Nigerian Football
NIGERIAN LEAGUE’S OPENING MATCHDAY PRODUCES STUNNING UNWRITTEN SCRIPT
BY GEORGE AKPAYEN.
The Season 2019 of the Nigerian premier league has
left many astounded while serving a few the humble pie. Some of the big
guns barely struggled to cross the line and two of the title hopeful faltered
on home soil.
It was not the usual win-at-home outcome, which
many had expected before kickoff of the new season as Akwa United and Plateau
United could not breach their opponents and four-time champions Kano Pillars
just managed to edge Heartland at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Perhaps only Enyimba put up a show worthy of
being seven-time champions on the day as they cruised to a comfortable 2-0
victory at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Sunday.
Pundits before the kickoff envisaged a stroll in
the park of some sorts for the likes of Akwa United and Plateau United
considering the fact that they were active in the transfer window but two of
the clubs tipped to challenge for the title this term suffered setbacks.
EL-KANEMI STUN AKWA AT NEST OF CHAMPIONS
At the Nest of Champions, Akwa United’s matchday
squad looked like they would keep the promise of an opening day win as
El-Kanemi Warriors had lost the like of Samuel Mathias and Otakho Aghahowa in
the transfer.
The Promise Keepers, on the other hand, hired
Brazilian trainer Rafael Everton as head coach who brought along his countryman
and midfelder Alberico da Silva. In their matchday squad they also had new
recruits Juwon Oshaniwa, Mfon Udoh, Ndifreke Effiong, Emeka Atuloma and Ocheme
Edoh, and these names were expected to strike fear into their opponents from
the northeast.
Mohammed Baba Ganaru’s men had other ideas and
held on till the fourth minute of added time when Ba’akaka Ajikolo who had only
been on the pitch for only nine minutes after replacing Ali Aliyu scored after
Akwa goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo’s pocket was picked as he tried to ape Colombian
maverick goalkeeper Rene Higuita. Akwa paid the price for failing to convert
their chances and playing a highline at the death.
MAIKABA STILL CANNOT MANAGE A WIN OVER FC
IFEANYIUBAH
Immediate past Akwa United head coach Abdu
Maikaba did not enjoy a good start either as he began his reign at Plateau
United by dropping two points against FC Ifeanyiubah who had an unrecognizable
startlist except for captain Chijioke Alaekwe and goalkeeper Chinedu Anozie.
Plateau United’s playing personnel looked
intimidating with goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye, Daniel Itodo, Sikiru Olatunbosun,
Seth Mayi, Bernard Ovoke, Ezekiel Thompson and Ibeh Johnson with Godwin Obaje,
Gabriel Wassa, David Obiazo, Benjamin Turba and Elisha Golbe all starting from
the bench — which looked even stronger than FC Ifeanyiubah’s starting XI
filled with upstarts.
Anozie did just enough to deny Ovoke, Thompson
and Olatunbosun at different times and not even Itodo’s long throws could help
breach the defence of FC Ifeanyiubah anchored by Charles Okafor. FC Ifeanyiubah
rarely attacked and only had one opportunity which they fluffed in a
counter-attacking situation in which they had numerical advantage of three to
beat two. At the end, they took back with them a priceless 0-0 scoreline.
ABIA WARRIORS’ OPENING DAY RECORD SMASHED
FC Ifeanyiubah’s southeast rivals Abia Warriors
were not lucky to leave Lafia with a result as they lost 0-1 to Nasarawa
United. It was the first time that the Umuahia club would taste defeat in their
opening matchday game since they made their top-flight debut in 2014.
Abdullahi Abubakar’s strike on 20 minutes proved
sufficient for Nasarawa United who have endured struggling starts in recent
seasons.
KANO PILLARS START LIFE WITHOUT LOKOSA
In Kano, Junior Lokosa’s impending departure is
already being felt as Kano Pillars scraped to a 1-0 victory over Heartland.
Pillars benefited from an error from Ebele Obi whose poor goalkeeping on 16
minutes allowed Chinedu Sunday to guide the ball home with his head from close
range.
Kabiru Baleria’s men could not conjure that
second goal to ease the pressure of Heartland breathing down their necks in the
second half and would be thankful that Chidiebere Ajoku’s goal for the away
team did not stand owing to offside positioning.
Matchday 2 of the NPFL takes place this midweek.
Nigerian Football
Naze Community to Honour Late Super Eagles Legend Henry Nwosu with ‘Clash of Titans’ Novelty Match
By Joseph Odoekwu
The Naze community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State will on Sunday, April 5, stage a novelty football match in honour of their late son and former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu.
The event, tagged “The Clash of Titans,” will see Naze All Stars square off against Imo Football Legends at the Naze Secondary School field, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. on Easter Sunday.
Details of the tribute match emerged following a training session held on Thursday morning at the venue, where former players and participants in the long-running Henry Nwosu Cup resolved to take the lead in celebrating the legacy of the late football icon.
Naze All Stars will be made up of indigenes of the community who have featured in the Henry Nwosu Cup since its inception in 1985, while the Imo Football Legends side will parade notable ex-footballers from across the state.
The Ikuku Oma Foundation is organising the match in collaboration with the Naze Football Federation as part of activities to immortalise Nwosu, whose grassroots initiative transformed local football in the community.
Since its establishment over four decades ago, the Henry Nwosu Cup—played annually during the Christmas period—has grown into a major unifying and entertainment platform for Naze and neighbouring communities such as Ulakwo, Agbala and Egbu. Beyond football, the competition has also fostered social bonds, with several marriages reportedly stemming from relationships formed on matchdays.
There are also strong indications that Heartland FC manager and former Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, could lead the Imo Football Legends side in Sunday’s encounter, adding further glamour to the occasion.
Members of the Naze All Stars who have confirmed participation include Ikuku Oma, Prof. Joe-Ken Nzerem, Ejike Urewuji, Nda Gboko, Oga Ekete, Oga Sarge, Oga Cho Cho, Man of God, Baba Urch, Oga Eshi ke Naze, Chief Agba I, Mmiri the Crown Prince (goalkeeper), Mr. Obiọma, Alkaline, among others.
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The Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday inaugurated its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee ahead of elections into its Executive Committee for the 2026–2030 term.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau performed the inauguration at the federation’s secretariat in Abuja, charging members to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, neutrality and professionalism.
Gusau urged the committees to discharge their duties without bias, stressing the importance of credibility in a process that will shape the future leadership of Nigerian football.
Speaking on behalf of the committees, Matthew Burka’a assured stakeholders that the exercise would meet the highest standards of transparency and fairness.
“We will approach this task with the seriousness it deserves. On behalf of all the members, I assure the NFF, football-loving Nigerians and the world at large that we are going to conduct a free, fair, credible and acceptable election,” Burka’a said.
He added that the committees were mindful of the global attention on the process, including from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, and pledged to deliver what could become a benchmark for future elections within and beyond football administration.
Committee Composition
The Electoral Committee comprises Matthew Burka’a (SAN), Alhaji Babagoni Grema, Bature Musa, Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie and Akogun Olugbenga Omole, with Arinze Azubuike Anughele and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi serving as alternate members.
The Electoral Appeals Committee is made up of Hon. Justice C. J. Aneke, Benjamin Sati and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal, with FIFA Emmanuel Dada Obafemi and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam listed as alternates.
In line with NFF statutes, the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, will serve as secretary to both committees.
Election Date Fixed
The NFF also confirmed that elections into its Executive Committee will take place on September 26, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Philip Shaibu, NFF First Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Executive Committee members Silas Agara and George Aluo, alongside senior management and staff of the federation.
With preparations now formally underway, attention will turn to the electoral process as stakeholders await what has been promised as a transparent and credible exercise to usher in a new leadership era for Nigerian football.
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Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, will rekindle rivalries with Poland and Portugal in high-profile international friendlies scheduled for June, marking only the second time the Nigerian team will meet the two nations at the senior level.
The fixtures come on the back of Nigeria’s recent international outings in Antalya, Turkey, where they defeated Iran and held World Cup-bound Jordan to a 2-2 draw, signalling renewed optimism within the squad despite missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the Super Eagles will first take on Poland on June 3 at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, before travelling to Portugal for a second clash on June 10 at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Renewing Rivalries
Nigeria’s previous encounter with Poland remains a positive memory. On March 23, 2018, the Super Eagles secured a 1-0 victory in Wroclaw, courtesy of a 61st-minute penalty converted by Victor Moses after he was fouled in the box. The match served as preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
However, their only senior meeting with Portugal tells a different story. On November 17, 2022, Nigeria suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to the European side in Lisbon, with Bruno Fernandes scoring twice, while Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário added further goals in a dominant display.
That result remains one of Nigeria’s most crushing defeats the Super Eagles have ever suffered since the 1998 5-1 loss to the Netherlands.
Portugal’s World Cup Tune-Up
The upcoming clash will also serve as a crucial preparatory fixture for the Portugal national football team, who will head into the game as part of their final build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For Nigeria, however, the matches represent an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition and rebuild confidence after missing out on the global showpiece.
Beyond the June friendlies, the Super Eagles are also scheduled to participate in the Unity Cup Tournament in London from May 26 to 30, where they will defend their title. The traditional teams of the tournament include Ghana and Jamaica.
The combination of competitive fixtures and high-level friendlies is expected to provide the head coach and technical crew with a broader platform to assess players and refine tactics ahead of future international engagements.
With mixed results in recent outings but flashes of promise, the upcoming matches against Poland and Portugal could prove pivotal in shaping Nigeria’s next phase on the international stage.
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