Former Lobi Stars defender, Aniyikaye Olamilekan Adeleye has moved to Shooting Stars Sporting Club (3SC) of Ibadan from Al-Merrikh of Sudan, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The former Super Eagles defender joined the Oluyole Warriors for the remainder of the 2022/2023 season for an undisclosed fee according to multiple reports.

Olamilekan joined Al-Merrikh in February 2021 from Lobi Stars of Makurdi for a 2-year stint.

He had former played for the Anambra Warriors, the defunct FC Ifeanyi Ubah where he won the FA Cup in the year 2018 before joining Bayelsa United.

By Uche Dozie

Japanese coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi has recounted how his former assistant Yaw Preko save him from being killed during his stay in Nigeria.

After he parted with the Ghana Premier League side on mutual grounds in 2015, Kenichi was appointed as the head coach of Ifeanyi Ubah in 2016.

Due to his relationship with Preko, who is a former Ghana international, the Japanese named Preko as his assistant coach.

Details of happenings during Yatsuhashi’s stay at the Nigerian club are unknown, however, according to the 52-year old, but for the timely intervention of Preko, he would have died in the West African Country without anyone knowing.

“I can’t tell you everything, Bottom line, it was my assistant coach at Hearts of Oak who asked me to come with him,” Kenichi told footballvsoblivion.

“He was offered an assistant coaching role, on the condition that I would be the head coach, because of the success we’d had at Hearts of Oak in Ghana.

“Myself and Yaw Preko, my assistant coach at that time, felt that it was a matter of life or death, seriously, for me to get out of the country and be safe,” He continued.

“I can’t really elaborate more than that, but, if it wasn’t for him coming between me and many people, I would have been dead with anyone even knowing.”

The Japanese trainer now plys his trade in India where is the current head coach of Lonestar Kashmir, however, Yaw Preko is also the head coach of Ghana Premier League side, Medeama SC.

The 2016/17 Football season has been one laden with lots of twists and intrigues, systole and diastole for Nigeria Professional Football League side, FC Ifeanyiubah.

After a heady run in Nigeria’s club cup competition (Federations Cup) in 2016 which culminated in the team’s first ever piece of silverware – beating Nasarawa United in a penalty shootout in Lagos in November, expectation was at its peak for what was expected to signal the start of football dominance for the privately owned club based in Anambra, Southeastern Nigeria.

No sooner had the club clinched the oldest cup competition in Nigeria than their troubles began. The expatriate coach hired for the team, Kenichi Yatsuashi was fired barely one month into his reign after just one game at the NPFL Super Four Tournament in December before the team got eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Egyptian side Al Masry in mid-February.

The exit of FC Ifeanyiubah from the continental competition brought the team already in a realm of grandiose back to life and battling to start all over again with Ghanaian coach, Yaw Preko trusted to lift the side out of their lowest ebb. That task has been achieved in part with the club placed 8th on the log at the midway stage of the season, seven points adrift of league leaders, Plateau United.

In a season that has seen a lot of turnovers in terms of players used, Congolese midfielder Fabrice Ngoma Luamba has once again shone like a starry light in the midst of the dark clouds as he continues to churn out disciplined and elegant displays for the Nnewi-based side.

The former Sharks XI FC of Congo star who is in his second season in Nigeria told www.npfl.ng that adaptation to the Nigerian environment was not easy but he is very fine now.

“It was not easy for me when I came here,” begun the charismatic midfielder.
“The language made it more difficult and the league was more hectic than ours. We play 24 games in Congo, 12 in each half but here it is 19 and 19 (making 38). I was not happy (with the schedule) at first when I came, but now, I am fine.”

FC Ifeanyiubah used at least 25 players this season, the most by any side in the Nigerian top flight this season but despite the chop and change in the playing personnel occasioned by poor results on the phentermine pitch, Luamba remains a regular for the side – having featured in at least 15 games more than any other FC Ifeanyiubah player. Luamba stated that the number of new players in the team affected their chemistry.

“This season, we have many new players. Many of our players left last season so it was difficult for us to gel with the new ones. But now, we understand when Kone moves, Prince moves, Obaje moves,” he said in his spasmodic pidgin-English.

Such is the importance of the Ifeanyiubah Number 24 that his vision, passing ability and all round midfield presence have seen him grow to become a fans’ favourite at the Ifeanyiubah Stadium Ozubulu, near Nnewi. The towering midfielder still harbours hopes of following up last season’s Federation Cup conquest with the league title this year.

“Last season I won FA (Federations) Cup. This season, I want to win the league if God accepts. Now we’re climbing up and I hope we will continue,” concluded the former FCMK Kinshasha player.

With the club now on a run of six unbeaten games which includes four victories and two draws, Ngoma Luamba’s dreams of getting his hand on the league trophy may not be far-fetched. Highest-paid striker Godwin Obaje is now getting among the goals while another of the foreign legion, Pascal Seka is now hitting the form that made him a menace to defenders last season.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah Coach, Yaw Preko, has insisted that he is happy with his team and will only bring in one or two players as the Anambra Warrior get set to re­juvenate ahead of the second stanza.

The 2016 Federation Cup cham­pions are eighth on the Nigeria Pro­fessional Football League table with 28 points from 19 matches with an improved form lately, after some ini­tial blunders that caused them some home points.

“We didn’t start the season too well but gradually we’ve found our feet but we have to keep working hard as the season progresses,” Pre­ko stated.

“I don’t think we need to bring in too many players. Perhaps one or two will do to fill some gaps but apart from that I am happy with the team.

“We want to start the second round on a strong note after the break. We will take it a match at a time. It’s obvious we need to raise our game, a lot is expected from us but we have to be on our toes to make sure we deliver.”

Godwin Obaje’s brace was all that Nnewi based FC Ifeanyi Ubah needed to beat Shooting Star of Ibadan 2-1 yesterday to end the first stanza of the 2016/2017 NPFL on high.

The Anambra Warriors thus maintained their home invisibility at the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi this season.

The Oluyole Warriors had earlier scared the Anambra Warriors 20 minutes into play when Sunday Faleye got the opener against the run of play.

All efforts by the Anambra Warrioirs to get an equalizer in the first half were thwarted by the visitors defence line.

Sunday Faleye of Shooting Stars FC would have increased the tally for his side thirty four minutes into play but Adou Blaise’s timely intervention prevented him from finding the back of the net.

Seka Pascal was brought down in the eighteen yard box of Shooting Stars and the resultant spot kick was well converted by Godwin Obaje for the equalizer.

Again, FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s defender, Adeleye Olamilekan brilliant header was handled by a defender of Shooting Stars in their vital area and Obaje took the resultant spot kick excellently to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors.

Speaking after the encounter, the Chief Coach of the Anambra Warriors, Preko Yaw commended his boys for picking the three points at stake in a match which according to him was a very technical one.

He expressed the resolve of his side to reach for the tops when the second stanza of the NPFL commences

FC Ifeanyi Ubah will be aiming at ending the first stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on high as they host Shooting Stars of Ibadan at the Ifeanyi Ubah International stadium (The Fortress), Nnewi-Ozubulu today.

A win for the Anambra Warriors will make it six games unbeaten run in the league and underlines the team’s form as they sustain their upwards move on the log.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah are currently 8th on the log with 25 points from 18 matches while Shooting Stars are 13th on the table with 22 points from 18 matches.

Although the Anambra Warriors appear poised to pick the maximum points at stake, it may not be an easy game as the Oluyole Warriors are desperate to avoid slipping into relegation zone and would want to deploy every weapon in their armoury to get a favourable result.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah coach, Yaw Preko, is very confident his team will emerge victorious as he declared that Shooting Stars will not escape defeat.

“It has been an interesting first half of the league season with its ups and downs especially with the journey on the road.

“We’ve learnt our lessons from the outcome and we will continue to push hard to get the results. The game on Wednesday is not different, we will prepare for it in all segments as we want to get all the three points available and further strengthen our resolve and current position,” Preko said.

FC Ifeanyiubah have thrown their weight behind head coach of the club, Yaw Preko despite the team's poor run of form this season.

 The Anambra Warriors failed to progress beyond the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, and presently occupy the 19th position in the Nigeria Professional Football League table after a poor start to the campaign.

But the management of the Nnewi club has backed the former Ghana international to turn things around at the club and are not thinking of bringing in a new coach.

“We remain focused on the task and targets we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season," chairman of the club, Chukwumah Ubah told the club's official website.

“We will not allow ourselves to lose focus of the bigger picture.

"Our  eyes are constantly on the ball and all that matters to me right now is focusing on my team."

FC Ifeanyiubah will host league leaders Plateau United in a week 10 fixtures at home on Sunday.

The Nigerian Cup holders will head into the crucial tie with a slim 1-0 advantage, courtesy of Medrano Tamen’s late strike in last Sunday’s first leg clash at Nnewi.

President of the Anambra Warriors, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, said the team is travelling on Thursday “so that they will get acclamatised to the weather condition before the match.”

“We heard that the weather this time in Egypt is very cold so we are trying to get there on time for the players to adapt to the climate there,” Dr. Ubah said.

He expressed confidence that the Anambra Warriors will prevail over the Egyptians despite the slim win in the first leg.

“We played far much better than them. We dominated the game like 85% possession. We created a lot of chances and missed no fewer than six scoring chances.

“Essentially, they were kept in the game by their goalkeeper. They played more defensively. But I know that in the return leg, the game will be open because they will come out for goals and that will make the game open”.

The club management revealed that a strong 75-ma supporter’s contingent is accompanying the team to Egypt.

The contingent will depart Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 1pm today (Thursday) and are scheduled to arrive in Egypt at about 5pm (Nigerian time).

Owner of NPFL side FC Ifeanyiubah, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, has revealed he is currently in talks with two Chinese clubs to sell top Nigerian talents to them.

Business mogul Ifeanyi Ubah said he is in football for business and he has identified the Chinese Super league as the biggest outlet for emerging world talents.

“We don’t want to be left out of this revolution in world football. We want to sell our players to clubs who find them good enough to play in the Chinese Super League,” he said.

Only last year Ifeanyi Ubah sealed a massive partnership deal with top English Premier League side West Ham United.

The deal which will among other things see the North London club establish a top football academy in Nigeria and take some players of FC Ifeanyiubah on trials.

This has already started yielding fruits according to the oil magnate.

FC Ifeanyiubah are fast emerging as one of the top guns in Nigeria after they won the Federation Cup last year and will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup.

On Sunday afternoon in Nnewi, the club will tackle Al Masry of Egypt in the first round, first leg of the Confederation Cup.

Owner of NPFL side FC Ifeanyiubah, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, has revealed he is currently in talks with two Chinese clubs to sell top Nigerian talents to them.

Business mogul Ifeanyi Ubah said he is in football for business and he has identified the Chinese Super league as the biggest outlet for emerging world talents.

"We don't want to be left out of this revolution in world football. We want to sell our players to clubs who find them good enough to play in the Chinese Super League,” he said.

Only last year Ifeanyi Ubah sealed a massive partnership deal with top English Premier League side West Ham United.

The deal which will among other things see the North London club establish a top football academy in Nigeria and take some players of FC Ifeanyiubah on trials.

This has already started yielding fruits according to oil magnate

FC Ifeanyiubah are fast emerging as one of the top guns in Nigeria after they won the Federation Cup last year and will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup.

On Sunday afternoon in Nnewi, the club will tackle Al Masry of Egypt in the first round, first leg of the Confederation Cup.

Nigeria’s CAF Confederation cup hopeful, FC Ifeanyi Ubah warmed itself for the CAF confederation cuip opener next week, when it defeated the hard fighting Enugu Rangers by a lone goal in the Nigeria Professional Football (NPFL) league match day six yesterday at the Ifeanyi Ubah international stadium in Nnewi.

The oriental derby encounter lived up to its bidding as the two sides displayed quality football to the admiration of the capacity spectators filled stadium.

The two sides made dangerous incursions into each other’s vital areas but could not convert the early begging chances.

Eighteen minutes into the half, Rangers International got a golden opportunity to slot the ball into the net but FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s goal tender, Ikechukwu Ezenwa stopped the goal bound shot.

What would have been a curtain raiser for FC Ifeanyi Ubah came in forty four minutes of play when Seka Pascal was brought down in the Rangers eighteen yard box but the visitor’s goal keeper Nnana Bonsu parried the ball into corner kick.

The game progressed into a ding dong affair in the second half with the two sides making the mandatory substitutions but failed to convert their chances.

Last seasons highest goal scorer, Godwin Obaje, who was making his debut for the Anambra Warriors was dangerously brought down by the Rangers goal keeper in the 75 minute, and Prince Aggreh wasted no time in converting the spot kick which threw the supporters of FC Ifeanyi Ubah into a frenzy jubilation.

Five minutes to the end of the match, Rangers defender, Pape Sane got the matching order for a dangerous attack on an FC Ifeanyi Ubah player.

FC Ifeanyi’ s Chief Coach, Preko Yaw, commended his lads for working very hard to win the three points at stake. He reassured the fans of the Anambra darling team that things can only get better for the side.

The gates of the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi, have been thrown open to fans for Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture against Enugu Rangers.

The oriental derby is crucial in the strategic plans to steer the Anambra Warriors to winning ways in the league, as well as the CAF Confederation campaigns.

The management of the club yesterday announced that the gates of “The Fortress” will be free to encourage the fans to come en mass to cheer the team to victory against the Flying Antelopes, who are also struggling to fine tune their rhythm this season.

A win against Enugu Rangers will boost the Anambra Warriors upwards movement on the ladder.

Meanwhile, FC Ifeanyi Ubah captain, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said the match will be tough given the existing rivalry and the fact that both sides will be facing their respective continental foes after the league clash.

“Enugu Rangers is a big brand in Nigerian football and a side we respect quite well. They have proved overtime to be a good side,” said the Super Eagles goalkeeper.

“Of course, the rivalry has been there and the encounter is an oriental derby, it’s certainly going to be tough.

“Rangers are certain to come into the match with a tinge of revenge, we denied them the opportunity to win the NPFL Super Four on home soil as well as the Charity Cup in Abuja.

“The stake is quite high and it’s sure to serve as a tonic to push us to further excel as a good performance against Rangers will greatly help us to confront the Egyptian side, Al-Masry in CAF Confederation Cup match day 1 fixture,” said the Nigerian shot stopper.

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Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi on Sunday at the Abubkar Tafawa Balewa Stadium defeated visiting FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi 3-1 in a 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture.

The visiting team opened scores five minutes into the game through striker Prince Aggreh to set the tone for an interesting game.

Wikki Tourists however equalised in the 39th minute, before Richard Jonathan gave them the lead six minutes later, while Mohammed Guda put the game beyond the visitors in the 80th minute.

Baba Ganaru, Wikki’s Technical Adviser, in a post-match interview, said he was satisfied with the performance of his team.

“`During our previous matches, I wanted to test all the players and see their performance and I have started seeing it.

“With what I have seen today, it means the team is ready to prosecute its continental compaign and I am happy.

“I want to call on our fans and supporters to be patient. That is the game of football and we must exercise some restraint to succeed,” Ganaru said.

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FC Ifeanyiubah new boy Godwin Obaje has ruled himself out of Sunday's Nigeria Professional Football League clash against his former club Wikki Tourists.

 The 19-year-old penned a lucrative three-year contract with the Anambra Warriors on Friday after failing to secure a move abroad.

"I have not resumed training yet with FC Ifeanyiubah," the forward who was top scorer in the NPFL with 18 goals last season.

"I will hopefully start training with the team next week after they return from  Sunday's game in Bauchi.

"It would have been difficult to face Wikki Tourists as I still love the club so much but as a professional, there is nothing you can do about it."

0baje spent two seasons with Wikki Tourists following his arrival from Nigeria National League side, JUTH FC

credit: completesportsnigeria

FC Ifeanyi Ubah have completed the signing of last season’s Nigerian Professional Football League top scorer Godwin Obaje from Wikki Tourist.Obaje’s 18 goals propelled Wikki Tourist to a third spot finish last season and help them secure a Confederation Cup ticket.

He sort a move away from the Bauchi-based club in the current transfer window, but after two failed attempts, he returned to NPFL.

He agreed a deal with FCIU on a 3-year deal per FCIU media Officer, Iyke Nwokedi.

It is reported the Striker will now earn Obaje ?500,000 weekly. Obaje is also said to have been placed on a monthly salary of ?2million [about $6,500], which would make him the highest paid player in the league per Jide Alaka.

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FC IfeanyiUbah (FCIU) head coach, Yaw Preko says the scheduling of matches in this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is badly affecting performances of clubs in the top division.

All sides in the country’s top flight have played four matches in ten days and Preko says the strains and physical demands are too much for the players to cope with.

The former Ghana international striker explained that the peculiar geographical terrain of Nigeria makes it even more demanding for clubs with two games scheduled for a week in the opening two weeks of the season.

“(On Wednesday), we did not really settle early on and it was the same for Rivers United and this was because both sets of players were fatigued.

“The long travels and the time (required to recover and recuperate is so short) that it is killing everybody.

“Even though they (Rivers United) got a point, it was clear they did not play to their usual standard because of fatigue,” Preko told supersport.com.

FCIU and Rivers United are two of Nigeria’s four representatives in Caf’s inter-club competitions this year and Preko says the scheduling of domestic games may negatively affect both sides in the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

“It is very hectic travelling (by road) for over ten hours and I am talking from the point of view of a former footballer.

“Nigeria is very big it is very different when compared to other countries.

“In Ghana for instance when you travel (by road) for five or six hours you would have (covered a lot of ground).

“Every coach wants to parade his best so it is very difficult to rest players.

“You are forced to take your best players along because you don’t want to underrate any team.

“Even if a player sits on the bench he will still be fatigued because he has embarked on a long journey.

“I believe we will get time (or the fixtures to be spaced out) before we play on the continent to slow things down.

“The teams have to prepare themselves if not, I believe it will take a toll on the teams representing Nigeria on the continent,” he said.

FCIU will next travel to Bauchi (a trip of approximately 622 kilometres) to face Wikki Tourists in their next league game on Sunday.

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FC IfeanyiUbahcaptain and  goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, has expressed his disappointments following his side's failure to record a win in Wednesday's Nigeria Professional Football League clash against Rivers United in NNewi.

The hosts dominated the game from start to the end,but were undone by their profligacy in front of goal.

 The Anambra Warriors have recorded only one  win from their four games this season and Ezenwa reckons that is not good enough for a side looking to win the title.

"It was disappointing that we failed to beat Rivers United as we played well in the game and had numerous chances which we couldn't convert," Ezenwa tells our sports team.

"We want to win the title this season after coming close last term, and to achieve that, we need to start winning games.

" We can be proud of our performance in the game which I believe will get better as the season progresses.

"Our focus is now on the next game which we must win to improve our position in the table.

The Nnewi-based side will will next face Wikki Tourists in matchday-5 fixture on Sunday at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

credit: completesportsnigeria

FC IfeanyiUbah captain Ikechukwu Ezenwa says the Nnnewi based side remain focused going into Wednesday’s clash against Rivers United.

Defeat by ABS at the weekend according to him has been pushed to the back seat, insisting that the players have resolved to take one game at a time as the league progresses.

The former Sunshine stars safe hand said the team’s desire to do well both in the league and in the continent demands that every match be given maximum attention. “We try not to dwell on past matches but focus on coming ones. When you lose a match you could look back at it with a view to identifying the shortcomings but you don’t allow it affect subsequent matches and that is what we are doing,” he enthused

Wednesday’s tie promises to be full of fireworks as both teams are not only desperate to replicate their performance last season, but are hoping to maintain a super form to aid their continental campaign.

Hosts IfeanyiUbah are flying the nation’s flag in the CAF Confederation Cup while visiting Rivers United are campaigning in the CAF Champions league.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah put behind their disgraceful action at Kano Pillars at the weekend to dump MFM FC 4-0 as Plateau United bashed Enyimba 3-1 at home in continuation of NPFL action yesterday.

IfeanyiUbah aban-doned the opening game of the new season on Saturday and have since been sanctioned by the league organisers. IfeanyiUbah FC They put all their troubles behind them to record a big home win over MFM FC,who ironically also won big at the weekend at home against Niger Tornadoes.

First half goals by Yaya Kone, Jimoh Oni and King Osanga as well as Ifeanyi Onuigbo late in the second half gave Ifeanyi Ubah their first win of the season.

In Jos, Plateau United showed they were truly at home when they raced to a 3-0 lead against seven-time champions Enyimba, before Ikechukwu Ibenegbu made the scores a lot more respectable with a late strike  for ‘The People’s Elephant’.

There were also home wins for Gombe United, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars of Akure.

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Isaac Danladi, Chairman, Nassarawa United FC, today applauded the League Management Company (LMC) over the N9.1 million fine on IfeanyiUbah FC for abandoning its match against Kano Pillars.

Danladi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the fine would ensure that discipline remained the hallmark of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

FC IfeanyiUbah abandoned their match with Pillars at the Sani Abacha’s Stadium, Kano, on Sunday over perceived unjust calls by referee, Ajayi Foluso.

The Anambra Warriors were understood to be livid because of the alleged questionable officiating that led to one of their players being sent off and their goal overruled by Ajayi.

Pillars were 1-0 up before the abrupt end of the game, courtesy of a solitary strike from Gambo Mohammed.

“I feel what happened is quite unnecessary and it is quite disheartening, and capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

“However, I think I’m satisfied that the LMC has to step in and came up with a fine to serve as deterrent to other clubs who might have the negative impression of doing the same thing.

“It was quite unprofessional for such thing to happen.

“I think the proprietor of FC IfeanyiUbah, a respected Nigerian had to also quickly take some staunch measures against their officials who were culpable in the Kano saga.

“What happened was quite unfortunate; it’s capable of bringing the name of LMC into disrepute as well as the NPFL,’’ he said.

The match was abandoned in the 50th minute as the referee was forced to end it after the Nnewi-based side forfeited the game.

Reacting, the Chairman of FC IfeanyiUbah, said: “I’m not in the position to know whether the fine was too harsh.

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