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Tag: NPFL

  • NPFL: Champions Rangers FC hail GTI for smooth running of the league

    NPFL: Champions Rangers FC hail GTI for smooth running of the league

    Enugu Rangers’ gaffer, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has praised the strategic impact of GTI Group’s initiative towards restructuring the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following the successful completion of the 2023/2024 season.

     

    The respected and rapidly rising soccer tactician expressed his views to GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, at New Jos Stadium shortly after their Match Day 38 match, in which his team defeated Gombe United 2-1. This victory, in the final match of the NPFL 2023/2024 season, secured the Flying Antelopes a total of seventy points, crowning them NPFL champions before a full-capacity crowd, including the Governors of Enugu, Peter Mbah, and Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang.

     

    Ilechukwu, full of praise for GTI, acknowledged the financial investment firm’s positive influence on Nigeria’s football ecosystem. “The strategic impact of GTI on the NPFL over the past two seasons is commendable and top-notch. In the just-concluded 2023/2024 NPFL season, GTI excelled by streaming and broadcasting our games live globally, which is a great initiative,” he stated.

     

    As NPFL champions, Rangers received a substantial prize of one hundred and fifty million naira (N150m), a reward that thrilled Ilechukwu. He confirmed that the entire team, from the coaching staff to management, is committed to ensuring a successful campaign in next season’s CAF Champions League, where Rangers will represent Nigeria at the continental level.We have begun preparations and are looking to recruit more quality players to strengthen our squad for our continental engagements next season. It is crucial to fortify our current squad because we understand the demands of competing for trophies at the continental level. We are preparing diligently and are optimistic about making Nigeria proud on the continental stage,” Ilechukwu concluded.

  • NPFL: Finidi George unveiled by Rivers United in Port Harcourt

    NPFL: Finidi George unveiled by Rivers United in Port Harcourt

    Rivers United of Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening unveiled former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George  as their manager ahead of next season.

    The unveiling ceremony took place at Rivers United’s secretariat in Port Harcourt.

    George has gotten a new job few weeks after leaving his position as the substantive coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    It would be recalled that Rivers United sacked long-serving tactician Stanley Eguma towards the end of last season due to poor results.

    The Port Harcourt club finished in disappointing eighth position in the NPFL last season.

    George  previously worked in the NPFL with nine-time champions Enyimba FC of Aba where he won the league with the team in the 2022/23 season.

     

     

  • NPFL: Finidi George to be unveiled as Rivers United coach today

    NPFL: Finidi George to be unveiled as Rivers United coach today

    Nigeria Professional Football League clubside, Rivers United will be unveiling  their new head coach, Finidi George, today in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital.

    It would be recalled that the 54-year-old has been penciled down to take over the reign at the former Nigeria Premier Football League champions following Stanley Eguma’s sacking towards the end of last season.

    The unveiling ceremony will hold at Rivers United’s secretariat in Port Harcourt.

    The ex-Super Eagles player and Coach will be  returning to the dugout few weeks after quitting his position as the substantive coach of the Nigeria senior men  national team

    The former Ajax winger managed nine-time NPFL champions, Enyimba for three years before moving up to coach the Super Eagles.

    Finidi masterminded Enyimba’s title success in the 2022/23 season.

    Rivers United finished in a disappointing eighth position in the NPFL last term.

  • NPFL to hold AGM July 16 in Lagos

    NPFL to hold AGM July 16 in Lagos

    The next Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Premier Football League, (NPFL) will hold in Lagos according to reports from NPFL media.

    The AGM will deliberate on the scheduled kick-off date of the 2024/25 season which is fixed for Saturday, August 31.

    Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, made this known via a letter to the clubs l, stated that the AGM will hold between July 15-16.

    “I write to convey the warm wishes of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Board and Management and to congratulate member clubs for the successful completion of the 2023/24 season.

    “It is in working towards the new season’s earnest preparations and take-off on August 31, 2024, that the Board has elected to invite member clubs for the AGM on a tentative date of July 15-16 in Lagos,” the letter said.

    Meanwhile, the NPFL have directed seven clubs to renovate their grounds in order to meet the facility Requirements of the Club Licensing Regulations.

    They were also directed to provide broadcast support facilities such as elevated camera stands.

    The clubs were ordered to upgrade their playing turf or face the prospect of playing on alternative grounds.

    The clubs are Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars, Shooting Stars, Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United, and the newly promoted El-Kanemi Warriors.

    “As we look forward to the meeting, letters have been written to some of the clubs whose facilities were found not suitable to host the NPFL matches in the new season in compliance with provisions of Facility requirements of the Club Licensing Regulations,” Owumi added in the letter.

  • NPFL: Referees to start using gadgets to improve decision making – League chairman, Elegbeleye

    NPFL: Referees to start using gadgets to improve decision making – League chairman, Elegbeleye

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, (NPFL) Gbenga Elegbeleye, has revealed that referees in the Nigerian elite league will begin to use gadgets to aid their officiating next season as part of efforts by the league board to improve the NPFL.

    Recall that the 2023/24 season ended on Sunday, with Enugu Rangers winning their eighth title with a five-point gap.

    Last season was plagued with some questionable decisions that caused suspension and expulsion of some referees from the league.

    Having announced August 31 for the resumption of the 2024/25 season, Elegbeleye said the NPFL board was poised to improve the quality of officiating in the Nigerian topflight.

    There is no perfect league anywhere in the world and we are still going through the development stages. By next season, we are going to introduce some gadgets for referees,” Elegbeleye said via NPFL match commentator Sebastine Emmanuel.

    The chairman also highlighted their plans to solidify the youth system of the NPFL.

    Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer of the league, Davison Owumi, noted that fixtures for next season had been drawn and added that the resumption date would be ratified at the clubs’ congress.

    “The pressure of events to begin the coming season is another round of pressure. From the NPFL internal workings, we already have that one in place but the league board also needs to call the congress of Nigerian clubs for them to agree.

    “It is the only thing left to be done because the fixtures, dates and other things are ready. But we cannot say that because the Congress of Clubs needs to ratify it so that we do not jump the gun.”

  • NPFL: Mbaoma beats Alimi to golden boot award with 17 goals

    NPFL: Mbaoma beats Alimi to golden boot award with 17 goals

    Enyimba striker, Chijioke Mbaoma on Sunday claimed the Nigeria Professional League Golden Boot award after adding to his tally in the game Enyimba vs Plateau United.

    With this feat, Mbaoma finished the 2023/24 season with 17 goals and has now won the Eunisell Boot as the top scorer in the league.

    He succeeds another Enyimba striker, Emeka Obioma, who was top scorer last season.

    Mbaoma netted his 17th goal of the season in today’s final game against Plateau United in Aba to beat Sikiru Alimi on 15 goals.

    Mbaoma scored the second goal of the evening and his 17th overall in the 78th minute to add to Enyimba’s tally.

    The Aba Elephants defeated Plateau United by 2-0 to finish 3rd on the log, thus grabbing a continental ticket.

  • NPFL: 2023/24 season ends as Rangers, Remo, Enyimba grab continental tickets

    NPFL: 2023/24 season ends as Rangers, Remo, Enyimba grab continental tickets

    Rangers, Remo and Enyimba will represent Nigeria on the continent next season.

    Remo Stars and Enyimba won their final games of the season today at home to finish second and third respectively on the log.

    This is the second time in a row that Remo  stars will be finishing second at the end of the season.

    Remo Stars beat visiting Katsina United 2-1 to finish as runners-up on 65 points, five points adrift of champions Enugu Rangers.
    Enyimba defeated hard fighting Plateau United 2-0 in Aba to finish on 3rd position with 63 points.
    Rangers and Enyimba will play in the CAF Champions League while Enyimba and eithor of Abia Warriors or El Kanemi Warriors will feature in the second tier CAF Confederations cup.

  • NPFL: Olorunleke Ojo to dole out N250,000, 50 jerseys to Enyimba fans today

    NPFL: Olorunleke Ojo to dole out N250,000, 50 jerseys to Enyimba fans today

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke has planned to reward Enyimba fans in last game of the season for Enyimba.

    Eyinmba will clash with Plateau United on matchday 38 in Aba.

    The goalkeeper will be donning the shirt of the Aba Based clubside for the last time before moving to his new club in Sudan.

    Ojo  has already signed a two-year contract with Sudanese giants, Al Merreikh.

    The 28-year-old spent three seasons at Enyimba.

    The goalie promised to give out N250, 000 and 50 jerseys and to the club’s fans as a mark of respect to them.

    Ojo made this known via his Facebook account on Saturday.

    “In Celebration and to show my sincere gratitude to Almighty God for his unconditional love, mercy and grace upon my Life throughout my stay with Enyimba,” he wrote on his X account.

    “Yeah on sunday I shall be giving out five thousand Naira to fifty persons randomly, again fifty Enyimba Jerseys will also be won by fifty Persons.

    “All you need do Is to be at the Stadium to witness my last match for my darling Club, Enyimba.”

    Olorunleke won the 2022-23 NPFL title with Enyimba.

  • NPFL: Champions-elect, Rangers to receive trophy on Sunday in Jos

    NPFL: Champions-elect, Rangers to receive trophy on Sunday in Jos

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau will on Sunday, at the New Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, present the Nigeria Premier Football League winner’s trophy to champions-elect Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    The NFF supremo headlines a choice list of eminent guests expected at the occasion, which will see the champions, who made sure of their eighth Nigeria title when they defeated Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium last weekend, take on relegated Gombe United FC in a game of contrasting emotions.

    The much-loved Savannah Scorpions are already contemplating life in the lower cadre – Nigeria National League – while the Flying Antelopes, 1977 Africa Cup Winners’ Cup champions, countenance flying Nigeria’s flag in the prestigious CAF Champions League competition for the first time in many years.

    The champions have already announced they will fly the squad, alongside the trophy, back to Enugu from Jos aboard a chartered aircraft after the game, which is expected to be attended by Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.

    Presently on 67 points, the Antelopes aspire to add three more points from the final-day game on Sunday to reach the magical 70 points, according to club’s youthful and dynamic CEO, Barr. Ameobi Ezeaku.

    Rangers were emphatic 4-1 winners of the reverse fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, with a brace by top scorer Godwin Obaje and one each by Chidiebere Nwobodo and Kenechukwu Agu.

  • NPFL fines Bayelsa United heavily for breaching league rules, frameworks

    NPFL fines Bayelsa United heavily for breaching league rules, frameworks

    Bayelsa Utd have been charged for breaching #NPFL24 Framework & Rules in their Matchday 37 game vs 3SC on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
    Bayelsa Utd failed to provide adequate security & effective crowd control, which resulted in the assault of an opposing player.
    The Yenagoa club also failed to restrict access by unauthorized persons to all restricted areas, resulting in the assault of 3SC goalkeeper Okiemute Odah.
    There was also encroachment unto the pitch at Bayelsa Utd’s Samson Siasia Stadium home ground leading to the assault of the 3SC goalkeeper.
    Bayelsa Utd have been fined N1m each for failure to provide adequate security & effective crowd control, failure to restrict access by unauthorized persons to all restricted areas & encroachment unto the pitch resulting to the assault of Odah (total N3m)
    Bayelsa Utd are also to pay Odah a compensation of N250,000 & also identify & prosecute the culprit of the assault within 48 hours of receiving the notice of sanctions.
    Failure by Bayelsa Utd to identify, prosecute & provide evidence of prosecuting the culprit may result in additional sanctions.
    The culprit, pending identification & prosecution, is banned from all NPFL match venues for a year.
    Bayelsa Utd have 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal the sanctions.