Nigeria Sports Arena

Niger Tornadoes are champions of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney after they defeated last year winners Sunshine Stars 2-1 at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin. It was a game of two halves as the Ikoh Allah Boys came from behind to hand the Owena Whales the blues in the second stanza of the game as last edition top scorer, Segun Alebiosu stole the evening after he bagged a brace. Waheed Adebayo puts Sunshine Stars ahead at the quarter hour mark, making the most of Tornadoes defensive mix-up in the box. Tornadoes then got the lifeline in the 56th minutes Segun Alebiosu jabs home the equalizing goal from a low corner kick. Inspiring Alebiosu then put the icing on the cake for the Ikon Allah Boys as he completed his brace via header off a set piece in the 72nd minute.

Coach Kabir Dogo is optimistic that Sunshine Stars will beat Niger Tornadoes in the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney final. The 7th edition of the nation's prestigious pre-season tourney comes to its climax today (Saturday) at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, with 3pm as kick off time. Speaking after the Owena Whales emerged victorious against Kwara Utd via a 4-2 penalties after their semi-final tie ended 1-1. "Let me be modest, all the team that has come this far in the tourney can win the final. Tornadoes or Coach Abubakar Bala are not new to me, as I feel we are up against Kwara United again. "For me I saw one or two loop holes in Tornadoes during their semis against Remo Stars, so be rest assured that we'll profit from it on the final." On his team's readiness as they have only managed less than five goals in the tourney. "I don't have a perfect team but I have players that can make the difference as what has ke...

Abubakar Bala says his Niger Tornadoes squad has all it takes to win the 2019 edition of Ogunjobi Gold Cup on Saturday as Sunshine Stars don't scare his team. The Ikon Allah got to the final of the seventh edition after they trounce Remo Stars 3-1 on Thursday. "I expect a tough game from them as they are defending champions and would want to win the title again. "But we have one thing that has kept us going as we are improving from game to games. Mind you, this is not Akure as Ilorin is a neutral ground, we'll definitely give a good account of ourselves once we get a fair officiating. "We have achieved part of what we came to do at the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney as we have known the quality of players that make up the new look Tornadoes. "Qualifying to the final with almost same set of players that lost the 2018 edition in Akure to Sunshine Stars is a plus to my team, as it has boosted their psyche going into the new season...

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars, has fired warning shots at Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney favourites, Niger Tornadoes ahead Thursday's semi-final at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.  "It's going to be tough against Tornadoes but them underestimating my young team will be at their peril. "No doubt, we respect Tornadoes but I think my team have the quality to match them on the field of play as we play as a unit and high pressing football as my players are full of energy and pace." Asked if he thought his team lacked the firepower upfront having managed two goals in the tourney. "I don't think my players are wasteful at goal with the number of chances created and goals scored so far in the tourney. "Its normal in football, but it would have been a problem if they're not creating any. Not taking anything away from my lads, they are young and maturing."

Technical Adviser Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala Mohammed has described the ongoing Ogunjobi Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament as the best in the country. He made this known at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin shortly after his team  hammered Mountain Of Fire and Miracles Ministry MFM Lagos to advance to the last four of the 7th edition of the annual prestigious soccer tournament. Bala said the tournament has provided an ample opportunity for his technical crew to test the already recruited players and also establish the teams way of play.  "It is an opportunity for us to assess the players individually and how they can fit into the new system collectively. Most of them have improved tremendously and adapting to new playing mates, environment and system of play". Commending the Organizers of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney for the wonderful initiative, Bala said; "The tournament brings together teams from NPFL, NNL and NLO to enable them compete favorab...

Nigeria Football Supporters Club National Chairman, Rev. Samuel Ikpea, has thrown his weight behind the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney which kicks off today (Thursday) in Ilorin. Rev Ikpea told Ogunjobi Gold Cup Media, "Looking at the pedigree of the tourney, it is not just prestigious but a brand  in our domestic football and that's why we are affiliating with it. "Its in its 7th season, and not lacking in quality and standards when you look at teams that participated in it over the years. "Mind you the teams cuts across the three tiers of our domestic league which is the Nigeria Professional Football League  (NPFL), Nigeria National League  (NNL) and Nation-Wide League One (NLO). "Kudos to the organisers for also renaming it as the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney, as it's the best way to immoralise the late former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi." Meanwhile, MFM FC of Lagos and FC Ebedei...

Ilorin, capital of Kwara State will come alive with top class domestic football excitements as the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney kicks off today (Thursday August 29). It's the 7th edition of the nation's prestigious pre-season tourney and the State of Harmony are hosting it for a second time. Runners-up in the 2015 edition in Ijebu-Ode, MFM FC of Lagos will lock horns with FC Ebedei  for the first 3points of the tourney, as their game is billed for 8am local time.  Two hours later, it will be a clash of two Nation-Wide League One (NLO) sides as the 2018 edition in Akure giant-killers, Cynosure FC of Eboyin hosts Wasiu Alabelewe FC of Osogbo. The star game of MatchDay 1 is a North-Central Derby between Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes at 4pm. It's not just a derby as its also a tie where an assistant, Coach Sulyman Ashifat will prove to his employers  that he has what it takes to beat his immediate former boss, Abubakar Bala. However the Harmon...