Wikki battles Ifeanyi Ubah in Super 4 opener

CAF Confederations Cup flag-bearers, Wikki Tourists and FC IfeanyiUbah have been drawn to play the opening game of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 which flags off on December 7 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.,
According to fixtures released by the League Management Company (LMC), the opening match will kick-off at 5pm with the second fixture between League champions, Rangers International and runners-up, Rivers United starting at 7pm.

Niger Tornadoes in dark about Shehu Dikko Cup

 

By Rasaq Oboirien

OFFICIALS of Niger Tornadoes have informed that they are in the dark regarding their participation of the Shehu Dikko Cup in Kaduna, reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.

The Bala Abubakar team are currently in Ijebu-Ode were they took part in the Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament.

A top official of the club said:"To be honest with you, it's laughable as I read it in one of the sporting papers this (Tuesday) morning. We never got a correspondence from the organizes either by mail or text message, let alone inform them of our participation.

"We usually play pre-season games in Kaduna, and the only invitation we got was that of the Gold Cup which we are taking part in Ijebu-Ode.

"How on earth would the organizers tell the media that Tornadoes and the quartet of Wikki Tourist, Rivers United, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Katsina United will be taking part in the pre-season tournament in Kaduna. 

"Today is the 29th and they expect us to be in Kaduna to participate in a tourney that would start the next day."

The tournament is to run from November 30-December 5 with matches slated to hold at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. 

Rivers Utd yet to reach desired level, says Eguma

CAF Champions League side, Rivers United have entered the third phase of their pre-season exercise ahead of the commencement of the 2016/17 football season.
The first phase commenced in Port Harcourt on November 1 with the ‘Pride of Rivers’ playing a handful of test matches against local sides while the coaches concentrated on bringing the players up to speed from a physical perspective.
On Sunday, November 20, United kicked off her second phase of pre-season in Abuja with priority put on physical work with technical manager, Stanley Eguma gradually introducing his philosophy to the new arrivals.

2016/17: LMC proposes more Friday Night matches

By Rasaq Oboirien
THE League Management Company (LMC) has informed that there are plans to have more Friday Night matches during the 2016/17 football season, reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.
Shehu Dikko the 2nd Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) state said in an interview posted on Social media video channel, YouTube. 
"We plan to have more matches for Friday night in the upcoming season with a view of attracting more fans to our various Nigeria Premier League matches venues.
"We would have noticed that the English Premier League (EPL) now have Friday Night matches in their fixtures.
"I wouldn't want to use the word copy, like some would say as least the NPL started before them and it has improved our league greatly.
"The long term gains of the plan would see Nigerian fans watch their favorite teams, Rangers, Pillars, Rivers United, Shooting Stars, Ifeanyi Ubah and the other teams in action as from Friday to Sunday. So it's a weekend of great Nigerian football and our fans won't miss it.
"For the clubs too, they can begin to make money from ticket sales and merchandise sales of replica jerseys too."
Recall the new season which is expected to commence on December 18 will have its draws made on December 10 at the NPL Super 4 to be hosted in Enugu.
Defending champions, Rangers International will battle the trio of Rivers United, Wikki Tourists and Federation Cup winners, Ifeanyi Ubah to the 4-team tourney trophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Rivers Utd, Wikki, Ifeanyi Ubah, Tornadoes for Dikko Cup

 

RIVERS United will arrive in Kaduna on Tuesday, November 29, to compete in the 2016 Shehu Dikko Annual Football tournament.

The tournament which runs from November 30-December 5 will constitute the third phase of pre-season preparations for the ‘Pride of Rivers’.