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DESPITE CORONAVIRUS, NIGERIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE MARCHES ON

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BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE

Like most public activities, football has been shut down in most continents following COVID-19 outbreaks. But the League Management Company says the NPFL will go on as the country remains safe for football activities.

In an interview with The Punch, LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko assured that preventive measures for fans, players, officials and all are in place, while the situation is being monitored to determine appropriate actions.

As the combatants file out at 10 venues this evening for Week 25 matches, the jostle for the title, continental tickets and retaining top flight status continues at different fronts.

Plateau United v Kwara United

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Three seasons ago, Plateau United lifted the title with only four points separating them and runners-up MFM. At this point in the ongoing term, the Jos side have established a four-point advantage at the summit and rearing to go and claim the league for the second time in their history. 

Plateau have a date with Kwara United at the New Jos Stadium this evening. On that ground, Abdu Maikaba squad have dropped only only four points in 12 matches this season, resulting from Kano Pillars and Akwa United playing goalless.

The visitors Kwara United are in deep trouble as they are two steps up bottom placed Adamawa United. The Harmony Boys had failed to win in six straight matches – including a lone goal home loss to Lobi Stars. They struggled to beat Wikki Tourists last Sunday in Ilorin.

In the first leg on November 24, Kwara United lost 1-3. A repeat – or an improved – performance is what Plateau United seek at home.

Rivers United v Warri Wolves

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In chasing the leaders, second placed Rivers United must be mindful of a slip up. On their heels are Lobi Stars, who are just two points short and desperate to make up for a recent dip in form.

United have to make up for the lone goal setback in Enugu against Rangers last Sunday, their first defeat in seven matches. 

Heartland, Abia Warriors and Wikki Tourists have each picked a point at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt this season, while the other nine sides crashed.

United can’t afford to be complacent against Warri Wolves, who have won twice and drawn four times on the road in their return to the NPFL. The Seasiders occupy the last spot in the upper half of the table and can have an improved standing.

Wolves nurse a grudge against United who left Warri Township Stadium with all points in the first leg.

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Lobi Stars v FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Lobi Stars provided a stiff chase of Plateau United in the first half of the season, but the Ortom Boys have since fallen short allowing Rivers United to take their place at No 2.

The 2018/19 champions disappointed their fans in their last two home games which ended 2-2 and goalless respectively against Kano Pillars and leaders Plateau United.

Unless Rivers United capitulate in their own fixture, Lobi Stars will remain at No 3 even if they beat their visitors with whom they finished goalless in Nnewi in their first encounter this season.

Ifeanyi Ubah are bad travellers. In 12 away games, they have picked just one point from their 1-1 deadlock in Lagos against MFM.

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Wikki Tourists v Kano Pillars

Two back-to-back losses to Rivers United (1-2) and Rangers (0-1) appear to have condemned Pillars to a miserable season. But the four-time winners have since bounced back and were triumphant in two of their last three matches while drawing the other.

Now fourth on the log, Pillars are chasing continental qualification, which is open to the top three.

Presently six points adrift of Lobi Stars, Masu Gida go after their second away victory having beaten Dakkada FC by a lone goal in Uyo earlier in the season.

Wikki Tourists got beaten 0-1 by Plateau United the last time they played at home. It turned out to be their second loss on their own ground after Sunshine Stars prevailed 2-1 on Matchday 14.

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In the relegation zone, the Bauchi team, who played goalless with Pillars in the first leg, have their job well cut out. Another setback will just compound their woes.

Dakkada FC v Rangers

Fifth placed Rangers are on a high after winning three of their last four matches and sharing honours with MFM in Lagos in the other, while Dakkada have pulled only one win, one draw and two defeats within the same period.

The Flying Antelopes are seeking to pay Dakkada back in their own bad coins given that the newly promoted side won 2-0 in Enugu in the first leg.

Nasarawa United v Akwa United

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Akwa United will be playing away for the second time in a row. The Promise Keepers’ last outing on Sunday ended 1-1 against Katsina United, their second point in three matches.

In their last three matches as well, victory over Katsina United sandwiched two defeats for Nasarawa United.

The Uniteds – Akwa and Nasarawa – were united in scoreline in the first leg in Uyo, which finished 1-1.

Sunshine Stars v Katsina United

Sunshine Stars received a heavy loss in Aba last time out with Enyimba pumping in three goals.

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Back in Akure, the Owena Waves have to show character as they chase their eighth home victory having recorded five draws on that ground this term.

It’s a revenge-seeking Stars that are expected to file out this evening having lost 0-2 in the first leg to Katsina United.

Katsina United have themselves not had a good run. Only one win in four matches have United placed 13th on the log, only three points above the drop zone.

Adamawa United v Enyimba

Title holders Enyimba will file out at Pantanmi Stadium in Gombe against the last team on the log, Adamawa United, who are on a free fall.

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In five recent matches, the hosts have won just one and lost the others. They have been defeated four times in front of their fans – to Lobi Stars, Rivers United, Sunshine Stars and Warri Wolves.

Enyimba are the title challengers that Plateau United will not like to have close on their heels as they have the experience to grab the top spot. With five outstanding matches accumulated as a result of their continental assignment, Enyimba are 13 points behind the log leaders.

With six wins in their last seven domestic fixtures, the People’s Elephants have struck the right form at the right time.

Adamawa United are struggling for points and have picked only three in their last four games, which came from their 2-1 result over Ifeanyi Ubah in Gombe on Matchday 21.

Enyimba won the first leg 2-0 in Aba.

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Jigawa Golden Stars v Heartland

Heartland will be coming to this fixture on a high having dimmed Lobi Stars 2-0 last Sunday to steer clear of trouble, on the same day Jigawa Golden Stars lost 0-2 to Kano Pillars at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, the temporary base of Jigawa Golden Stars.

Jigawa, who lost 0-1 in Okigwe in the reverse fixture, may be lifted out of the relegation zone if they win.

MFM v Abia Warriors

MFM have given their fans much to worry about this season. Their last two games at Agege Township Stadium ended goalless (versus Rangers and Heartland), while their last seven away matches have brought no point.

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Last Sunday’s victory over visiting Adamawa United will inspire Abia Warriors in Lagos this evening.

But with nine defeats on the road out of 12 matches, Abia Warriors should not pose much problem for MFM.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Governing Bodies

IOC is in ‘best of hands’, says Bach as he hands over to Coventry

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International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry receives the ceremonial key from outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach during the handover ceremony. AFP

Kirsty Coventry became the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the most powerful person in sport, on Monday in a handover ceremony with her predecessor Thomas Bach.

The Zimbabwean is the first woman and African to head the body, and at 41, the youngest since Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who is credited with founding the modern-day Olympics.

Coventry accepted the Olympic key from Bach, who, like her, is an Olympic champion — he won a team fencing gold in 1976 and she earned two swimming golds in 2004 and 2008.

Stepping down after a turbulent 12-year tenure, Bach expressed his confidence that the Olympic movement was “in the best of hands” and Coventry would bring “conviction, integrity and a dynamic perspective” to the role.

Coventry, who swept to a crushing first-round victory in the election in Greece in March, leans heavily on her family.

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Aside from her parents, who were present at the ceremony in Lausanne, there is her husband Tyrone Seward, who was effectively her campaign manager, and two daughters, six-year-old Ella, who Bach addresses as “princess”, and Lily, just seven months old.

“Ella saw this spider web in the garden and I pointed out how it is made, and how strong and resilient it is to bad weather and little critters,” said Coventry, who takes over officially at midnight Swiss time Monday (2200 GMT).

“But if one little bit breaks it becomes weaker. That spider web is our movement, it is complex, beautiful and strong but it only works if we remain together and united.”

‘Pure passion’

Coventry said she could not believe how her life had evolved since she first dreamt of Olympic glory in 1992.

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“How lucky are we creating a platform for generations to come to reach their dreams,” she said to a packed audience in a marquee in the Olympic House garden, which comprised IOC members, including those she defeated, and dignitaries.

“It is amazing and incredible, indeed I cannot believe that from my dream in 1992 of going to an Olympic Games and winning a medal I would be standing here with you to make dreams for more young children round the world.”

Coventry, who served in the Zimbabwean government as sports and arts Minister from 2019 to this year, said the Olympic movement was much more than a “multi-sport event platform.”

“We (IOC members) are guardians of this movement, which is also about inspiring and changing lives and bringing hope,” she said.

“These things are not to be taken lightly and I will be working with each and every one of you to continue to change lives and be a beacon of hope in a divided world.

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“I am really honoured to walk this journey with you.”

Bach, who during his tenure had to grapple with Russian doping and their invasions of the Crimea and Ukraine as well as the Covid pandemic, said he was standing down filled with “gratitude, joy and confidence” in his successor.

“With her election it sends out a powerful message, that the IOC continues to evolve,” said the 71-year-old German, who was named honorary lifetime president in Greece in March.

“It has its first female and African to hold this position, and the youngest president since Pierre de Coubertin. She represents the truly global and youthful spirit of our community.”

Bach, who choked back tears at one point during his valedictory speech, was praised to the rafters by Coventry, who was widely seen as his preferred candidate of the seven vying for his post.

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After a warm embrace, she credited him with teaching her to “listen to people and to respect them,” and praised him for leading the movement with “pure passion and purpose.”

“You have kept us united through the most turbulent times.

“You left us with many legacies and hope, thank you from the bottom of my heart for leading us with passion and never wavering from our values.”

-AFP

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Governing Bodies

New IOC head Coventry already counting down to LA 2028

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Kirsty Coventry takes over as the new International Olympic Committee President - IOC headquarters, Lausanne, Switzerland - June 23, 2025 New IOC president Kirsty Coventry during the ceremony REUTERS/Pierre Albouy

Former Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry took over the leadership of the International Olympic Committee from Thomas Bach in a ceremony on Monday with the 2028 Los Angeles Games already threatening to fill her in-tray to overflowing.

Coventry, who starts her eight-year spell officially on Tuesday as the most powerful sports administrator in the world, became the first woman and first African to be elected head of the Olympic ruling body in March.

Much of the discussion during campaigning focused on the IOC’s need for change in its marketing strategies with several top Olympic sponsors having left in the past 12 months.

However, with Los Angeles hit by protests against immigration raids, and relations tense between state and city officials, and the U.S. government, the 2028 Games have become the major talking point in the movement that would ordinarily be focusing on next year’s Milano-Cortina Winter Games.

Coventry has long-standing ties with the United States, dating back to her time as a leading swimmer at Auburn University in Alabama. That will prove useful ahead of LA 2028, and she has said she will seek to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the Games.

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Coventry will also need to find time to help secure the long-term finances of the movement. The IOC, which generates billions of dollars in revenues each year in sponsorship and broadcasting deals for the Olympics, has secured $7.3 billion for 2025-28 and $6.2 billion for 2029-2032. More contracts are expected for both periods.

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Coventry is also expected to continue the IOC’s plans to expand commercial opportunities for sponsors at the Olympics with the organisation’s finances in a robust state and the privately-funded LA Olympics a good place to start.

Coventry needed only one round of voting to clinch the race to succeed Bach, beating six other candidates, making history for the African continent, with the IOC having been ruled for 131 years by European or North American men.

Her background and being the first female president will be assets in a diverse IOC membership and the international makeup of Olympic stakeholders.

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On Monday she was handed the golden key to the IOC by Bach, who was the organisation’s president for 12 years.

“I am really honoured I get to walk this journey with you. I cannot wait for anything that lies ahead,” Coventry said in her address to IOC members and other Olympic stakeholders.

“I know I have the best team to support me and our movement over the next eight years.”

Coventry will hold a two-day workshop this week to get feedback from members on key IOC issues.

“Working together and consistently finding ways to strengthen and keep united our movement that will ensure that we wake up daily… to continue to inspire,” she said.

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A seven-time Olympic medallist, Coventry won 200m backstroke gold at the 2004 Athens Games and in Beijing four years later.

“With her election, you have also sent a powerful message to the world: the IOC continues to evolve,” Bach said in his speech. “With Kirsty Coventry, the Olympic movement will be in the best of hands.”

-Reuters

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Governing Bodies

Accidental double-touch penalties must be retaken if scored, says IFAB

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Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 12, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez scores a penalty during the penalty shootout wich is later disallowed after a VAR review for a double touch. REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo

Penalties scored when a player accidentally touches the ball twice must be retaken, world soccer’s lawmaking body IFAB has said after Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez had his spot kick disallowed in a Champions League last-16 match.

During a tense shootout with Real Madrid in March, Argentine forward Alvarez slipped and the VAR spotted that his left foot touched the ball slightly before he kicked it with his right.

Although Alvarez converted the penalty, the goal was chalked off and Atletico went on to lose the shootout and were eliminated from the Champions League.

European soccer’s governing body UEFA said the correct decision was made under the current laws but IFAB (International Football Association Board) has said that in such cases the penalty must be retaken.

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Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid – Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain – April 14, 2025 Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo

“(When) the penalty taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick: if the kick is successful, it is retaken,” IFAB said in a circular.

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“If the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee plays advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team). In the case of penalties (penalty shootout), the kick is recorded as missed.”

The decision to disallow Alvarez’s penalty left Atletico boss Diego Simeone livid and the club’s fans outraged.

IFAB added that if the penalty taker deliberately kicks the ball with both feet or deliberately touches it a second time, an indirect free kick is awarded or, in the case of shootouts, it is recorded as missed.

The new procedures are effective for competitions starting on or after July 1, but IFAB said it may be used in competitions that start this month.

-Reuters

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