RandaFooty: Everything Nigerian football, home and abroad

Plateau United and Enyimba exchange pleasantries. Match Day 1 of the 2017 NPFL Invitational Tournament was one of stalemates as th the two games on the day both ended in draws. Plateau United had to come from behind to earn a point against Enyimba. Chinedu Udeagha got their goal before a late Tosin Omoyele spot kick earned a share of the spoils for the reigning champions. MFM went ahead in their game against Akwa United through Adegboyega Adekunle before Ajibola Otegbeye equalized for the Uyo side. Tuesday will be a rest day as Wednesday will see Kano Pillars take on Akwa United while the CHAN Eagles will take on Plateau United. Enjoy the pictures from Kano Enyimba captain, Mfon Udoh waves to the camera Plateau United  The stadium wasn't exactly full but is is expected that as the competition goes on it will get better especially on the days the home side Kano Pillars play. Enyimba FC Feeling fly With a fan. Akwa Utd and MFM excha...

  So after a long wait, Salisu Yusuf has decided to bless us with the list off players he wants to use to prosecute the NPFL Invitational Tournament scheduled to hold from 11-17 December 2017. Possibly the squad for the 2018 CHAN will be picked from the bulk of the players in Kano. There are a few surprises in the squad as a relatively unknown Timothy Danladi made the cut. Ibrahim Mustapha, who once played for Kogi United is also in, while Abdulkadir Zango, creative midfielder Douglas Achiv, Sunday Faleye and the impressive Victor Mbaoma complete the list of newbies in the team. Making a return to the team are Kalu Orji, Dayo Ojo, Austine Oladapo, Joe Osadiaye and Ifeanyi Nweke who have one time or the other been called up to the home based Eagles.

The World Cup draws have come and gone but reactions have kept the conversation going throughout into the new week. It is no longer news that Nigeria’s romance with Argentina has continued as the Super Eagles for the fifth time (in six World Cup appearances) will face the Albiceleste in Group D of the tournament to be held in Russia next summer. Croatia and Iceland are the other two teams in a group that will surely serve up some interesting matches. I think Nigeria can get out of the group but the game against Croatia-our first game will be crucial. We have to get something out of that game and then Iceland, despite their heroics at Euro 2016 is no longer a hidden force with the added dimension that this will be their first ever World Cup appearance, we should be able to sail past their glaciers. The permutation here is that by the time we meet Argentina in the final group game, they would have already qualified for the next stage and won’t be at full t...

Former Flying Eagles star Chukwuma Akabueze was in fine form for his Turkish Lig 1 side Boluspor in their 1-0 away win at Elazigspor on Saturday. Bentley, as he is popularly called, was on for the entire duration of the game and was one of his sides shining lights leading in a keenly contested game. Andre Santos scored the only goal of the game in the for the away side to give them a second successive away win and three points on the road as the Nigeria lasted the entirety of the game. “The game against again Elazigspor was a good match for me according to what my coach told me after the game,” Bentley told 9jafooty after the game. “We didn’t start well this season, but thank God we are picking up and getting good results and my performances have been improving too. “So far I’ve started 12 games out of 13 games we have played this season scoring a goal an providing three assists. The game against Elazigspor was one of my best I must say. The other game I didn't start ...

The football pre-season period in Nigeria is one most football fans in the country look forward to with keen interest as to who will show up through the door to play for their favourite teams Coaches also make the transition as has been the case this season with a bevy of coaches playing musical chairs across the league. These movements are a natural occurrence for leagues all over the world but Nigeria (and a few other countries I must admit) have turned this exciting period to a comedy-fest. I’ve never written about anything like this and I wasn’t convinced to pen something down but like a stubborn goitre, it stuck to my throat and refused to go despite my failed attempts at treating it. I woke up to the news that newly promoted Yobe Desert Stars had signed up 21 players for the new season. I’ve heard of 11-14 players, but 21? That’s a new record (I stand corrected though). But 21? Who does that?. I will get back to Babaganaru Mohammed’s and his record-b...

It is no longer news we whooped Argentina 4-2 in a very interesting game in Krasnodar. I lot has been said about the game but I will drop my two pence after all the euphoria has died down. Meanwhile here is a video highlight of the game just in case  you didn't get to watch the game.

Chairman of Club Owners Association, Barrister Isaac Danladi has congratulated Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Member, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh after the Niger State FA chairman was reappointed into Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Standing Committee. The vice-chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee has been appointed into CAF Technical and Development Committee for duration of two years. Fresh was reappointed into CAF Standing Committee for the third term consecutively. The cycle of the Committee would run from 2017 to 2019. "I want to congratulate my friend and hardworking football administrator, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh for his reappointment into CAF Standing Committee. I join all stakeholders to appreciate the good work Fresh has been doing which got him recognition on the Africa continent," said the Nasarawa United chairman. "For CAF Executives to considered him for the third term to serve Africa confirmed the administ...