Taraba United, Giwa FC, Crown FC and Abia Warriors are the four clubs
that were promoted from the Nigeria National League (NNL) at the end
of last season. They took the place of Kwara United, ABS, Wikki
Tourists and Shooting Stars SC who were relegated to the Nigeria
National League. What are the challenges before the newly promoted
clubs? Futball Galore looks at the goings on among the four teams and
what should be expected of them ahead of the league season.
TARABA UNITED
The Jalingo based club has former Super Eagles' midfielder,Tijani
Babangida as chairman and they sealed a spot in the top flight after a
final day 1-0 win over Giwa FC of Jos. The club came third in the just
concluded Super Four after they lost on penalties in the semi-finals.
A 2-0 win over Crown FC of Ogbomoso guaranteed a top three finish.
The signs within the Taraba United camp do not look good ahead of the
club's maiden appearance in the elite division. If they do not find a
lasting solution to their problems, the club may be courting
relegation even before the start of the league season. But they showed
great intent with the signing of former Heartland gaffer Ndubuisi
Nduka.
Expert Edge: They will battle with relegation, if the proper
mercineries are not in place.
GIWA FC
Everything good has been going the way of Giwa FC and the club is
poised to give a good account of their promotion to the elite division
based on the early signs so far.
The club funded by Ambassador Chris Giwa booked a spot in the premier
league about three games to the end of the season based on the points
between them and others in their group. They eventually picked the
ticket alongside Taraba United despite losing the final day fixture to
the Jalingo-based side.
Giwa have signed four players and have a brilliant coach in Abdullahi
Usman Biffo. They confirmed their readiness for the start of the
league season with their win in the NNL Super Four after a shootout
victory over Abia Warriors in Abuja recently. The club is a typical
example of a club with direction and one that has set priorities ahead
of the new league season.
Expert Edge: I believe they will survive when the jungle becomes hot.
ABIA WARRIORS
The Umuahia-based club nicked a spot in the premier league after their
final day 4-0 home win over Akwa Starlets. They picked the ticket
alongside Crown FC of Ogbomoso in a fiercely contested battle between
the two promoted clubs and Remo Stars who almost got the ticket at the
last minute.
Abia Warriors handed the reins of leadership to former Nigeria
defender, Emeka Ezeugo and took the job from coach Chijioke Osuagwu
who led the club to promotion. He was demoted as second in command to
Ezeugo. The club did not do too badly in the Super Four as they only
lost on penalties to eventual winners, Giwa FC.
The Umuahia club is reported to have signed premier league experienced
players like former Enyimba star Damien Udeh. It is only when the
season starts that would tell if the club actually went for the right
set of players. Abia Warriors should not have problems remaining in
the elite class with the experienced bench they have and also a proven
administrator in High Chief Emeka Inyama who is the club's Chairman
and also a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) where he
serves as the Director of Media.
Expert Edge: My fear for Warriors is the presence of Enyimba in Abia.
They have a young squad capable of surviving.
CROWN FC
The Ajilete Boys are among the most stable clubs in the land until
their failure to win any game in two outings at the just concluded
Super Four in Abuja. Crown FC wiped away the tears of Shooting Stars
SC of Ibadan faithful who were still sad at the demotion of the
Oluyole Warriors from the premier league but they may not last long in
the elite division if they do not address their early season's blip.
The top hierarchy has hired a new technical adviser, Lawrence Akpokona
and also asked some players to look elsewhere for their daily bread
while others were told to stay. With the level of work that is
presently ongoing in the team, Crown FC should remain in the top
flight if they are not their own greatest enemies just like their
sister club that got demoted last season.
Expert Edge: At least Oyo State fans have a team to support after the
relegation of Shooting Stars SC. Crown must recruit if they don't want
to return back to the NNL.
that were promoted from the Nigeria National League (NNL) at the end
of last season. They took the place of Kwara United, ABS, Wikki
Tourists and Shooting Stars SC who were relegated to the Nigeria
National League. What are the challenges before the newly promoted
clubs? Futball Galore looks at the goings on among the four teams and
what should be expected of them ahead of the league season.
TARABA UNITED
The Jalingo based club has former Super Eagles' midfielder,Tijani
Babangida as chairman and they sealed a spot in the top flight after a
final day 1-0 win over Giwa FC of Jos. The club came third in the just
concluded Super Four after they lost on penalties in the semi-finals.
A 2-0 win over Crown FC of Ogbomoso guaranteed a top three finish.
The signs within the Taraba United camp do not look good ahead of the
club's maiden appearance in the elite division. If they do not find a
lasting solution to their problems, the club may be courting
relegation even before the start of the league season. But they showed
great intent with the signing of former Heartland gaffer Ndubuisi
Nduka.
Expert Edge: They will battle with relegation, if the proper
mercineries are not in place.
GIWA FC
Everything good has been going the way of Giwa FC and the club is
poised to give a good account of their promotion to the elite division
based on the early signs so far.
The club funded by Ambassador Chris Giwa booked a spot in the premier
league about three games to the end of the season based on the points
between them and others in their group. They eventually picked the
ticket alongside Taraba United despite losing the final day fixture to
the Jalingo-based side.
Giwa have signed four players and have a brilliant coach in Abdullahi
Usman Biffo. They confirmed their readiness for the start of the
league season with their win in the NNL Super Four after a shootout
victory over Abia Warriors in Abuja recently. The club is a typical
example of a club with direction and one that has set priorities ahead
of the new league season.
Expert Edge: I believe they will survive when the jungle becomes hot.
ABIA WARRIORS
The Umuahia-based club nicked a spot in the premier league after their
final day 4-0 home win over Akwa Starlets. They picked the ticket
alongside Crown FC of Ogbomoso in a fiercely contested battle between
the two promoted clubs and Remo Stars who almost got the ticket at the
last minute.
Abia Warriors handed the reins of leadership to former Nigeria
defender, Emeka Ezeugo and took the job from coach Chijioke Osuagwu
who led the club to promotion. He was demoted as second in command to
Ezeugo. The club did not do too badly in the Super Four as they only
lost on penalties to eventual winners, Giwa FC.
The Umuahia club is reported to have signed premier league experienced
players like former Enyimba star Damien Udeh. It is only when the
season starts that would tell if the club actually went for the right
set of players. Abia Warriors should not have problems remaining in
the elite class with the experienced bench they have and also a proven
administrator in High Chief Emeka Inyama who is the club's Chairman
and also a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) where he
serves as the Director of Media.
Expert Edge: My fear for Warriors is the presence of Enyimba in Abia.
They have a young squad capable of surviving.
CROWN FC
The Ajilete Boys are among the most stable clubs in the land until
their failure to win any game in two outings at the just concluded
Super Four in Abuja. Crown FC wiped away the tears of Shooting Stars
SC of Ibadan faithful who were still sad at the demotion of the
Oluyole Warriors from the premier league but they may not last long in
the elite division if they do not address their early season's blip.
The top hierarchy has hired a new technical adviser, Lawrence Akpokona
and also asked some players to look elsewhere for their daily bread
while others were told to stay. With the level of work that is
presently ongoing in the team, Crown FC should remain in the top
flight if they are not their own greatest enemies just like their
sister club that got demoted last season.
Expert Edge: At least Oyo State fans have a team to support after the
relegation of Shooting Stars SC. Crown must recruit if they don't want
to return back to the NNL.
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