Nigerian Football
RIVERS UNITED SET TO FURTHER DISUNITE AKWA UNITED
BY SAMMY WEJINYA
Rivers United travel to Uyo to be the first team to face Akwa United after the exit of their erstwhile coach, John Obuh.
Games between Akwa United and Rivers United are never straightforward affairs and the latest installment which comes up on Wednesday could prove to be the most exciting yet in recent years.
The last time the two sides met, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on June 15, 2019, Akwa were the bookies favourites to run away with the win.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ however had other ideas and totally outclassed the ‘Promise Keepers’ 3-0 with Kehinde Adedipe, Bright Onyedikachi and Ossy Martins netting in the 2019 round of 32 AITEO Cup contest.
This Wednesday, the stakes are almost as high (if not higher) with both sides aiming to amass maximum points for varying reasons.
The news dropped like a bombshell on Monday morning – the Akwa United head coach, Sam John Obuh had resigned.
And this was happening less than 48 hours to their biggest game of the season against their fearsome and in-form next door neigbours, Rivers United!
This was certainly unusual stuff and more than a few eyebrows were understandably raised.
Club secretary, Omon Bassey promptly reacted to Obuh’s shock resignation on behalf of the Akwa United management.
“Yes, coaches take responsibility when things go awry, yet we can testify to the professionalism and discipline you brought to bear in the running of the club.
“This includes your untiring belief in the God factor in the life of this great organisation. We will miss you.
“Akwa United wish you well in your future endeavours, even as we daily strive to restore the confidence of our numerous fans worldwide,” Omon posited.
A new Man in the saddle – the Boboye factor
The Uyo club acted swiftly in the aftermath of Obuh’s decision to throw in the towel.
Popular ‘Port Harcourt boy’ Kennedy Boboye was appointed to take the reins just hours later.
Boboye knows Rivers United well but in his stint at his last two clubs, Plateau United and Remo Stars, he failed to mastermind a victory over the Port Harcourt club (two draws with Plateau United and two defeats with Remo Stars).
He also takes over an ailing club that have won just once in eight league matches this term.
Seeming mutiny within the ranks of the Uyo club forced the hand of the management to announce via its official media channels on Monday that “in a move to restore sanity, the club management has suspended one player indefinitely, while two are undergoing disciplinary related investigation.”
One of the players believed to be caught in the middle of the storm, top scorer, Ndifreke Effiong was forced to offer a public apology to the Akwa United family for his part in the less than savoury incidents of the last few days.
Blue tide rising
In stark contrast, things couldn’t have been more settled at Rivers United.
The Port Harcourt landlords easily dismantled Katsina United 2-0 on Sunday without breaking sweat, barely stepping off first gear and with plenty still left in the tank thanks to goals from Stephen Gopey and Ishaq Rafiu.
Rivers United have lost just twice (each by 1-0 margins) in eight league games this season and know that a win on Wednesday could see them move up to second place on the standings.
Akwa United, comprehensively outclassed 0-3 by MFM FC in their last game, sit just two points above the relegation zone and look extremely low on confidence, a striking contrast to their opponents on Wednesday.
Rivers United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma is training his sights on masterminding a positive display and result on Wednesday.
“It’s a big game, a local derby and they will be expecting us to come (to Uyo) with fireworks and we are going there to get the three points,” Eguma said to the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
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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