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Tag: NPFL

  • NPFL Play-off: Remo stars grab continental ticket, Insurance of Benin, Sunshine, Lobi end without silverware

    NPFL Play-off: Remo stars grab continental ticket, Insurance of Benin, Sunshine, Lobi end without silverware

    Ogun based clubside, Remo Stars football club today defeated Bendel Insurance 1-0 to grab a continental spot for next season.

    Remo Stars forward, Qudus Akkani lashed on to a pass in the 27th minute to fire home the only goal of the encounter.

    All effort by Bendel Insurance to cancel out the goal proved abortive, .

    Moreso, Remo Stars effort to add to their tally met a brick wall from the defenders of Bendel Insurance of Benin.

    Bendel Insurance finished the first stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) unbeaten but have now lost two games back to back at the NPFL Super six.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Rivers United ended Remo Stars 21-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 defeat on match day four of the super six.

    The result meant Remo stars will be featuring in next year’s CAF Champions League.

    Earlier, Sunshine FC of Akure also defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 to finish the group standing on 4th position.

    Despite finishing the first stanza of the league unbeaten, Insurance of Benin  finished as the 5th placed team of the play-offs.

    Insurance, Sunshine and Lobi  will be leaving the super six championship with their head high but without any silverware.

     

  • NPFL Super Six: Rivers United, Enyimba set for final showdown today

    NPFL Super Six: Rivers United, Enyimba set for final showdown today

    NPFL defending champions, Rivers United will square up against arch-rival Enyimba FC for this season’s winner of the Nigerian Elite division football league.

    The NPFL Super League will come to an end today  Sunday June 11 at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan Lagos With Rivers, Enyimba and even Remo Stars having a fair chance to clinch the league title.

    Enyimba top the standings with eight points, while Rivers United sit in second position with the same number of points but with an inferior goal difference.

    A draw will be enough for Enyimba to win a record-extending ninth title depending on the outcome of the game between Remo Stars and Bendel Insurance.

    Third-place Remo Stars have six points and can still win the title if Enyimba and Rivers United draw and they beat Insurance with a wide margin.

    For Rivers United to claim the title for the second time, they must beat Enyimba in what is expected to be a tough encounter.

    Rivers United will represent Nigeria on the continent come next season whichever result turns out for them.

    Bendel Insurance’s 21 game unbeaten run finally came to an end after losing 1-2 to Rivers united on Friday at Onikan stadium.

    But the Edo Arsenals can’t still topple Remo Stars and earn a berth in the CAF Confederation Cup but will need to beat the Sky Blue Stars by at least three goals.

    In the last game of the final day, Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars Will slug it out just for pride as nothing will be at stake for the two club sides.

     

  • NPFL Super Six: Enyimba, Rivers United maintain lead on group standing

    NPFL Super Six: Enyimba, Rivers United maintain lead on group standing

    As the super six tourney presently holding at the Onikan stadium is gradually winding down, the table still looks dicey and close.

    Bendel Insurance who finished the Nigerian league as group B winner unbeaten, have drawn three times in the Super 6 while Enyimba and Rivers United have won a game each.

    Remo Stars and Lobi stars have both lost a game each in the competition thereby playing out a draw in the remaining two so far played.

    Enyimba and Rivers united are the only sides to have won a game each so far in the competition after beating Lobi and Remo stars respectively.

    After three round of games,  Enyimba and Rivers United are joint-top leaders  with five points each followed by Remo Stars  and Bendel Insurance with three points each, while Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars also have two points each.

    The first two teams at the end of the competition will represent the country on the continent in the CAF Champions league while third place team will feature in the confederations cup.

    The super six competition will finally come to an end on Sunday June 11 at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, where the  NPFL winner  in the 2022/23 season will be known.

  • NFF to constitute boards for NNL, NWFL, NLO

    NFF to constitute boards for NNL, NWFL, NLO

    The Nigeria Football Federation has reiterated that the Interim Management Committee of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye will be allowed to remain in office and conclude its mandate before any decision can be taken on a board for the NPFL.

    “Let me once more commend the IMC for the great job it is doing to reposition the elite division of our domestic League. We are enamoured by the way and manner the Board has gone about its mandate and everyone can see the transparency, probity and seriousness the members have attached to their tasks.

    “The IMC will remain in office to complete their tenure as extended by the NFF a couple of months ago. Afterwards, the NFF Executive Committee will meet to decide on the best way forward. However, new Boards of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League One will be constituted within the next one month,” President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau said on Wednesday.

    It can be recalled that on 21st October 2022, the IMC was inaugurated by the NFF President, with an initial mandate of three months, and a number of terms of reference aimed at engendering a new life generally for Nigeria’s elite division.

    In January this year, the mandate was extended till the end of the current NPFL Season, which is 31st May 2023.

  • I want to be next Victor Osimhen – ABS youngster

    I want to be next Victor Osimhen – ABS youngster

    Newly signed striker of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Malik Surajudeen, says he wants to be the next Victor Osimhen to come out of Nigeria.

    The 17-year-old 1.82-meter tall attacker, who joined ABS Ilorin FC from La Planet Sport Academica, revealed this in an interview on Thursday in Ilorin.

    Surajudeen told NAN that he has devoted a lot of time trying to watch and learn from Osimhen, who is arguably the best African player in the ongoing 2022/2023 season.

    “I want to be the next Victor Osimhen, I love everything about him and his playing style.

    “He is strong, fast, creative and score lot of goals. I have also read that he took him some time to burst into the global stage, so I’m ready to take my time too.

    “Even though I have never met him, I see him already as a role model that I want to follow his footsteps.

    “I want to be committed to my club (ABS), the way Osimhen is committed to his club and country,” Surajudeen said.

    He said even though he like watching the duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, Osimhen remain his idol.

    The striker said after his move to ABS, he is now focused on helping the Ilorin based Nigeria National League (NNL) side to gain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    “It is tough here at ABS because we have a lot of young talented players, so, if you don’t work very hard, you may not be playing regularly.

    “So, I’m aware that I need lots of discipline and hard work to achieve my goals. It is a new system completely at ABS and I’m looking forward to doing well for the team.

    Recall that 24-year-old Osimhen has been in spectacular form in the ongoing season scoring 21 times in 23 matches and assisted four times only in the serie A.

    Osimhen’s current form is on the brink of landing Napoli its first Serie A title since 1990, when it last won it.

  • CAF Confed Cup: Rivers United cruise into Quarter-final

    CAF Confed Cup: Rivers United cruise into Quarter-final

    Port Harcourt based side  on Sunday secured qualification into the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup competition after playing out a score draw at home to Diables Noirs

    The Nigeria Professional Football League title-holders drew their Group B Match Day 5 fixture against Diables Noirs of Congo Brazzaville at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    The result sees them moving to 10 points to stay top of the group on goals difference, ahead of second-placed ASEC Mimosas who have the same number of points.

    Diables Noirs are third in the group with five points and their qualification hopes had hinged on Ivorian side ASEC losing their match against DC Motema Pembe.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Rivers United had to come from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, before conceding an equaliser nine minutes to time.

    Emmanuel Ampiah put the ball in his own net to give Diables Noirs the lead which they held on till half-time.

    In the second half though, Rivers United heightened their game and Nwangwa Nyima scored twice in four minutes to take the lead.

    However, Diables Noirs restored parity with nine minutes left through Deo Bassinga.

    Visiting ASEC Mimosas beat Motema Pembe 2-1 to bolster their position and take the battle for group leadership to April 2 when they host Rivers United on the final match day.

    Aubin Kramo scored a brace for ASEC, including a 90th minute winner.

    He had broken the deadlock after 27 minutes, but the home side drew level in the 51st minute through Mydo Yallet.

    ASEC battled on in spite of pressure and they got the winner at the stroke of full-time.

    NAN reports that the match day six fixture between ASEC and Rivers United will determine which side finished first in the group, with the Nigerian side needing only a draw.

  • NPFL: Enyimba rally back to beat hosts Gombe United

    NPFL: Enyimba rally back to beat hosts Gombe United

    Enyimba International Football Club of Aba on Saturday staged a stunning comeback to beat hosts Gombe United 2-1 at the Pantami Township Stadium in Gombe.

    Enyimba came from behind to win the Group A Match Day 7 fixture of the abridged 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    In the game’s 12th minute, Yusuf Taiye gave Gombe United an early lead, but Elijah Akanni scored in the 35th minute to draw the visitors level.

    Chukwuemeka Obioma’s 53rd minute goal earned the People’s Elephants all the three points and their second away win, having defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 in their NPFL opening game.

    Taiye, who has scored four goals so far in the season for Gombe United, missed a chance to restore his team’s lead in the 46th minute from a penalty kick.

    In a post-match conference, Head Coach of Enyimba, Finidi George, said the victory was hard-fought as the home team proved difficult to overcome.

    George said his team took their chances in the game and were happy they have the three points.

    “We are happy that we got the victory, it was a difficult game as both teams played well.

    “We took our chances and we are happy we have the three points,” he said.

    On the series of away victories being recorded this season, George said it was good for the league.

    According to him, the away wins being recorded this season showed that officiating in the league was improving.

    “So far in the league, it has been good as officiating has been good and we hope it continues this way.

    “It means the league is getting better with teams getting away wins and that is what is expected in the league.”

    He said officiating this season had been “correct majorly”, adding that such improvement would help to ascertain genuine winners of the league who would make the country proud in continental competitions.

    On his part, the Technical Adviser of Gombe United, Aliyu Zubairu, declined a request from journalists to interview him.

    NAN

  • Own goal hands Plateau United victory against Kwara United

    Own goal hands Plateau United victory against Kwara United

    An own goal by Lawal Muritala handed Plateau United Football Club of Jos a 1-0 victory against visiting Kwara United on Sunday in the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    There was nothing separating the two sides until the 30th minute of the Group B Match Day 6 fixtures.

    That was when the Ilorin side’s defender turned the ball into his own net.

    Plateau United’s Technical Adviser, Fidelis Ilechukwu, during his post-match interview, acknowledged that his side were not at their best.

    But he blamed injuries for the performance.

    “None of the two teams played well anyway. They didn’t create clear-cut goalscoring chances. But the most important thing is that we won.

    “We will go back to the drawing board and work on our team.

    “We have the challenge of injuries but the players are coming back gradually,” Ilechukwu said.

    On his part, Kwara United’s Technical Adviser, Abdullazeez Mohammed, said they had themselves to blame for the defeat.

    Mohammed said the llorin-based clubside wanted to build on the momentum gained from their last match but failed to do so in a sad circumstance.

    “In our last match we scored two goals. Today we played better than the host but we could not score.

    “We will continue to build from there. The team is getting the momentum but the last touch is still in the works. We got it right last week, but we didn’t get it today,” he said.

    The coach however refused to talk about the match’s officiating, saying it was “needless when players, coaches and the crowd make mistakes.
    “I don’t think the officiating today was bad.”

    NAN

  • NFF saddened by death of Referee Kingsley Nnaemeke Eneogwe

    NFF saddened by death of Referee Kingsley Nnaemeke Eneogwe

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death on Thursday of a Nigeria Premier Football League referee, Dr. Kingsley Nnaemeka Eneogwe in an automobile accident on the Abuja-Kogi-Enugu road.

    “This is one death that gnaws at the heart real tight. A young man with his life ahead of him, someone doing so well in his profession and in his avocation, and had worked hard to earn the respect of colleagues and acquaintances across board. I am in deep shock and sorrow,” a flustered President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau said in Algeria where he is attending the ongoing African Nations Championship as a guest of the Confederation of African Football.

    Gusau added: “I pray that Almighty God will forgive him his sins and give him eternal rest, and also grant those he has left behind including his immediate family, friends and relations, members of the refereeing family, the NRA and Nigeria Football as a whole the fortitude to bear this big loss.”

    Eneogwe, a practising medical doctor, had been part of the officiating crew for the midweek Nigeria Premier Football League match between Nasarawa United FC and Plateau United FC at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Wednesday, 1st February 2023. He was returning to his base before the unfortunate accident.

  • NFF extends IMC tenure till end of season

    NFF extends IMC tenure till end of season

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended the tenure of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) till the end of the 2022/2023 season.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, disclosed on Friday in a statement that Ibrahim Gusau, the Federation’s President, said the extension was important at this point in time.

    “The extension of IMC’s tenure is in order to allow the team to concentrate fully on the organisation and management of the ongoing NPFL season, which is just heading to its Match Day 3 this weekend,” he quoted Gusau as saying.

    The NFF President had inaugurated the IMC, headed by Gbenga Elegbeleye, on Oct. 21 with an initial mandate of three months.

    Its terms of reference were aimed at engendering a new life generally for the elite division of the Nigerian football league.

    Gusau had at the Draw Ceremony for the 2022/2023 NPFL season on Dec. 28, praised the IMC for the tremendous work it had been doing since inauguration.

    He had assured it of NFF’s support in turning around Nigeria’s domestic League for the better, including fostering a viable football economy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IMC has since its inauguration gone on to put in place structures for the league to get underway on Jan. 8.

    Citing the time factor, it had opted for an abridged format for the 2022/2023 NPFL season, with 10 clubs in Group A and 10 clubs in Group B.

    The current season is scheduled to end in May.