots of goal-scoring chances shortly after MFM FC's goal but the Lagos-based team goalkeeper Folarin Abayomi denied the hosts with breathtaking saves. His bright display in between the sticks earned him the man-of the-match award. After the crucial victory Bolus appreciated his boys for their brilliant performance. “I need to appreciate my boys for their effort today and for keeping and playing to instructions. They maintained the tempo of the game f...

Stephen Odey has promised his former MFM FC teammates cash incentive ahead of the Matchday 13 fixture in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) against Enyimba International FC on Sunday. The Olukoya Boys who are yet to drop a point at home this season will welcome the People's Elephant to the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium this afternoon as they look forward to claiming their first-ever victory against the seven-time NPFL champions. Odey revealed in an interview with nigeriasportsarena.blogspot.com why he has decided to boost his former team ahead of the big game against the Aba-based team. “I remember when I was still playing in the NPFL, Enyimba’s game has always been a difficult one for us both on home and away soil. I was lucky to score a goal against them the last time we played them. “I may not be with MFM FC but the team is always on my mind and beating Enyimba today will mean a lot to the team and it will go along way in helping the team to finish well, ...

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has said to his team that anything short of victory against Enyimba International FC will amount to failure ahead of this weekend's game in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). Group A leaders, MFM FC will host seven-time NPFL champions on Matchday 13 of the  top-flight at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium this Sunday as they look forward to recording their first-ever win against the People’s Elephant. “Enyimba game is very important for us you know we have not beaten them before in our  home and away games,” said Ilechukwu in an interview with MFM FC Media. The young coach talked about the importance of the match to his team’s ambition in the NPFL this season and also shared his knowledge of the opponents. “It's a game we must win to remain at the top. We know their antics, we know their strengths and we know everything about Enyimba Football Club. I can tell you their ...

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC assistant coach, Alli Suleman Obinna has showered praise on his team after their 1-1 outing against Katsina United on Wednesday. Alli Suleman, who led the team to Katsina in the absence of head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, who is on national assignment with the Nigerian Olympic team showered encomium on the players for their worthy performance in an interview with MFM FC Media. “First and foremost, I want to thank God Almighty because Katsina is not an easy place for us to play and get what we have got. “I really want to applaud the boys for the way they approached the game and at the end of the game we got the one point notwithstanding we still need to prepare and forge ahead for the remaining matches so that we can be in a better position at the end of the season,” he said. MFM FC were forced to a 1-1 draw to extend their lead in Group A  with six points in a rescheduled fixture of Matchday 9 of the Nigeria Professional Football...

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC forward Michael Ohanu has expressed unhappiness despite his team's 2-0 home win against Bendel Insurance at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium in Lagos. MFM FC beat Insurance of Benin 2-0 in one of the fixtures of Matchday 11 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to maintain their perfect home record courtesy of goals from Abisoye Olawale and Ohanu. The Olukoya Boys started the encounter poorly and failed to make good use of the ball to their advantage although they were able to keep the visitors who were not too impressive at bay for the larger part of the exchange. MFM took the lead in the 40th minute of match through defender, Abisoye Olawale's header off a cross from Jonathan Zikiye and got the second goal after 13 minutes of play in the second half when Ohanu rose highest in the box to nod home a cross from a well-taken free kick by Zikiye. Ohanu disclosed in an interview to MFM FC Media after his...

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC forward, Abubakar Ghali  has expressed total Confidence  ahead of the Nigeria professional football (NPFL) Rescheduled Fixture,  between Lobi stars of Makurdi, that they are battled ready to pick up away points in today's encounter at Samuel Aper ku stadium in Benue state. The sharp winger, Ghali who joined the Olukoya boys from Mahaniam FC in Abuja said" we have been preparing 'Mentally ', for this particular fixture with Lobi stars knowing full well how formidable they are. " Personally, it's going to be a huge opportunity for me to announce my name yet again with ( 5 -Star) performance  at the apex  football league in Nigeria" He boded to Maxinews24. Com Abubakar 18 also known as 'Callejon', believes The Fedelis Ilechukuw led Warriors would Compound the woes of Lobi stars this season.  "All have not been well with the League winners, going by their recent games in the NPFL, and Contin...

Mountains of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC left-back, Jonathan Zikiye says his team are ready and fully prepared to give Lobi Stars a good fight for the three points ahead of the Nigeria Professional Football League League (NPFL) Matchday 3 rescheduled fixture. The Makurdi-based team will host MFM in a rearranged Nigerian top flight fixture on Wednesday at the Aper Aku Stadium. Both teams have met five times in the NPFL. MFM and the hosts won two games each and shared the spoils in their last meeting with a goalless draw. Zikiye disclosed to MFM FC Media in an interview minutes after his team’s work out session on Tuesday at the Aper Aku Stadium that the Olukoya Boys are ready to  battle Lobi for the maximum points. “We came to Makurdi fully prepared though we know the capability of what Lobi Stars can do on the pitch, they just came from the continent I think they will come all out because they struggled in their last home match. I think they will want to see how the...

The duo of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club strikers, Olatunbosun Sikiru and Adegboyega Adekunle are seeking for their first away victory of the season against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) this midweek in Ibadan. MFM FC are guests to the Oluyole Warriors at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamsingba in Wednesday's Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) MatchDay 3 clash tagged the 'Southwest Derby.' Olatunbosun and Adekunle who have been instrumental for MFM FC in the ongoing Nigerian top-flight scoring a goal each and creating three assists said they are ready to fight for their first ever NPFL away win against the Ibadan-based outfit. Sikiru said: "An interesting game awaits us in Ibadan, it will not be an easy one but then we have to do everything within our reach to at least have a share of the three points. "We didn't have it good last season against Shooting but this term we want to prove to people that we can beat 3SC,...

The New Media Journalist (NMJ) has wished Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs competing in the 2017 season the best. A total of ten matches would take place in the match day one of the new NPFL campaign this weekend. Former NPFL champions Kano Pillars host FC Ifeanyi Ubah at the Sani Abacha Stadium in what promises to be a spectacle on Saturday. Games would take place on Sunday, with two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC, reigning NPFL champions Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourists, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Remo Stars, Plateau United, MFM FC, Gombe United, Katsina United, Niger Tornadoes, ABS FC, Akwa United, Shooting Stars and Elkanemi Warriors in action. "The New Media Journalists (NMJ) would like to wish the 20 teams involved in the 2017 NPFL campaign all the best. It is encouraging to see so many teams involved in the competition," NMJ Protocol member Jane Nweze said. "We are urging all the clubs to maintain di...

Match day 28 of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) witnessed some interesting displays from 11 players who helped their respective teams to a glorious and remarkable outing. The head coach of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, Godwin Uwa tutored his charges to a 1-1 draw against high flying Imama Amakpakabo Enugu Rangers team who have not drop a point in over nine league matches. Uwua will be managing the Supportthenpfl.com Team Of The Week (TOTW) with a 3-4-3 formation. Okeimuta Odah of Lobi Stars FC master class performance saw him making  seven breathtaking saves against Enugu Rangers, he will be doing his business in the goalkeeping role of the Supportthenpfl.com game week 28 squad. He will be shielded with three virtuosic defenders namely;John Kelechi (Plateau United), Peter Ambrose (Wikki Tourists) Lekan Adeleye (FC Ifeanyi Ubah). John Kelechi gave a very good account of himself against reigning league champions, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba as the...

Nigeria Professional Football League outfit, Warri Wolves on Sunday afternoon at the Warri City Stadium dazed Elkanemi Warriors 5-0 in a rescheduled game of match day 4 and moved to the 4th position on the league standing. Going into this game, the Seasiders looks like an house on fire having won their last three matches in a fashionable way compare to the visitors who only picked a point out of possible nine in their last three games. Paul Aigbogun's men took the lead in the 8th minutes of the game through former Crown FC of Ogbomosho forward Onyekachi Okafor. Micheal Egbeta converted a spot kick in the 27th minute of play to double the lead for Wolves after Abu Azeez was brought down in the 18yard box. The first half ended with the home team leading 2-0. Warri Wolves kick start the second half with Okafor puting the game beyond the visiting team as he completed his brace in the 46 minutes of play, two minutes later, Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe scored the fourth go...

Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Mallam Shehu Dikko has said the league is very close to the official unveiling of the Rasheed Yekini trophy for the highest goal scorer as part of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Awards which the board approved at its meeting in June. Dikko said the decision to name the trophy after one of Nigeria’s most prolific forwards was chosen by the board as a route to immortalize the player who scored a total of 37 goals in 58 appearances for the country and demonstrated exemplary character and commitment throughout his career. “There is a broad plan to institute awards and honour outstanding players, officials, key stakeholders and fans in the league at the end of every season and there are a number of factors that led us to reach the decision to name one of these awards, that of the highest goal scorer after the late Rasheed Yekini. The awards is part of strategic plans of the LMC to create commercial val...

The management of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, has said that it has not sack the technical crew of the club. The Secretary of the club, Elder Dele Oguntokun said in a statement on Thursday that the management has not taken a decision to sack the technical crew yet. He Kwara United To Stick With Technical Despite Home Loss promised that the club will reinforce areas that needed attention in the team in the next transfer window which will come in few weeks time. “We are not sacking our technical crew, they are continuing with us for now. “The 3-match ultimatum will gave was for them to shape up or face sanctions, the sanctions will say here will be internal. “We have identified some of the issues and we will make amendment as soon as possible” Oguntokun said. He urged the supporters and fans of the club to remain calm and continue to support their darling team, adding that they will soon put smiles on their face. The Kwara United scribe said the management wis...

Sunshine Stars have been named the winners of the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) Q1 after finishing the top of the Glo Premier League in the first quarter of this season. The Owena Waves, after match day 10 in the Nigerian top flight amassed 20 points, two more than the chasing pack of Kano Pillars and Enyimba in second and third positions respectively. Sunshine Stars won six matches, drew two and lost two while they scored 14 goals, including five of the goals being netted by Tunde Adeniji. They shipped in seven goals from the 10 games played. The Akure club are yet to lose in their last five matches including a win at Heartland and a draw at Nasarawa United. Their last defeat was on match day five when they lost one-nil at El-Kanemi Warriors on April 22. Sunshine Stars have also scored in every of their last five matches in the league. "Sunshine Stars have been playing great football since the second half of the first quarter and it's no surprise that they have emerged w...

The League Management Company (LMC) has asked clubs to refrain from acts that run contrary to the terms of contracts entered into with players.  Chairman of the LMC, Mallam Shehu Dikko in reaction to recurring reports of clubs threatening or issuing ultimatums and threat of sack and deduction of salaries of their players and technical crew, urged the various clubs’ management to seek better creative ways of motivating their players and coaches rather than resorting to strong arm and punitive tactics that run counter to extant regulations guiding players’ contract and wages. The LMC Chairman stated that, "We will work with the Clubs to ensure employment contracts are adhered to within the league structure  and employees rights are well respected. It is against the spirit of the contract terms recommended and deposited with us by all the clubs to introduce these pay cuts. It certainly is a potential violation of the minimum wage condition. I urge clubs to find bett...

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan fans and supporters are not happy with the poor performance of their darling team in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) hence they want Coach Franklin Howard and the entire technical crew to throw in the towel before the situation get out of hands. Howard returned 3SC back to the top flight in 2014 after they relegated to the second tier league, Nigeria National League (NNL) in the 2012/2013 NPFL season but the Oluyole Warriors are yet to wake up to the hostility of the apex league thus the avid fans and supporters of the team believes the gaffer Franklin Howard lacks the charisma and wherewithal to pilot the team to a successful outing in the league. Speaking after matchday nine encounter between the Ibadan club and Enugu Rangers played on Sunday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan, the game ended in a one all draw as the Flying Antelopes shared the spoil with 3SC. A frustrated and angry looking supporter says" Thi...

The League Management Company (LMC) has lodged a complaint with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Committee against three center referees and their assistants for poor officiating in some of the Match Day 9 fixtures played on Sunday, May 17. The LMC asked  the Referees Committee to have the officials stepped down from further games should they have been appointed pending the outcome of investigations. The match officials are facing allegations of poor officiating, questionable calls and lack of diligence. Center Referee Henry Ogunyamodi of Ondo State and his assistants are being investigated for the match in Nnewi between hosts Gabros International and Sharks of Port Harcourt. The assistant referees are O. O Awosakin of ondo and Justin Takyun of Nasarawa Also to be investigated are the Referees that handled the Wikki.Tourists versus Lobi Stars match in Bauchi. They are Center Referee Ahmed Dan Zaria from Kaduna State and his assistants Alfa Abdulganiyu from Ji...

Dramatic  goals, a squandered opportunity to shake-off a draw specialist tag, distinguished guests at match venues and tenacity of a fledgling club, keeping its bogey status against six-time champions, highlighted match-day 8 of the Glo Premier League yesterday reports www.npfl.ng  Sunshine Stars made the most of the day winning 2-0 in the charged South West Derby against the Oluyole Warriors and going tops of the table for the first time in two seasons. Again, it was Tunji Adeniji, the hero from their 3-0 routing of Heartland in Owerri that opened the scoring on 60th minute while Dele Olorundare consolidated with the second goal seven minutes after. The Akure Club, at 16 points after eight games displace Giwa FC who picked a draw in Aba for the second season running after a nil all score line to move to 15 points. The Jos Elephants thwarted all that six-time champion, Enyimba threw at them including making 100 per cent substitution to keep their undefeated record in t...

Sunshine Stars forward, Newman Musa is full of confidence going into the first leg of the 2014/2015 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) South West derby coming up on Sunday in Akure between Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan and Sunshine Stars. The former Nembe City hitman  has been a blessing in disguise for Sunshine Stars attack since he joined them during  the second stanza of last season transfer window and helped the Akure Gunners retained their top flight status. Newman disclosed in a chat on Saturday that his team will fall their South West arch rival in one of the most talked about NPFL derby fixtures on Sunday, he believes that the Oluyole Warriors are no threat to his team title ambition. "The game of football can be very funny at times because anything can happen but concerning the South West derby we will fall 3SC by God's grace. "The team Spirit in camp is very high because we want to turn the table around after tomorrow's game, am co...

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC)  defeated Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) reigning champions Kano Pillars 1-0 in Ibadan at the Lekan Salami Stadium in the rescheduled game of Match Day 3. Dream Team VI forward, Junior Ajayi scored the only goal of the nervy encounter in the 11th minutes of play when he collected a pass from Rasheed Olabiyi ,he turned inside his marker and put the ball beyond the goalkeeper with a terrific finish. Two minutes after the first goal, Shobowale cuts inside from the right, he pulled the trigger with a left-footed effort, but his shot went over the cross bar. Shobowale and Tony Edjomariegwe were a torn in the flesh for Shooting Stars, they troubled the home team defence with swift dribbles and runs, but 3SC defenders stood tall to deny them of their chances. Few minutes to end first 45 minutes, Tony ghosts past two Shooting defenders, squared out the ball but non of his teammate was there to apply a finishing touch on the ball. ...