EFE AMBROSE CLAIMS FOURTH PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE

Super Eagles and Celtic defender Efe Ambrose won his fourth Premier league title with the side Saturday following a 3-1 victory over Hearts.

 Ambrose who joined the side in 2012 has previously claimed three league titles 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 before Saturday’s icing on the cake.  While Saturday's victory marks fourth league title for Ambrose, it marks a record 47th title for the club.

Although Ambrose and his teammates were playing away, there was nothing to show that they had any disadvantage on the day as they maintained a 50-50 possession with the host.

 Celtic's Kazim-Richards shot the club into the lead in the 17th minute and it took the hosts 40 minutes to respond and find an equalizer thanks to their Nigerian import Abiola Dauda.

Hearts however failed to consolidate on Abiola's strike; rather it was the visitors that increased the tally in the 66th and 85th minutes respectively thanks to Patrick Roberts and home boy   Leigh  Griffiths. 

Aside from the Premier league titles, other titles that Ambrose has claimed with the club include one Scottish Cup in 2013 and one Scottish league Cup in 2015.

WE WON'T UNDERRATE IKORODU UNITED -UBIDO

Super Eagles and Heartland midfielder Julius Ubido has declared that the Nazi Millionaires will not underrate Ikorodu United when both sides file out  in today's showdown at the Agege Township stadium.

 Ubido who confirmed in a chat with Sportinglife Friday that the team had to pass a night at Ijebu Ode following some logistic setbacks however expressed optimism that the side will come out smoking with a view to leaving the pitch with a good result at the end of 90 minutes.

Every member of the team according to him is in super shape and eager to  battle the Ikorodu lads who according to him are sure to put in all the arsenals in their armory in the match.

"We are not going to underrate Ikorodu United; we will play them just like we have been playing other opponents.  No team in the premier league today is a push over and none can be dubbed an easy prey.  We desire to win and we will play our game and expect to achieve set target without underrating anybody, “he said

The Ikorodu United versus Heartland show interestingly will be followed by MFM vs Akwa United clash. 

 While the Heartland game will kick off at 6pm that of Akwa United will kick off at 8pm even as some fans have described the Agege stadium as new destination of night football in the NPFL.
Some fans who spoke to Sportinglife ahead of today's double header, said Ikorodu United will need a miracle to survive the stings of Heartland as they attempt to taste victory dance considering their losing streak in recent times. 

 Heartland go into the match fresh from   1-1 draw in the Oriental clash against Enyimba while Ikorodu United are heading into the match from a lone goal defeat by El-kanemi warriors of Maiduguri
The last time the Sam Okpodu tutored Ikorodu United had what could resemble a smile on their face was April 10 when they managed to pull a goalless draw against Sunshine Stars of Akure. 

That near smile situation was later dented by a 2-0 defeat by Tornadoes followed by a lone goal defeat by El-Kanemi Warriors. Die- hard fans of the local league are predicting a near carnival atmosphere today at the Agege stadium.
"It promises to be a big show. Night football at the Agege Stadium is bringing back good feeling about the Nigerian league and we hope it continues," submitted a number of fans who told Sportinglife they have already concluded arrangement to be present at the stadium for the two matches on queue.
Ikorodu United are rooted at the bottom of the 20-team NPFL with six points in 13 matches while visiting opponents Heartland occupy the 11th position on the log with 18 points in 13 matches.

  Rangers however continue to enjoy their number one position with 27 points in 13 matches. 

REDKNAPP SHUNS EAGLES APPROACH FOR CENTRAL COAST MARINERS JOB

Nigeria's desire to have former Tottenham coach Harry Redknapp as the next Super Eagles coach may not work out after all as the 69 year old coach has been confirmed as consultant to Australia football league side Central Coast Mariners

According to information dished out by the club Redknapp will spend some of the 2016-17 A-League campaign in Australia, with Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth announcing the news at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony on Friday.

The former West Ham and Portsmouth sweat merchant has been out of full-time management since leaving QPR in April last year, but took on advisory role at Championship outfit Derby county last month. Recall that he took charge of Jordan for two world cup qualifiers in March which ended in an 8-0 win over Bangladesh and a 5-1 defeat to Australia

After the nail biting challenges that the Super Eagles had to go through following the resignation of former coach Sunday Oliseh, many will no doubt expect that any coach to be contracted for the team will be one that has the time and disposition to stay and tinker the team into shape. How possible it will be for Redknapp to combine both jobs even if he desires to do so remains to be seen

WHEN LAUGHTER AND SMILE BECOMES UNNECESSARY

Laughter is a natural phenomenon.

In fact your doctor will encourage you to laugh and smile as much as possible because it is good for your health, however laughter or a smile could equally mean tacit approval just like a nod.

This is why it   must be controlled. Laughing or smiling sheepishly can be irritating and even doing it at the wrong time and place can be viewed with total disdain. 

So when the Bible tells you that there is time for everything under the sun it did not mince words and was not playing to the gallery. 

Talking about laughter and smile as tacit approval.  These days when incidences of rape and taking advantage of young girls  by mentally deranged young men and dirty minded old men has become a recurring decimal, parents especially mothers must be extra vigilant and must resist the temptation to smile or laugh at any act which appears to show that anybody known or unknown is taking or about to take advantage of their young ones.

 How many times do you check your kid’s school bag? Do you query them when you see a packet of biscuit which you did not buy in that bag? 

 How many times do you assist them in their home work and by so doing interact with them long enough to the point that they are free to  tell you who said what and who did what in School and at home while you were away?

 When you notice a particular uncle has taken it upon himself to buy your kids biscuit and other bag of rubbish unsolicited do you immediately call the fellow to order and warn him to dump the unsolicited gesture or do you smile sheepishly or even pretend not to have seen it? 

Such unsolicited gesture could be a prelude to acting a devilish script that can ruin that child if not dictated.

 Laugh and smile if and when you must, but never be sheepish about it and never put up a façade in the midst of a developing bad behavior that should be nipped in the bud, doing so is like postponing the dooms day. 

Shine Your Eyes Always!

OLISEH SYMPATHIZES WITH IGHALO OVER FATHER'S DEATH

Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has sympathized  with Super Eagles and Watford forward Odion Ighalo over the  death of his father Paul Ighalo on Monday.

While calling for prayer from Nigerians for God to grant him the fortitude to bear the loss, Oliseh who has since moved on with his life after dumping the national team job, described Odion as good player to work with.

Oliseh who will be playing a major role at the forth coming Rio Olympics having been offered a role by FIFA took to the social media shortly after the death of Ighalo senior went public, to express his heart felt pain.

"My most sincere condolences to Odion Ighalo on the death of his father Join me in wishing him God's support  such a nice fella to work with!, “he said

Odion who was hit by the unfortunate news shortly after featuring in FA Cup semi final clash against Crystal Palace is not expected to return to Nigeria immediately but will remain in England till the burial arrangement is concluded.  He however confirmed that he will keep in constant touch with his family members for update on burial arrangement.

The 26-year-old Nigerian has scored 14 goals to help his side to 12th place on the table, away from relegation waters after gaining promotion to the Premier League this season. But for  Watford's 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in the semi final of the FA Cup, Odion would have written his name in the history books of the club as one of the players to have played in the finals of the FA Cup  

ALL EYES ON ODION IGHALO IN FA CUP SEMI FINAL SHOWDOWN

All eyes will be on Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo as Watford face Crystal Palace today in the FA Cup semi final with intent to pick the remaining finals ticket.

Manchester United survived a breath taking encounter against Everton on Saturday to qualify for the Final billed for Wimbley Stadium May 21.

It would be the 135th edition of the competition considered to be the world's oldest football cup competition.

Manchester United have won the cup a record 11 times and ended up as runners up 7 times.  The last time the Old Trafford landlords won the trophy was in 2004.

 Watford who will be underdogs against Manchester United should they succeed in edging out Crystal Palace today, have only managed to end up as runners up in 1983/84 edition, but  have elected to take one match at a time even as the club's fans expect Ighalo to rise to the occasion and show Crystal Palace the door today.

  Ighalo has made 30 appearances for the club this season scoring 16 goals in the bargain.

Crystal palace were FA Cup runners up in 1990, thus today's semi final clash could be said to battle of the underdogs.

Watford captain Troy Deeney believes today's clash is a huge opportunity for the players to write their names into the club's history books

A place in the cup final for the first time since 1984 is on offer for Quique Sanchez Flores' men, with Watford having all-but secured their Premier League survival.

Victory over West Brom last Saturday took them past 40 points in the league, while a 2-1 triumph against Arsenal sealed their last-four spot in the cup.

And Deeney believes a cup final berth added to their league success would see the current squad go down in Watford history.

"I was confident we would do well at the start of the season," he told the club's official website and then added that the players are determined to become legend by making history in the FA cup.

AKWA UNITED KNOW FED CUP OPPONENTS MAY 5

Federation cup champions Akwa United will know their first opponents ahead of the title defense next month.

Head of Federation Cup Unit of the NFF Emmanuel Adesanya who confirmed that the draws for the 2016 Federation Cup will take place May 5th added that 61 teams will lock horns in the men's federation Cup while 22 teams will battle for honours in the women's category.

Akwa United defeated Lobi stars 2-1 in breath taking encounter decided at the Teslim Balogun stadium to emerge Champions last edition.

The uncertainties of the FA Cup and the surprises that come with it will not be missing considering the presence of some unknown teams that are likely to spring upset.

The Likes of Papilo FC of Imo State, Akwanga selected of Nasarawa, Flash Flamengoes of Gombe and Gashaka Green Buffaloes of Taraba are some of the teams that will be locking horns with the traditional league teams in the competition.

Comprehensive list of teams that will battle for honours in this year Federation cup in the men's category is as follows; Enyimba FC, Abia Warriors (Abia); Akwa United FC, Starlets FC (Akwa Ibom); FC IfeanyiUbah (Anambra); Wikki Tourists, Wikki Tourists Feeders (Bauchi); Yenagoa City, Nembe City (Bayelsa); Lobi Stars, Dreams FC

(Benue); El-Kanemi Warriors, El-Kanemi Babes (Borno); Rovers FC (Cross River); Warri Wolves, J. Atete (Delta); Ebonyi United (Ebonyi); Inneh Stars, Dynamite FC (Edo);

Enugu Rangers (Enugu); Top World, Ekiti United (Ekiti); FC Abuja, FRSC FC (FCT); Yarmalight FC, Flash Flamingoes (Gombe); Heartland FC, Papilo FC (Imo); Jigawa Golden Stars (Jigawa);

Kaduna United (Kaduna); Kano Pillars (Kano); Katsina United, Katsina United Jnr (Katsina); Galadima Best, Zara FC (Kebbi); Kwara United, ABS FC (Kwara); Kogi United,

FC Lokoja (Kogi); MFM FC, Bridge FC (Lagos); Nasarawa United, Akwanga Selected (Nasarawa); Niger Tornadoes (Niger); Sunshine Stars, Akure City (Ondo); Gateway FC,

Almar FC (Ogun); Prime FC (Osun); Shooting Stars, Crown FC (Oyo); Plateau United, Giwa FC (Plateau); Rivers United, Go-Round FC (Rivers); Sokoto United, Fasbir FC (Sokoto); Gashaka Green Buffaloes (Taraba); Yobe Desert Stars, Damaturu United (Yobe); FC Zamfara (Zamfara)

The women teams are COD United Ladies, FC Robo (Lagos); Capital City Doves (FCT); Sure Babes (Kwara); Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa); Rivers Angels (Rivers), Delta Queens

(Delta); Bayelsa Queens (Bayelsa); Abia Angels, Gift of Life (Abia); Edo Queens, Martins White Doves (Edo); Tokas Queens, Mosco Queens (Ogun); Sunshine Queens, Rising Queens (Ondo); Confluence Queens (Kogi); Katsina Queens (Katsina); Osun Queens (Osun); Ibom Angels, Alberto Queens (Akwa Ibom); Pelican Stars (Cross River).

BUSY BEES OF ALL TIMES!

They are always on duty, always all over the place.

 Look around whenever and wherever it is happening, you must find them there, if they happen to be missing when any event occurs, then give them few minutes and they will invade the place like bees.

Sniffing around, asking questions, taking notes and comparing notes, digging into the past and comparing with the present.

Some times while searching and pursuing headlines and deadlines they forget that they are even humans.

Some forget to eat others forget to catch a nap when they should and even some seldom remember when they run out of cash.

 The ultimate goal at every point in time is to meet with deadline, serve the news while it is still hot.

 That is the life of the average journalist.  His time is often determined by the news whether it is developing or breaking.

 Sometimes you watch them from afar and what you see is a group of busy bees working with heads buried in computers and over devices trying to run faster than time. 

Ironically it is not a one off thing but a ritual that is repeated every day.

 I just remembered the final of the 2016 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) which ended last month in Rwanda.

 A heavy down pour decided to take the center stage just before eventual winners Congo and runners up Mali began the battle for supremacy.

 It came down in torrents and although the press tribune was covered everybody was looking for how best to adjust to avoid being drenched by the rain. But trust the busy bees they continued to do the needful while protecting their computers and other devices like new born babies.

When public holiday is declared, they don't bother to listen because they are often not involved because for them no difference between a working day and any other day for that matter.

 That is the nature of the job and the nature of the busy bees called journalists.  Keep writing, keep talking and keep typing that is the way we roll!

Interestingly the grace of God has continued to protect them as the work round the clock in search of breaking and developing news.  To God be the glory