The Turkish Süper Lig has been postponed until further notice in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mikel Obi left his mark on Turkish football, not just on the pitch where he had inspired Trabzonspor’s league title push this season, but more significantly for standing up and demand the Super Lig be suspended because of the Coronavirus pandemic threat.
Nigerian footballers plying their trade in the Country’s local leagues have been the subject of a systemic cold treatment in the Super Eagles.
Former Cameroon International and Arsenal midfielder Alex Song and eight teammates have been sacked by Swiss Super League side FC Sion for refusing to take wage cuts after the League was suspended over the Coronavirus outbreak.
Heartland boss Fidelis Ilechukwu has blamed the center referee for his team‘s narrow defeat to Jigawa golden stars on Wednesday.
Heartland slumped to a 2-1 defeat against the Jigawa Golden Stars, no thanks to a 98th minutes penalty from Ali Maro Kalla who also saw his 28th minutes opener canceled out by Chidera Eze.
While speaking with brila.net on the outcome of the game, Fidelis opined that the referee ruined the effort of his boys, despite their impressive performance.
“I think you know Nigeria football, we lost penalty to a 98thminutes penalty but i dont want to talk about officiating, because ifwe talk about that, we will destroy the effort of the NFF and LMC because they have done so much for the league this season.“he told brila.net.
“But there are some people who think they can destroy what LMCand NFF has done, but I dont want to talk about them because there‘s always judas.“
The former Dream Team VII assistant coach praised his boys for fighting till the end, and he added that the team will learn from the positive lessons from the game.
“I want to believe we can get better, I want to give it to the boys,they give their best but the referee decided to destroyeverything.“He concluded.
Heartland are currently 13th on the table with 32 points from 25 games so far.
Heartland FC coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has backed the decision of the organisers of Nigeria professional football league to suspended the season as the result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The League Management Company annouced that the 2019/2020league season has been put on hold indefinitely after a short meeting with the stakeholders on Wednesday.
The announcement came shortly after the completion of the match day 25 which hold across all centers and Ilechukwu believed the league governing body have made the right call.
“I think its the best thing to do, the LMC and the NFF has done well in that regard, and I also believed that this is one of the best decision the country has taken, because if other country can stop people entering their country and shut down the league as well, i dont seewhy can’t we do the same. ” he told brila.net in exclusive interview.
The former MFM football club of Lagos boss however confirmedthat his players will be given sometime off to be with their loved ones, but he also urged them to stay in door and shun street football.
“When we are giving them break, we advise them to stay indoor and avoid contact, but the problem is that, when you give them break,after two days you see the players playing street football which is not the reason for giving them break.“
But on our part, we can give them one or two weeks to be with their family, while we wait for further directives.” Ilechukwu concluded.
Sunshine stars defender Ikenna Hillary Paul has advised that the League Management Company take a decision that will be fair to all concerned in the event of the league coming to a premature end should the Covid-19 doesn’t hit an end in sight quickly.
Ikenna Paul speaking in a chat with www.brila.net said the decision that will be taken should be one that will not create discord in any quarter.
He said thereafter that whatever decision taken by the league organisers will still be one that the club will stand by eventually.
“Sometimes in Nigeria the voice of the people is been neglected, so we’ve learnt to live by whatever means we see or find ourselves. So whatever decision they take either the league should continue or go to like Super six, Super eight or probably crown Plateau united as champion. We will stand by it.”
Wikki Tourist FC coach Usman Abdallah has stated that he is glad to be on the safer side of the table after Wednesday’s 1-0 league win over Kano Pillars lifted the club out of the relegation zone to 15th on the league table before the directive from the Ministry of Youths and sports to suspend all football activities in Nigeria.
Abdallah speaking in a chat with www.brila.net said the situation could become dicey should the ravaging Corona virus scourge continue for a longer time to disrupt the league calendar or in the eventuality of the league been unable to continue, any decision will not affect his side as far as keeping their topflight status is concerned.
“I think our position now is good because if we have not won this match against Kano Pillars it will be difficult. So whatever decision they are going to take stop the league, continue we are on a safer side.
”If they want to stop the league and say we do it next year, I am not in relegation zone, so I’m safe and that’s the whole point for it.”