Nigerian Football
HEINEKEN BRINGS CARLOS PUYOL TO THRILL FANS IN LAGOS AND UYO
As the clock ticks down to the arrival of Spanish legend, Carlos Puyol with the iconic UEFA Champions League Trophy next week, international premium lager beer, Heineken, in its unique tradition is poised to give Nigerian football fans a treat during the three-day activities in the country.
Puyol, a three-time winner of the trophy with
FC Barcelona in 2006, 2009 and 2011 was unveiled last month in Lagos and
thousands of football fans especially those with affinity with the UEFA
Champions League competition are already looking to the three days of loaded
activities in both Uyo and Lagos.
The Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi, described the coming of the Spanish legend with the iconic UEFA Champions League Trophy to Nigeria as a way to reward long standing consumers of Heineken and fans of UEFA Champions League competition with a unique opportunity not only have a feel of the trophy but a wonderful photo opportunity with the strong defender, courtesy of Heineken.
“Puyol is often ranked as one of the best center backs of all time and with an average height, he has won most aerial battles against towering footballers either to defend or score crucial goals for his team and he is one of the legends of the number five jersey.
“Such a player fits into what we want to achieve by bringing the world best into our country for Nigerians to have a chance to meet him for the first time and have photo opportunities with him and the iconic UEFA Champions League Trophy too.
“We are excited to be creating premium experiences for our consumers and this is just part of the package we have in the ongoing season of unmissable moments,” Oriakhi remarked.
Although the UEFA Champions League Trophy experience is in its third installment, this is the first time fans outside Lagos will have the rear opportunity to come very close to the iconic trophy because consumers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and surrounding cities will enjoy the viewing experience courtesy of Heineken.
The thrill in Uyo will see the former FC Barcelona captain involve in an “Unmissable” Football Match at the Uyo International Stadium and play with the Shine Shine Bobo team which, would be made up of some of the brand’s most loyal consumers as well as past and present football players like former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
Active footballers in the domestic football scene largely from Akwa United, a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side will also have a rear privilege to flex muscle with the former international football star when team Shine Shine Bobo led by former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and a host of other former national team players take on the Chairman’s team at the Godswil Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on the 16th of April, kick-off time 5pm.
This window of opportunity provided by Heineken for consumers and passionate fans is in its 12th year and has reached 32 countries across Africa, Asia, North and South America. The tour will land in Nigeria for the third time since the 2009 and 2014 experiences.
So far in the ongoing campaign, the UEFA Champions League Trophy has visited South Africa, Namibia and Indonesia. The next leg would be Mozambique and then China before it will land in Nigeria from 16th-18th of April, 2019. The iconic Trophy will then go to USA and finally touch down in Madrid, Spain for the final match on 1st of June.
Heineken, whose partnership with the UEFA Champions League dates back to the 2005/06 edition and in the ongoing campaign has been sharing ‘Unmissable’ moments which is based on the belief that every match in the competition has unmissable moments of actions for everyone to enjoy.
To follow the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken on digital platforms, visit @Heineken and use #Unmissable and #UCLTrophyTour.
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.
“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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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.”
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.”
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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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.
“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.
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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