Sports

NO NEED FOR ANY AGENDA OF DISTRACTIONS

Published

1 year ago

January 7, 2024

by Micheal Obasi

…As Dubai is the Perfect Camp site for Super Eagles Preparations for AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire_

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are currently preparing for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in the United Arab Emirates thanks to the Nigeria Football Federation who are bent on ensuring the team gets the best of preparations before the mundial in Ivory Coast.

But surprisingly I have been reading in some quarters commentaries where the NFF was criticised for the choice of Dubai as the Eagles Camp site.

Offcourse everyone is entitled their opinion and their manner of reasoning but we strongly owe ourselves Informed information before ventilating our opinions.

It is also very important for people to understand that the NFF must have done it’s due diligence as regards the best camp site for the team in terms of weather, comfort and serenity.

All the Nigerians players are coming from Europe where they have being playing throughout the season in cold and freezing conditions but they are now going to Ivory coast where it’s going to be a complete direct opposite conditions.

And the Football House decided to choose a place like Dubai with similar weather conditions to what the players will confront in Ivory Coast.

So the big question is why the unnecessary criticism on the NFF?

I know we all owe our football constructive and objective criticisms but we must also burge ourselves from always setting an agenda of distraction and drama where there is none whenever the Country is on a major tournament.

Any regular traveller can easily attest to how serene Dubai is for any kind of hospitality and accommodation and the NFF actually got this very spot on to camp the Super Eagles there.

One can be rest assured of zero level of distraction for both the players and the technical crew which offcourse will afford them maximum concentration on the task ahead.

To further see that the NFF knows exactly what they were doing with the choice of Dubai , many other African Countries also have similar camp sites for their teams.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for example are camped in Saudi Arabia, the Gambia are also currently using Saudi Arabia while DR Congo and Burkina Faso are camped in Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

I think what we all should be concerned about is how coach Jose Peseiro can get the best out of the array top class players in the Eagles Squad and have the likes of Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen firing in Ivory Coast.

Written by Micheal Obasi
Sports Journalist and Football Affairs Analyst

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Sports

Elegbeleye thumbs up intriguing NPFL Title Race

Published

7 hours ago

March 13, 2025

The Gleamer

It has been a season of twists and turns at the top and bottom zones of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) log with positions changing almost after every Matchday.

At the start of the season, Remo Stars established their title credentials by staying within the top three just as Lobi Stars, Nasarawa and Akwa United struggled to burst loose from the drop zone.

As the season crossed the half line, Remo Stars broke away from the loop, establishing a ten points gap from the chasing pack. But it appears the fierce fight now is for the remaining continental slots, which Ikorodu City is the latest and surprise entrant. They join the quartet of Rivers United, Shooting Stars, Rangers and Enyimba in the jostle for second and third place.

NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye took stock of the ding-dong and expressed excitement over the fierce battle for the league title and continental spots.

After Matchday 28, theres left 10 matchdays to conclude the season, and Elegbeleye says the competition has been “unprecedented,” He attributes the tight contest to improvements in match officiating that may have boosted clubs’ confidence.

“Teams now travel for away games with the mindset of winning rather than just defending for a point,” he noted.

The NPFL has increasingly attracted new breed of young managers including former Super Eagles players who returned from Europe. From Finidi Georgia to Emmanuel Amunike and Daniel Amokachi to least a few, the European influence is aiding the competition. There are also the likes of home bred Stars like Imama Amakapabo, Kennedy Boboye, Tony Bulus and others who are all from the same generation.

Elegbeleye points to their influence in the rise in coaching standards, arguing that “with the blend of young and experienced tacticians, we are creating an environment where ex-players can transition into coaching roles, and where Super Eagles and international players feel comfortable playing in Nigeria due to the league’s quality.”

He is specifically impressed by Ikorodu City, whose remarkable rise has added a fresh twist to the title race.

“]Ikorodu City’s performance has been impressive. They’ve shown that privately owned clubs can thrive in the NPFL with proper planning, recruitment, and promotion. From struggling early in the season to now challenging for the title and continental spots, they’ve added excitement and credibility to the league. Their journey is a testament to what can be achieved with the right approach.”

On the relegation battle, Elegbeleye noted the fierce competition at the bottom of the table. “While the focus is often on the top, the fight to avoid relegation is equally intense. Any team from 12th to 20th is still at risk, which shows the level of competition in the league. We’ll be closely monitoring the remaining matches to ensure fairness and integrity.”

With the NPFL delivering drama, quality, and unpredictability, Elegbeleye is confident the league will crown a worthy champion at the end of the season.

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