Nigerian Football
RIVERS FLOW INTO NPFL SECOND POSITION
BY SAMMY WEJINYA.
A classy Rivers United performance culminated in a 2-1 victory over Kano Pillars at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt in one of the stand out fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.
Konan Ruffin and Cletus Emotan netted for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ either side of half time while Rabiu Ali converted a brilliant free kick with practically the last kick of the game to give the raucous visiting fans something to shout about.
The win takes United up to second on the NPFL standings, just a point behind the leaders, Plateau United with the Jos club claiming a share of the spoils at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi against third-placed Lobi Stars.
Pillars started well and could have taken the lead inside the opening four minutes when Usman Babalolo rattled the Rivers United goalkeeper, Ospino Egbe with a long range drive which was pushed away for a corner.
The hosts slowly grew in stature and began to dominate with their quick passing game which earned them a penalty in the 18th minute after midfielder, Esor Nelson was fouled in the box.
Esor had rounded the Pillars goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo following some intricate bits of passing and movement and was on the verge of plating an emphatic finish into an unguarded net before he was upended by the startled Enaholo.
Ruffin is a deadly customer from 12 yards and he made no mistakes, firing home with frightening force despite the best efforts of Enaholo, who got a hard to the fierce effort, to send the home fans into fits of euphoria.
The visitors then took over, dominating large stretches of the rest of the half with veteran Ali, enjoying their best chance, a free kick from the edge of the area which he placed well wide in the 41st minute.
United had enjoyed two gilt-edged opportunities before Ali’s moment of indiscretion and had themselves to blame for not taking even one of those to further stretch their lead.
The first fell to Ruffin who latched onto Emotan’s sleek pass on the half hour before blazing into Orbit from a tight angle with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Michael Gopey also went close, a minute later, with a header which Enaholo managed to scramble away for a corner.
Pillars started the second stanza gamely and continue to look dangerous as they stepped on the accelerator in search of the second goal.
Substitute, Ahmad Musa came close in the 82nd minute when he side footed Nyima Nwagua’s inch-perfect cross just wide with just Egbe at his mercy from four yards out.
It was a shocking miss, which was to attract consequences as the hosts made the points safe with a delightful goal five minutes from the end.
A delightful passing move carved open the Pillars backline and Emotan was afforded the luxury of time and space to pick his spot and curl exquisitely past the badly-exposed Enaholo in the Pillars goal.
Ali’s intelligent free kick just before the end represented nothing more than scant consolation for the hosts as referee, Ndubuisi Ukah brought a wonderfully-open and richly entertaining game of football to an end.
Head coach of Pillars, Ibrahim Musa rued his side’s missed chances in the game as he discussed with the official Rivers United FC website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng after the game.
“We need to improve in our finishing. That is the only problem we are facing,” he said.
On his part, technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma
“We could win the league title if we intensify our efforts because it is very possible. We will not allow the tempo we have built to drop and we cannot allow the little success we have gotten so far to get into our heads now,” he said.
Rivers United have now amassed 36 points from 21 matches and next travel to Okigwe to face Heartland FC in their next game in the competition.
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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