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Nigerian Football

Video: How GTBank Lagos Principals’ Cup Produced New Champions

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Most football followers of the GTBank Principals’ Cup look forward to see Stephen Odey perform this weekend as Nigeria take on South Africa in one of the opening group stages of the qualifying series for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Stephen Odey, a forward of Lagos MFM, has been fantastic this football season and is the lead scorer in the Nigerian league. He remains the biggest product of the GTBank Lagos Principals’ Cup which eighth edition has just been concluded.
Stephen Odey played for and captained Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School to victory in the 2012 edition. There have been other exceptional players who have emerged from the GTBank Principals Cup as new champions continue to emerge.
Such new champions are. Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School, Ojokoro which won the male category of 2017 which is the Season 8 since GTBank took over the title sponsorship.
Isale Eko Grammar School, Lagos Island, emerged champions in the girls’ category at the final matches played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Ayodeji Tinubu, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sports and also the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, who was at the final match of this year’s edition which also significantly served as the football event of the celebration of Lagos State at 50, remarked that the partnership with GTBank on the Principals Cup has been fantastic.
“Year in year out, the partnership continues to get stronger”, Deji Tinubu remarked. Considering that none of the four finalist schools had made it to that stage since the commencement of organized schools’ football in Lagos in 1948, Segun Agbaje, the MD/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, was thrilled as the 2017 competition opened new opportunities.
Ahead of the final matches, he stated: “We are delighted to see schools aiming for their first ever trophies in this competition;
“It emphasizes the growing stature of the GTBank-Lagos State Principals Cup as a platform for the cultivation of dreams through hard work and discipline.”
He further stated that “When these young talents go on to accomplish many great goals in their lives, they will look back on this competition as the time when they first gained the courage to dare, and built the will to win.”
Guaranty Trust Bank plc is a foremost Nigerian financial institution that has maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy since its inception in 1990. The Bank actively supports in-classroom and out-of-classroom educational programmes, infrastructure development, students’ scholarship and teachers training across Africa.
Agbaje also remarked that GTBank embarked on the Lagos Principals Cup project to further project sports as tool to create good habit in people. “It creates discipline so that they can achieve success in different facets of their lives”.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Nigerian Football

The rise and rise of Nigeria Premier Football League

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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is on the rise and has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, largely thanks to the unwavering commitment of strategic partners to the NPFL, GTI Group. By laying down robust structures for transparency and accountability, GTI Group has significantly helped to improve the integrity and reputation of the elite league, ensuring that every dime from sponsors and investors of The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) are meticulously utilised and accounted for.

GTI’s initiative to enhance transparency in the NPFL goes beyond mere intentions; it involves concrete actions that laid the groundwork for accountability. This commitment not only bolsters the league’s financial health but also promotes confidence among stakeholders, including fans, sponsors and players.

One of the critical challenges that faced the NPFL before the coming of GTI Group in the 2022/2023 season was crowd violence. However, the financial investment firm and the NPFL Board led by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye have worked harmoniously and tackled this issue head-on by implementing measures to curb this menace at match venues.

The placement of trained security personnel, implementation of zero tolerance to crowd violence and the issuance of fines against erring clubs cum their fans have fostered a safer environment for lovers of the beautiful game in the country. As a result, match attendance has astronomically increased, allowing for a more vibrant and supportive atmosphere.

The enhanced transparency in match operations by NPFL has also sparked renewed hope and a sense of friendly competition among clubs. With the increase in fair play and adherence to regulations, fans and players alike are experiencing a new wave of excitement. This was exemplified on Match Day 3 of the ongoing 2024/2025 season, where the league witnessed an impressive display of five-star performance: five away wins, three draws, and two home wins. This feat has never happened in the history of the elite league and reflects the blossoming football economy of Africa’s most populous nation. 

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GTI Group and NPFL’s relentless effort has laid the foundation for a prosperous league that attracts local and international talents from neighboring countries in the round-leather game. By focusing on transparency, infrastructural development and security, GTI and NPFL are not just transforming the league but creating a sustainable environment where football can thrive.

As we celebrate these positive changes, it is essential to acknowledge the role of every stakeholder in this journey. The NPFL is no longer just a platform for entertainment; it is a thriving business-oriented industry with the potential to inspire future generations.

The transformation of the NPFL, championed by GTI Group, reflects a brighter future for Nigerian football. With the ongoing commitment and collaboration, the NPFL will continue to flourish, bringing glory to clubs and excitement to fans across the world.

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Nigerian Football

Enugu Rangers crumble at home in seven-goal thriller with Kano Pillars

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Nigerian champions, Enugu Rangers have been beaten 4-3 by visiting Kano Pillars in the Match Day 7 of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

The visitors went into the lead in 15th minute when Rabiu Ali converted a penalty kick. They doubled the lead in the 28th minute through Zulkifilu Rabiu before Rabiu Ali extended the lead to 3-0 in the 37th minute after converting another penalty kick.

The game turned into a nightmare for Rangers as Ahmed Musa made it 4-0 in the first minute of the added time.

Rangers began a fight back in the opening minutes of the second half as Isaac Saviour pulled a goal back in the 47th minute. Twelve minute later he scored a second goal to reduce the tally to 4-2. Emmanuel Silas Nenrot made the score line a more respectable for Rangers when he scored a third goal in the added time.

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Nigerian Football

Season’s first win for Akwa United and Ikorodu City

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The miserable run of Akwa United and Ikorodu City came to an end after six games in the Nigerian Premier League this season. Both teams were initially glued at the bottom of the league table.

They now got respite as Akwa United beat Kano Pillar by 2-0 while Ikorodu City even did what could be considered an upset, beating Bendel Insurance 3-0.

Remo Stars bounced back to the top of the log after a 3-0 defeat of Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars are yet to get their rhythm this season, playing a barren draw with Enyimba in Ibadan.

Kwara United who got their first full points of the season last week after a 1-0 defeat of Remo Stars could not consolidate as they were beaten 1-0 by Abia Warriors.

Heartland under Emmanuel Amuneke are gradually recovering as they got a valuable away draw against El-Kanemi Warriors.

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