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.
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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