WEST HAM ANNOUNCES HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH CAPITAL OIL AND GAS, FC IFEANYI UBAH

Oil giant, Capital Oil and Gas and Anambra based NPFL club side FC Ifeanyi Ubah have inked a long term partnership deal with West Ham United FC, one of the leading clubs in the English Premier League. The deal, which was officially signed today in London is set to be unveiled at the Olympic stadium on Sunday, 21st of August before West Ham United FC's first home league match against Bournemouth.

 

This was contained in a press release made by West Ham United FC via its website www.whufc.com

 

Read the Press release below

 

"West Ham United are delighted to announce the Club’s first ever official partnership in Africa, following the signing of a long-term agreement with Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd, the principal investor in the Nigerian Professional Football League outfit, FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

 

Capital Oil and Gas, a company of strategic national importance in Nigeria stands out as a leading player in the downstream subsector of Nigeria's Petroleum industry and the fastest growing indigenous Oil and Gas company in the West African sub region with a vision to become Africa's first choice provider of energy solutions through innovation, strategic partnership and clientele value added service delivery.

 

The partnership will provide Capital Oil and Gas with a range of rights to promote the business through the football club, driving visibility and awareness as well as focussing on B2B interaction through the use of hospitality at the Hammers’ iconic new home.  

 

Based in Nnewi, Anambra State, and currently competing in the Nigerian Professional Football League, FC Ifeanyi Ubah are to become the Hammers’ Official Nigerian Football Club Partner. 

 

The long-term agreement will also see the two football clubs join forces on a number of football-related projects led by FC Ifeanyi Ubah, from best-practice coaching initiatives to establishing grass roots football programmes in Nigeria, all with a view to improving the standard of football across the region.  

 

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: “This ground-breaking partnership serves to further emphasize our growing international profile, bringing the famous West Ham United name to Africa for the first time in a partnership context.  

 

“The popularity of Premier League football in West Africa has been well documented and it is testament to the Club’s success, on and off the pitch, that we are now considered one of the most high profile and attractive clubs in the region. 

 

“We are looking forward to working alongside FC Ifeanyi Ubah and building a strong legacy in Nigerian football inspired by West Ham United.”

 

Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, owner of FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, added: “We are extremely excited to have signed a partnership with West Ham United and are excited by the prospect of what we can achieve together. This is going to be a massive turnaround for FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Nigerian football and African football by extension.

 

“West Ham were our first choice of all of the Premier League clubs given the club’s rich history, unrivalled reputation for developing talent which we strongly believe will help boost FC Ifeanyi Ubah academy and of course the fantastic new stadium in Stratford.

 

 

“Together with West Ham’s continued success on the field, this is a valuable proposition for our own club’s learning and evolution”.

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FULL WEEK 29 NPFL MATCH REVIEW : FC IFEANYI UBAH VS KANO PILLARS ( Kano Pillars won 2-0 in the First meeting )

By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike  
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit

The Easterners come into this game on the back of a well earned one point in their goalless draw against Heartland FC of Owerri. They won their last home game 1-0 in Nnewi thanks to a header from one of their Brazilian imports--Alberico Da Silva. Unfortunately Alberico Da Silva will be missing this game due to a knock. Also Elu Wilson will sit out of the game due to Malaria.

Coach Rafael Everton would also want his team to build on their qualification for the semi finals of the Federation Cup following their victory over Sunshine Stars. Kano Pillars come into this game on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win over MFM FC at the Sanni Abacha Stadium.

The 'Sai Maisu Gida' as they're popularly known will be confident of getting a point here as Gambo Mohammed will seek to add to his goal tally. It should be a fascinating game with a share of the spoils on the cards here.


Can FC Ifeanyiubah pick up a second win against Kano Pillars since 2005. Time will tell.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah last five matches

FC Ifeanyi Ubah statistic 

They are currently placed Eight on the NPFL table.

They have picked up 10 wins from 26 matches played so far.

They have lost Nine times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, and have never lost at home this season.

They have never won any away games in the NPFL so far this season. 

They have won Ten times at home this season and have won just one away games in the NPFL so far this season.

They have drawn Three times at home this season.

They have conceded 2 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 24 goals while playing away from home.

They have scored 18 goals while playing at home this season and 8 goals while playing away from home.

Their biggest win this season was defeating Ikorodu United 4-1 at home.

Their biggest loss this season was losing to Wikki Tourist 3-1 away from home.

They have failed to score in SEVEN away games and THREE home game this season.

They have kept Eleven Clean sheets at home and One sheet away this season.

Kano Pillars last five matches

Kano Pillars statistic 

They are currently placed Fourth on the NPFL table.

They have picked up 12 wins from 27 matches played so far.

They have lost Eight times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, and have lost once at home this season.

They have won ELEVEN times at home this season and have won just one away games in the NPFL so far this season.

They have drawn Two times at home this season.

They have conceded 10 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 17 goals while playing away from home.

They have scored 32 goals while playing at home this season and a 8 goals while playing away from home.

Their biggest win this season was defeating Shooting Stars 6-0 in Kano.

Their biggest loss this season was losing to El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Kano

They have failed to score in SEVEN away games and One home game this season.

They have kept Seven Clean sheets at home and Three away this season.

My Prediction: Ifeanyi Ubah 1-1 Kano Pillars.

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LMC Fines Heartland ‎N4.75m For Crowd Trouble

 Injured FC Ifeanyi Ubah official

Nigeria Professional ‎Football League (NPFL) side Heartland FC of Owerri have been fined to the tune of N4.75m by the League Management Company (LMC) following the fracas that marred their Matchday 28 fixture with FC IfeanyiUbah at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri at the weekend.

The LMC also announced ‎a suspended points deduction for the crowd incidence while one Iyke Jacob identified as the Club’s Supporters Club Chairman was also banned from all league matches for the rest of the current league season.

Recommendations were also made to the Imo State Football Association (ISFA) and the Nigeria ‎Football Federation (NFF) to reconsider the role of ISFA Security Committee Chairman, Mr. Teddy Isiadinso, who also serves as a Match Commissioner for the NFF based on the match commissioner’s report, which cited him as pledging responsibility for the breakdown of. Law and order before, during and after the game.

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Ikechukwu Ezenwa to earn 600 Thousand Naira monthly salary at Ifeanyi Ubah FC

Newly signed goalkeeper of Ifeanyi Ubah FC Ikechukwu Ezenwa is to earn a monthly salary of 600, 000 Naira at his new club.

Both parties have agreed terms over a two-year contract and the goalkeeper will go on to be one of the top earners in the Nigerian league.

The 27-year-old left Sunshine Stars earlier in the season, citing unpaid salaries and having trained with FC IfeanyiUbah over the last week, he has been offered a deal.

Ezenwa is believed to have been on N450, 000 a month at Sunshine, N150, 000 less than what he will be getting in Nnewi.

He is expected to be in goal for the club in their next league fixture against  Rivers United.

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Ebele Obi stops training. Hope to force 10 Million Naira move to Ifeanyi Ubah FC

Heartland goalkeeper Ebele Obi has stopped training with his club Heartland FC so as to force a move to Nigeria premier league rivals FC IfeanyiUbah, 

READ: Billionaire businessman IfeanyiUbah meets Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha over Heartland of Owerri refusal to sell Ebele Obi to Ifeanyi Ubah FC
The goalkeeper has agreed personal terms with FC IfeanyiUbah, but has faced a stumbling block in his current club, who placed a hefty N10m price tag on him to scare off the ‘Anambra Warriors’.

But in a bid to force the move, Obi has stopped training for close to a week, it has been confirmed.

“Ebele Obi has not trained with the rest of the squad in the last few days, almost a week now,” the official said.

“I know he is in Owerri now, because some people have spotted him but he has not been training.”

Heartland and FC IfeanyiUbah have been at loggerheads since the early part of the season, when ironically, Obi was attacked by FC IfeanyiUbah owner, Ifeanyi Ubah, in a league game in Nnewi and despite the public courting of the player by the latter, the ‘Naze Milionaires’ have refused to play ball.

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Billionaire businessman IfeanyiUbah meets Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha over Heartland of Owerri refusal to sell Ebele Obi to Ifeanyi Ubah FC

Billionaire businessman and owner of Nigeria league club IfeanyiUbah has held talks with Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha so as to fast track the signing of Heartland goalkeeper

The ‘Anambra Warriors’ have shown serious interest in Obi, and have agreed personal terms with him, but are facing a stumbling block as it regards to the transfer fee, with Heartland insisting on 10 million Naira.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah have tabled a bid of seven million Naira for the goalkeeper, but with the management of the ‘Naze Millionaires’ is insisting on N3m more, Ifeanyi Ubah has decided to discuss directly with the Imo State government, owners and sponsors of the club.

“The boss (Ifeanyi Ubah) will discuss with governor Rochas Okorocha about Ebele Obi,” a highly placed source informed.

Ifeanyi Ubah was in Rivers State on Thursday, where a presidential clean-up of the Ogoni Kingdom was launched by Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, with Okorocha also in attendance, and AfricanFootball.com understands that the signing of Obi formed a part of the things to be discussed by Ubah and Okorocha.

“He (Ubah) met with governor Okorocha in Rivers State during the launching of the clean-up of the Ogoni land and part of their discussions was the signing of Ebele Obi from Heartland,” the source informed further.

FC IfeanyiUbah have embarked on a massive recruitment drive during the current mid-season transfer window, as they were given a N100m war-chest by their billionaire owner.

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Heartland of Owerri rejects ₦7 Million Naira offered by Ifeanyi Ubah for Ebele Obi (Mikel Obi's Brother). Heartland Wants ₦ 10 Million Naira as transfer fee

Heartland have placed a staggering ₦10 million price tag on goalkeeper Ebele Obi.  FC IfeanyiUbah and Obi were discussing personal terms over a possible move and while that has been sorted, the clubs are yet to reach an agreement.  

The ‘Anambra Warriors’ have already submitted a bid of seven million Naira( ₦7m) to the ‘Naze Millionaires’, but the Owerri-based club are insisting on a transfer fee of 10 million Naira according to reports.

"IfeanyiUbah have submitted a bid of ₦7m to the management of Heartland for Ebele Obi, but they are insisting on ₦10m,” the source informed AfricanFootball"

The mid-season transfer window was initially scheduled to close today, Friday, June 3, but has now been extended for another 10 working days. 

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Transfer Breaking News: Ebele Obi on his way to join Ifeanyi Ubah FC

Heartland goalkeeper Ebele Obi is in talks with FC IfeanyiUbah in what could well be the most dramatic transfer in the Nigeria league so far after he was sensationally assaulted by the owner of the Nnewi club recently.

Ebele Obi, older brother of Chelsea star Mikel, and billionaire Ifeanyi Ubah were both sanctioned by the league for incidents after a recent league game.

The goalkeeper was punched by the FC Ifeanyi Ubah owner after he attacked the referee.

The Heartland shot stopper has already called off a plan to sue Ifeanyi Ubah.

Read Also: Family stops Mikel's Brother from suing Billionaire Ifeanyi Ubah

Obi could have a transfer sealed with the Nnewi club “in days”, with the goalkeeper available for their weekend trip to face Niger Tornadoes.

Read Also: Chief Ifeanyi Ubah gets 2.5 million Naira fine and 10 match ban for slapping Mikel Obi Brother

"Ebele Obi has been discussing with Ifeanyi Ubah over a potential move and he was in Nnewi on Monday and the deal could be completed in the next few days," a source confirmed.
The 'Anambra Warriors' have already completed the signing of former Golden Eaglets skipper, Fortune Chukwudi.

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FC Ifeanyi Ubah defeats Ebonyi Utd 1-0, qualify for round of 32 of the Federation Cup.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah defeated Ebonyi United by a goal to nil, courtesy of a stoppage-time goal scored by Bello Koformata.

The Anambra Warriors who came into the game as favourites were given a tough resistance by their opponents who were fearless throughout the game.

The match which was played on a very poor Dan Anyiam pitch, had little clear cut chances in the 1st half with the first real chance coming at the 15th minute when Oluchukwu Nwosu's well-whipped cross was headed wide by Nico Dao.

This was followed by a couple of half chances by the Anambra Warriors while enjoying plenty of possession.

However, the possession didn’t count in the 1st half as it ended goalless at half time.

The second half saw the introduction of three players within the 1st ten minutes, Seka Pascal, Bello Koformata, and Madabuchi Okereke.

The trio made their presence felt as the created a host of chances between them with Okereke Maduabuchi coming closest in the 63rd minute as he forced a double save from the Ebonyi United goalkeeper.

With two minutes of added time given and just as it looked like the match was heading to a penalty shootout, substitute Bello Koformata blasted into the net an inch-perfect cross from Enu Wilson to break the hearts of the Ebonyi United players and send FC Ifeanyi Ubah through to the next round.

Speaking after the game, Technical Adviser of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Mitko Dobrev admitted that his team’s performance was not the best but praised his boys for grinding out the needed result. "It's not easy to play such a match after playing 19 matches of the NPFL, and also playing 4 matches in the last ten days. You could see our boys played with a lot of fatigue but I am proud that they were still able to get the result", Dobrev said.

Dobrev went on to say that the players will rest properly during the break and come back better for the 2nd stanza of the season. "Now, we will rest properly and then come back stronger for the games against Niger Tornadoes and Nasarawa United. Our objective still remains the top three, so as to pick up a continental ticket", Dobrev concluded.

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Transfer Kitty: FC Ifeanyi Ubah Get 100 Million From Owner

FC IfeanyiUbah owner, Chief Ifeanyi Uba on Sunday evening in Nnewi, handed a lifeline of one hundred million naira (N100, 000, 000) to his pet club, and urged club's management to sign the best players in the new transfer window and win laurels. 

Chief Ubah also on behalf of Ifeanyi Uba Foundation handed over one hundred and fifty million naira (150, 000,000) to Anambra State FA for development of the game of football in the state‎.


The new Anambra Football Association chairman further proclaimed the FA has the plan of massive development of game of football through the fifty balls to fifty thousand families in Anambra state project. 

According to him the FA hopes to produce five Messis, five Ronaldos in five years from the state.  Speaking during a brief handover ceremony during the halftime  break of their matchday 19 encounter against Niger Tornadoes, Chief Uba said the money was to uplift FC IfeanyiUbah and empower the club to regroup strongly for better campaign in the League and other competitions. 

"The transfer window opens tomorrow, the team should now  shop for the best," the billionaire oil business tycoon told the ‎players and officials of FC Ifeanyiubah as he as handed over the cheque for the needed fund to the management of the club to spend.  

Chief Ubah further challenged the players and officials of FC Ifeanyiubah to ensure that they win the league, not minding their current poor run.  Commenting on his recent 10 match by the League Management Company, LMC, over misconduct at a match venue, Chief Uba who has served the suspension said it was a lesson well learnt. 

"The lesson has been learnt. We have to be good ambassadors of the league if we want it to grow," he said.  "I will do my best to support the Nigerian league,"‎ the Anambra State FA chairman stated.

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