Athens 2004:NFA confirms Musa Abdullahi’s sack

Coach of the young Eagles, Musa abdulahi, had started brilliantly in their campaign for Athens 2004 away in Cairo on 24 October, by beating Egypt 2-0, but after stumbling to a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in Bauchi, he came under severe fire from the Sports Ministry.

As is customary in Nigeria football, the coach has paid the price for the ‘Dream Team III’ failure to beat Tunisia in Bauchi and the ridiculous 4-3 loss to the young lions of Senegal.

Abdullahi’s replacement is Enyimba’s Caf champions’ league Kadiri Ikhana, but www.nigeriasports.com gathered that, he is on his way to South Africa to seal a lucrative contract with PSL side Black leopards.

"Kadiri Ikhana is the choice of the NFA board," spokesman for the board, Olu Amadasun told www.nigeriasports.com, "but it is unfortunate we may have to look elsewhere since he is on his way to South Africa."

Meanwhile, the board of the NFA also sanctioned the relegation of Sharks, Sunshine Stars, Delta United and Jigawa Golden stars to the Pro-league division one.

Promotion of NPA, Shooting Stars, Mighty Jets and El-Kanemi is also  confirmed for the glamorous Globacom premiership.

Charitable Enyimba

The people’s elephant Enyimba of Aba followed up their invincibility form once again as they trampled FA cup kings, Lobi stars of Makurdi 5-3 in the Charity cup.

The game played at the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri, saw both sides settling for a barren draw after 90-minutes full time.

Lobi stars fell to the league champions even though the latter fielded green horns and unknown players.

“The top players were rested after a very long 2003 season, you’ll agree with me that last season was really tough on our boys” Enyimba’s chairman Felix Agwu Anyasi explained to www.nigeriaports.com after the game.

No pay no game

Surprisingly, Enyimba paraded only three of the registered 30-players that featured in the 2003 Caf champions’ league.

Onyekachi Okoronkwo, Emeka Nwanna and Abdul Issa filed out for the Aba millionaires whilst the trio of Obinna Nwaneri, Okemiri Ogbonaya and Ugah Opara were sighted at the stadium.

www.nigeriasports.com exclusively gathered that the players stayed out of the game saying they will lace their boots for the side until they are paid all the accumulated entitlements the Felix Anyansi managed Enyimba side is owing them.

“We can’t play when we are still owed our salaries and bonuses from the previous games” they chorused.

Jets are mightier

Mighty Jets defeated NPA 1-0 in the Division One play off, to boost the morale of the Tin city boys ahead of their campaign in the premiership.