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.
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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