Nigerian Football
NPFL PLAYOFF: OUR FITNESS OVERWHELMED FC IFEANYIUBAH, SAYS LOBI’S OGENYI
BY FISAYO DAIRO
For the thousands of
spectators that watched the last fixture on Day 1 of the 2019 NPFL Championship
Playoffs between last season winners, Lobi Stars and 2018/19 season’s surprise
package FC Ifeanyiubah, the Benue side stood out for the incredible
fitness level of their players
Lobi Stars recorded the highest score margin of the opening match day at the
Agege Stadium in Lagos on Tuesday, winning 3-1 over the dazed Anambra Warriors
in a game played under floodlights.
Right from the very beginning when Samad Kadiri raced clear to finish Kelly
Kester’s pass with just about ninety seconds on the clock, Lobi’s players did
not stop running even until the final minute.
Right back John Lazarus was at his overlapping best, midfielders Kester and
Alex Aghahowa harassed their opponents with incredible sprints throughout the
contest while Kadiri and his strike partner Sikiru Alimi ran across the front
with gusto and verve.
FC Ifeanyiubah’s young side responded at some point but in the end could not
match the physicality and high tempo pressing of the 2018/19 CAF Champions
League campaigners.
Head coach Evans Ogenyi believes that his team’s display should not be
unexpected considering the level they came from at the CAF Champions League.
“You know we just came back from the continent even though it’s
unfortunate that we couldn’t go beyond the group stage but then we’ve been able
to restore Nigeria’s second slot in the CAF competitions and the experience was
valuable,” said Ogenyi to www.npfl.ng
“If you’re not fit, you cannot play at that level. So we’ve been servicing
all areas of fitness because we know that at the end of the day, it will
actually take us far.”
In “servicing” their fitness, Lobi Stars had camped in Ijebu-Ode,
near Lagos for the past twelve days and the closed camping system has helped
them to condition their players in the right frame of mind for the
season-ending competition.
Ogenyi, who served as the first assistant coach under the late Solomon Ogbeide
and is now in his third stint as head coach of his state club, also praised his
players for the victory over FC Ifeanyiubah, insisting that the 2016 Federation
Cup winners were not easy to deal with.
He continued: “It’s not an easy win. Any team that has qualified for this
stage is not a pushover.
“For you to qualify for this playoff, you should be congratulated and I
told my players at half time that we needed to up our game because at the end
of the competition, goals permutations can come to play.
“I saw 2-2 (between Pillars and Akwa United) and I saw 1-0 (Enyimba vs
Rangers) so if you have the opportunity to win, you need to win convincingly so
I give kudos to my boys for raising the bar in the second and we scored two
more goals to record the biggest win today (Tuesday).”
Lobi’s second game in the round-robin tournament will come up against Rangers,
a fellow continental campaigner on Thursday. The Flying Antelopes from Enugu
have found Lobi Stars a tough nut to crack in recent matches and Ogenyi is
hoping his side builds on Tuesday’s win.
“You must take each match as it comes, we have played ourselves before and
at this stage the result could go either way but then we hope to build on what
we have started on Tuesday,” said the former Bayelsa United and Jigawa
Golden Stars head coach.
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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