Nigerian Football
BATTLE OF THE ‘UNITEDS’ IN AITEO CUP AS RIVERS SET TO FLOW THROUGH AKWA IBOM INTO ROUND OF 16
BY SAMMY WEJINYA
A very special football match will be played on
Wednesday at the ‘Cathedral’, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu when two
grand establishments in Nigerian football, Akwa United and Rivers United go toe
to toe for the right to play in the last 16 of Nigeria’s oldest football
competition, the AITEO (Federation) Cup.
Akwa reached this stage of the competition by
beating Sokoto United 2-1 at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja in the round of 64
while Rivers United outclassed FC Timberloader 4-0 at the Lafia City Stadium,
Lafia at the same stage.
Wednesday’s game is extremely vital for both
Nigeria Professional Football League clubs as success will mean their only
route to the continent, next season, remains ajar.
Akwa is a side laced with top talent; Jean
Efala, Olorunleke Ojo, Ottobong Effiong, Kodjovi Dadzie Ubong Essien,
Dennis Nya, Wilson Elu, Cyril Olisema and Ndifreke Effiong easily roll off the
tongue.
There’s also the small matter of feared
marksman, Mfon Udoh who is surrounded by a stellar caste which includes
Wisdom Fernando, Ocheme Edoh and Godspower Aniefiok.
Akwa also have the luxury of having two former
Rivers United players, Markson Ojobo and Emeka Atuloma who both represented the
‘Pride of Rivers’ in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup where they
reached the group stages of the competition to call on, for ‘inside
information’ about the Port Harcourt club.
Trouble in the Akwa camp
Akwa United is one of the top sides in Nigerian
football.
The objective, for the Uyo club, before the just
concluded NPFL campaign commenced was clear – Akwa United was condemned to win
the league title or at least, deliver a continental ticket
The ‘Promise Keepers’ kept the first part of the
bargain by qualifying for the Super Six playoffs in Lagos (which kept them
within striking distance of the main thing) but imploded spectacularly like a
pack of badly-arranged cards when the ‘real dance’ commenced.
In Lagos, Akwa could only manage one win
(against the worst team in the playoffs, FC Ifeanyiubah – a side that lost all
of its five matches in the competition) while they failed to amass maximum
points in the direct shootouts against the other Top Dogs in the division,
Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers and Lobi Stars.
Frailties were badly exposed in Lagos, venue of
the ‘Super Six’ playoffs and there were always going to be consequences.
The club fired Brazilian head coach, Rafael
Everton before their last game in the competition, in a bid to arrest the
slide.
It backfired spectacularly as Akwa got
comprehensively outclassed 3-0 by Enyimba International in their last game of
the competition.
The Cat had truly been set amongst the Pigeons
at the Uyo club which managed to eke out a 2-1 win over the unfashionable
Sokoto United in the round of 64 of the AITEO Cup at the weekend.
After that game in Abuja, the Akwa United
supremo, “Etubom” Elder Paul Bassey was less than impressed as he
addressed the media.
“People should run football well (in this
country). I have just been informed that (Akwa United) will play against
(Rivers United on June 19) and that if we win, we will play on (the next)
Sunday and again next Wednesday, if we win again,” Elder Bassey told
journalist, Kola Daniel.
“I don’t know what the punishment will be
if Akwa United (withdraws) from this tournament because that’s what my mind is
thinking.
“Where are the resources? What about wear
and tear that the players may face?
“Why should (Akwa United) be made to suffer
for something that we know nothing about (deadline to submit the nomenclature
of the club to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup next season)?
“Why did (the organizers) wait this long?
Why didn’t the teams that didn’t play in the Super Six play their games (in the
AITEO Cup) before now?,” an angry Etubom Bassey queried.
Whether this will have a detrimental effect on
players of Akwa United on Wednesday remains to be seen.
Blue tide rising
In stark contrast, the mood couldn’t be happier
in the Rivers United camp with players, coaching staff and members of the
management bubbling with excitement.
The team is currently playing swashbuckling,
wonderfully-aesthetic and effective football and winger, Bright Onyedikachi who
scored a Diego Maradona-esque goal (ala England at the 1986 Fifa World Cup
quarter final) in the classy 4-0 against FC Timberloader in the round of 64
said the objective was to record a win on Wednesday.
“Akwa is a very good side but all the
players have resolved to win,” he said.
Technical manager of the Port Harcourt club,
Stanley Eguma also took the time to preview the big game.
“The game against Akwa United is a very big
game as they are a big side, just like us,” Eguma told the club’s official
website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
“We never expected to meet ourselves at this
stage of the competition but this is the AITEO Cup where we should be ready to
face any side.
“We will do our best to eliminate them as
we know what it takes to win at this stage.
“They are a strong side and we respect them
but we are we are prepared to advance in this competition,” he said.
Wednesday’s game will kickoff at 4pm and it
holds at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Thursday, April 2, 2026 inaugurate its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee, marking a key step in preparations for the federation’s next executive elections.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja and will be presided over by NFF President and WAFU B Zone President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
The two committees were constituted during last week’s Extraordinary General Assembly held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of the roadmap towards the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 26 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
A total of 12 members have been appointed across both bodies. The Electoral Committee will comprise seven members, including a chairperson, vice chairperson and three other full members, alongside two alternates. The Electoral Appeals Committee will have five members, made up of three full members and two alternates.
According to the NFF, the Electoral Committee will oversee the entire electoral process in line with the provisions of the federation’s Statutes (March 2026 edition) and Electoral Code (March 2026). Its responsibilities include organizing, conducting and supervising elections into the NFF Executive Committee.
Those appointed into the two committees include Matthew Burkala (SAN), Hon. Justice C.J. Aneke, Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, Babagoni Grema, Benjamin Sak, Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal. Others are Arinze Azubuike Anughere, Dr Akogun Olugbenga Omole, Abayomi Akin Omoyimi, Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam.
Thursday’s inauguration is expected to formally set the committees in motion, with their immediate mandate being to lay the groundwork for a transparent and credible electoral process leading to the September congress.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigerian Football
NSC, Edo FA Back Ikhana Football Academy, Set to Adopt Model for Youth Development
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the Edo State Football Association have pledged strong institutional support for the newly launched Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy (KIFA), describing it as a model for grassroots football development in Nigeria.
The commitment was made during the official unveiling of the academy in Auchi, Edo State, on Saturday, where stakeholders praised the initiative of former Nigerian international, Kadiri Ikhana.
Represented at the event by his aide, Ebidowei Oweife, Olopade commended Ikhana for establishing an academy that integrates football training with formal education, noting that the Commission intends to nurture and replicate the model across the country.
“We are happy that a person of the calibre of Coach Kadiri Ikhana has taken this initiative. He is not only a member of the historic 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations but also the first Nigerian coach to win the CAF Champions League with Enyimba,” Olopade said.
Declaring the project a priority, the NSC boss added, “The academy is our baby, and we shall adopt it. We are particularly impressed that it combines football with schooling. We want the students to take their education seriously alongside their football careers. The NSC will definitely support this project.”
Also throwing its weight behind the initiative, the Edo State Football Association described the academy as a significant step toward youth empowerment and football development in the state.
Chairman of the association, Fred Newton, who was represented at the ceremony, praised Ikhana for investing his experience and knowledge in grooming the next generation of players.
“We are delighted that you have chosen to give back by shaping young talents in Edo State. This initiative will have a lasting impact not only in Edo North but across the entire state. We are fully behind you and will support you in achieving your goals,” Newton stated.
The Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy is expected to serve as a hub for nurturing young football talents while ensuring their academic growth, aligning with broader efforts to create a more structured and sustainable pathway for sports development in Nigeria.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
For the fourth time, the elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will be held in September. It is a pattern that evolved in Warri in 2014 when Amaju Pinnick was elected on 30 September.
Four years later in Katsina, another elective congress was held in Katsina on September 20. Four years ago in Benin, the 30 September election brought in Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
Another September fever is in the offing as the NFF will hold its next Elective Congress on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
The decision was ratified by the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly at its meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of resolutions aimed at setting the stage for the federation’s next leadership cycle.
The Elective Congress will determine the composition of the NFF Executive Committee, including the election of a president and other key officials to steer the affairs of Nigerian football for the next term.
By fixing both the date and venue several months in advance, the federation is expected to provide ample time for electoral preparations, including the nomination of candidates, screening processes and compliance with provisions of the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.
The choice of Lafia underscores the NFF’s continued rotation of major football events across different parts of the country, while also aligning with efforts to ensure a transparent and orderly electoral process.
Further details regarding the election timetable and guidelines are expected to be released by the NFF Electoral Committee in the coming months.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup7 days ago
World Cup Fans, Players And Officials Face $15,000 Visa Bonds to Enter U.S.
- AFCON4 days ago
AFCON to Expand to 28 Teams as CAF Unveils New Competition Calendar
- World Cup2 days ago
Infantino promises FIFA backing for Iran to play at World Cup
- World Cup1 week ago
Absent Giants: Big Football Nations Missing from the 2026 World Cup
- AFCON4 days ago
CAF May Sanction Senegal Over AFCON Trophy Parade
- World Cup6 days ago
Jamaica Edge New Caledonia to Set Up Decisive World Cup Showdown with DR Congo
- Governing Bodies4 days ago
BREAKING! Nigeria’s Samson Adamu Appointed Acting CAF General Secretary
- Table Tennis3 days ago
Aruna Faces Tough Draw as Africa Targets Glory at ITTF World Cup in Macao