Nigeria's midfielder, Raphael Onyedika, scored his first UEFA Champions League goal of the season in Club Brugge’s thumping of AS Monaco, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Super Eagles Midfielder scored his first Champions League goal of the season in Club Brugge’s 4-1 win over AS Monaco at the Jan Breydel.

An enthralling encounter started with the host on the ascendency, coming close to scoring in four minutes, but Tzolis missed the chance to put his side in front.

In 9 minutes, Monaco had the opportunity to go in front after a penalty, but Mignolet saved the spot kick. Unfortunately, the shot stopper had to be substituted after the save for Jackers after an injury.

The push for a goal continued as the Belgian side created chance after chance until the 32nd minute, when the deadlock was broken through Nicolò Tresoldi.

Onyedika doubled the lead six minutes later before the captain Hans Vanaken put Club Brugge in a comfortable place with the third goal with three minutes left at the end of the first 45 minutes.

Mamadou Diakhon, who came on at the one-hour mark, made it four-nil 15 minutes later to put the game beyond the French side.

Substitute Ansu Fati scored a consolation for Monaco after a minute of additional time as the game ended 4-1.

Uche Dozie

The league season will kick off on May 22 with ten teams jostling for two promotion tickets in Benin City, Edo State Capital.

The 10 teams have been drawn into two groups of five teams, with Heroes Queens Academy, Wazbak International Sports, Papa Soccer Academy, First Mahi Babes, and Gallant Queens FC in Group A.

While Group B have Chosen Generation from Ogun State, Unification FC, Kaduna Queens, Fortress International FC from Edo State, and Castmog FC of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The group games hold from May 22 to 27 with a rest day to be observed on May 25.

Four teams; Imo Strikers, Delta Babes, Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens, and Lakeside Queens gained promotion from NWFL Nationwide to the second-tier Championship at the end of last season.

Two teams will also gain promotion from the second tier NWFL Championship to the top flight NWFL Premiership at the end of the season to replace Ibom Angels and Osun Babes.

Credit: Nigeriafootball.ng

By Uche Dozie 

It was reported that after findings and checking all evidences on ground, the Disciplinary Committee had to reinstate the earlier removed points from the teams.

According to the committee, the evidences provided by the centre referee, Ndubuisi Ukah that he was hit on the chest by Remo Stars General Manager, Ekene Adams were not substantial enough.

Similarly, Wikki Tourist had their points set aside just like Remo Stars and had their three points that was removed reinstated.

However, the three points deducted from Bayelsa United was upheld by the committee.

Uche Dozie

After Robo Queens completed the list of teams in NWFL Premiership Super Six, Nigeria's U-20 star, Esther Onyenezide has described the feat as fulfilling, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Lagos Landladies defeated Confluence Queens in their final match of the regular season by four goals to nil to get the spot ahead of Nasarawa Amazons.

Their win took them kept them third with 22 points, joining Confluence Queens and Edo Queens that qualified earlier in group B of the league as against the Amazons that had won by five goals to nil, but remained fourth with 20 points.

Onyenezide meanwhile has lauded the achievement and feels fulfilled especially being involved in helping the team reach the goal after 12 matches.

"It's fulfilling and an incredible achievement playing a huge role in @OfficialFcRobo qualification to the Super Six this year." She had tweeted on Saturday night.

Onyenezide was one of the stars of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup where she bagged consecutive player of the match award helping Nigeria to get to the last 8 of the tournament.

She has played for the senior national team, the Super Falcons and was named by Guardian sports as one of the youngsters set to light up women’s football in 2023 early this year.

She has scored four goals so far this season for Robo Queens and will be seeking to add more to her name when the Super Six begins later in May.

Uche Dozie

Wikki Tourist have been hit with a heavy punishment for the misbehaviour of their fans in their match day 13 clash with Bayelsa United last Sunday in the Nigeria Premier Football League at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium,, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Giant Elephants became the third club in the current season to be docked three points for violent conduct of fans in the course of a fixture following a ruling by the league body on Tuesday.

The match had been stopped abruptly  in the 62nd following violence actions by the home fans on Bayelsa United's officials and cameraman which was ignited by the assistant referee offside call. The match later ended 1-2 in favour of United.

In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice signed by Davidson Owumi the Head of Operations of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), the club received a monetary fine totalling ?2.5m, three points and three goals deduction and closure of their home stadium to fans for the rest of the season.

Wikki Tourists are required to within 48 hours communicate in writing to the IMC, submitting to the ruling or electing to be dealt with by a disciplinary Panel.

Uche Dozie

Abdullahi Adamu have thrown in the towel as Technical Adviser of  Nigeria Premier Football League side, Wikki Tourist a day after loss to Bayelsa United, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.

The UEFA B license Coach was appointed less than two months after Coach Kabiru Dogo left the club as head coach on mutual consent this season.

Adamu stated in a letter on Monday that the reason for his resignation is as a result of the club's management unhealthy interference in his job which has affected the club.

"You may wish to recall that since I assumed duty as Technical Adviser, I have not been accorded the opportunity to fully exercise the functions of the office of Technical Adviser due to the Management's interference and inability to take their responsibilities during league matches, which is a public knowledge.

This action of the management has rendered me helpless thereby affecting the recent performance of the Club and also threatening my career." He said.

Wikki Tourist that sit 9th on the group B log of the league will have to start shopping for a new coach for the third time this season.

By Uche Dozie

Coach Abdullahi Adamu of Wikki Tourist is hopeful for a second phase of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL for side as the league resumes on Sunday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Adamu who kicks off his first match as the head coach of the Giant Elephants, admits they didn't start well, but hopes they will start well in the second phase.

"We started the league on a bad note but were able to finish the first round favourably and we still hope to start the second stanza on a good note,” Abdullahi told the club’s media.

“We are ready, the boys are ready, we only pray for good luck.”

Adamu replaced Kabiru Dogo who had resigned from the job after the strained relationship between the coach and the club amidst poor results.

The Tourist are ninth on the group standings and will seek a better in their second stanza when they host Sunshine Stars of Akure at the ATB Stadium on Sunday.

Uche Dozie

The NWFL body after receiving reports of the tie, ruled that the Warri based club has been fined the sum of one million naira for the abandoned the match and bringing the game to disrepute.

It will be recalled that the match between Naija Ratels and Royal Queens was declared the match inconclusive by the referee in the 78th minute after the visitors refused to continue the encounter at Old Parade Ground.

Ratel Queens had refused to continue play after the centre referee awarded a penalty against them in the 78th minute.

The game was one all as at the time of the incidence after Royal Queens Anny Essien's early strike which was equalled by Blessing Emmanuel's screamer for Naija Ratels.

It also ruled that the club General Manager, Mr Atare Azigbo has been "suspended with immediate effect from all NWFL activities till the end of the season for unruly behaviour."

As a result three points and three goals have been awarded to Naija Ratels according to article 14.8 of the NWFL rule book.

By Uche Dozie

At the end of match day 10 of the Nigeria Women's Football League, NWFL Premiership, the leader of group A remains unchanged, but a change has taken place in group B, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Delta Queens picked up the momentum from where they left it before the break to resume to an emphatic win over Heartland Queens.

Mercy Omokwu was the protagonist scoring a hattrick for the leaders while Favour Dagogo reduced the deficit for the Imolite.

Former champions, Rivers Angels got a vital win away from home against Osun Babes to close ranks with Delta Queens and Bayelsa Queens.

The Jewels of Rivers won by two goals to one after Okwuchukwu Chiamaka's goal in the 3rd minutes and Ikekhua Oghenebrume's at the stroke of half time gave the visitors the lead before Olamide Bolaji scored a 56th minutes penalty to reduce deficit at the Oshogbo Township Stadium.

Naija Ratels and Royal Queens match was abandoned in the 78th minutes after the visitors refused to continue the match at the Old Parade Ground.

A win for Robo Queens changed the complexion of group B on match day 10 as the group leaders prior to the match day, Edo Queens lost to Confluence Queens.

The Lagos Landladies defeated Nasarawa Amazons by a solitary goal from Esther Onyenezide late in the game to go top with 16 points, a point ahead of Edo Queens and 3 points ahead of the Amazons.

Edo Queens had lost to Confluence Queens by two goals to one at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium.

Martha Peter had scored one to put the home side ahead in the 17th minute, but Rebecca Ajimuda equalised at the dead of half time, but Isigwe Chukwuamaka scored in the 78th minute to give the Host the win.

Abia Angels walloped Ibom Angels FC by four goals to nil at the Umuahia Stadium.

Goals from Feranmi Oduntade (50), a brace from Nkechi Agams (53), (61), and Ibeh Nmesoma (90) sealed the comfortable win.

Match Day 10 Full Time Results

Confluence Queens 2-1 Edo Queens

Nasarawa Amazons 0-1 FC Robo Queens

Osun Babes 1-2 Rivers Angels

Delta Queens 3-1 Heartland Queens

Abia Angels 4-0 Ibom Angels

Naija Ratels 1-1* Royal Queens (ABD)

Uche Dozie

The Queens from Delta defeated the Imo Ladies by three goals to one with a hattrick from Mercy Omokwu at the Asaba Township Stadium.

Omokwu opened score for the Host as early as the 7th minute. She doubled the lead in the 40th minute to put her team in the driving seat at the end of the first half.

She completed her hattrick 15 minutes into the second half to give the leaders of group A a comfortable lead.

Three minutes later, Favour Dagogo reduced the deficit, but it only proved a consolation at the end.

Omokwu becomes the top scorer of the league with six goals, leapfrogging her teammates, Chinasa Agoh and Confluence Queens' Chioma Moses who both have five goals.

The win sees Delta Queens's points increased to 20 points, 5 points better than that of defending champions, Bayelsa Queens.

By Uche Dozie

Esther Onyenezide scored late for the Lagos based side to defeat Nasarawa Amazons by a goal to nil at the Snake Farm, Keffi.

A rather cagey encounter saw the Solid Babes square up against Lagos Landladies for a first half that ended goalless.

The second half looked to be going the same direction until U-20 World Cup star, Onyenezide changed the direction with a late strike.

The win means Robo Queens are now top of the group B standings with 16 points, usurping Edo and Confluence Queens that have 15 and 13 points respectively.

By Uche Dozie

Shola Abdulraheem has completed his switch from Wikki Tourist to Niger Tornadoes ahead of the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports

Abdullahi a former Kwara United player who played nine times for the Bauchi based team moved for an undisclosed fee.

He has completed his medicals and has since joined his new team in training as they prepare for the second phase of the league.

Meanwhile, Abdulraheem has expressed happiness over this move and stated all he intend to achieve with the Minna club

“I am very delighted to be here at Niger Tornadoes,” Shola told Lodgexpress official website.

“When the opportunity presented itself to move here, I did not have any doubts. I spoke a lot with my friends there and they told me a lot of things about Tornadoes, I’ve already received a warm welcome from everyone.

“My objective right now is to give my best to help the team. I want to give my all so we can earn points and improve. I see the team is competitive, but were unlucky in some games during the first round, but this is football. We’ve got to keep taking each game one at a time, always believing in ourselves and having a positive mentality.”

On working with Bala Mohammed, he added: “I had a conversation with the coach and he told me what I need to do on the pitch, he knows which roles I can fit in. I told him that I have faith in him and in my colleagues, so I believe that by working hard each day, we can turn this situation around and ensure Tornadoes finish in the top 3 of Group B and make these fantastic fans happy.”

Uche Dozie

Wikki Tourist Assistant Captain, Manu Garba has urged fans of the club not to lose faith in the team, promising them a better performance when the NPFL resumes, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.

The player spoke with the media of the club as clubs prepare for the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL resumption next month.

Garba stated that there will be a turn around the fortunes of the club in the second half of the season as they have assessed the first half and will work on their weaknesses.

'We have carefully analysed the table and the number of matches remaining in the second round and have challenged ourselves to go extra mile in the second round and ensure that we get to the top of the table, said the Assistant Captain.

I therefore want to use this medium to appeal for support, understanding and above all prayers to succeed, Manu submits.

It has not been a good first half of the season for the Tourist from Bauchi as they sit 8 position, two positions away from the bottom with 8 points after 9 matches.

Wikki Tourist will resume training on Friday, the 3rd of March ahead of the league which resumes on the 26th of March, 2023.

By Uche Dozie

The Nigeria Women's Football League, NWFL Premiership for 2022/2023 season will go on a 2-week break, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.

The women's topflight league management body announced that the league will be off for 14 days due to the upcoming elections from the 25th of February in the country.

"NWFL wishes to announce a two-week break after the #NWFLPremiership Matchday 9?? due to the presidential and governorship elections holding across the country. For this, MD ? and 1??1?? will now hold on March 1 and March 15 respectively. "

https://twitter.com/TheNWFL/status/1626601909158088704?t=iyjW74us292Ohv7WHvmvDw&s=19

The league which is on its second phase after the first break is played as an abridged version with six teams in two groups of A and B.

Group A is currently led by Delta Queens while Edo Queens are the leaders of group B.

Uche Dozie

Defender and captain of Abia Angels, Victoria Eyakndue has refused to allow her team's recent poor run of form to stop her from believing the team's ability to make the Super Six of the Nigeria Women's Football League, NWFL Premiership at the end of the ongoing season, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

Abia Angels woes seemed to have perpetuated after another defeated handed to them by Lagos side, Robo Queens at the Legacy Pitch, Surulere on Wednesday in what was their third consecutive loss.

The Angels from Abia fell by two goals to nil after Folashade Ijamilusi and Taiwo Lawal scored in the second half after a stalemate affair in the first phase.

The former Ibom Angels centre back however is upbeat of her side's resurgence as soon as possible when she spoke to the media on Thursday.

“I will say it was a good game for my team, Abia Angels. We fought as a team no matter what. It’s part of football. It’s either you win, lose, or draw. I give kudos to my team. We fought hard as a team,” Eyakndue said.

“I won’t say the mid-season break affected our performance. Will say God knows the end of a thing from the beginning. We will still wait for the subsequent matches. I know my team will improve.”

She states that the team will get nothing less than a win in their next match as their target to finish in the top three which will qualify them for the Super Six.

“I expect nothing less than a win in our next match against Ibom Angels. Personally, I believe we will improve from our next game and start winning games,” she continued.

“Our target this season generally is to qualify for the Super Six and I believe by God’s grace, we will be able to aim towards that. Irrespective of how we start this second stanza of the season, we will still be able to work towards getting to the Super Six at the end.”

Abia Angels will play Eyakndue's former side, Ibom Angels in their match day 10 fixture in Abia State next Wednesday as they seek to get back to winning ways.

Uche Dozie

Nigeriasoccernet.com have gathered that Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL side, Wikki Tourist's Board Members, Medical Doctor and four drivers have resigned.

According to league expert and journalist, AdexSport, the staffs threw in the towel due to poor welfare and miss management of the team.

It will be recalled that the coach of the side, Kabiru Dogo called it quit with the Bauchi side after what he complained of the match ultimatum announced which he never received.

The Tourist had started on a poor note remaining bottom of the group B log even though they recorded their first win over the weekend against Rangers.

There is no official announcement from the club regarding the resignation of its members of staff, but all doesn't seem well at the club.

By Uche Dozie

His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe state, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has approved a nine-man management Committee for NNL side, Yobe Desert stars, the state-owned football club.

This followed the Memorandum Of Understanding signed between the state government and Blue Wall football club to promote the club.

The new management has Dr. Habu Abdulrahman Ago (FIFA) as the Acting Chairman, Divine Benjamin Ogbonaya General Manager, Musa Mohammed Jankoli- Team Manager, Barrister M B Yusuf- Legal Adviser,

Kwaghzever Terfa Morris- Team Coordinator, Hassan Dauda-Referees Coordinator,

Ahmed Babi-Secretary/ TMS Officer, Obi Ifeanyi Chuku Emmanuel - Media Officer

and Audu Ibrahim Masaya- Accountant.

Similarly, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development is to serve as Grand Patron, while the Chairman House Committee on Sports, Special Adviser to His Excellency on sports and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development are to serve as Patrons.

The operation and running of the club shall be bounded by the agreement signed in the MOU by the two parties.

In a match day of excitement from all centres, the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL was in full swing on Sunday.

Away wins at Jos, Awka, and Bauchi echoed the weight of action at match centres on match day one in both group A and group B of Nigeria's elite football league.

In group B, Niger Tornadoes conquered Wikki Tourist in Bauchi by two goals to nothing at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

Idris Saidu and David Okoromi second goals sunk the Tourist to their first home defeat in this campaign.

Idris Saidu scored a 74th minute free kick to open score before David Okoromi doubled the lead in the two minutes with an assist from Munir Idris.

Reign champions needed a late minute penalty to edge Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Porthacourt.

Morice Chukwu scored in the 16th minute for the home side, but Lobi Stars equalled score in the 56th minute though Abbar Umar before Kenechukwu Agu last kick penalty won all three points.

In group A, Remo Stars defeated El Kanemi Warriors 2-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium.

Samuel Anakwe opened score after going pass three warriors defender to put the ball at the back of the net in the 29th minute.

Edidiong Ezekiel scored his debut goal to make two for the Blue Stars.

Gombe United held Kwara United to a goal less draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

Full time results

Akwa Utd 0-2 Bendel Insurance

Nasarawa Utd 1-2 Enyimba

Rangers 0-2 Abia Warriors

Wikki Tourist 0-2 Tornadoes

Plateau United 3-3 Shooting

Remo Stars 2-0 El-Kanemi

Bayelsa Utd 1-1 Dakkada

Rivers Utd 2-1 Lobi Stars

Kwara Utd 0-0 Gombe Utd

Doma Utd 1-1 Sunshine

Uche Dozie

Following their 2-0 loss to the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, Coach Abdullahi Adamu of Wikki Tourists has blamed fatigue for their loss ok Thursday at the Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.

Goals from Adams Olamilekan in the first half and a late second half goal by Ogunsanya Segun sealed the deal for the U-20 national team of Nigeria.

The Ladan Bosso Lads have been in blistering form beating teams for free with wild margins their game against Wikki even though they won seemed their toughest after a cagey encounter.

However, Wikki Tourist, Abdullahi blamed their lack of rest and the absence of some players.

" My team played very well but fatigue was their major undoing because we arrived late to the match venue from Bauchi and you can imagine the stress.

Secondly, some of our key players are down with injuries and could not come with us." He disclosed.

"I'm impressed by their performance even though there are areas we noticed some lapses which we are going to work on before the league starts.

As you must have noticed,scoring goals has been a major problem not only to WIkki Tourists but even the U20 because if not for the free kick and what happened at the dying minutes of the game that gave them the second goal they could not have scored any goal", Coach Abdullahi emphasized.

The friendly match was used to prepare the boys from Bauchi ahead of a possible start of the league season this year.

Uche Dozie

Bayelsa Queens head coach, Domo Okara has reacted to his team's 2-0 win against rivals, Rivers United in the 2022/23 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership opener on Wednesday over rivals saying it didn't come easy.

After clinching a bronze medal feat at the 2022 CAF Champions League two weeks ago in Morocco, the Prosperity Girls kicked off its title defence on a fine note against the Jewel of Rivers at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenegoa.

And Coach of the Yenegoa-based side, admits his side opening day triumph at home did not come easy, while stressing that they will take their bid to retain the league diadem one step at a time.

“I wasn’t surprised with the result. Rivers Angels are a very good side, especially a team that is handled by Edwin Okon who is my senior in coaching,” Okara told nigeriafootball.ng

“We learn from him, in fact, I knew it was going to be a very difficult game. I was somehow jittery because we went on holidays after the Champions League and most of my girls were down with malaria and typhoid.

“I informed my club Chairman to see if we can shift the match but it wasn’t possible. I knew it was going to be difficult but was very glad we won. Every team in the league has a chance and are good. No team is pushover. We will take the league step by step, but I would really love to go back to the continent.

Flourish Sabastine was influential in the Bayelsa’s second-half goals from Juliet Sunday and Mary Aderemi and Okaro lauds the superb effort of the U20 prodigy, while reflecting on their first half struggle.

“We have believe in her (Flourish Sabastine) and had a lot in her for the future. My team didn’t play well in the first half. We were a shadow of ourselves,” he hailed.

“I was so furious with them. We were a little bit lucky. If Rivers Angels had taken their chances in the first half, maybe we wouldn’t have won this match.”

Bayelsa Queens will on Wednesday 12th December 2022 play Heartland at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenegoa in the their second league game.

Uche Dozie