3SC will end the season better, says Amoo

 

By Rasaq Oboirien

FATAI Amoo has assured fans that Shooting Stars will not battle relegation rather end the season on a high note, reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.

The Oluyole War Lords who began the season on a winning form against Lobi Stars of Makurdi, dropped their first home point against Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC in matchday 5 south-west derby at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.

"Football at times is about 10 attempts no success or probably 10 success, however, our goal this season still remains, 3SC will not battle relegation but do better.

"In fairness to my players and team, our recruitment programme this season was above average even as we know that the expectations from our fans is high. I want to assure that we are working towards the set goal. 

"Taking a look at other teams that have done better in the area of players recruitment, some of them have not found their rhythm but that's not to say we want to belong to that category rather we want the team to be among the teams that are getting the need results."

The Rio Olympics assistant to Samson Siasia also blame fatigue and the cumbersome nature of the season fixtures as reasons why his team has not lived up to fans expectations.

"We went to Akure and from there to Kano, back to Ibadan and to Ilorin, all by road and you know what it means traveling to these places.

"The cumbersome nature of the season fixtures is not good for our domestic football, but am not in the best position to change it.

"The LMC meant well for the league when it wanted kick start the season last December. I know the league body wanted to harmonize our football calendar to be with that of Europe or other African countries, but for whatever reasons the season commenced in January."

Amoo, further said he's happy starting some of his rookies this season.

"Am happy playing my young players, they have live up to expectations, they are not to blame for not converting our goals scoring chances, rather the experienced ones.

"Mind you, goal scoring is an act and it takes continuous practice for one to perfect it."

The Oluyole Warriors are placed 19th on the NPFL log with 4points.


Photo credit @Official3SC

Coaches, players await new NPL official match balls

 

By Rasaq Oboirien

COACHES and players of the 20 Nigeria Premier League teams await the supply of the season's official match balls by the League Management Company (LMC), reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.

Checks on the clubs activities revealed that no club has got any supplies from the country's domestic football regulators let alone train with the new balls.

In most pre-season games involving the topflight teams and practice sessions, the team play with last season's match balls while the newly promoted teams of Kastina United, ABS FC, Gombe United and Remo Stars train with personal balls.

Opinions of players and coaches on the development informed of anxiousness or fear.

Some who spoke on condition of anonymity said: "Good idea from the LMC but as players, we needed to have practiced with the official match ball. Take for example, am an attacker-cum-winger, I don't know if my pace can match that of the ball or my final ball from a cross would get to where I want it to get to for the strikers to score.

"In a nut-shell, we don't know the quality of these balls."

Another player, a goalkeeper said:"I don't know if the new match ball is a jabulani, how would I deal with its pace when I have not trained with it with my trainer. 

"I could be blamed for an own-goal from fans, little would they know we have not trained with the new NPL match balls.

A top coach of one of the clubs while making his comment said, "Logistics could have been the problem supplying these match balls to clubs, however, I don't think we should start making excuses rather prepare our teams for the season which kicks off this weekend.

"Ideally the coaches ought to have been training with the squad with the match ball. Nowadays these balls can be funny, looking at the technology behind producing them.

"I want to urge the LMC to make available the official season match balls to the various clubs on time."

The new season kicks off with a high profile game between Kano Pillars and FC IfeanyiUbah who are both Federation and Charity Cup winners at the Sani Abacha Stadium today(Saturday).

3SC to camp in Ilaro ahead new NPL season

SHOOTING Stars Sports Club of Ibadan (3SC) has picked Ilaro in Ogun State as camping site for the team in preparations for the new football season. 
This is perhaps informed by the array of club sides already having their training sessions in Ijebu Ode, the regular habitat of the Oluyole Warriors in the last five football seasons.
To this end, the contingent of 35 players and seven officials moved few hours ago to the venue and to start training Wednesday morning.
Out of the players are 17 old players and 18 possible new signings with five from Team B of the club.
In his reaction, the Technical Adviser, Fatai Amoo says the first two phases of the screening have been successful going by the calibre of players who made the cut. "It's been a tough but interesting exercise and we took the best decision in final selections of the players", he disclose.
Arsenal, however assures the club teeming fans of good runs when the league resumes. "Soon, the world would see new emerging stars in the team, we only crave for their more support and understanding" he concludes.
For the General Manager of the club, Rasheed Balogun; "We must not fail to plan for us to succeed, that's why we have to move to where our concentrations will be full. For now, Ilaro is it and we assure our fans and supporters of a good team," he summed up.

Enyimba, Remo Stars lock in talks for Adebogun

                                                         

                                                  By Rasaq Oboirien

SEVEN times Nigeria Premier League champions, Enyimba FC of Aba and newly promoted, Remo Stars are lock in talks for attacking midfielder, Adebogun Omatayo, reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.

The petit player who last season was loaned to Giwa FC and then moved to Shooting Stars of Ibadan after the Jos team was banished from the elite division by the League Management Company (LMC) for breaking its rule governing the domestic league.

Adebogun who was spotted training with the Aba Elephants in their pre-season camp of Ijebu-Ode may not go cheap going by our source.

"He has made his intentions known to Remo Stars that Enyimba is his preferred destination after playing under coach Gbenga Ogunbote both at Giwa FC and 3SC.

"The problem he's now having is for both his parent club, The Sky Blues and Enyimba to agree on a transfer fee.

"Once that is done, I see no reason why he shouldn't play for the People's Elephants in the new season which is expected to kick-off on December 18."

Enyimba who went trophy less last season, will be hoping to give other teams a run for the NPL title this season.