Sports

Unity Preseason Tournament: Mahanaim FC’ Super-sub Sarki, Stings Wikki Tourist

Published

3 years ago

October 27, 2022

…As Sodiq Target Setraco’s Scalp In Q/finals

Olaoluwa Aro

Mahanaim FC pacing winger and Flying Eagles forward, Rilwanu Haliru Sarki powers his team to the knockout round of the ongoing Unity Preseason Tourney- with an unexpected 17-yards shot against Wikki Tourist.

The Nigerian U-20 Star strike, confirmed the exit of the Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) side, Wikki Tourists alongside Doma United in their last group games on Tuesday in Abuja.

The last matches in the group D which took place simultaneously at both Old parade football complex, venue of the game between Mahanaim FC and Wikki Tourist, while EFCC versus Doma took their Make or Mar encounter to Area 3, Football Pitch.

The two fixtures showed how difficult it was for two the teams, to have qualified before the last round of matches in the Unity preseason tournament groupings.

Wikki Tourist drew the first blood against Mahanaim FC during the course of the first 45 minutes and managed to consolidate on it till they went on recess.

The non-league side, Mahanaim FC had lined up some of their fringe players in a bid to build their confidence and equally exposed them through the highly intensed encounter with Wikki Tourist, however, Saheed Olalekan(Seedorf) promptly unleashed all his foot soldiers into the field of play, as the second 45 minutes started.

Mahanaim were initially forced by Wikki Tourist to adopt a not too impressive tactics which is against the culture and style of play of the Abuja-based side.

As the match continued to take shape properly Wikki Tourist were struggling to contain the tactically high ‘ pressing ‘ approach of the Mahanaim boys all through the progression of the match.

The kebbi born intelligent winger, Rilwanu Sarki came on explosively and flashed the Bauchi-based football team goalkeeper with his well taken strike, though, the man who stood in between the goalposts was alert to save the ferocious strike.

Aliu Baba Kareem, known as Mahanaim FC ‘tiger ‘ calmly controlled a through pass from one of his teammates in the 89th minute of the game, and was able to finessed two Wikki Tourist defenders, while setting up a sublime cross for the pacing winger, Sarki, who this time around thunderously lashed his left-foot on the ball from 17-yards into the net.

This late effort confirmed the quarter finals ticket of Mahanaim FC, as Doma united exit the competition after they settled for a two all draw against EFCC at the area 3 football pitch; suffice to say, Rilwanu Haliru Sarki handed the Abuja-based team its Quarter finals ticket.

Meanwhile, as Mahanaim FC prepares for the quarterfinal’s match against Setraco today, Sodiq Yusuf one of the best center backs in this competition and highly rated Mahanaim FC player so far, expressed confidence that his side will leave no stone unturned.

“It was not an easy task booking our ticket going into today’s game against a league one side, Setraco.

‘’We have been very formidable as a non-league football team thus far, Mahanaim FC sets target collectively and we usually tick the target boxes after every game.

“We are taking this game very seriously and no stone would be left unturned,” he assured.

Mahanaim FC finished as the Table toppers of Group D with five points, from three games – in the second edition of the ongoing Unity Preseason Tourney. They will face Setraco 2pm, at Area 3 football pitch this afternoon.

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Sports

FIFA MA Course: Gusau, FIFA instructors harp on hard work, integrity and fraternity

Published

5 hours ago

June 19, 2025

The Gleamer

The two-week FIFA Member Associations Course for physical and technical instructors, and Young Talents came to a close in Abuja on Thursday with FIFA Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed publicly declaring his confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s budding arbiters to reach unprecedented heights in the vocation globally.

The physical and technical instructors’ course was activated between 9^th – 13^thJune, while the Young Talents programme lasted between Sunday, 15^th – Thursday, 19^th June 2025.

President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), who also doubles as President of WAFU B, told the young talents to endeavour to put all they have learnt during the course into practice, as the Federation is in the process of elevating more of the young talents to take on higher responsibilities, such as handling matches of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

“I am happy that now, we have a total of 86 young talents in our refereeing pool. This deeply gladdens my heart. Last year, we had 40 people undertake this course, and this year, we have 46. Let me reveal to you that 10 of those young talents from last year have been elevated to the NPFL, and none of them was found wanting throughout the season.

“Their record of performance gives great hope to yourselves, and also shows that the NFF is right in our commitment to the young talents. However, in order to keep improving, I charge you to always find ways to fraternize, collaborate in all aspects, and bond together to jointly and severally enhance your capacities.”

Mohamed, who is from Somalia, said: “I am very satisfied with the group that we worked with over the past one week – the young talents. Their level of assimilation is very high and I see them going places in the work of refereeing. Please always have integrity at the back of your mind in whatever you do.

“We know Nigeria is everywhere, qualifying for all major tournaments and winning trophies and putting up podium performances here and there. But it will also be good to have Nigerian referees not only in the AFCON but also at the FIFA World Cup. Having worked with these young ones for the past one week, I can tell you with assurance that the future of Nigerian refereeing is in very good hands.”

President of NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu thanked FIFA and the NFF for the success of the programme, and asserted that the growing confidence in Nigerian referees at home and abroad can be traced to the support that the referees continue to get from the NFF for their capacity-enhancing programmes, and the intentionality of the NFF President.

FIFA Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi from Tunisia was also present at the closing ceremony, as well as Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Cecilia Ugbuji, Emmanuel Imiere, Stella Emoji and Promise Uwaeme.

There were also President of the NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu; Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Madam Faith Irabor; deputy chairman Rafiu Umar Gusau; members of the committee, Kabiyesi James Odeniran, Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, Dr Bello Mohammed, Abraham Zakowi, Waziri Abba Gawe and secretary, Mohammed Ameenu; NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire and; Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Isah Ladan Bosso.

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