RandaFooty: Everything Nigerian football, home and abroad

After a six-year career with Kano Pillars, Chris Madaki has ended his association with the Kano side. The left-back, who joined the team from Giwa FC has played over 100 games for Pillars and feels it is now time for a fresh challenge with Plateau United as his favourite destination. Madaki, a former U23 international, who is now in Jos holidaying feels he has given Pillars his all and wants a fresh challenge in the league. “I enjoyed my time with Pillars and I want to thank them for the chance to play for a famous side like theirs,” he told Andrew Randa.

Just before the new Nigeria Professional Football League season started, I had an idea of how things will pan out. I thought to myself I had it all figured out. In my head, Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Rivers United and Plateau United will fight for the title while Adamawa United, Sunshine Stars, Jigawa Stars and Dakkada were the teams I tipped to fall out. I know, I know what you are going to say but I had my reasons then and some are taking shape based on the seven matchdays we’ve had so far but I must admit I have been way off the mark with most of my predictions.

Arsenal U23 defender Joseph Olowu is primed to follow in the footsteps of former Arsenal star Alex Iwobi as he has declared his allegiance to Nigeria. Olowu, who is a mainstay in the Arsenal U23 side, was initially pencilled to be part of the Flying Eagles preparatory camp in Germany before Poland 2019 but injury cut short that dream. The centre back, who can also play at right-back and in defensive midfield overcame that injury and is now having a decent run in Arsenal’s U23 side. Olowu, 19, who also trains with the Arsenal first-team, told Andrew Randa that Nigeria has always been on his mind and will always be the first choice.

Head Coach Paul Aigbogun has named Captain Ikouwem Utin, goalkeeper Olawale Oremade, midfielder Kingsley Michael and forward Henry Offia in his list of 21 players for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Poland. Also included are defender Valentine Ozornwafor – named in the Team of the Tournament at the U20 AFCON finals in Niger Republic in February – and vivacious attacking midfielder Effiom Maxwell. Aigbogun spoke to the players over dinner at their Bad Goegging, Germany training camp on Monday where he unveiled the list. The announcement by Aigbogun comes less than 24 hours before the team tackles Austrian club, Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian city of Salzburg on Tuesday evening. The squad’s final pre-World Cup friendly will be against Red Bull Leipzig in Germany on Friday, with the delegation to fly out of Germany to Tychy on Sunday. The Flying Eagles, seven –time champions of the African continent, have finished as runners-up at the FIFA World Cup on two oc...

Newly appointed Technical Adviser of Yobe Desert Stars Taiye Yusuf has said his focus this second half of the season is to keep the Yobe State-owned team in the Nigeria Professional Football League. Yusuf, who was appointed after the sack of Ngozi Elechi on Monday assured the Club’s fans that the team will not go down this season. “We need prayers from the fans of Yobe Desert Stars and by the grace of God we are not going to be relegated this season”. The Club's Managing Director, Mallam Abdulrahman Ago who visited the team at the clubs training ground to confirm Taiye Yusuf as the new Technical Adviser told the players that the coach has served the team right from the lower division to the Nigeria elite league and therefore has acquired a lot experience and that he is sure he would pass it to them. Mallam Abdulrahman Ago said; “He has acquired a lot experience and I’m sure he would pass it to the players” “I call on the players to give their maximum support for us to g...

Defending champions of the Anambra State FA Cup, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and her feeder team have been drawn bye in the build up to the 2019 Neros Cup. The Anambra Warriors will face the winner of the game between Udala FC and Rangels FC in the second round of the competition on 11th April while the Feeder team will tackle the winner of the Global FC and Goddisky FC tie The full fixtures for the first round are as follows: 1. Udala FC vs Rangels FC 2. Kings FC vs Cardinal Arinze FC 3. Terish FC vs Golden Boys 4. Ojukwu FC vs Ogbaru United 5. Aspire FC vs Peace FC 6. All Stars FC vs Disciples of Jesus 7. Ifechukwu FC vs Oyi FC 8. I love you FC vs Dove International 9. Morning Stars FC vs Dosad FC 10. CKC FC vs Chumaco FC 11. Ozalla FA vs Emmykings 12. Umuchineke vs Niger FC 13. Global FC vs Goddisky FC Second Round Fixtures 14. FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs Winner 1 *21. Winner 13 vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah feeders

BestBet360 has officially joined the Nigerian gaming market with a uniquely customer-centric portfolio of refined products. At the media launch on Thursday, CEO Dolan Beuthin said BestBet360 is a betting company that will put the customer first at all times, not only by offering the best odds, but by rewarding customers on a regular and transparent basis with boosted promotional odds