Nigerian Football
MFON UDOH RESCUES A POINT FOR AKWA UNITED IN WARRI
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) record goal scorer,
Mfon Udoh saved his side, Akwa United, the blushed when his equaliser secured a
point for the Uyo side at the Warri City Stadium on Sunday against
returnees, Warri Wolves on the opening day of the NPFL 2019/20 season.
The Seasiders, who have just returned to the topflight after spending
three seasons in the second tier showed hunger from the get-go as they looked
to upset their star-studded opponents.
And it was Samuel Amadi who set the ball rolling with his quick-fire goal
on the 2nd minute of the encounter. But Udoh whose 23 goals in 2014/15 is yet
to be equalled restored parity 26 minutes later to ensure that both sides
shared the spoils. Udoh had also ended last season as joint top scorer with
Ibrahim Sunusi of Nasarawa United.
In September, Akwa United had began pre-season
preparations with a 1-0 win over Warri Wolves at the Krisdera Hotel
Stadium in Omoku.
Although the draw means Warri Wolves are now unbeaten in their six NPFL
meetings against Akwa United, the latter will be more appreciative of the
away point secured. May 7, 2014 was the last time the Promise
Keepers tasted victory against the Seasiders in the NPFL, with the game ending 2-0
in Uyo.
Subsequently they had to settle for two home draws and three away defeats
before Warri Wolves suffered relegation in 2016. Their last NPFL meeting
on July 24, 2016 was a come-from-behind 3-1 home win for the Seasiders.
Riding on the wave of this piece of history, the home side took advantage
of a confused Akwa United defence to take the lead inside two minutes,
with Amadi, who is playing his first ever game in the NPFL, scoring the
first goal of the season off a pass from Victory
Omadiegbe.
Soon after, Amadi was on the hunt for a second. But after a fine run down
the right flank, his effort could only force Akwa United goalkeeper
Adewale Adeyinka to a finger-tip save.
Of the 15 new players Akwa United unveiled last Monday,
seven featured in the draw
against Warri Wolves, including Adeyinka, who was signed from
Gombe United.
When the visitors began to settle in their strides, Udoh rattled
the crossbar with a shot from 25 yards out in the 10th minute while
Samuel Mathias’ freekick was tipped over the bar by Ocheayi Francis,
who stood in between the sticks for the home side.
Then a fantastic team build-up by Coach John Obuh’s side culminated in
Udoh tapping in Paul Obata’s cross for the equalizer on the 28th minute.
The first half of the encounter ended 1-1.
A minute into the second period, substitute Charles Atshimene, who
was Warri Wolves’ top scorer in the Nigeria National League (NNL) last
season with eight goals found himself in a great position to restore his side’s
lead, but he blasted his shot way over the bar.
Subsequently, chances in the game were few and far between as
injuries became the order of the evening. For five minutes, Obata, who had
been one of the key players for Akwa United, was being attended to
by medics on the sidelines. He was eventually replaced by
Christian Ekong.
Then Warri Wolves’ goalscorer Amadi, who twisted his ankle while trying to
take a corner kick in the 64th minute, had to give way for Ridwan
Agbarinka in the 72nd minute. The latter stage of the encounter presented
a late rush for a winner by both teams but to no avail.
Warri Wolves will travel to Akure for a date with Sunshine Stars
on Matchday 2, while Akwa United take on Abia Warriors.
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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