Nigerian Football
SEASON’S 1ST SCORER, AMADI, LOOKS TO TOPPLE IDOL, MFON UDOH’S NPFL RECORD
BY CHIBUOGWU NNADIEGBULAM
It was a remarkable start to life in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for Samuel Amadi who claimed a part of the new season’s stats with the first goal of the 2019/2020 season which kicked-off on Sunday, November 3.
But despite the weight of his achievement, Amadi would ascribe
it to being lucky to have been in the right place at the right time and
was quick to lay down that his utmost desire – which is his first in the
topflight – is to become the top scorer.
“I will just keep pushing harder to score more. I want to be the highest
goal scorer by luck or by grace,” declared the product of
Port Harcourt-based A&B Football Academy.
He signed his first professional contract with Warri Wolves in 2017, while
the club was in the Nigeria National League (NNL), and contributed to
their return to the NPFL. This is his third season with the Seasiders.
On the opening day of the new season, Amadi refused to be overwhelmed by
the occasion when he dispatched a left-footed shot from close range to
give his side the lead inside two minutes. And if not for
Adewale Adeyinka’s fingertip save, he could have been celebrating a
brace about a minute later.
Although it was Mfon Udoh’s equalizer that doused the excitement that came
with Amadi’s quick-fire goal, the latter confessed his admiration for the
former in a chat with www.npfl.ng shortly after the encounter.
“Mfon Udoh is a very good striker. I’m looking up to him,”
Amadi disclosed. Only last season, Udoh was joint top scorer in the NPFL,
and since 2014 he has been the league’s record goal scorer.
Since joining Warri Wolves, Amadi, who is from Rivers State, has been a
consistent performer. He is now looking to own the NPFL stage and help his
team to a continental ticket.
“With teamwork, prayers and hard work, I’m sure we will get
there,” he said. Speaking about their performance against a star-studded
Akwa United side, he added: “It was okay. At least we tried, but I think
my team will pick up with time, although Akwa United are a very good
side.”
In the game, Amadi, who also had set piece responsibilities, twisted his
ankle when he slipped while trying to take a corner kick in the second
half, and had to be replaced on the 72nd minute. But he had already done
enough to attract plaudits.
“Amadi is just a young boy coming up and as far as modern football is concerned he has a future,” Warri Wolves coach, Evans Ogenyi told www.npfl.ng.
The former Lobi Stars Manager does not regret giving Amadi a place in his
starting line-up, even though the latter only just returned from the
national U-23 camp.
“A young boy that is just coming from the national team
there is no way I would take him out of the team. He came two days to my
match and because I know he is coming from a high level training too, I
had to include him. And it’s better he started. He started and he proved a
point, scored a goal in the first two minutes,” Ogenyi boasted.
Amadi, who believes one “needs more wisdom” to succeed in the NPFL,
is hoping to get completely fit in time to be available for
selection when Warri Wolves travel to Akure to face Sunshine Stars in
their next game.
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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