Nigerian Football
NPFL: PLATEAU UNITED, MFM GO FOR VICTORY… AGAIN
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
In preparation for the usage of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo by the Super Eagles on Wednesday, the Matchday 2 of the Nigeria Professional Football League will not hold on that ground this Sunday.
As a result, newly promoted Akwa Starlets have their fixture against four-time champions Kano Pillars delayed till Thursday, while that of Akwa United against Abia Warriors will be staged at a later date.
Eight centres will come alive with four teams aiming at continuing from where they started the season last Sunday. Plateau United, Wikki Tourists, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and MFM all won on Matchday 1, while Abia Warriors, who also recorded victory, are not on show this weekend.
Leading the field on account of superior goals, Plateau United will be at the 15,000-capacity Hadejia Stadium in Dutse playing against Jigawa Golden Stars, who lost away to Wikki Tourists 1-2 after drawing the first blood. Plateau United, at the New Jos Stadium, overwhelmed former champions Lobi Stars 3-1 on Matchday 1.
There has been no previous encounter in the top flight between Plateau United and Jigawa Golden Stars as the latter are having their debut season in the NPFL.
Wikki Tourists travel about 350 kilometres to Lafia to take on Nasarawa United, whose opening day match against Enyimba was postponed to enable their hosts honour continental engagement.
Both sides were separated last season when the league was broken into two groups. Nasarawa United however won this fixture 1-0 in the 2017/18 season, while the reverse game never took place following the abrupt end to that season.
In Lagos, it will be the clash of two teams who came out with maximum points on the opening day. Memories of the last match of the 2015/16 season will be rekindled as MFM host FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
On the last day of that season, MFM needed to match Warri Wolves point for point to stay afloat.
It was MFM’s first season in the NPFL and they were contesting for survival with the club of the Federation President! Everything – including officiating – was thrown into the simultaneous matches in Lagos and Warri, but MFM eventually triumphed 1-0 against FC Ifeanyi Ubah, the same scoreline Warri Wolves recorded against already relegated Lagos team Ikorodu United.
Since that unforgettable episode, MFM have won three home matches against FC Ifeanyi Ubah, including at Nnewi in the 2017/18 season, while the Anambra Warriors walloped the Olukoya Boys 4-0 in Nnewi in the 2016/17 season.
In Makurdi, 2017/18 champions Lobi Stars will seek to make amends for last Sunday’s defeat in Jos as they host Delta Force. It will be their first meeting in the NPFL. Delta Force (formerly Kada City) were promoted last season but ended up in separate group with Lobi Stars and never got to the Championship playoff phase unlike their the Stars.
Warri Wolves were forced to 1-1 outcome by Akwa United last Sunday at home, and the Amaju Pinnick side visit Akure Township Stadium to chase points against Sunshine Stars, who rested on Matchday 1.
This fixture last happened in the 2015/16 season when Warri Wolves got relegated. It ended 1-0 in favour of the Akure Gunners, who would later be defeated 0-2 in the return leg.
Rivers United host Heartland in Port Harcourt after playing goalless at Kano Pillars last Sunday.
United and Heartland were in separate groups last season. In the 2017/18 season, United won 2-0 at home, while the reverse fixture got caught up in the crisis that rocked the league.
Enyimba open their title defence with a trip to Katsina. Katsina United are still nursing the injuries of their 0-2 loss to Abia Warriors on Matchday 1 and will strive to repeat last season’s 2-1 triumph over the People’s Elephant at the same ground.
Rangers, who, like Enyimba, are awaiting their CAF Confederation Cup group opponents later today, visit newly promoted Adamawa United, who lost to FC Ifeanyi Ubah 0-1 in Nnewi last week.
MATCHDAY 2 FIXTURES:
- Sunshine Stars v Warri Wolves
- Jigawa Golden Stars v Plateau United
- Lobi Stars v Delta Force
- Rivers United v Heartland
- MFM v FC Ifeanyi Ubah
- Katsina United v Enyimba
- Adamawa United v Rangers
- Nasarawa United v Wikki Tourists
Thursday
- Akwa Starlets v Kano Pillars
- Akwa United v Abia Warriors (Date to be decided)
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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