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Ogun state governor Ibikunle Amosun was shocked to read the disturbing news that the state athletes and officials were thrown out of their hotel rooms and seen loitering the streets of Abuja because the bus mearnt to convey the contingent back to Abeokuta developed serious fault and was withdrawn on Saturday. Reacting through a very close confidant, the governor regrets this  unfortunate incident, stressing that his government values every egba youth that is meaningfully contributing his/her quota to  promoting and uplifting the image of the state. "Governor Amosun is a man who rewards excellence and has been in contact with team Ogun from the first day of the festival to the very last day.  He is shocked at this development, describing it as the handiwork of his political detractors.  Let me state here, that we are aware of various clandestine moves employed by the opposition to frustrate the good work of his excellency.  We are not going to allow ...

.... Athletes and officials seen loitering the streets of Abuja It was sorrow,  tears and blood. Men and women mourning their ordeal after another major scandal broke out in 'Team Ogun' camp, one day after the 19th National sports festival ended in the federal capital territory, Abuja. Are you in the FCT and you really want to catch a glimpse of frustration and dejection? Then look no further than the camp of team Ogun. They came like paupers and will return like beggers. They struggled to feed all through their 11 days stay in Abuja. The rickety team bus that brought them to Abuja has since packed up after a near fatal accident, yet the athletes gave their all to bring pride and honour to a state they love so passionately. On Monday morning they woke up to yet another shocker as officials at the hostel where the team was camped, ejected them from the facility without a formal warning.    With bags on their heads, they have littered the streets of Abuja begg...

The defending champion of the Rugby President Cup, Barewa Rugby Club of Kano will on Saturday play the final of the 2018 edition of the championship against old rival, Cowrie Rugby Club of Lagos. Still smarthing from their loss against the Kaduna based club who defeated them 8 pointa to 7 in last edition final played at the Old Parade Grounds in Abuja, Cowrie will hope to avenge the loss when they meet again on Saturday at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Lagos by 2pm . Speaking ahead of the grudge game, Cowrie RFC Team Manager,  Dele Coker is confident that his team has what it takes to defeat Barewa. According to him, with the numbers of talented players in their fold which has seen the team winning the Lagos league for the past 7 years, they are sure of win come Saturday. ''Very few squads in the country can boast of talents Cowrie has and against Racing and Police in the Lagos League, they showed excellent composure and a clinical edge and I expect them to...

SWAN Selected head coach, Yemi Olanrewaju aka YEMA has invited veteran journalist China Acheru and 32 other players for this weekend's Novelty match against Akwa Ibom Sports Arena at the Nest of Champions, Uyo. Lagos based Photo-Journalist, Victor Modo, ACLSports Chief Football Writer Fisayo Dairo, and NPFL blogger, Tobi Adepoju Samuel make a return to the team. Imo based video analyst Johnpaul Nnamdi, and World Cup Pidgin Commentator, Benjamin Sawadinho are among the new invitees. The SWAN Selected lost their inaugural game 1-0 against Kano SWAN last year but the Lagos based coach expects the team to bounce back to winning form. "I'm honoured to work with this amazing team and I'm looking forward to the big game. We have selected the squad based on form and potentials. The just concluded Bet9ja Lagos SWAN Cup and the State friendly game in Port Harcourt have kept the players in good shape. We have set up a quality squad that will redeem our image and...

A panel of judges from Arsenal Football Club and its official online money transfer partner, WorldRemit, have selected six coaches - including one Nigerian - from across Africa as finalists in their new Future Stars coaching progamme. These final six coaches will now compete in a public vote on futurestars.worldremit.com for the chance to attend an exclusive training programme with Arsenal Soccer Schools in London - fully sponsored by WorldRemit. The finalists facing a public vote are: Adegun Shola John from Lagos, Nigeria, Ahmed Ali from Hargeisa, Somaliland, Hamisi Mohamed from Nairobi, Kenya, Innocents Yeboah-Num from Abease, Ghana, Tersia Davids from Cape Town, South Africa and Titus Tongesai Sanangurai from Harare, Zimbabwe. Speaking on his selection, Adegun Shola John said: “As coaches our work is not just to teach football. It's also to get the kids off the streets, developing better behaviours and values. We try to help players grow as footballers, but also a...

The New Media Journalists (NMJ) in their congratulatory message to the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has charged the board to bring all the football family together so as to take football in the country to the next level. The General Secretary of the NMJ, who is also a member of the NFF Players Statues Committee, Tobi Adepoju, praised the congress for returning most of the executive board members as he called on the Amaju Pinnick-led board to see the opportunity as a new call for service. “This is a great moment in the history of Nigeria football,” Adepoju said. “The newly elected board should see this as a new call for service. To whom much is given, much is always expected. “Personally, I feel the most important  thing now is how to bring all the football family together so as to move the game forward in Nigeria. “We at NMJ are happy for the return of the President Amaju Pinnick, who is also the first Vice President of ...

Football today has become a veritable tool, used to drive social change. Football has given life to the lifeless, help promote world peace and contribute to happiness. In Africa, it’s becoming a viable economic tool and contributing to infrastructural development. In essence, football can become what you project it to be. Seyi Akinwunmi is a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation and chairman Lagos State Football Association, belonging to the ‘digital age” of Nigeria Football, which breaks from the norm of rigidity found in the conventional way of doing things. Akinwunmi’s life as a philanthropist is well documented. He has contributed in no small measure to various charities aimed at the development and improvement of children. He is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and social reforms. His stellar works include his involvement with the Parents Against Autism Initiative (PAAI); Courage Education Foundation (CEF): a not-for-profit organization which he found...

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9; Smart City 1-2 Abia Warriors Wasiu Alabelewe 0-3 Enyimba Int’l Yobe Desert FC 2-1 DMD FC Akwa United 7-0 Hope of Glory Zabgai FC 0-2 Plateau United Gombe United (3) 1-1 (5) Dynamite FC Kano Pillars Feeders (4) 2-2 (5) Crown FC Nyasagwana FC 1-5 FC Ifeanyi Ubah Ngwa FC 2-3 Kano Pillars Confine FC (4) 1-1 (2) Heartland FC Katsina Feeders FC 3-1 Jigawa Golden Stars Aklosendi Int’l FC (6) 0-0 (5) FRSC FC Delta Stars FC 4-0 Kogi United FC Bayelsa United FC 4-1 Fasbir FC Bendel Insurance FC 0-1 Remo Stars Junior FC Minda 1-2 Osun United FC Shooting Stars (4) 0-0 (5) Supreme Court Sunshine Stars 3-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah Feeders ABS Ilorin FC (2) 1-1 (3) Kebbi United FC Katsina United – Madagali United (Walk Over) Chief of Staff – Niger Tornadoes (Walk Over) Dan Masari FC – Go Round FC (Walk Over) Samba FC 0-3 El Kanemi Warriors Kwara United FC 3-1 All Stars FC. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10; Rivers United vs Gusau Eleven Lobi St...

Fourteen year old, Togolese Mubarak Bote and 13 year old, Osun state indigene Olawuyi Adenike bagged scholarships worth $45,000 each to further their education for showing outstanding skills, discipline and emerging Most Valuable Player and Most Promising Player respectively at the just concluded Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp in Lagos. Bote who is 6 foot 11 inches will be attending the Florida Air Force Academy in Florida, USA to further his education and improve his basketball skills alongside quality education. The scholarship will cover tuition, boarding fees, books and other academic materials. Likewise US bound Olawuyi Adenike. Both players including 12 year old Owonubi Emmanuel named most promising player at the camp, join the illustrious Alumni of the Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp who have benefited from the former NBA star's give back initiative which started in year 2000. The list includes ex national team players Churchill Odia, Nurudeen Adepoju, Solomon Tat an...

For lovers of youth football development, it was a fascinating two –day feast at the Campos Mini-Stadium in Lagos as the Seyi Akinwunmi U13 Football Tournament lit up the Lagos Island and environs at the weekend. Akinwunmi, who is the 1stVice President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Chairman of its Youth Development Committee, is a man known globally for his passion for the youth. His Foundation (the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation) also organizes an annual year –ending mini-tournament at the same venue. On why the U13 Tournament was conceived and delivered, the debonair lawyer who is also Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association told thenff.com: “The Mini-Tournament that we stage every December is actually meant for the young ones, but adults have gradually started taking over the show and I just decided that we should have a separate program for the children. “This is my passion; this is my love. It is not about hugging the limelight; it is simply about une...

FC Zurich striker, Stephen Odey bagged a brace in the first round of the Helvetia Swiss Cup as his team humiliated FC Concordia Basel on Saturday. Ludovic Magnin and his wards claimed a massive 6-0 away win over second division club Concordia Basel in the 1/32 finals played at the St. Jakob-Park courtesy of a brace each from Odey and Antonio Marchesano while Pa Modou and Benjamin Kololli scored a goal each. FC Concordia started the game with a well coordinated performance but they later surrendered to the city club attacking display spearheaded by the 20 years old Nigerian forward, Stephen Odey. Pa Modou put the City Club in front on 14 minutes with a remarkable solo. Eight minutes later, Odey doubled the lead after he tested FC Concordia Basel goalkeeper with a shot two minutes before his goal. With less than 20 minutes to wrap the first half, Marchesano and Kololli netted a goal each to take the game beyond the home team. After 55 minutes of action, Odey tried a sho...

Clube Deportivo Primeiro De Agosto utility player Yisa Anifowoshe is confident that his team will overcome Etoile du Sahel at home this weekend in Tunisia. The Red and White will host De Agosto in matchday 5 of the ongoing Total Caf Champions League group D game at the State Olympique de Sousse on Sunday. Having gathered ten points from four games, the Jawharat Sahel only need a win to cement their spot in the quarter finals of the champions league but Yisa believes his team who has five points from four games will stop Etoile at home. “I don’t believe in impossibilities although it’s going to be a very tough one but I still believe that we have all it takes to overcome Etoile in Tunisia. “We have been on this journey for awhile now and this game will be the second meeting between us, they picked a point in Angola in the first league, I believe we can beat them. We just need to be focused and be determined, says the former Al-Ittihad star The 25-year-old utility play...

Premier League giants Arsenal football club and WorldRemit - digital money transfer service - have launched Future Stars; an initiative to train African coaches. The initiative is put together to mark the 100th year post humous birthday of late Nelson Mandela in a bid build on his exemplary leadership in Africa. According to a statement received, this initiative is offering local coaches the chance to attend an exclusive new training camp with Arsenal's top youth coaches in London and 25 shortlisted coaches will be rewarded with Arsenal kits for their entire youth squad WorldRemit will arrange for the successful applicant to fly to London and during the camp they will work together with the Soccer Schools coaches on plans to use this training to build a lasting legacy in their home country. The camp will be free to apply for and open to youth team (under 16s) coaches from across Africa. However, interested coaches will have to complete an online application form at ww...

Popular Abuja based OAP cum football coach Bunmi Haruna has been contracted by London based EPL club Chelsea FC and their partner Rexona-Nigeria. Bunmi who is also a scouting coach to the Nigeria National U-17 team has put pen to paper alongside NPFL champion, Plateau United coach, Kennedy Boboye and former youth international, Jide Oguntuase. The coaches are to help select players for an all-expense paid trip to train and play with Chelsea Football stars in London later this year. A letter addressed to the young coach ‎from Unilever Nigeria PLC partly reads; "Dear Bunmi, Many thanks for accepting to be a part of the Rexona Africa XI Street to Stamford Faculty, as we are set to give our consumers a life time experience with Chelsea." The campaign tagged “Rexona Street to Stamford” is a national competition from which 3 lucky Nigerian representatives will be selected to be part of an Africa XI team, to train and play with the Chelsea Football stars at their home i...

I requested for this debate few days ago on this platform but Sammy Adesoji didn’t understand my tone rather he took it personal, we need a moment like this to clear our mindset. There are two section of the media that went to Russia, those supported by the NFF and those sponsored by their organization/corporate sponsors. I also heard some journalists got support from the NFF even though when they are not on the official list. For the records, I have been to four football tournaments without one kobo from the NFF since I started journalism. I don’t also work for LMC as match delegate weekly but I have done business with the LMC on few occasions. Provided content and I got paid for my services. I have been to several CAF Champions League games in the Western countries with the support of my sponsors. In 2013, I travelled to Togo with support of my sponsor for Enyimba game, in 2014 I repeated the same in Benin Rep and that was the moment Felix Anyansi noticed me. He told me, I wa...

Committee Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Strategic Study Committee Abdulsamad Badamasi has congratulated NFF President Amaju Pinnick over his appointment as the CAF 1st Vice President. The Kastina based football enthusiast joined football administrators and stakeholders who have been sending  congratulatory messages to the headship of NFF, Amaju Pinnick after CAF made his new position official earlier this week. "I was on transit back to my home town in Kastina, when the good news got to me that NFF President Amaju Pinnick has been announced as CAF 1st Vice President. "Honestly, joy knows bound in my heart as I wish you success in your new office and more conquests as you continue to take Nigeria flag beyond the sky," Badamasi said. The NFF President Amaju Pinnick attained this height as the 1st Vice President of CAF after he replaced his counterpart from Africa Zone B, Ghanian Football Association President...

By Olaoluwa Aro. Chairman of Nigeria premier league football top side, Kastina United Alhaji Aminu Balele Cum Member of Nigeria Football Federation Technical and Development Committee, has submitted that the super eagles of Nigeria would not only make the number of participating teams in Russia 2018 Fifa world cup, but also proceed to next level. Balele who spoke after receiving his Fifa Fan Identification from the nigeria football federation expresses how he feels to be part of the Russia train. "I am excited to be a member of nigeria football federation delegates to the fifa world cup in Russia. I feel honored after receiving The hard Copy of my Fifa fan Identification which was the creation of Russia Government under the leadership  of it's president mr Vladimir Putin in  collaboration with world football Governing body, Fifa, arising from security reasons. Having received My Fan ID,  I believe my movement to Russia is at ease, where th...

By Aro Olaoluwa. Independent Chairman of Nigeria National League (NLO) Alhaji Mohammed Alkali has reaffirmed the continuous supports for players insurance through the reputable insurance organisation Standard Alliance Insurance PLC. The headship of the league gave this assurance in Maiduguri, Borno State on Thursday where he led Standard Alliance insurance organisation to fulfilled one of their contractual obligations arising from Abkama Football Club mishap enroute Gombe State to honour an NLO game. "We are here to show empathy and also activate our contractual agreements with the partners of our league in terms of players insurance. "NLO and Standard Assurance have resolved to pacify the family of the deceased player with the sum of Five Hundred Thousands Naira (N500,000) whose life was cut short as a result of car crash on their way to honour a league game in Gombe State.   "Similarly, the other affected beings on that...

....Val, Hamza Stars in the tournament. Members of popular football group in abuja and beyond Phantom have Showered Encomium on  cosponsor (Jafar Idris) of  this year's phantom football cup in abuja. oganla media who has been keeping tabs on events relating to phantom association reports that the appreciation messages  spilled out on the group created by phantom members. "I specially want to thank the jafa lead exco for the beautiful and well organized tournament, irrespective of the few lapses, it was a great one. Thank u all for coming out to play the beautiful game of football.  Thank you BigH studio for bringing in your professional touch even with the short notice at no cost, God bless and flourish you bro. To my team mates WAKANDA FC 🙅‍♂ it’s wakanda forever. To the fafa Fc, thanks for making up the number😀, I enjoyed myself. God bless you all. Long live Phantom" Wakanda capt Walls said. "Jaff has been a source of inspir...

Seasoned match commissioner in the NPFL Mr Sani Abdullahi has expressed happiness over the award given to him by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Kaduna State chapter. Sani who spoke exclusively to www.oganlamedia.blogspot.com was full of joy after being honoured by SWAN and he expressed gratitude to latter. "This award is a surprise to me because  I never saw it coming. In fact, it was unknown to me in the sense that SWAN decided to recognise me same day they honoured my mentor in sports (Football), Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical and Development Committee Comrade Ahmed Yusuf and that made the recognition a memorable one for me and my kin," Sani disclosed. Sani Abdullahi, an educationist cum football stakeholder expressed his appreciation to Kaduna State chapter of SWAN on the kind gesture. "Without SWAN the sports industry would be meaningless because SWAN plays an important role in the development ...

I am pleased to convey to the general public and every lover of football across the continent the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to appoint me into the Africa Cup of Nations’ Organizing committee. The African Cup of Nations has over the decades become an unmissable and fascinating international sporting event with its origin dating back to 1957 when the football tournament was adopted as a driving force to unite the continent at the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) official launch in Khartoum. The appeal of the tournament has spread rapidly, especially with the increasing number of African players now playing in top global leagues. Coming at a time the fundamental role played by football in the unity and socioeconomic development of Africa has gained considerable recognition, my appointment is a welcome and embraceable development which highlights the commitment, sincerity and efforts of CAF under the leadership of Ahmad Ahmad in engender...

... As Wakanda settles for bronze By Olaoluwa Aro. The 2018 Phantom Football Cup came to an end over the weekend as Showstoppers FC defeated Indomitable FC 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 3-3 of normal  duration at the playing pitch of Solid Foundation International School, Abuja. Oganlamedia.blogspot.com monitored the events report that the historic Phantom Football Cup final started as Indomitable FC opened scoring on the match day, when the energetic and reliable defender, Mba registered his name on the day's scoring sheet. Showstoppers FC swiftly responded  as the leading goals scorer of the tournament, Val levelled up for the former, increasing his goals account to four. As the memorable Phantom Football Cup final continued, again showstoppers FC unassuming striker, Valentine Dakolo 'Val' doubled the lead for his  side, and closed the first half result with 2-1. He also kept the scoring boots after increasing his ...