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Nigerian Football

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT UPBEAT ON RUSSIA WORLD CUP TICKET

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Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung has told the Super Eagles that the Federal Government of Nigeria is upbeat about the Super Eagles’ chances of clinching a 2018 World Cup ticket this Saturday.

Nigeria hosts Zambia’s Chipolopolo at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, this weekend, in a crucial World Cup qualifier. A win earns Nigeria the ticket to the World Cup but an otherwise result may just be a setback and a delay till last match day before the slot is decided.

Dalung is optimistic that the Super Eagles, knowing that a victory against the Chipolopolo will guarantee them an instant qualification for the World Cup in Russia will go for the maximum three points.

Reacting ahead of the important match, Dalung urged the Super Eagles to put up a worthy display against the second placed Zambia.

“This match is a very important one for both teams as the result will play a key role in determining who will be at the World Cup in Russia. We started the World Cup qualification campaign in Zambia and we beat them 2-1 in the presence of their President and their home crowd.

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“We have maintained the lead after a 4-0 routing of Cameroon here in Nigeria last month.

“Despite topping the group, we will not leave anything to chance against the Zambians who will be desperate to record an upset against us.   We saw what Zambia did to Algeria on match day 4 of the world cup series and we cannot afford to be complacent against a team who will be desperate to make a difference.”

Dalung who will be physically present in Uyo to support the team tasked the Super Eagles to once and for all put the qualification campaign to bed with one game to go against Algeria.

“The sole ticket in our group is for us to win with one game to go against Algeria. A victory in Uyo against Zambia is not negotiable.”

Dalung believes that getting the job done on Saturday will save football loving Nigerians the unnecessary anxiety ahead of the final group game against Algeria.

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“The Super Eagles have prepared very well and they have also been mobilized. The team are in high spirit and we want to assure Nigerians that we will definitely make good our promise of delivering the 2018 World Cup ticket to Nigerians.

He called on Nigerians to troop out in their numbers on Saturday to cheer the team to victory which will guarantee the Super Eagles, their sixth World Cup appearance after making their debut in 1994.

“I want to thank Nigerians for the tremendous and inspiring support they have been giving to the team. The players are also aware of the sentiments of Nigerians and they will not disappoint them. Let them continue to support and pray for the Super Eagles.”

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

Finidi Hails Youngster Elias After Impressive Display in Rivers United Win

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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.

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“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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GTI Group Congratulates NFF on Successful AGM, Commends Gusau’s Leadership

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GTI Group Managing Director, Abubakar Lawal

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.”

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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.”

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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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NPFL Queries Warri Wolves over Coach Suspension, Contract Breach

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Aluma Napoleon

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.

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“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.

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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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