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.
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.
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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.
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Nigerian Football
NFF Congress Approves Statutes Amendments, Electoral Committees Ahead of 2026 Elections
The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved sweeping reforms to its governing framework, including amendments to its statutes and electoral processes, as preparations intensify for the federation’s 2026 elections.
At the meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Congress unanimously endorsed proposals from the NFF Executive Committee to amend the NFF Statutes (March 2026 Edition), the Electoral Code and the Standing Orders of the General Assembly.
In a major step toward the next electoral cycle, Congress also ratified the composition of both the NFF Electoral Committee and the Electoral Appeals Committee. The decision followed nominations by leaders of the country’s six geopolitical zones, with 12 individuals selected to serve across the two bodies.
Those appointed include Matthew Burkala (SAN) and Emmanuel Dada Obafemi (North Central); Alhaji Babagoni Grema and Barrister Benjamin Sak (North East); Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal (North West); Justice C.J. Aneke and Arinze Azubuike Anughere (South East); Akogun Olugbenga Omole and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi (South West); as well as Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie (Esq.) and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam (South South).
The members are scheduled to be inaugurated in Abuja on March 25, 2026, where they will constitute the two committees and elect their respective chairmen. In line with the Electoral Code, the Electoral Committee will comprise five full members and two alternates, while the Appeals Committee will have three full members and two alternates.
Congress further approved the appointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the new independent auditor of the federation for an initial four-year term, following what was described as a rigorous selection process involving seven firms. The Assembly commended outgoing auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for their nine years of service.
Looking ahead, the Congress fixed September 26, 2026, for the NFF Elective Congress, which will take place in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
In addition, members passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the NFF Executive Committee led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, praising its efforts in promoting and developing football across Nigeria.
The communiqué was drafted by a committee chaired by Mohammed Nasir Saidu, with Hajji Gafaar Liameed, Davidson Owumi, Yakubu Salma, Coach Ladan Bosso and Dr Ademola Olajire serving as members.
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