Nigerian Football
WILFRED NDIDI’S EFFORTS ASSIST LEICESTER’S VARDY TO AIM AS PREMIERSHIP TOP SCORER
With 17 goals in 18 matches, Jamie Vardy of Leicester is at the moment Premiership League’s highest scorer.
He has scored in all but one of his last nine league games. But unknown to many, Super Eagles’ Wilfred Ndidi has been the support that Vardy needed.
According to Daily Mail, both Vardy and Ndidi have been working together to make the former a lethal striker.
Vardy is only three short of 100 Premier League goals and needs seven more to match his tally from Leicester’s title-winning season four years ago.
But he is not concerned only with his own finishing. The 32-year-old striker has been passing on tips during training sessions, with midfielder Wilfred Ndidi in particular grateful for the lessons.
Vardy has been schooling his team-mates on when to shoot first-time, when to take a touch, when to hit the ball with power and when to use precision.
‘He’s not just doing it for himself, he’s doing it for the team,’ said Ndidi. ‘Before the game he’s always there to tell me how to hit the ball.
‘Because he’s a goalscorer, he gives this advice to me and some other players. So he’s just there to guide us. He used to tell me ‘don’t strike!’ but now he tells me ‘don’t strike just pass it!’
Vardy’s own performances this year prove his advice is worth following.
The decision to work smart, rather than simply working hard, has been key to Vardy’s evolution.
A vivid memory of Leicester’s unforgettable 2015-16 campaign is Vardy constantly on the move: chasing balls over the top; closing down defenders or sprinting into space in anticipation of a lofted pass from Danny Drinkwater.
Vardy is still diligent — but smarter. He is the trigger for Leicester’s counter-pressing game: when he moves towards the man on the ball, the rest of the team move with him but he knows he must save his legs for when it really matters.
He still thrives on needle from opposition fans, too. Fielders used to be wary of sledging the great West Indies batsman Brian Lara in case it made him more determined. Rival clubs’ fans would do well to follow a similar rule with Vardy.
‘He’s so honest that he’d press the entire back four if he could,’ said Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.
‘He plays an aggressive game that suits him with tactical ideas that allow him to conserve his energy.
‘How we play, being aggressive and playing quickly obviously suits him. But his finishing ability, how clinical he is, is absolutely phenomenal. That’s a big testament to his concentration. When the opportunities come he’s always ready.’
Rodgers says Vardy ‘never misses a training session’ and even though he is well over 30, his numbers in pre-season were particularly impressive.
They were 21 per cent better than in 2012, his first year at Leicester, with his body fat measuring 7.5 per cent and sprints that registered 9.3 metres per second on the GPS monitor.
He has little appetite for gym work, preferring to stay lean and mean, and has maintained a pre-match routine that includes omelettes, Red Bulls and espressos.
Vardy’s decision to retire from international football in 2018 has benefited him, too. Instead of following a different training regime with England, Vardy can do exactly what is required to keep himself in peak shape.
‘I retired because I needed to rest up, I needed to keep the legs fresh,’ he told Amazon recently. ‘I had seven weeks off to prepare for the new season.’
While his former England colleagues were securing qualification for Euro 2020, Vardy was spending parts of international breaks in Dubai with his family to rest for the challenges ahead.
‘He’s thinking all the time,’ Rodgers added. ‘Jamie looks after his body and when you get to his age, recovery is critical.’
Vardy played in the European Championship four years ago, as well as at the 2018 World Cup, and may have a decision to make this summer if the call comes from Gareth Southgate.
Either way, he looks a solid bet to end the season as the oldest winner of the Premier League’s Golden Boot.
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
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Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
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The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
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