Heartland FC unveils new players continued…
4. Keita Bilikoman
Former Club: Simba Sports FC, Tanzania
Position: Central defender
Jersey no. 34
Age: 23yrs
National Caps: Mali U-17 & U-23 Team Olympic Qualifier Bilikoman has proved himself as one of the vastly experienced players on the African football theatre. He began his career with Stade Malien SC in his home country Mali but later joined rivals, Jean d’arc SC of Bamako. After a two-year spell, Bilikoman decided to export his services to the Asian city of Abbadan in the Republic of Iran where he pitched tent with Samat Naft FC. The young player would later move to English speaking Tanzania where he starred for Simba Sports FC, the club from4iich he joined Heartland FC.
5. Zoumana Doumbia
Former Club: USS Kraka, Cotonou in Benin Republic Position: Left back
Jersey no. 4
Age: 23yrs
National Cap: Mali U-17 & U-23 Olympic Qualifier Team Doumbia started with Sade Malien before joining Stade Maliens SC where again he left to team up with Jean d’arc of Bamako. Eventually, Doumbia landed in Cotonou in the Benin Republic where he played for USS Kraka before Heartland FC caught him.
6. Roland Koffi
Former Club: Ekaf SC Abidjan, Ivory Coast Position: Midfielder
Jersey no. 6
Age: 19yrs
Kffi is one of the products to emerge from EFa Academy from where he later joined kaf SC.
7. Israel Abia
Former Club: Oakzeel FC, Enugu Position: Striker
Jersey no. 10
Age: 17 yrs
One of the youngest players to join Heartland FC this season, Abia made instant impact during the trials which drew the attention of everybody that was around. The coaches in fact, believe he has every quality to mature into a world class player in a very short time.
8.Chinagorom Anyanwu
Former Club: Greenworld FC, Mbaise in Owerri Position: Striker
Jersey no. 33
Age: 20yrs
Chinagorom is another home boy who showed potentialities that can hardly be ignored by any coach that was desirious of success during the trials hence, his selection into Heartland FC. Prior to joining Greenworld FC, he had played for Jigawa FC in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
9. Obinna White
Former Club: El Kanemi FC, Maidugri Position: Defensive Midfielder
Jersey no. 2
Age: 19yrs
White played a prominent role in the squad that gave EL Kanemi promotion back to the premier league in the 2011/12 season.
10. Alexandre Kouassi
Former Ciub: Efak SC, Abidjan, Ivory Coast Position: Midfielder
Jersey no. 32
Age: 19yrs
Koussi is another young talent to emerge from the Efa Academy football industry in Abidjan. He is also one of the young stars that received pass marks from his performances in the trials.
11. Ebere Okoro
Former Club: Zamba FC, Enugu Position: Attacker
Jersey no. 13
Age: 18yrs
Okoro began with Abia warriors in the amateur ranks but later moved over to Makurdi giants, Lobi Stars FC. He later joined Zamba FC of Enugu from where he was spotted by Heartland FC in 2013.
12. Josiah Ogu
Former Club: Pakat FC, Owerri Position: Attacker
Jersey no 20
Age: yrs
Ogu is another home boy who did excellently well to get the nod of coaches during the trials for the 2013/14 league season.
Nation-Wide League Invades Imo
…As Papilo FC Lock Horns With Neck FC At Somachi
Imo State has never had it so good in the recent past were more than two club sides are taking part in the Nigerian National football league at the same time in a season.
This season alone, the State has about five teams currently involved in the 2013/14 Nation-Wide League Division 1 and 2 otherwise known as the Amateur league.
Papilo FC Owerri, Nek FC Nekede, Patros FC Umuaka, Baton FC (Police Machine) Owerri and Bussdor FC Nkwere are presently flying the flag of the State in the Amateur league.
The quartet of Papilo, Patros, Nek FC and Barton FC (Police) are in Amateur 2 while Busddor is plying their trade in Amateur 1 of the Nation-Wide league.
This development therefore means that football lovers in the State can now enjoy at various centers quality national league actions added to a the premier league Heartland FC has been producing which to large extent goes further to illustrate the fact that Imo players have contributed to the development of Nigerian football with major names like Kanu Nwankwo, Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Benji Nzeako, Lawrence Ukaegbu, Mike Obi, and presently Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidiebere Nwakali and many more yet to be identified.
Meanwhile, quality games have been lined up from today Thursday up to the weekend as Papilo FC will trade tackles with Nek FC at the Somachi playing filed along Egbu road today by 4pm while Baton FC (Police Machine) will entertain the counterparts from Benin, Dynamite Force FC at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede playing field.
It will be the turn of Patros FC on Friday March 14 at the Njaba LGA sports Complex as they take on Omaka FC (PH) in another pulsating encounter while Bussddor FC will be at home to Gokana FC also from Port Harcourt on Saturday March 15 at the Nkwere sports stadium.
New NPFL/LMC: The Way Forward
Over the years, since the first season of the Nigerian Premier League, we have seen growth over growth and development upon development. We have seen great times, times of tears of joy in the eyes of spectators; we have seen tense times of broken bottles, sporadic stone throws, and acclaimed poor officiating.
Amidst the high hopes of development, we still suffer challenges ranging from security to sub-standard facilities, to poor officiating, and to a low media presence. At the very start of my piece, mention must be made of the quite interesting and organised last season that had the League Management Company (LMC) at the helm of affairs.
It is indisputable that, with the recent deal with broadcast rights holders, SuperSport, LMC’s effort on the promotion of the NPL is highly commendable. One huge thing Nigerians have had to bear over the years has been the appalling media attention of our league. Even the blind man on the streets knows how much regular live coverage of our league will generate followers.
One cannot imagine the extent of the increase in the commercial value of the NPL if this seemingly tall order is largely achieved. Meanwhile, as close as our destination appears, the road to it is much longer than we can naturally imagine.
The NPFL Performance & Club Ownership
One only needs to do a brief review of the Nigerian Premier League before one agrees that government do not have business in business. Private individuals or companies should own clubs to enhance growth, development and profit optimization.
A brief analysis of models of top foreign clubs would provide an insightful piece for the NPL structure.
The models are highlighted and discussed here:
i. Fan Club Ownership: This is simply a process where fans have a percentage stake in the ownership of clubs. This is evident in the Bundesliga where there is 51% fan ownership. This implies that fans will be highly involved in the management, running and operations of the club.
Fan ownership gives room for election of the management personnel that will have their collective interest at heart.
Kano Pillars and Enyimba command the biggest attendances, which could be translated into co-opting the teeming supporters to invest in the clubs with a view to one day owning them.
ii. Public Private Ownership: This is a model that sees government and private groups or individuals form a synergy with the collective interest of fans. This model will ensure good management, sponsorship and protection of the heritage of the clubs.
The government is not a profit-making enterprise and in this light, they only serve as regulators. The government can then select representatives that will have the collective interest of the private investors, as well as fans, at heart.
The newly-instituted management of Warri Wolves, led by former NPL chairman, Davidson Owumi as CEO) is a perfect example of this model.
Nation-wide League Week 2
Nek United -Papilo Fc @ Somachi Field
Baton Fc (Police) – Dynamite Force (Benin) @ FEDPOKO
14/3/14
Patros Fc — Omaka Fc (PH) @ Njaba Stadium
15/3/14
Busddor Fc — Gokana Fc (PH) @ Nkwere Stadium
OBULIMBA UNITY CUP SEMI’S
13/3/14
Umuanunu — Eziobodo
Rescheduled NPFL WEEK 1 GAME
13/3/14
Sunshine — Enyimba
Warri Wolves — El-Kanemi
Bayelsa Utd — Sharks Fc
EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16
13/3/14
Basel — Salsburg
FC Porto — Napoli
AZ Alkmaar — Anzhi
Juventus — Fiorentina
Lyon — Viktoria Plzen
Sevilla — Real Betis
Tottenham — Benfica
