Nigerian Football
AHEAD 2019 NIGERIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE: GOAL POACHERS ON THE WATCH LIST
BY FISAYO DAIRO.
Exactly seven months after the last ball was kicked in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the new league season will get underway in various cities across the country on Sunday.
The movements, the action, the intrigues and most especially,
the goals, which have been missed by fans of the beautiful game in Nigeria,
will dominate every sphere once again.
When the new season kicks off on Sunday, three former winners of the NPFL’s
highest goal-scorer award will be among attackers that will be saddled with the
responsibility of deciding games with their goals and bringing those shouts and
chants which accompany the art of goal scoring to the lips of spectators at
different venues.
As is the norm in all parts of the world, teams have reinforced their playing
staff ahead of the new season. The unwanted chaff from previous seasons have
been weeded out while new brides are expected to emerge from the recruits ahead
of what promises to a very difficult though abridged season.
Here, www.npfl.ng takes
a look at four categories of the players that a late Heartland coach Kelechi
Emeteole once described as the “18-yard assassins”.
The former winners
One of the headline transfers of the new season is that of former Enyimba
striker Mfon Udoh who returned to his hometown club Akwa United after a largely
successful five years in Aba. Udoh holds the NPFL goal scoring record after his
23-goal haul in 2014 and he is certainly one of the strikers that should give
defenders plenty to think about this season.
While Udoh emerged as top scorer both in the NPFL and the CAF Champions League
during his stay in Aba, the top scoring honour currently belongs to Junior Sewanu
Lokosa of Kano Pillars who scored a phenomenal nineteen goals in twenty-three
matches last term. Lokosa is a genuine fox-in-the-box whose goals do not look
like drying up anytime soon. Should he hold off the lure of a move abroad this
January, Lokosa will be a marked man in the league but that is when to really
prove he is no fluke.
Godwin Obaje is another name in this category having won the top scorer’s gong
in 2016 while with Wikki Tourists of Bauchi. The striker has now joined Plateau
United from FC Ifeanyiubah where he spent the last two seasons. Obaje scored
fourteen goals in his debut season in Nnewi before scoring four more last term.
In Jos, he has reunited with his former coach Abdu Maikaba under whom he
blossomed at Wikki. It will surely not be out of place to expect good things
from him.
The recently consistent ones
Quite a few players have seen their goalscoring return improve consistently in
each of the past few seasons. One of such players is Ndifreke Effiong who just
like Mfon Udoh has made the switch from Abia state to his home club, Akwa
United. Effiong started out as a right back in the league but has now
completely metamorphosed into an attacker, scoring five goals in 2017 and eight
goals last term. Time to see if he keeps to the arithmetic progression in Uyo.
Sunday Adetunji has joined Champions League campaigners Lobi Stars from Abia
Warriors and the forward will be hoping to make his first full season since
2017 count. Adetunji had scored fourteen goals in 2017 before a sorrowful
shoulder injury on Match Day 33 ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
He only came back to action late last season and scored four goals in his short
stint with Enyimba in the Champions League and AITEO Cup.
Adetunji’s teammate at Lobi Stars Sikiru Alimi is also one to look out for in
the new season if perhaps he remains with the side after the January transfer
window. Having scored six league goals in 2017, Alimi stepped it up last term
and had already scored seven goals before Match Day 24. This season, he has
been instrumental to Lobi’s progress in the CAF Champions League where he has
netted three goals in three matches.
Up North, Nyima Nwagua is another forward capable of adding more to his
goalscoring tally with Kano Pillars this term. Nwagua proved to be a perfect
foil for Lokosa last season while also scoring four goals on his own. The
Rivers state born forward no doubt has the talent and the physicality to be
among the headliners in the upcoming season.
The Veterans’ club
Bendel Insurance legend Charles Omokaro showed what he can still do at the NNL
Super Eight playoffs with two well-taken goals. The forward who also scored a
handful during the regular NNL season last term will lead the veterans of war
into the goalscoring battle this term.
Another veteran of note is David Tyavkase, a member of the 2003 & 2004 CAF
Champions League winning side of Enyimba who still turns out for his hometown
club Lobi Stars. Though the goals are drying up for the talented man, he scored
twice last season and will be hoping to add more goals this term.
Kabiru Sanusi of Kada City, Gambo Mohammed of Kano Pillars, Adamu Muhammed of
Gombe United are other veterans of the NPFL ready for this season’s action.
The rest
All eyes will be on Enyimba forward Chinedu Udechukwu. The striker was missing
from the league last season after scoring eleven (11) goals for Katsina United
and a failed move to Rivers United. Nasarawa United’s rising prospect Ikechukwu
Nwani who scored five goals last term has looked increasingly sharp in
pre-season and this might just be his season.
Victor Mbaoma might be disappointed with his goals return in the NPFL last term
with Akwa United – five – but he will expect to do greater things with newly
promoted Remo Stars, where he scored ten (10) goals in his debut NPFL season in
2017.
Osita Chikere was prominent for Rivers United on his return from abroad last
season and will surely expect to score more than his four goals return this
term. There is a certain Samuel Stone at Go Round who joined from Ikorodu
United while Stephen Alfred and Samson Obi who scored nine goals each for Kwara
United and Abia Warriors respectively last season will hope to do greater
things in the league in 2019.
Nigerian Football
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
Prominent FIFA-licensed football agent John Shittu has issued a formal legal demand to former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, seeking a full retraction and apology over alleged defamatory statements made against him about Nigeria’s 2008 Olympic football campaign.
In a letter dated and signed by his legal representatives, Godwin Dick Inyang & Co., Shittu categorically denied Siasia’s claim—widely reported in the media including Sahara Reporters and Soccernet.ng—that he offered Siasia a bribe of €50,000 to secure John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in the Nigeria U-23 team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The legal notice, addressed directly to Siasia, described the allegation as “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” adding that it had caused “reputational harm and professional injury” to Shittu, who is widely respected in the global football industry.
“Your statement is false, malicious, and calculated to disparage and lower our client in the estimation of his colleagues, clients, and the public, particularly in the tightly regulated world of professional sports management,” the letter stated.
Shittu’s legal team is demanding:
- A full and unreserved retraction of the alleged statement on Sahara Reporters, Soccernet.ng, and all other platforms that published it;
- Publication of the retraction in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, including The Punch and This Day;
- A formal, written apology addressed to Mr. Shittu and published on all aforementioned platforms;
- A written undertaking not to issue or publish any similar statements in the future;
- Payment of ₦250 million in damages for defamation, reputational injury, and consequential losses.
The legal notice further warned that failure to comply within 14 days of receipt will result in legal action against Siasia. The planned suit would seek aggravated damages, a restraining injunction, and full legal costs.
Shittu is well known in Nigerian and international football circles, having managed and represented top-tier footballers over the years.
The gravity of the allegations, his legal team argues, is not only damaging to his personal and professional reputation but could also have implications in the closely scrutinised world of sports integrity and management.
As of the time of filing this report, Siasia has not publicly responded to the legal threat.
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Tribute by Patrick Ekeji Reflects Bond, Legacy, and Regret Over Lost Potential
The Nigerian football community is in mourning following the passing of former Green Eagles captain, Captain Chris Chukwu, MFR, a towering figure in Nigerian football and one of the most respected team leaders of his generation.
In an emotional tribute, a close teammate and longtime friend of Chukwu reflected on the deep bond they shared, describing the late defender as more than just a colleague on the pitch.
“It’s been difficult for me to accept that ‘Ol boy’ – for that is what we called each other – is no more,” the tribute began. “The news was most unexpected. It took me some time to come to terms with it.”
The bond between the two football greats, which began during their school days and continued through their careers in club and national teams, was described as one built on mutual respect and camaraderie. According to the tribute, they communicated frequently, sometimes as often as two to three times a month, until Chukwu’s health began to decline.
The writer also acknowledged the humanitarian gesture of business magnate Femi Otedola, who funded Chukwu’s medical treatment abroad when his illness worsened. “Otedola, I shall always remember what you did for him. Thank you,” the tribute noted.
Chris Chukwu was lauded as the most consistent team leader of his time, having captained teams from the East Central State Academicals to Rangers International FC, and eventually, the Green Eagles. His leadership qualities, on-field vision, and calm command earned him universal respect among teammates and coaches.
“He towered so high with the execution of his skills, overview and control of the team. It was natural, and we all respected his views on any issues that arose between us and the officials.”
The tribute also touched on Chukwu’s coaching career, noting with some regret that his gentle nature may not have suited the demands of the dugout. It further lamented the absence of adequate post-retirement support systems for athletes of his generation, which might have offered him a more structured path after his playing days.
“True, no living being has power over death, yet I believe that his post-soccer days would have taken a different route if there existed a system whereby such talents as he had exposure to appropriate post-sports/football years counselling.”
As burial plans are underway, the late football icon is being remembered not only for his achievements on the pitch but also for his humility, leadership, and the inspiration he provided to generations of Nigerian players.
“It is my prayer that God receives his soul in heaven whilst also strengthening the family he left behind to accept his departure with utmost spiritual and physical strength. Adieu, Chris.”
Chukwu’s death marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on in Nigerian football history.
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BY IKENNA NWOKEDI
The Nigeria National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA) has lauded the leadership of the Nigeria National League (NNL) under Chief George Aluo for the successful completion of the 2024/25 season.
Speaking at a media parley with sports journalists in Lagos over the weekend, NALCOMA President Godwin Enakhena praised the NNL board for its efforts in enhancing the quality and integrity of the league.
Enakhena described the just-concluded season as a major success, highlighting the competitive performance of teams across the four groups and the commendable conduct of fans at various match venues. He also noted significant improvements in officiating standards compared to previous seasons, attributing the progress to the NNL leadership’s commitment to raising the league’s profile.
“The standard of officiating improved remarkably this season. It reflects the dedication of the NNL leadership to ensure the league matches the standards of the top-flight NPFL,” said Enakhena, who also serves as Chairman of Sporting Lagos FC.
He further commended the NNL for securing the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, as the host venue for the upcoming Super 8 playoffs, scheduled from July 5 to 12, 2025. He expressed gratitude to the Governor of Delta State, H.E. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his continued support for football development.
Enakhena urged the eight qualifying teams to approach the playoffs with determination, noting that only the best should represent the NNL in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2025/26 season.
The teams set to battle for promotion in the Super 8 are Warri Wolves, Crown FC (Ogbomosho), Kun Khalifat FC (Owerri), Osun United FC, Wikki Tourists FC (Bauchi), Yobe Desert Stars, Doma United FC (Gombe), and Barau FC (Kano).
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