NPL First Eleven

After the first round of the ongoing Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season, 12 actors with the best performance so far have been selected. Also, picked are seven players that will serve as reserves to those in the main team for the first half of the season. Dolphins edged the other sides with four personnel in the 18-man team. Manager Stanley Eguma lead the trio of goalkeeper Rotimi Sunday, Uche Oguchi and Owusu Addae, who is named as a substitute in the side. Newcomers Bukola Babes and Warri Wolves have three player each in the team. Centre-back ThankGod Ike, Emmanuel Omodiagbe and Ehiosun Ekigho are picked from Warri Wolves. From Bukola Babes, Abubakar Yusuf fits into left-back while Effiom Otu-Bassey and Abdulrahman Bashir are named as substitutes. Second-placed Sunshine Stars have Ibrahim Ajani and Cletus Itodo in the side. Abdulwasiu Showemimo (Kano Pillars), Chigozie Christopher (Ocean Boys), Kabiru Sanusi (Kwara United), Okiemute Odah (Sharks), Ojo Mine (Enugu Rangers), Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (Heartland) and James Amankwei (Juth) complete the team for the first stanza. Why they made the team

GK: Rotimi Sunday (Dolphins) So many people might frown at his inclusion in the team but Rotimi definitely played a huge part in Dolphins’ impressive run this season. One of such moment was in the game against Niger Tornadoes in the first round. He edges Sharks’ keeper, Okiemute Odah.

RB: Uche Oguchi (Dolphins) In terms of performance in his position he has been consistent for Dolphins. Oguchi just beat the likes of Ofem Inah of Sunshine Stars, Promise James of Bukola Babes and Kaduna United’s Victor Ezema to claim this spot.

CB: ThankGod Ike (Warri Wolves) Among a glut of centre-backs that were grappling for one of the centre-back positions, Ike was picked for ensuring that Wolves enjoyed a stable backline in the first round. The duo of Fade Adebayo of Bukola Babes and John Fayoseh of Crown FC just missed out on two of the centre-back roles.

CB: Abdulwasiu Showemimo (Kano Pillars) Though he missed a number of games for Kano Pillars in the first round of the season due to national team engagement, the absence of the strongman showed that the former champions missed his defensive qualities.

LB: Abubakar Yusuf (Bukola Babes) The Bukola Babes’ left-back showed that he is capable of competing with the big boys of the topflight by claiming this position ahead of Mine Ojo of Rangers. He is also one of the dead-ball specialists for his team.

RM: Chigozie Christopher (Ocean Boys) The under20 national team player has been one of the major reasons that Ocean Boys have climbed out of the drop zone after a disastrous start this season. He slots into this role ahead of Effiom Otu-Bassey of Bukola Babes who can play from both right and left of the midfield. He is one of the two players to have scored a hat-trick this term.

CM: Emmanuel Omodiagbe (Warri Wolves) After seamlessly settling down at Warri Wolves after switching from Heartland, Omodiagbe has put in great performances in the middle of the pack, as he has formed a superb partnership with Michael Okoyoh and Chimezie Mba.

CM: Cletus Itodo (Sunshine Stars) He has been Sunshine Stars’ enforcer in the middle this term. Coach Gbenga Ogunbote considers him a very important player in his plan and he beats Owusu Addae of Dolphins for this position in terms of all-round play.

LM: Ibrahim Ajani (Sunshine Stars) He is not an out-and-out striker. Ajani can play from the middle, the wings and as an offensive midfielder or attacking midfielder. The NPL leading scorer claim the left side of midfield ahead of Effiom Otu-Bassey.

ATT: Kabiru Sanusi (Kwara United) Sanusi's consistent scoring streak has been Kwara United's turning point just at the tail of the first round.

ATT: Ehiosun Ekigho (Warri Wolves) He pairs Sanusi in a two-man attack. Ekigho has suddenly upped his game this term and even got a cap with the Super Eagles in a friendly game Sierra Leone. He has scored seven goals this term.

Coach: Stanley Eguma (Dolphins) No doubt Eguma has built a strong team with Dolphins this term. His team has won four times on the road and finished the first round on top of the table. That is why he is rated ahead of Gbenga Ogunbote of Sunshine Stars, Paul Aigbogun of Warri Wolves and Festus Allen of Bukola Babes.

Team of first stanza GK: Rotimi Sunday (Dolphins) RB: Uche Oguchi (Dolphins) CB: ThankGod Ike (Warri Wolves) CB: Abdulwasiu Showemimo (Kano Pillars) LB: Abubakar Yusuf (Bukola Babes) RM: Chigozie Christopher (Ocean Boys) CM: Emmanuel Omodiagbe (Warri Wolves) CM: Cletus Itodo (Sunshine Stars) LM: Ibrahim Ajani (Sunshine Stars) ATT: Kabiru Sanusi (Kwara United) ATT: Ehiosun Ekigho (Warri Wolves) Coach: Stanley Eguma (Dolphins)

Reserves

GK: Okiemute Odah (Sharks)

LB: Ojo Mine (Enugu Rangers)

LM: Effiom Otu-Bassey (Bukola Babes)

CM: Owusu Addae (Dolphins)

AM: Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (Heartland)

ATT: Abdulrahman Bashir (Bukola Babes)

ATT: James Amankwei (Juth)

UNBEATEN BRFCC ZOOMS INTO SEMI-FINALS OF GTASSUR 20/20 TOURNAMENT

BRFCC sealed their progression to the GTAssur 20/20 Semi-Finals with a 81-run victory over stubborn Foundation Cricket Club 2 in their encounter at the prestigious Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

Sean Phillips won the toss and saw his Vice-Captain Endurance Ofem compile an assured 63 runs with Sean Phillips(47 runs),Femi Solebo(44 runs) and Leke Oyede’s(11 runs not out) added to the 211 runs for loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs posted by the current champions of Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Club Committee League.

Sunkanmi Odedele and Lumumba Otegbeye led the way for Foundation Cricket Club 2 in their reply but the number one and two batsmen were left on 23 runs and 28 runs respectively as FCC 2 finished 81 runs short for all wickets lost.

The win leaves BRFCC as the only unbeaten side in all tournaments this season,with Sean Phillips’s side boasting of 12 matches without suffering a loss as they also earned a Semi-Final berth on the 26^th or 27^th of March against the winners of RedBull Cricket Club and Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club which comes up on the 19^th of March at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

Five of the Ten wickets lost by FCC 2 was attributed to Leke Oyede’s superb bowling as he made life unbearable in the batting crease for Dele Oshodi’s side.

The Old Boy of Methodist Boys’ High School,Victoria Island all round player eventually finished on 5-21 as FCC 2 players were skittled out for 120 runs.

Sports Arena: GCIOBCC BOOK SEMI-FINAL SPOT IN THE GTASSUR 20/20 ...

Sports Arena: GCIOBCC BOOK SEMI-FINAL SPOT IN THE GTASSUR 20/20 ...: "Defending champion, Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club began their Gtassur 20/20 title defence on an impressive note by defea..."

GCIOBCC BOOK SEMI-FINAL SPOT IN THE GTASSUR 20/20 TOURNAMENT

Defending champion, Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club began their Gtassur 20/20 title defence on an impressive note by defeating Foundation Cricket Club 1 with 70 runs.

Captain Oluwaseun Odeku, who made 48 runs in their last match against relegated Lagos Asians Cricket Club in the semi-final of the 10^th Express Discount Limited Knockout series struck a 74 runs not out which was supported by the quartet of Ramit Gill (36 runs), Chimezie Onwuzulike (19 runs), Adegbola Kunle (15 runs) and Tayo Atoloye (13 runs) as the Ibadan based side made 190 runs for loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.

The ageing FCC 1 members who made light work of Stallions Cricket Club in their round of 16 game found it hard to cope with the batting skills of the defending champion as the FCC 1 bowlers were hit for boundaries on different occasions.

Dipo Idowu,Dimeji Oladunjoye, Oris Oruye, Sarumi Damola and Vini Olickal all had 1 wicket each in the high point of the first innings.

In truth, Foundation Cricket Club 1 almost gave GCIOBCC a scare with opening batsman Sarumi Daramola hitting some boundaries before he was caught on 14 runs, Current Chairman of Lagos State Cricket Association Koffi Sagoe Showed some flashes of brilliance by scoring 26 runs while wicket keeper Okwara James entertained Cricket fans at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval with some beautiful fours and six which gave an idea of who he was when he was growing up as a Cricketer.

Oris Oruye, former captain of Foundation Cricket Club was not also left out as he added 14 runs not out to the 120 runs scored in 20 overs for loss of 6 wickets by the FCC 1 team.

At the point where Okwara James was feeling comfortable with Kunle Adegbola one of Nigeria’s most respected bowlers,Captain Oluwaseun Odeku was seen once again to be superb with his bowling as he grabbed 3 wickets, 21 runs in 4 overs, while pace bowler Chibuike Iteogu also tormented the young at heart batsmen of FCC 1 with his pace bowling which also earned him 3 wickets for 5 runs in 2 overs.

The Adegbola Ogunshina’s managed team have now booked their place in the semi-final of the GTassur 20/20 tournament where they will confront the winner between Lagos Asians Cricket Club and Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club 2 at a yet to be fixed date.

SOLEBO GUIDES BRFCC INTO EXPRESS DISCOUNT LIMITED KNOCKOUT FINAL

BRFCC booked their place in the final of 10^th Express Discount Limited knockout series competition by dispatching Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club by 5 wickets at the Unilag Cricket Oval.

BRFCC made it to another final in a space of 7 days after dispatching Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club by 5 wickets in the semi-final of Express Discount Limited Knockout series competition.

The Roland Ilube’s side won the toss & elected to bat first, scoring 157 runs all out in 33.5 overs.

Opening batsman Austin Alikali and Emmanuel Okwudili both scored 38 runs respectively while the duo of Femi Oduyebo and Olanbiwonnu Kehinde also had 18 and 16 runs respectively.

The Warri based side displayed great batting when she defeated defending champion Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club last weekend at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval by 4 wickets but found it hard to cope with the bowling attack of Joshua Ogunlola, Leke Oyede, Akolade Saheed and Captain Sean Phillips who all look two wickets each to make life unbearable for their opponents in the batting crease.

Despite spinner Olanbiwonnu Kehinde’s 4 wickets for 21 runs in 7 overs, it was not enough to save his team from a defeat. Opening batsman for BRFCC Solebo Femi topped with 64 runs not-out off 95 balls which also included three (4’s) and two (6’s) while his effort was complemented by Vice-Captain of BRFCC who also is the newly elected Captain of Nigeria’s Cricket National team, Endurance Ofem (23 runs) and Leke Oyede (22 runs not out) as the unbeaten side posted 160 runs for loss of 5 wickets in 30 overs.

Captain Sean Phillips’ team have now played 11 games to still remain unbeaten in all competitions this season. Both teams who also have a date to keep in the final of the Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League Super 4 on the 20^th of March 2011 at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, gave Cricket fans a taste of what could be expected on that day.

One would have thought the absence of defending champion GCIOBCC in the final will make it a stroll in the park for BRFCC but with yesterday’s display by FGCWOBCC one is assured of an interesting game.

LAGOS ASIANS CRICKET CLUB MAKE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS LABOUR FOR WIN

Lagos Asians Cricket Club made defending champion Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club work hard for their place in the final where they would confront League Champions BRFCC.

The Oluwaseun Odeku team set an intimidating 256 runs for loss of 8 wickets in 35 overs after a superb 86 runs from Obed Harvey, Captain Odeku Seun 48runs, Adegbola Kunle 24 runs, Chimezie Onwuzulike 20 runs and Osita Onwuzulike 19 runs not out.

Sharma took 2 wickets for 30 runs in 4 overs just as Yawar 2 wickets, 40 runs, I maiden in 7 overs while Sominoni for LACC also had 2-44.

In reply, Happy hit seven fours and six sixes in 83 runs but bowler Obed Harvey took 3-16 as the Asians were all out for 228 for 9 wickets.

Yawar, Mundhra and Darhoe for the relegated Asians contributed 40 runs, 24 runs and 19 runs respectively to the total score put on board but the duo of Tayo Okusanya & new invitee into Nigerian Cricket National team’s set-up Gill Ramit both had 2 wickets each for GCIOBCC as the champions of last season bounced back from last weekend’s Super 4 Semi-Final loss to Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club.

For a while in that match it was all Happy, Lagos Asians Cricket Club middle order batsman who made spinner Osita Onwuzulike’s bowling look ordinary by hitting him for fours and sixes thereby considering attending a coaching clinic on spinning from the experts.

Just as Foundation Cricket Club tried to cause an upset in their Quarter-final fixture against the Ibadan based side the same thing almost happened this weekend at the Unilag Cricket Oval where their Semi-Final game against Lagos Asians Cricket Club who had Captain Ricky Sharma absent .

But for the Championship stuff the Oluwaseun Odeku team parades it would have been a bitter pill in their mouth to swallow missing out on another major final. The stage is now set for a repeat of what happened during the 9^th Express Discount Limited knockout Series Competition where GCIOBCC emerged Champions. Certainly this would be a different ball game entirely which would be hard for anyone to predict.