Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) season will kick off on July 17 in an abridged format, the participating clubs and organising officials have agreed.
According to the communique of the NWPL Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja on Thursday night, the Congresscame to conclusions that the league would have four clubs in four groups.
“This is to make up for the lost time and to also properly fund the indemnities of the season.
“ Winners of each of the four groups will play a Super 4 competition to determine the overall winners of the 2018/2019 league season,” it said.
The Congress also agreed the last team in each of the groups would participate in a playoff, to determine the two teams which would be relegated to the professional league to the lower division at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, all clubs indebted to the league body and players were asked to pay up before July 10, or be expelled from the league.
The AGM agreed that failure to do this should lead to erring clubs facing sanctions.
The communique also had it that the winners will travel to Spain for an international tournament courtesy of the Spanish La Liga.
The draws for the 2018/2019 NWPL were also concluded at the AGM, are the Groups as follows:
Group A
Rivers Angels
Osun Babes
Delta Queens
FC Robo
Group B
Dream Stars Ladies
Heartland Queens
Adamawa Queens
Edo Queens
Group C
Bayelsa Queens
Sunshine Queens
Nasarawa Amazons
Jokodolu Babes
Group D
Confluence Queens
Abia Angels
Invincible Angels
Ibom Angels
Rivers United are through to AITEO Cup Semi Finals after edging past Lobi Stars on penalties in their last eight encounter at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
The Port-Harcout based side struggled to hit top gear throughout the match but their defensive solidity coupled with an outstanding performance from their goalkeeper – Abiodun Akande – ensured they keep their hopes of winning elusive trophy alive.
Both teams approached the first half with caution, with neither side willing to commit bodies forward, but the second half saw a more inspired input from both teams.
Lobi were denied on several occasions by the Impressive Akande while Rivers, for all their fast breaks, couldn’t test the Lobi goalie – with their pass in the final third lacking real quality.
Following a goalless 90-minutes, Rivers showed grit as they converted all five spot kicks while Lobi’s star man Sikiru Alimi failed to convert his effort.
Elsewhere, Calabar Rovers and Niger Tornadoes also won 5-4 on penalties after respective 0-0 draws against Bendel Insurance and Overachievers Smart City while Kano pillars eased past Nasarawa based Aklosendi International, winning 4-0.
Rivers United will next face Niger Tornadoes while Kano pillars have a date with Calabar Rovers in the Semis.
Mauritania are debuting at the AFCON in Egypt, but they have not impressed many not least Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka says he is honoured to be a Manchester United player after completing a big-money move from Crystal Palace.
The 21-year-old defender signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford to become the most expensive uncapped British player of all time.
PA understands 20-time English champions United have paid Palace an initial £45million for the right-back, which could eventually rise to £50million based on add-ons.
The up-front fee makes Wan-Bissaka the fifth biggest signing in the club’s history behind Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria and Fred.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling and an honour to call myself a Manchester United player and something I know that only a small number of players have the privilege to say,” Wan-Bissaka told the club website.
“Every kid wants to play for a team like this. I think I will improve every step and learn different things around new team-mates.
“Man United is a big club, a big family, a big fan base, and I think they all stick together and are so tight together.
“I can see that I have made (my family) proud with this decision and where I have come from, how the journey started, and that makes me kick on and carry on.
“I am going to give everything for the club and for the fantastic fans and I can’t wait to get started.”
England Under-21 international Wan-Bissaka, whose contract includes an option for a sixth season, made his senior debut in February 2018 and appeared 46 times in all competitions for the Eagles.
Nigerian defender, Leon Balogun says the Super Eagles will approach their final Group B game at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Egypt with all seriousness.
The three time African Champions are through to the next round after securing six points from two games played so far.
Madagascar on their part, needed a point to seal qualification after picking four points from same number of matches .
However , a victory or draw for Nigeria against a second placed Madagascar means the Super Eagles will finished as the Group winners.
”We have another game against Madagascar, I would say it’s a wrong approach to take the game easy because there’s another game coming after and we would be well advised to keep our form up.
”Madagascar won’t take it easy, they also want to qualify, they’ve still got chances after their draw against Guinea in their first game and a win over Burundi, so it won’t be an easy one but definitely, we can be more relaxed than them”.
Balogun who’s making his African Cup of Nations debut with Nigeria, added that the Super Eagles did a superb job against the Guineans who had Liverpool’s Naby as their chief creator on the day.
”It was not only me that came into the team, but also other positions,” Balogun told reporters in the mixed zone.“
”I think we have done a great job, defending them away, they were very, very dangerous on counter-attacks especially when Naby Keita has got the ball, he always sees something, he knows how to create chances. Even if he has to protect the ball he does a very great job.He concluded.
The Egyptian Football Association has recalled striker Amr Warda back into their African Cup of Nations squad, 48 hours after his expulsion from the team.
Warda will continue his ban in Egypt’s final Group game against Uganda on Sunday but he will be available for selection from the second round.
The striker was previously accused of harassing an English-Egyptian model on social media who had since filed a complaint against him with Egypt’s attorney-general.
After his teammates showed their support, the player was forced totend a public apology on Thursday , which the Egyptian Football bodies considered.
The Football Association in a statement on Friday, revealed thatEgypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhi, had held a meeting with the players, technical staff and the FA boss Hany Abo Rida on the issue.
“During the meeting, Hani Abu Reda praised the spirit of solidarity between the players, and their desire to pardon their colleague Amr Warda and to lift the suspension from him,” the statement said.
“The association has decided to reduce the player’s penalty to suspension until the end of the first round only.”
However, Salah felt the EFA had been too hasty and harsh in their punishment of the player, but admits that women must be treated with respect.
“Women must be treated with the utmost respect,” he said.
“I also believe that many who make mistakes can change for the better and shouldn’t be sent straight to the guillotine, which is the easiest way out.
“We need to believe in second chances… we need to guide and educate. Shunning is not the answer.”
Team captain Ahmed Elmohamady, also supported the Greek-based forward and backed him to come back stronger.
“Amr Warda is one of us and we all make mistakes. We will not leave Warda alone,” he told reporters. “No player should be held accountable for anything done outside the pitch. We support Amr Warda.”
Flying Eagles defender Valentine has finally completed his move away from Enyimba to join Turkish giants Galatasaray according to the club’s website.