Nigerian Football
NPFL: TOP 3 SEEK CONSOLIDATION ON MATCH DAY 23
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
Plateau United travel 130 kilometers to Bauchi hoping to preserve their leadership position while Rivers United and Lobi Stars – both one point behind – will hunt for points at home.
There is already a gulf between the top three and the rest of the field with Plateau United as well as Rivers United and Lobi Stars seven and six points better than Akwa United and Sunshine Stars, in fourth and fifth.
Wikki Tourists v Plateau United
Two seasons ago, this fixture ended in favour of the hosts who won 1-0.
November 17 when Plateau United hosted this evening’s opponents, it ended 2-1, advantage the home side.
Twelfth placed Wikki walloped Lobi Stars 4-0 and pipped Nasarawa United by a lone goal in their last two home games, while Plateau played goalless with Lobi Stars and Dakkada FC in their recent trips.
Rivers United v FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Current runners-up Rivers United welcome ninth placed FC Ifeanyi Ubah to Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt with a mission to repay the Nnewi-based side in their own coins.
The reverse fixture four months ago had the Anambra Warriors scoring the only goal of the match.
In four previous visits to Port Harcourt, FC Ifeanyi Ubah had managed two draws losing the others.
Rivers United returned from their last match victorious in Okigwe against Heartland to preserve their second spot. They had beaten their last two guests, Kano Pillars 2-1 and Kwara United 1-0.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah, on their part, lost their last two away games to bottom placed Adamawa United 1-2 and Sunshine Stars 0-2.
Lobi Stars v Kano Pillars
For Lobi Stars, the focus is on achieving a season’s double over their visitors, who suffered a lone goal setback at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano last November 17.
That result was payback for the Ortom Boys who were beaten by the same scoreline in Makurdi five months earlier at the closing stages of last season.
Like Rivers United, Lobi Stars also triumphed in their trip last Sunday by pipping Kwara United 1-0 in Ilorin.
At home however, it has been only one victory in their last three outings – 2-1 over Wikki Tourists in between goalless (versus Plateau United) and 1-1 against Rangers.
Last Sunday, Pillars defeated Dakkada FC 2-0 in Kano to make up for three away losses on the bounce.
Sunshine Stars v Abia Warriors
While Akwa United in fourth spot will rest today as their opponents Enyimba engage in continental assignment in Guinea, the team next on the log Sunshine Stars receive Abia Warriors in Akure.
June 2, 2017 was the last time the Stars played host to the Warriors, and the home team picked maximum points via the only goal.
Sunshine Stars were dimmed 0-3 at Warri Township Stadium by Warri Wolves last Sunday and played goalless with Rangers in their last home game after beating FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 two Matchdays earlier.
Abia Warriors meanwhile lost their last six away matches.
MFM v Rangers
Both teams only two points above the bottom four, although the Flying Antelopes have two games in hand.
Inconsistency at home has been the undoing of the Olukoya Boys this season, their last outing at Agege Township Stadium ending barren against struggling Heartland.
That was after they fought back from a goal down to beat Kano Pillars 3-1 and make up for their lone goal setback against Enyimba.
MFM appear to have Rangers’ number though going by their lone goal victory in the first leg in Enugu last November.
Rangers, 2-0 victors over Adamawa United last Sunday in Enugu, recently lost 1-2 away to Nasarawa United and played goalless with Sunshine Stars in Akure.
Rangers had also been defeated in their two visits to MFM in the top flight.
Bottom Four
In a relegation faceoff, Jigawa Golden Stars host Kwara United; the latter just two points and a step ahead.
Jigawa are themselves three points and a spot better than Adamawa United, who occupy the last place on the table.
Nasarawa United, who have visiting Katsina United to contend with, complete the bottom four.
Matchday 23 fixtures:
- Wikki Tourists v Plateau United
- Jigawa Golden Stars v Kwara United
- Lobi Stars v Kano Pillars
- Dakkada FC v Heartland
- Rivers United v FC Ifeanyi Ubah
- MFM v Rangers
- Adamawa United v Warri Wolves
- Sunshine Stars v Abia Warriors
- Nasarawa United v Katsina United
- Akwa United v Enyimba (rescheduled)
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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