Nigerian Football
Kwara, Ogun Compete For Channels International Kids Cup Trophy
Burahanudeen LGEA Primary School from Kwara and African Church Central Primary School from Ogun State will play in the finals of the first edition of the Channels International Kids Cup. The match holds on Saturday at the Campos Square Mini Stadium, Lagos Island
Both schools enjoyed a good run from the start of the tournament and will be hoping to make record by becoming the first team to win the maiden international edition.
The boys from Burahanudeen played in Group B alongside last year’s champion, Kaduna, Rivers and Ekiti. In their first game, they defeated St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary school from Ekiti 2-1.
In the second match, they swept aside World Book Model Primary School from Rivers State 2-0 and rounded off the group stage with a 1-1 result against Jaafaru School from Kaduna, who were also a strong force in the group.
In the quarter-finals, the boys from Kwara played a different brand of football that showed they meant business. Playing against the impressive boys from Community Primary School, Imo they showed good character and achieved a convincing 4-0 victory. Waiting for them in the semi-finals was Mowoe Primary School from Delta.
In the semi-finals, Burahanudeen continued where they stopped against Imo. Five minutes into the game, Isiaka Shamsudeen scored the opener for Kwara.
But Delta will not go down without a fight and moments later, Oke Ahere drew level with a beautiful header. First half ended 1-1. It was a thrilling encounter.
When the game resumed, it was a post to post affair. Ten minutes to stoppage time, the boys from Kwara had a clear chance but Issa Kayode could not convert. But they didn’t have to wait too long when Delta’s defender, Onyema Trinity carelessly handled the ball in the box and gifted Kwara a penalty. Issa Kayode stepped to it and scored to give Kwara a 2-1 victory and a ticket into the final.
For African Church Central Primary School, Ogun, it was a fairytale ride. In their opening group C match against Abeka Basic 4 Primary School from Ghana, they struggled to play a goalless draw. The other group opponent, Islamiya from Kogi beat Turaki Model School, 2-1 and topped the table.
In their second game, they bounced back to beat Kogi 1-0 and kept hopes alive. In the final group game, they played 1-1 with Sokoto and the five points they gathered was good enough to take them to the next round. Ghana and Sokoto also finished with five points.
In the quarter-finals, Ogun came from a goal down to stun Paragon Demonstration School, Edo 2-1. It was a major upset! In the semi-final match against X-Planter Primary School from Lagos, in ten minutes Oloyede Qudus scored a brace and left Lagos chasing the game. Nababa Abdulsalam pulled one back but it couldn’t stop African Church Central Primary School, Ogun from making it to the final.
The Channels Kids Cup is a grassroots football development programme for boys in primary school under the age of thirteen. The competition became international this year with the inclusion of Ghana and Benin Republic.
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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