Nigerian Football
EVERYONE IMPRESSED BY MIKEL OBI’S MIDDLESBROUGH DEBUT
Anthony Vickers, a senior writer at Teessidelive, an online publication in the UK has described as impressive, the debut for Middlesbrough by Nigeria’s Mikel Obi.
The Super Eagles’ skipper who signed for the club barely two days earlier was a starter in the game in which he played for 62 minutes. Here is Anthony Vickers’ assessment of the Nigerian international.
So, how did surprise starter John Obi
Mikel do on his debut?
Not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, he provided some eye-catching neon flashes of quality that illuminated an often monochrome match.
Little sparks. A sublime touch here. A laser-guided long ball there. A subtle shimmy to send a Newport man blundering down a cul-de-sac, creating precious time and space to calmly pick a pass. And all that happening in a bubble of serene slow-time he created around himself amid the scrappy, frantic flailing of the midfield melee.
Serial winner Mikel is a long-time trophy hoover. A sparkling decade with Chelsea earned him an enviable medal collection.
And even in the hurly-burly of a thud and blunder FA Cup clash, even on a rushed debut after one training session with his new team-mates, even after a long lay-off from active service you could see that he oozes class.
Mikel
was quick to point out after the game that he was rusty
and lacking match sharpness and he needed minutes. You could see that.
It is 10 weeks since his last outing for Chinese club Tianjin Tada when he played the full 90 and scored and that takes the edge off.
He didn’t do a lot of sprinting. There weren’t any lung-busting runs up-field. He barely broke sweat.
But he wasn’t blowing during the game. He was never beaten for pace. He never looked like he was towing a caravan.
Physically he coped and will improve with minutes. But technically he excelled.
There were some exquisite moments of distilled quality. He has an impressive palette of passing, a finely honed selection of well-weighted, perfectly delivered balls across all the angles on the protractor and at a variety of distances, speeds and heights.
Most of them were short and sharp, popping up across the middle third to collect and recycle sharply and accurately.
At
one moment in the first half he was first to a loose ball but hemmed in by
three arriving Newport midfielders, all snarling and snapping and looking to
mug him 10 yards outside the box.
Mikel deftly lifted the ball over the outstretched toes of the first challenge and stepped aside leaving the assailant to follow through and impede the second County combatant then turned inside to shield himself from the third and calmly threaded a casual ball back between the centre-backs for Darren Randolph to deal with routinely.
Nice. It showed great positional awareness, incredible composure under pressure and shrewd, instinctive reading of the opposition intentions and took the sting out of a potential dangerous situations.
There were a few moments like that when Mikel took responsibility and control in a crowded middle third to tidy up with a bit of swagger.
He looks more than capable of playing that holding role, fire-fighting, breaking up attacks, quickly and cleanly playing the right ball to find a colleague in space to carry it forward and link up the different elements of the engine room.
But there were a few signs that he could play a more offensive role too, that he has the vision to spot movement between the lines and the technical ability to deliver a ball that can spark an attack.
There was one sublime moment midway through the first half when after a crisp exchange of short passes he looked up, spotted a run and took a touch to set himself up then hit the sweet spot.
He delivered an inch perfect 60 yard crossfield diagonal that sailed over and neutralised the Newport midfield and dropped onto the toes of Britt Assombalonga as he darted towards the box.
The striker drilled his low shot wide but that wasn’t really the point. It was the sublime artistry of the delivery that was a delight.
That move didn’t make the Match of the Day highlights which is a shame because aesthetically it was the best of the day.
So Mikel did well. It wasn’t a match-winning debut, the deep-lying destroyer position doesn’t lend itself to such drama.
But it was very encouraging. He was composed, tidy and effective in his holding brief and linked smoothly with the players around him plus there were hints at a more attacking enterprise when opportunity allows.
There were fascinating flashes there of the silk and steel John Obi Mikel that played for Chelsea just two years ago.
Yes, it was “only Newport” – but he hadn’t played since October and barely missed a beat.
When he gets up to speed, if that potential is consistently brought to bear on the pitch, he could be some weapon in the Championship.
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
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Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
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The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
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