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Sport
SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH
29 NOVEMBER 2014
Nigerian League Rendezvous
Are top scorers one season wonder? Stories by Charles Ogundiya
Past top scorers (since 1990) 1990 Ishaya Jatau (Iwuanyanwu Nationale) 1991 Richard Ojomo (Bendel United) 1992 Arthur Moses (Super Stores) 1993 Tony Nwigwe (Iwuanyanwu Nationale) 1994 Olumide Harris (Shooting Stars) 1995 Ben Agadah (Gombe United) 1996 Peter Anyiolobi (Enyimba) 1997 Paul Kpoughoul (Jasper United/BCC Lions) 1998 Hassan Minda (Gombe United) 1999 Emmanuel Agbo (Iwuanyanwu Nationale) 2000 Peter Ijeh (Julius Berger) 2001 Uche Okereke (Enugu Rangers) 2002 Joetex Frimpong (El-Kanemi) Victor Ezeji (Dolphins), 2003 Chibuzor Ozurumba (Iwuanyanwu) Endurance Idahor (Julius Berger) 2004 Kabiru Alausa (Berger) 2005 Timothy Anjembe (Lobi Stars) Joseph Akpala (Insurance) Charles Omokaro (Sharks) 2006 Ibenebu Ikechukwu (El Kanemi) 2007 Ameh Aruwa (Kaduna United) 2008 Abubakar Babale (Wikki Tourist/Sunshine) 2009 Akarandut Orok (Akwa United) 2010 Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars) 2011 Jude Aneke (Kaduna United) 2012 Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes) 2013 Victor Namo (Nasarawa United) 2014 Mfon Udoh (Enyimba)
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o say that strikers in the 2013/2014 in the Nigeria Professional Football league have been prolific is stating the obvious. But the question is can the players maintain the momentum next season? More players for the first time in recent years recorded double digits goals with Enyimba’s striker, Mfon Udoh, the league top scorer, scoring an unprecedented 23 goals in a single season. The duo of Gbolahan Salami and Ighodaro Osaguona started the top scorer’s battle before the emergence of Udoh and Dolphins’ striker, Emem Eduok, who ended the season with 20 goals. In recent seasons, the top scorers have mostly turned out to be a one-season hot-shot and it is left to be seen if the just concluded season will be different. Apart from a player like Ahmed Musa who has moved on to greater heights after his goal-scoring exploit during the 2009/2010 league season where he emerged the top scorer, other players have gone into oblivion. Speaking with our correspondent, former internation-
al, Edema Fuludu, said Nigerians should take current record scorer, Udoh, serious as he has shown over two seasons that he is a goal poacher. “Often the top scorers have not been able to replicate their performance consistently, but player like Mfon Udoh should be taken seriously.
17 goals 12 goals 10 goals 13 goals 14 goals 12 goals 9 goals 16 goals 14goals 14 goals 14 goals 13 goals 16 goals 12 goals 13 goals 12 goals 10 goals 10 goals 14 goals 17 goals 18 goals 20 goals 17 goals 18 goals 23 goals
“He has shown over two seasons that he has what it takes to be a good goal scorer in the league. Last season he recorded 15 goals and now he has scored 23 goals. If he can score between 15 and 20 next season, then he can be relied on to get the goals every time,” Fuludu said.
League top scorer, Enyimba's Mfon Udoh (r) against Chidiebere Okolie of Dolphins
Wanted! A psychologist for Pillars
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eague champion, Kano Pillars, have said the team will be employing a psychologist ahead of the new season as the team prepare for another shot at the league trophy. After winning three consecutive titles, the media officer of the club, Idris Malikawa, told our correspondent that there was the need to psyche the players up for a new challenge next season. “With three consecutive victories in the league, there is need for a new challenge and another target for the players. “We want to set another record
next season by winning all the available trophies in the land, so the management has resolved to get a psychologist for the team who will psyche them up for the challenges ahead,” he said. The club will be facing Enyimba for the season opener: Charity Cup. They will also be campaigning in three different competitions next season. The team will be defending their league title while also hoping to win the CAF Champions League for the first time next season. They will also be competing for the Federation Cup, a trophy that has eluded the team for a long time.
NEWS
Eagles can’t be strong without solid league, says Boardman Vincent Eboigbe
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former green Eagles defender, Kenneth Boardman, has said that Nigerian football will continue to flounder unless the league, which is the foundation of everything else, is put in a solid footing. Boardman who flew into the country from his United States of America base on Tuesday likened the situation to driving a Rolls Royce on a dilapidated road, saying that the car will eventually break down. “We have been saying the same thing over the years but nothing has changed, the same thing keeps recurring,” Boardman said. “We need to go back to the fundamentals which is the league. Our league is down and we need to urgently revive it. Most countries build through their leagues, but we build from top down instead of from down up. You can’t drive a Rolls Royce on a bad road, you need to build the road first or the car will break down.” “I am not against bringing in players from Europe, but the league has to be strong such that
there is a dynamic mix.” The ex-Rangers star who was also a board member of the Enugubased side, said having this kind of mix will ensure the best are selected for the national team. According to him, those who are not disciplined or hungry enough to play can then be shown the way out. Given this scenario, Boardman refused to put the blame of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the Nations Cup on Stephen Keshi, insisting that the full picture must be looked at and taken into consideration. “Keshi has done well. Like I said it is about appreciating the situation in a holistic manner. You hire a coach and set goals for him, the question to ask is did he meet the target? You don’t just sack or condemn a coach based on one isolated outcome. Although I think we should have won against South Africa to qualify for the Nations Cup, but as an ex player I know that those things can happen. It is so easy for fans to say ‘sack him’ but those who employed him know what parameters to judge him by,” added Boardman.
Stone to leave Dolphins
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L-R: General Manager, Seven-Up, Ikeja Plant, Mr. Dele Abioye, former Super Eagles captain, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha and Head of Marketing, Norden Thurston, at the Pepsi co-sponsored Corporate Elite that took place last Sunday
ormer ABS midfielder, Evbuomwan Stone, has said he will be leaving Dolphins this season for a new challenge elsewhere. Stone joined Dolphins at the beginning of the current season, but found first team opportunity hard to come by in the just concluded season. “I had a wonderful stay at Dolphins, but I wasn't fulfilled due to lack of playing time and that is not too good for me as a young player who is aspiring to make a statement in football. "I can count the number of times I played for Dolphins this season, I trained so hard, I was always ready to give my best but it seems the coach didn't have me in his plans despite the fact that he treated me as a son,” he said.
COPA Lagos: Enyimba captain calls for fans' support Charles Ogundiya
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head of the fourth edition of the upcoming beach soccer tournament, COPA Lagos, captain of Enyimba of Aba, Chinedu Udoji, has called on teeming fans of the club to storm the venue of the competition to support the Federation Cup champion. According to Udoji the presence of fans during matches
has contributed immensely to their success especially when playing in Lagos. “We are always at home whenever we play in Lagos and I am using this opportunity to call on our fans to come out and support us during the COPA Lagos also. “Copa Lagos is a great opportunity for fans to see their favourite club play on sand,” Udoji said. The tournament that is
scheduled to hold at the Eko Atlantic Beach from December 12 to 14 will see Enyimba FC play against Stationery Stores, Pepsi Team and the FC Barcelona beach soccer team. Udoji stated further that, "Copa Lagos will afford everybody the opportunity to relax in a good atmosphere. We need our supporters and I am sure they will come out in their numbers to cheer us to victory."