CAF deadline: NPFL clubs face heavy fixtures The Punch
Published 20 July 2021
With the draws for the preliminary round of matches for the 2021/22 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup less than a month away, clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League are faced with a heavy fixture schedule.
The Confederation of African Football at the end of its Executive Committee meeting, which was chaired by its president, Patrice Motsepe, on Friday in Rabat, Morocco, said the draws for both competitions would be held latest August 15.
“The kick-off will be September 10, 2021. The draw for the preliminary rounds will be made on August 15, 2021 at the latest. Bids to host the interclub finals will be open in November 2021,” CAF said in a statement on its website.
Aiteo Cup: Pillars battle Sunshine, Rivers draw Tornadoes in quarter-final The Punch
Published 17 July 2021
Holders Kano Pillars and Sunshine Stars will clash in the quarter-finals of the Aiteo Cup in Lokoja on July 23,
Saturday PUNCH reports.
Pillars edged Kebbi United 3-2 on penalties after a goalless stalemate in the fourth round to set up the clash with Sunshine and midfielder
Tamara Ezekiel believes they can retain their title.
“We want to win everything as a football club and thank God we are through to the next round of the Aiteo Cup. It wasn’t an easy game against Kebbi United but we are happy that we are still in the competition. Retaining the Aiteo Cup is a priority for us,” he said.
At the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri, Bayelsa United’s Emo James opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Okardi Inikurogba doubled the lead in the 45th minute to end Lobi Stars run in this year’s Aiteo Cup,
It will be recalled that the last encounter between both sides was during the Governor Nyesom Wike Pre-season Tournament last year in Port Harcourt where Bayelsa United emerged the only team that defeated Lobi Stars in one of the semi-final matches.
In the other results, Nasarawa United defeated Plateau United 3-1 while Kano Pillars squeezed past Kebbi United 3-2 on penalties after the game ended 0-0 in regulation time.
Aiteo Cup: Underdogs send Akwa, Rangers, Wolves crashing The Punch
Published 9 July 2021 Nigeria Professional Football League table toppers, Akwa United, Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves were sent crashing from the round of 32 of the 2021 Aiteo Cup by lower division sides, The PUNCH reports.
Nigeria National League sides Gateway and Bayelsa United piped Akwa and Rangers 1-0 respectively, while Green Beret emerged 5-4 penalty winners over Wolves after the score line stood at 1-1 after regulation time. In other results, Abia Warriors thrashed Zamfara United 5-0, while Lobi Stars defeated Yobe Desert Stars 1-0. Kano Pillars defeated Lagos side Smart City 4-2, with Niger Tornadoes recording a 2-0 win over Mai Unguwa.
Aiteo Cup: Kano Pillars outsmart, knock out Smart City in Lokoja dailypost.ng - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailypost.ng Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.