Nigerian Football
JIGAWA GOLDEN STARS, AKWA STARLETS DEBUT AS NPFL NEW SEASON KICKS OFF
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
The 2019/20 season finally opens in eight centres across the country after some delays. Title holders Enyimba and Federation Cup defending champions Rangers will be excused to face continental assignments.
Jigawa Golden Stars will be marking their debut in the topflight when they file out at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi to face Wikki Tourists.
The Badaru Boys had emerged from Northern Group A2 of the Nigerian National League at the end of last season and then defeated NAF FC 3-2 in the promotion playoffs, while Wikki Tourists, the Giant Elephant, finished seventh in Group A of the NPFL last term to stay safe.
Another debutante Akwa Starlets will also make their bow on the road, this time to Delta Force, which acquired Kada City FC of Kaduna last season. The Starlets emerged victorious in Southern B2 of the NNL and then dispatched Shooting Stars 3-0 in the promotion playoffs.
Delta Force, now based in Asaba, were seventh on the log in Group B of the NPFL in the preceding season.
Adamawa United, also a promoted side, will be away to FC Ifeanyi Ubah as they celebrate their return to the topflight after 12 years of absence. United beat FRSC 2-1 in the promotion playoffs.
Their hosts this evening ended last season as third placed team in Group B of the regular season but became the whipping side of the Super Six losing all five matches and conceding 14 goals as against six converted.
At the Warri Township Stadium, Warri Wolves will count on their fans who have been denied NPFL action since they got relegated at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Wolves topped Southern B4 zone of the NNL and beat Dynamite FC on penalties in the promotion playoffs.
For Wolves, memories of that season’s last day actions linger. They and MFM FC had gone into Matchday 38 needing to win to stay afloat, both playing on their home grounds and the Lagos side posting only goal difference advantage.
The matches ended with the same scoreline of 1-0, MFM beating FC Ifeanyi Ubah to avoid relegation, while Warri Wolves, whose Chairman is NFF President Amaju Pinnick, dropped to the lower division despite their victory over already relegated Ikorodu United. Only a five-goal margin separated MFM and Warri Wolves.
Last season’s runners-up Kano Pillars will welcome Rivers United to Sani Abacha Stadium, the latter hoping to improve on last season’s showing when they marginally missed the Super Six.
Four-time Nigerian champions, Pillars failed to make a mark in the continent this season losing at the first time of asking to Ghana’s Asante Kotoko 4-3 aggregate in CAF Champions League.
Another top clash is in Jos where 2018 champions Lobi Stars will be guests of 2017 winners Plateau United. United did not impress last season as they almost got relegated from Group B, only beating El-Kanemi Warriors and Gombe United by goal difference. Lobi Stars, who made it to the Super Six, however lost three of five matches to finish fifth.
If the League Management Company and other stakeholders remain faithful to the calendar will end on May 31 next year.
Matchday 1:
Wikki Tourists v Jigawa Golden Stars
Plateau United v Lobi Stars
Delta Force v Akwa Starlets
Kano Pillars v Rivers United
Heartland v MFM
FC Ifeanyi Ubah v Adamawa United
Warri Wolves v Akwa United
Abia Warriors v Katsina United
Postponed Fixtures
Rangers v Sunshine Stars
Enyimba v Nasarawa United
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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