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Tag: NPFL

  • NPFL: Liberian star, Korvah puts pen to paper for Rivers United

    NPFL: Liberian star, Korvah puts pen to paper for Rivers United

    The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Rivers United have announced the signing of Liberia winger, Albert Korvah on a three-year contract.

    Korvah linked up with Rivers United from Liberia top-flight club, Watanga FC.

    The Liberian winger was spotted during the CAF Champions League clash between Rivers United and Watanga FC earlier in the month.

    Rivers United won the tie 3-1 on aggregate but Korvah was a thorn in the flesh of their defenders in the two-legged contest.

    He is expected to link up with the Port Harcourt club in time for their CAF Champions first round clash against Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

    The first leg will hold next week Sunday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

    Rivers United won the NPFL title for the first time last season and are looking to become the second Nigerian club to lift the CAF Champions League trophy.

    Enyimba Football Club of Nigeria last won the tournament in 2003 after defeating Etoile duSahel of Tunisia 5-4 on penalties.

  • Edo Deputy Gov., Philip Shaibu retires from professional football

    Edo Deputy Gov., Philip Shaibu retires from professional football

    Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu on Friday announced his retirement from professional football.

    Until his retirement, Shaibu, 52, was a signed player of Bendel Insurance FC, a club that he helped to secure a ticket to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The deputy governor announced his retirement in Benin at a news conference, shorty after the Insurance’s last match in the Nigerian National League (NNL) against Vandrezzer FC of Lagos.

    Insurance won the week 22 by a lone goal to end the 2021/2022 soccer season, amidst jubilation among the fans at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

    He had earlier distributed souvenir which included jersey with his name and balls to scores of fans who were present at the venue of the final league play.

    Briefing newsmen, the Edo deputy governor said he was elated that his six years sojourn with the Benin side ended with a ticket to the Nigerian apex league.

    Shaibu commended stakeholders, who helped to restore the past glory of the ancient football club.

    “I am so excited today that in good health, I am retiring from professional football and thank the stakeholders in Bendel Insurance for this historic moment of retiring with jersey number 40.

    “It’s first of its kind and I am so excited and happy about it,” he said, noting that he was more elated that his commitment to and rebranding of Bendel Insurance yielded the desired result.

    The deputy governor, who recounted his football stints in Federal Capital Territory with YSFON U-20, Foreign Affairs FC as well as defunct Ijesha United and Nigerian Prisons FC, said he won all matches in the clubs except for a draw.

    The retiring player, who noted that he exited without any injury, said the qualification for promotion of Bendel Insurance to the elite NPFL was his happiest moment in the football career.

    He recalled winning a gold medal for Edo during the 20th National Sports Festival.

    He urged Coach Monday Odigie to live up to the bidding in the NPFL, assuring the club of the necessary state government’s support.

    The club, he noted, could not afford to go back to the lower league, as they were back to where they rightly belonged.

    He said the present government in Edo had demonstrated genuine love for sports with the upgrade of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and rebranded both the men and women football clubs in the state.

    According to him, Edo Government has returned the state as a home to sports, and a tourist site for sports development in the country.

  • AITEO Cup: Akwa United, Tornadoes, Sunshine Stars look good for quarter finals

    AITEO Cup: Akwa United, Tornadoes, Sunshine Stars look good for quarter finals

    A clutch of Nigeria Premier Football League teams including Akwa United, Sunshine Stars and Nasarawa United are the acknowledged top dogs as the Round of 16 matches of this year’s AITEO Cup competition take place on Saturday and Sunday in different centres of the Federation.

    Niger Tornadoes, who squeezed through to this stage with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out defeat of two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC have a date with Green Beret FC at the FIFA Goal Project inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    Akwa United have an interesting fixture against Kogi United, who also experienced the lottery of penalty shoot-out before edging out ambitious Kanta United following a 2-2 draw in regulation time. The boys from Uyo eased their way to this stage with a 3-0 spanking of CAF Cup aspirants Remo Stars. Both teams are engaged in the only match of the men’s competition coming up on Sunday, and at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

    Sunshine Stars, big winners (5-1) over Rovers in the Round of 32, have a date with Katsina United at the Area 3 venue in the Federal Capital Territory, while Kano Pillars tackle DMD FC at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

    Heartland FC, who ejected multi-titlists Enugu Rangers after penalty shoot-out in Benin City, will be up against Dakkada of Uyo at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Lobi Stars will square up against Akure City at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus on Saturday.

    Nasarawa United, stretched taut by Sokoto United in a penalty shootout that eventually ended 11-10, will be up against inspired Bendel Insurance at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, while El-Kanemi Warriors and Wikki Tourists will do battle in Jos.

    In the women’s event, Cup holders Bayelsa Queens will trade tackles with Abia Angels in Akure on Sunday, with Nasarawa Amazons and Confluence Queens in a potentially explosive encounter at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja also on Sunday.

    Heartland Queens, 2-1 winners over Dannaz Ladies in the earlier round, will be up against Delta Queens at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.

    Last year’s runners-up FC Robo Queens, who dislodged Edo Queens 2-0 in the Round of 16, are rewarded with another big tie, this time against Royal Queens, who edged Osun Babes. Both teams take the pitch at the Abakaliki from 4pm on Sunday.

     

    AITEO CUP COMPETITION 2022

     

    ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES (MEN)

    Green Beret Vs Niger Tornadoes – 06/08/22 – FIFA Goal Project – 4pm

    Lobi Stars Vs Akure City Vs Niger Tornadoes – 06/08/22 – Enugu – 4pm

    Heartland FC Vs Dakkada FC – 06/08/22 – Asaba – 4pm

    Sunshine Stars Vs Katsina United – 06/08/22 – Area 3 Abuja – 4pm

    Akwa United Vs Kogi United – 07/08/22 – Enugu – 4pm

    DMD FC Vs Kano Pillars – 06/08/22 – Bauchi – 4pm

    El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Wikki Tourists – 06/08/22 – Jos – 4pm

    Bendel Insurance Vs Nasarawa United – 06/08/22 – Aba – 4pm

     

    QUARTER FINAL FIXTURES (WOMEN)

    Bayelsa Queens Vs Abia Angels – 07/08/22 – Akure – 4pm

    Nasarawa Amazons Vs Confluence Queens – 07/08/22 – Abuja – 4pm

    Delta Queens Vs Heartland Queens – 07/08/22 – Ijebu-Ode – 4pm

    Royal Queens Vs FC Robo Queens – 07/08/22 – Abakaliki – 4pm

     

    ROUND OF 32 RESULTS (MEN)

    Bayelsa United 0 Green Beret 0 (4-5 penalties)

    Enyimba International 0 Niger Tornadoes 0 (5-6 penalties)

    Doma United 0 Lobi Stars 3

    Akure City Academy 2 Bendel Insurance Feeders 1

    Rangers Int’l 1 Heartland FC 1 (7-8 penalties)

    Sunshine Stars 5 Rovers FC 1

    Cynosure FC 1 Katsina United 3

    Remo Stars 0 Akwa United 3

    Kogi United 2 Kanta United 2 (5-4 penalties)

    DMD FC 0 Housing Corporation 0 (4-2 penalties)

    Zamfara United 0 Kano Pillars 5

    Fulfill FC 0 El-Kanemi Warriors 1

    Kwara United 1 Wikki Tourists 1 (3-4 penalties)

    Bendel Insurance 1 Ottasolo FC 1 (4-3 penalties)

    Sokoto United 1 Nasarawa United 1 (10-11 penalties)

     

    ROUND OF 16 RESULTS (WOMEN)

    Bayelsa Queens 3 Niger Amazons 0 (W/O)

    Abruka Queens 1 Abia Angels 3

    Naija Ratels 0 Nasarawa Amazons 1

    Immaculate Queens 0 Confluence Queens 8

    Honey Badgers 0 Delta Queens 2

    Heartland Queens 2 Dannaz Ladies 1

    Osun Babes 2 Royal Queens 3

    Edo Queens 0 FC Robo Queens 2

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  • Rivers United make history, emerge champions of Nigerian League

    Rivers United make history, emerge champions of Nigerian League

    The Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) season 2021/2022  ended Sunday with Rivers United crowned as champions. Rivers United defeated Gombe United by 1-0 to wrap up the league with a victory. They finished with 77 points with a plus 34 goal difference and will be representing the country in the CAF Champions League for next season.

    Plateau United defeated Enyimba 1-0 to finish second and also grab a spot in the CAF Champions League for next season.

    Remo Stars finished 3rd and will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup next season for the first time in their history.

    The Ikenne-based club defeated Niger Tornadoes 3-0 at home to ward off the threat of Kwara United.

    Andy Okpe scored a hat-trick for the Remo Stars in the game.

    Meanwhile, Katsina United and Heartland have now joined already relegated Kano Pillars and MFM FC, they will feature in the NNL next season.

    Katsina United, who lost 2-0 to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi, finished in the 17th position on the table.

    Heartland finished in 18th position despite beating Kwara United 1-0 at the Okigwe Township Stadium.

     

    Below is the  Results of Last Match Day

    Heartland 1-0 Kwara Utd
    Remo Stars 3-0 Tornadoes
    Dakka 3-0 Sunshine Stars
    Plateau Utd 1-0 Enyimba
    Wikki 2-0 Katsina Utd
    Abia Warriors 3-0 Lobi
    Rangers 2-0 Akwa Utd
    Rivers Utd 1-0 Gombe Utd
    Kano Pillars 2-1 3SC
    MFM 0-1 Nasarawa Utd

  • Rivers United win Nigeria Professional Football League

    Rivers United Football club have emerged champions of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) making it the first time the Rivers based football club will be winning the title.

    Rivers united have won the title with four games to spare in the current season NPFL season.

    Their emergence as champions comes after second placed Plateau United suffered a 2-1 loss to Akwa United in Uyo ending their mathematical hopes of winning the NPFL title.

    The defeat was Plateau’s fifth consecutive away defeat this season.

    Akwa United took an early lead in the 12th minute from David Onovo’s finish to Adam Yakubu’s assist. Five minutes after conceding, Plateau United blew up a chance from Andrew Ikefe to restore parity after he failed to connect from Haggai Katoh’s set-piece.

    Plateau United eventually got an equaliser in the second half from Jesse Akila’s effort in the 52nd minute.

    But when the visitors must have thought they had secured a draw, Leo Ezekiel scored from Akpesiri’s pass in the third minute of added time.

    Akwa United stays in seventh place with 51 points while Plateau United maintain their second spot with 61 points.

    Rivers United Football Club is a professional football club based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State that participates in the Nigerian Professional Football League, the highest level of domestic Nigerian football. The club was formed by the merger of Sharks F.C. and Dolphins F.C. in 2016
  • MTN partners LaLiga/NPFL for U – 15 football tournament

    MTN partners LaLiga/NPFL for U – 15 football tournament

    MTN Nigeria, the official communications partner of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), said that it would partner with the Spanish LaLiga and the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the fourth edition of the LaLiga/NPFL U-15 football tournament.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday which stated that the tournament would be competed for by the junior teams of all the premier league clubs.

    The statement also stated that the competition which started in 2017 had seen the telecommunication outfit collaborating with Valuejet to develop grassroots football in the country.

    It said that the competition would kick off on Friday at the Remo Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun.

    It quoted the Senior Manager, Sponsorship and Promotion, MTN Nigeria, Osaze Ebueku, to have commended LaLiga for partnering with MTN in developing football in the country.

    It added that Seyi Akinwunmi, the NFF First Vice-President, gave assurance that products discovered from the competition would form a pool of players for the national team.

    It quoted him as saying that one of the players who was discovered from the first edition of the U-15, Akinkunmi Amoo, was part of the Super Eagles team that played the two-leg World Cup qualifiers against Ghana.

    The statement also quoted Deji Adegbenro, who represented the Country Manager of LaLiga Nigeria, Desmond Chiji, as saying that some of the outstanding players that would be discovered from the competition would be placed in Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid Football Clubs.

  • NPFL: Kano pillars fans attack Nasarawa united players, vandalize team bus

    NPFL: Kano pillars fans attack Nasarawa united players, vandalize team bus

    Kano Pillars fans invaded the pitch in the 82nd minute of their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in matchday 23 fixture against Katsina United at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    The irate fans damaged the visiting team’s bus and carted away valuables on Saturday.

    The game was the first at the Sani Abacha Stadium in over two years following Kano Pillars’ banishment by League Management Company (LMC) over unruly behaviour from their fans.

    Meanwhile fans trooped into the stadium in their numbers to watch the team play their first home game in two years before situation got out of hands.

    However, things turned sour in the 82nd minute as the game was still goalless with few minutes to the end of the match.

    Findings show that the fans became very angry with the result of the game and chose to encroach the pitch harassing players of the visiting team who scampered for safety as the game was abandoned.

    Not satisfied, they proceeded to the car park where the visiting team bus was parked and vandalized the bus – destroying the windshield.

    Reacting to the incident, Katsina United Media Officer, Nasir Gide, lamented the rate of destruction meted out to the team.

    “What happened in Kano is really worrisome. The game was going smoothly, both sides were playing well and the officials were really competent but in the 82nd minute, some irate fans invaded the pitch and started attacking some of our players but we thank God nothing happened to them,” Gide lamented.

  • NPFL: Wikki Tourists fans go on rampage after Enyimba draw

    NPFL: Wikki Tourists fans go on rampage after Enyimba draw

    Fans of Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi on Sunday went on rampage immediately after visiting Enyimba International FC of Aba drew goalless with the hosts.

    The 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 19 fixture had left the fans dissatisfied.

    The Wikki Tourists fans then constituted themselves into a nuisance at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium by throwing stones and other dangerous objects into the pitch immediately the match ended.

    The action meant both sets of players, referees and officials of the two teams were confined to the pitch as the situation worsened.

    Security personnel then engaged the rampaging fans in a mild battle before releasing teargas canisters in order to drive them away from the stadium.

    Afterwards, they evacuated the players and officials out of the pitch to the dressing rooms for safety.

    Some of the Wikki Tourists fans interviewed later by NAN accused the referees of badly officiating the match.

    One Aliyu Saleh alleged that the referee did not ensure that the normal 90 minutes of the game ran its full course.

    “The Enyimba goalkeeper wasted over seven minutes by always lying down on the pitch, and that means the referee should have given extra minutes for the match, but he refused.

    “So, bad officiating of matches is one of the problems facing Nigerian football league,”

    Another fan, Shehu Abbass, said: “We don’t trust the referee’s officiating. He sold out the match in favourites of Enyimba.

    However, another fan, Abubakar Danjuma, blamed the fans for reacting in such a manner.

    “What is the benefit of throwing stones at players and officials of the match?

    “With extra time or not, if the match is destined to end in a draw so shall it be. Besides, a match is a game of win or lose,” he said.

    All efforts to get any official of both clubs were unsuccessful

  • NFF rolls out new qualification criteria for match commissioners

    NFF rolls out new qualification criteria for match commissioners

    The Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has rolled out new criteria for interested football stakeholders to meet in order to be considered for the role of match commissioners in Nigeria’s domestic game.

    Rising from its inauguration and inaugural meeting in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman of the NFF Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli announced that henceforth, no individual above the age of 65 or below the age of 30 would be considered for the role.

    “In addition, we have now expunged the names of all retired referees from the list of match commissioners. Means of identification would now be by international passport, national identity card of driver’s license, and computer literacy is now a key requirement for anyone who wishes to be considered for the role of match commissioner in Nigeria.”

    Earlier, at the inauguration, First Vice President of the NFF, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, who stood in for the NFF President, charged the committee to develop workable criteria to drastically reduce the number of match commissioners in the country, as the NFF considered the present number bogus and impracticable considering the number of matches played over a season.

    Akinwunmi reiterated that the roles of the referee and the match commissioner are the most crucial in the general management of a football game, and that administrators must regularly seek to improve the policies and methods through which the best hands must emerge, fully prepared, for both roles. “We must also select the very best hands for these important roles without any form of primordial sentiments.”

    Also present at the inauguration were the Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria Football, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the Chairman of Referees Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa.

    Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, another Member of the NFF Executive Committee, is the vice chairman of the Match Commissioners Appointment Committee, with Timothy Henman Magaji, Bayo Olanlege, Sunday Longbap, Yabagi Baba, Aminu Manmaga, Sabo Abdullahi Dutse, Greg Abang Obuh, Kenneth Nwamuocha, Maurice Mbam and Donald Mbaezue as members. The secretary is Danlami Alanana.

  • Match Day 11 results in 2021/2022 NPFL

    Match Day 11 results in 2021/2022 NPFL

    Following are the results of Match Day 11 fixtures in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played on Sunday:

    Sunshine Stars 0-1 Enyimba International

    Remo Stars 1-0 Shooting Stars (3SC)

    Plateau United 1-0 Rivers United

    Wikki Tourists 0-0 Rangers International

    Kwara United 1-0 Lobi Stars

    Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Katsina United

    MFM FC 0-0 Akwa United

    Played on Friday:

    Dakkada FC 1-0 Kano Pillars

    Abia Warriors 1-1 Nasarawa United

    To be played on Wednesday:

    Heartland FC vs Gombe United