Calabar Rovers
Encyclopedia
Calabar Rovers FC are a Nigeria
n soccer team based in Calabar
. They play their games at U. J. Esuene Stadium
. For part of the 2009 season they will play games at the Uyo Township Stadium
while Eusene stadium is being renovated for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
.
They were one of the original members of the Nigerian Second Division which was established in 1979. Under Brazilian coach Paulo Luiz Campos
, they adopted a fast paced style and were promoted after finishing second in 1981.
They stayed in the top flight for about a decade before being relegated to the lower leagues in 1993. During that time, they made the semifinals of the FA Cup
twice but never won any major accolades.
Their last game however was the controversial 13-0 loss to Akwa United
on August 12, 2006. Already doomed to relegation to the Nigeria Amateur League
, Rovers had three players sent off in the blowout which allowed Akwa to be promoted to the Premier League
by a goal differential of one. Rovers on the other hand disbanded after the game.
In May 2008, the Cross River State
government announced plans to bring the team back from hiatus and with corporate sponsorship. With the help of United Cement Company (UNICEM), they entered into a player share agreement with newly promoted Dankat FC of Kano for 12 million naira, and will play in the Nigeria National League
. Since the team also acquired Dankat's league slot, they played their first season back in the mostly-northern division A. The team will be run for the next five seasons by UNICEM.
Etim Esin
James Etokebe Finidi George
Blessing Kaku
Almed Mustapha Effiom Ntiero John Obuh
Christopher Ohenhen Ene Okon Nduka Ugbade
Uwazie Chigozie
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n soccer team based in Calabar
Calabar
Calabar is a city in Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. The original name for Calabar was Atakpa, from the Jukun language....
. They play their games at U. J. Esuene Stadium
U. J. Esuene Stadium
-History:It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Calabar Rovers and previously Dolphins F.C. . The stadium has a capacity of 12,000 and opened in 1977. It has been short-listed as a stadium for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.The U. J. Esuene Stadium was...
. For part of the 2009 season they will play games at the Uyo Township Stadium
Uyo Township Stadium
Uyo Township Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Akwa United F.C. of the Nigerian Premier League. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 spectators.-External links:*...
while Eusene stadium is being renovated for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the thirteenth tournament of the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria from October 24 to November 15, 2009.The tournament was won by Switzerland, beating 1-0 the host team, Nigeria...
.
They were one of the original members of the Nigerian Second Division which was established in 1979. Under Brazilian coach Paulo Luiz Campos
Paulo Luiz Campos
Paulo Luiz Campos is a Brazilian football manager, currently employed by Brazilian club Duque de Caxias.- Titles :Al Shabab* Saudi Premier League: 1990–91* Arab Super Cup: 2000Al-Rayyan*Qatar Crown Prince Cup: 2001...
, they adopted a fast paced style and were promoted after finishing second in 1981.
They stayed in the top flight for about a decade before being relegated to the lower leagues in 1993. During that time, they made the semifinals of the FA Cup
Nigerian FA Cup
The Nigerian FA Cup is the main football single-elimination tournament in Nigeria. It was created in 1945 as the "Governor's Cup", succeeding the War Memorial Challenge Cup that had been limited to teams from Lagos.- Winners :War Memorial Challenge Cup*1942 : ZAC Bombers 1-0 Services*1943 : Lagos...
twice but never won any major accolades.
Their last game however was the controversial 13-0 loss to Akwa United
Akwa United F.C.
Akwa United Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Uyo. They play in the first division of Nigerian football, the Nigeria Premier League. Their home stadium is Uyo Township Stadium.-History:...
on August 12, 2006. Already doomed to relegation to the Nigeria Amateur League
Nigeria Amateur League
National Amateur League Division One is the third level of club football in Nigeria, and the highest of the three Amateur league divisions. It is divided into four groups by geography with either nine, ten or eleven teams each. Every year, up to eight teams are promoted to the Professional...
, Rovers had three players sent off in the blowout which allowed Akwa to be promoted to the Premier League
Nigerian Premier League
The Nigeria Premier League is the highest level of domestic Nigerian football. It is fed into by the two First Division groups: the Nigerian Division 1-A and Nigerian Division 1-B. It is organized by the Nigeria Football Association. The NPL Chairman is Davidson Owunmi.- History :The league was...
by a goal differential of one. Rovers on the other hand disbanded after the game.
In May 2008, the Cross River State
Cross River State
Cross River State is a coastal state in southeastern Nigeria, bordering Cameroon to the east. Its capital is at Calabar, and it is named for the Cross River , which passes through the state...
government announced plans to bring the team back from hiatus and with corporate sponsorship. With the help of United Cement Company (UNICEM), they entered into a player share agreement with newly promoted Dankat FC of Kano for 12 million naira, and will play in the Nigeria National League
Nigeria National League
The Nigeria National League is the second tier of club football in Nigeria.- History :Since 1997, the league has been split into 1A for Northern teams and 1B for southern teams. The top two from each division are promoted to the Nigerian Premier League the next season...
. Since the team also acquired Dankat's league slot, they played their first season back in the mostly-northern division A. The team will be run for the next five seasons by UNICEM.
Current squad
Former notable players
Etta Egbe Uwe Ekarika Emmanuel EkpoEmmanuel Ekpo
Emmanuel Ekpo is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-Professional:...
Etim Esin
Etim Esin
-External links:*...
James Etokebe Finidi George
Finidi George
Finidi George is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a right winger.After making a name for himself at Ajax in the Netherlands – being a leading figure in a team which won eight major titles, including the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League – he played several years in Spain with Real Betis,...
Blessing Kaku
Blessing Kaku
Blessing Kaku is a Nigerian international football player, who was a member of the national squad at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He played for Enosis Neon Paralimni. He has also played for K.R.C. Genk in Belgium, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, F.C...
Almed Mustapha Effiom Ntiero John Obuh
John Obuh
John Obuh is a Nigerian football manager. He is currently in charge of the Nigerian under-20 team and Sharks F.C. of the Nigeria Premier League....
Christopher Ohenhen Ene Okon Nduka Ugbade
Nduka Ugbade
Nduka Ugbade is a Nigerian footballer. He formerly played with Perak FA in Malaysia.-International:As a youth player, fresh from St...
Uwazie Chigozie