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Tag: NPFL

  • Paul Bassey Chairs NPFL Super-6 LOC

    Paul Bassey Chairs NPFL Super-6 LOC

    By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

    Vice-chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Mr Paul Bassey has been appointed Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2022-23 season-ending Super-Six championship playoffs by the NPFL.

    Bassey who is also the chairman of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo is saddled with the responsibility of organizing a successful tournament for the top six teams from Group A and B from the just concluded NPFL regular season.

    The top three teams from the competition would represent Nigeria at the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions later this year.

    The Super-Six championship playoffs would kick off on June 1, and would run till June 11, 2023 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan stadium, Lagos.

    According to the fixtures released by the organizers, teams are to arrive on June 1, while match officials are scheduled to arrive on June 2 while the games which will be played in a round-robin format are billed to kick-off on June 3.

    Winners of the Super-Six championship playoffs would be crowned the 2022-23 Nigeria Premier Football League champions and also receive a cash prize of One Hundred Million Naira.

    The champions will be joined by the second placed team to represent Nigeria at the CAF Champions League competition while the third placed team would qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup competition along with the winners of the Federation Cup competition.

  • Alli wants urgent action from NFF and IMC before biased officiating destroys NPFL

    Alli wants urgent action from NFF and IMC before biased officiating destroys NPFL

    Downcast and frustrated with biased officiating that is wiping off the gains made at the beginning of the 2023 NPFL football season, Nigeria sports legend Yussuf Alli has called on the NFF and IMC to urgently halt the trend before the league returns to its inglorious day.

    Alli who is the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC) revealed that some top clubs in the NPFL are ganging against Bendel Insurance, a club with a rich pedigree which they see as a ‘small club’ because it just gained promotion from NNL and it is dominating giants and has remained unbeaten this season.

    Since the 2023 season began Bendel Insurance has been in splendid form winning home and away.
    The gang-up against the club was particularly terrible in Aba when the team played against Enyimba penultimate week. The referee gave a questionable penalty against Insurance, a decision that even the home team supporters find strange.
    Despite intimidation from the referee, the Benin Arsenal still managed to leave Aba with a point. If referees are hostile to the club away, their home games are not different; the referees are also playing against them in their home matches.
    In their last match against Akwa United in Benin witnessed by the Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency Philip Shaibu and Davidson Owumi of IMC, Bendel Insurance were denied a clear penalty and the referee undoubtedly lacking in acumen admitted that it was actually a penalty but he had to deny Insurance because Paul Bassey of Akwa United complained.
    Said Alli, “These guys, the referees are supposed to be unbiased umpires but they are biased, they and their cohorts are killing our league. Their postulation that Bendel Insurance just came from the NNL therefore should be frustrated show their shallow thinking and lack of sense of history. It is not in this same country that Leventis United came from the lower division and dominated the FA Cup, Premier League, and even dominated on the continent and all and sundry applaud them.”
    Alli posited that instead of being envious and ganging up to destroy the good work of Edo State Government and the management team of Bendel Insurance “they should have come for a tutorial on how to run a football club successfully and Edo State Government will give them the manual free,
    “Apart from our pedigree which is as good as those of the best clubs in the league and better than that of most of them, a lot of work goes into our recent success. It was not as straight as a rope; it took a lot of sweat and blood. Apart from the personal commitment of His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy His Excellency Shaibu and the management of ESSC, we embark on nationwide recruitment for the best of the best. All our players made the team on merit, not through any godfather, our welfare package, medical and others are first class and we abhor cutting corners.”
    Alli revealed that the club sponsors and supporters are becoming frustrated, “the NFF and the IMC must do something urgently to stop this ugly trend. I advocate severe sanctions for erring officials; this will deter others and stop the trend. As a sportsman I know what it means to be a victim of cheating, that is why till today I advocate a life ban for athletes who take performance-enhancing drugs”

  • Nigerian League Is On Its Deathbed – Sport Minister

    Nigerian League Is On Its Deathbed – Sport Minister

    Minister of youth and sports development, Sunday Dare has described the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as a league on its deathbed.

    Speaking at the ministerial briefing at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Thursday September 15, Dare noted that the league is currently in a state of disarray, with coaches, players and referees owed salaries and allowances.

    He also said they’ve made efforts to speak to those in-charge but never got any response. Dare said;

    “Between May and August, we did not issue a directive because we wanted the Premier League to complete its season without any disruption. But also, during that period, the ministry made efforts to speak with those in charge. We never got any response.

    “As we sit here, our league is on its deathbed. We know the nature of our domestic league. And just yesterday (Wednesday) I got a letter from the club owners. I met with them two weeks ago. I also met with the female football leaders. There’s a letter that came on September 1, I only got it yesterday stating clearly that they have numerous problems with the LMC running the league. Unpaid emoluments, referees are not paid, coaches are not paid.

    “So, in May 2022, there was a presidential directive and as a ministry, we applied reasonable judgment and delayed that communication. But at a point when the league ended, and we saw the continuous decline of our football, we thought it was the right time to take the necessary action. And that was what we did. There’s no connection between that decision with the NFF election, it stands alone.”

    Dare also revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has received over N15 billion from the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

  • Lobi Stars Floors Enugu Rangers 2-0 in Week 20 of NPFL

    Lobi Stars Floors Enugu Rangers 2-0 in Week 20 of NPFL

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi has defeated the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu 2-0 in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League at the Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi.

    The match which ended 0-0 in the first half saw both teams tried to floor the other as the first half was very tough for both Lobi Stars and Enugu Rangers International FC.

    Serious action ensued shortly after half time when a penalty kick was slammed against the visiting team, an opportunity Jessey No 17, Raphael Ayagwa of Lobi Stars used to score the first goal at 5:25pm.

    The same Player, Mr Ayagwa scored second goal few minutes to the end of the match, which gave Lobi victory over Rangers, placing the team on 16th position on the league table, which makes it to survive relegation.

    Speaking to Journalists shortly after the match, the Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars, Mr Dominic Iorfa, thanked Almighty God for the victory. He lauded the people of Benue State over their support and prayers.

    His words: I have never seen this type of support and solidarity since my fourteen years here as football administrator”. Mr Iorfa assured that by God’s grace the team under his watch would wax stronger and make people of the state proud.

    The Vice Chairman noted that Lobi Stars should concern itself with moving out of relegation, expressing optimism that the team would win majority of the eighteen matches to be played.

  • ANFASSC President Commends LMC Over Sponsorship Deal

    ANFASSC President Commends LMC Over Sponsorship Deal

    …calls for Improved Welfare Conditions for Players

    By Mike Oboh

    The president of Authentic Nigeria football and Allied Supporters Club, Abayomi Ogunjimi has commended League Management Company on their sponsorship deal with foremost betting company in Nigeria,Bet9ja.

    Abayomi who was specially invited to the occasion commended the effort of Shehu Dikko led LMC in ensuring that the league did not start without sponsor.

    “‘I must commend Shehu Dikko for his perseverance especially in this difficult times where most businesses have been affected by COVID-19 but in the midst of all these, his ability to bring sponsors to the league shows he knows his onions* Abayomi said.

    He, however, call on the league body to ensure there is an improvement in the welfare conditions of players while working with clubs in ensuring that some of our best legs don’t leave immediately any small offer from some obscure league comes along.

    ‘I know that our players want to leave for Europe but it is also important that that we ensure that they leave for the right place at the right time and if we can ensure that our players get their entitlements as at when due most players will not leave for some obscure leagues’

    He also commended Bet9ja for sponsoring Nigeria professional football league, NPFL saying ‘their coming onboard would mean well for Nigeria football and would send out strong message to other corporations out there that Nigeria football is worth investing in’he concluded.

  • SWAN, NUJ, Dakkada, others congratulate new NPFL champions, Akwa United

    SWAN, NUJ, Dakkada, others congratulate new NPFL champions, Akwa United

    By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Akwa Ibom has congratulated Akwa United FC of Uyo for winning its first Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

    Also joining SWAN in congratulating the new NPFL champions, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ in Akwa Ibom, Dakkada FC of Uyo and Plateau United FC of Jos all described the title as well deserved.

    In a statement in Uyo, endorsed by its state chairman, Emmanuel Akpanika and Secretary, Theophilus Udoh, SWAN also congratulated the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Monday Uko and club Chairman, Mr Paul Bassey for working tirelessly to ensure the team emerge victorious in the 2020/2021 season.

    “It is on record that Akwa United won its first FA cup trophy in 2015 as well as won Aiteo cup in 2017 and today, history is again written in favour of the club by winning the first ever NPFL trophy after competing in the league for several years.

    “SWAN express gratitude with the choice of Sir Monday Uko, to be in charge of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports and that of our senior colleague, Elder Paul Bassey, Senior Special Assistant on Sports/Chairman, Akwa United Football Club.

    “With this historic milestone, more is expected as the team steps into the continent of Africa as the best football club in Nigeria where they will face the best teams from other African countries.” The statement concluded.

    Also in a congratulatory message, state chairman of NUJ, Me Amos Etuk and Secretary Me Domnic Akpan in a statement said that the League Cup was a perfect gift to Akwa Ibom people for their support and devotion to the team since its establishment in 1996.

    The Union further described the victory as the sweet fruit of the club’s determination and hard work in the league campaign this season.

    ” We urge the club to reach for the stars in the CAF Champions League campaign, which begins in September, 2021, and push to retain the League Cup next season, because these are the hallmarks of champions.” NUJ said in the statement.

    Meanwhile, in separate congratulatory messages, the management of NPFL sides Dakkada FC of Uyo and Plateau United FC of Jos described the victory of the team in the just concluded league season as a victory to good football.

    It would be recalled that Akwa United FC romped to its first Nigerian top-flight league truimph last Sunday after it walloped visiting MFM FC of Lagos by 5-2 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

  • Akwa United Wins 2020/2021 NPFL Title

    Akwa United Wins 2020/2021 NPFL Title

    Akwa United have been crowned champions of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League season after producing a remarkable 5-2 victory over MFM FC in Uyo on matchday 37 in Uyo.

    Charles Atshimene capped a fine performance with a hat-trick and improved his goals count to 18 this season. Akwa United confirmed their intention to win the league after recorded the longest unbeaten run of 18 games.

    The Promise Keepers have also kept the most-clean sheets this campaign.

    This is the first time the Promise Keepers will be winning the NPFL title since the club was established 25 years again. But it is the second time coach Kennedy Boboye will be winning the trophy, he also led Plateau United to win their first league title in 2017.

    MFM came to Uyo in fine form after FC Ifeanyi Ubah 0-2 in Enugu in a rescheduled fixture to consolidate their position on the league table. A win over Akwa United in Uyo would have one they will relish but they knew it was an almost impossible task.

    23 minutes into the match, man on fire, Charles Atshimene won an aerial battle and sent his header into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead.

    With spectators at the Nest of Champions singing, dancing and hailing their team, the Promise Keepers came out in search of more goals. They mounted pressure on the visitors and force in an own goal just before half-time. Samuel Amadi’s effort was sent into the net by Ubukama Peter after good pressure by Charles Atshimene.

    Akwa United took a 2-0 lead into the break.

    Supporters of the Akwa United FC cheer the players on.

    When action resumed, Mfon Udoh scored the third goal with a stunning finish after a good work by Ubong Friday. That was Udoh’s 8th goal of the season. But the hopes of keeping a clean sheet were dashed in the 67th minute when the Olukoya Boys were awarded a penalty. Michael Mbonu sent goalkeeper Efala the wrong way and scored.

    Akwa United came out for more goals. Substitute, Wisdom Fernando made immediate impact sending in a fine cross for Atshimene to score his second goal of the encounter. MFM pulled one back before the former Warri Wolves striker sealed his hat-trick.

    A seven-goal thriller and a maiden league title was quality football experience for spectators at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium who have waiting for this day since 1997.

  • NPFL Day 35: Nasarawa United thrash Sunshine Stars 4-0

    NPFL Day 35: Nasarawa United thrash Sunshine Stars 4-0

    By Leo Nzwanke, Lafia

    Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia, playing at home on Sunday, kept hopes of playing continental football next season alive with a 4-0 crushing of visiting Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure.

    The 2020/2021 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 35 saw all the four goals coming in the first half, with NPFL top scorer, Silas Nwankwo getting a brace to increase his tally to 18 goals so far.

    Daybreak news reports that both teams were scheduled to meet twice within the week with Nasarawa United already winning the first encounter, before they will be opportune to rekindle their rivalry again on July 30th, in one of the 2021 Aiteo Cup semi finals in Asaba, Delta State.

    The first half showcased the intention and determination of Nasarawa United in their quest for a continental slot as they completely dominated the encounter throughout the 45 minutes of play.

    Nwankwo put the home team in the lead with a fine shot into the left corner of the net in the 11th minute and in the 18th minute secured his brace after the Sunshine goalkeeper, in a comical fashion, mistakenly spilled the ball towards him, while trying to kick the ball to a team mate.

    In the 23rd minute, Nwankwo turned provider when he fired in a cross from the left side of the Sunshine Stars defence area into their penalty area for Aliyu Abdullahi to stab in from close range.

    Chigozie Obasi got the best applause from home fans after his thunderous freekick outside the 18 yard box in the 39th minute beat Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper, Henry Ayodele, to make it 4-0 till the end of the first half.

    Despite the continuous dominance of the home side in the second half, however, they could not add to the goal tally till the final whistle.

    Speaking in a post match interview, Bala Nikyu, Head Coach of Nasarawa United, lamented his team’s missed chances in the second half, after their brilliant performance in the first half that gave them the 4-0 margin.

    He, however, praised them for their impressive performance, pledging to ensure they kept on the momentum till the end of the season.

    “Four goals is a good one for us. We appreciate the way they came. If not for the late chances we lost, it would have been up to Six goals,” he said.

    On the other hand, Head Coach of Sunshine Stars, Deji Ayeni, blamed fatigue for the poor performance of his boys and promised that they will bounce back and give a better performance in the Aiteo Cup semi finals on July 30th.

    “I saw a lot of fatigue in my boys. The programme of the Nigerian Football Federation is really affecting so many teams in the country.

    “It will get to a stage that when you push the players psychologically and mentally, they are going to be down and you cannot get the best from them. But congratulations to Nasarawa United.

    “I see that they are playing at home in front of their fans. That alone is a motivational factor for them to reap a better part of the game. By and large, I give it to them,” Ayeni said.

    “We will go back home to re-strategize for the semi final of the Aiteo Cup and I assure you that it’s going to be a different ball game. We are looking forward to absolute victory in that encounter,” he said.

  • NPFL: Nasarawa United Now a league Contender as top scorer Chinedu Obasi wins MVP in Aba

    NPFL: Nasarawa United Now a league Contender as top scorer Chinedu Obasi wins MVP in Aba

    By Abel Leonard, Lafia

    Nasarawa United FC now a league contender in the Nigeria Professional League (NPFL) as they held Eyimba football Club of Aba in a goalless draw even as the peoples elephant tries to seek revenge against the solid miners in the Nigeria Professional Football League matchday 28 clash in Aba yesterday.

    The same encounter saw the Former Nigerian junior international and Nasarawa United right back, Chigozie Obasi, voted Man-of-the-match for his spectacular display.

    Arising from their back-to-back victories over Warri Wolves and Plateau United respectively in their last two home games, the Solid Miners looked poised to take their pound of flesh against the eight time league winners who before the encounter had beaten the visitors in their backyard in Lafia during the first stanza of the current campaign.

    From the blast of the whistle, United looked promising upfront with the duo of Adamu Hassan and Chinedu Ohanachom coming close to scoring the opener at infancy.

    In the 20th minute, the hosts’ Reuben Bala returned the threat with a shot from distance but Tebo Franklin put his body on the line to prevent it from getting to the intended destination.

    Moments later, Victor Okoro, would call John Noble in goal for Enyimba to action with a shot but the Super Eagles’ goal tender was alive to the danger.

    The first-half saw United leading in possession but only lacking in goals.

    Upon resumption into the second half of the encounter, the home side turned the tide, Victor Mbaoma thundering shot from close range but off target.

    That was momentarily followed by a cheeky Austin Oladapo’s sizzling toed shot which flipped inches above the cross bar.

    Nasarawa United reacted later after Haggai Katoh’s magical hip- swivelling pass found Aliyu Abdullahi and the latter powered an angle cross that almost slipped off the grip of goalkeeper, John Noble.

    After both teams introduced some changes, Enyimba came close to scoring after Eagles’ attacking midfiemlder, Anayo Iwuala found freestanding substitute, Philip Orok inside the area but his shot went out for a goal kick.

    As the clock ticked, Super pressure was on the visitors who held onto the game until till the last blast of the whistle which left the fans of the two-times’ CAF Champions League winners frustrated.

    The result has now made the Solid Miners a league contender moving to the 2nd position on the league table with 49 points, four points behind table-topping Akwa United.

    Nasarawa United will be hosting Rivers United at the Lafia township Stadium on Sunday, 27th June, 2021, in the match day 29 tie.

  • NPFL North Central Derby: Nasarawa United takes a pound of flesh against Kwara United

    NPFL North Central Derby: Nasarawa United takes a pound of flesh against Kwara United

    By Abel Leonard / Lafia

    Nasarawa United went into the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League match day twenty tie in search of a revenge against fellow North-Central counterpart, Kwara United, at the Lafia City Stadium, Sunday afternoon.

    The hosts had never beaten the visitors in their previous two meetings, but were determined to blow the title race wide open against the league leaders.

    In a tight encounter that saw defender, Olajide Williams, sent off after receiving second yellow cards, the Solid Miners had the momentum shortly after the break and made the first mark on the game with a spectacular acrobatic goal by Ana’s Yusuf off a cheeky cross from debutant, Chigozie Obasi in the 47th minute.

    The visitors looked to head back almost immediately, but the Governor A.A. Sule Boys were proving hard to breakdown as they continued to frustrate every of their threatening move.

    Nasarawa United were 2-nil up in the 69th minute, through the boots of Silas Nwankwo from another beautiful assist from right full-back, Chigozie Obasi, taking his goal tally to seven in the season.

    The Harmony Boys again came close to their opener but they could not locate the back of the net as goalkeeper, Mohammed Galadima, was on the alert to stop the visitors.

    The visitors however, reduced the deficit, shoot from close range by Wasiu Alalade in the second minute of added time to bring the final score to 2-1, as the Solid Miners scooped the maximum points to move up to the 6th position on the league table with 33points, while their guests drop to 3rd position, with 36 points.

    However, the coach of Nasarawa United during his post match interview said It was an expected outcome after losing to same team during the first stanza in Ilorin.

    “We, like any other team in the NPFL, want to be on top of the League table.

    “Our ambition is to get one of the continental tickets.

    “Chigozie Obasi isn’t a new player to me, but I am happy that he won the Man-of-the-match award in his debut appearance for us. I’m not surprised.”

    Reacting after the game, the coach of Kwara United Suleiman A. Expressed dissatisfaction over the match saying the y conceded the first goal as a result of lack of concentration from his boys.

    “We were a man down, so, it would definitely have an effect on the game, and for a careless mistake, we conceived the second goal”.

    “In fact, this is our best game away from home this season and this is because both sides are good and the game lived up to its billings.”

    On his part, Chigozie Obasi who won the man of the match award, ( MVP) said he feel so great been his first league match appearance for Nasarawa United saying it can only be God.

    In his word he said “Nasarawa United have great players and coaches and the bonding among us is unique.

    “I am here to help them get a Continental slot and this is achievable.”

    Nasarawa United will play Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in Bauchi in a week’s time.