Nigerian Football
FORMER SUPER EAGLE, MIKE EMENALO OPENS UP ON HIS CHELSEA YEARS
Former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has opened up on the prejudice and hardship he faced while steering the ship of one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
After originally joining the Blues as chief scout, Emenalo progressed through the ranks to take a seat at the top table, overseeing Chelsea’s crucial matters and developing the club’s youth system, which can be seen bearing fruit today.
Yet Emenalo feels ‘the narrative that white is good has to change,’ he revealed in an exclusive interview with the Guardian, while documenting for the first time the extent of some of the discrimination he faced.
Emenalo admits it was incredibly difficult holding such a high position yet wanting to speak out more on race related issues, with an expectance placed on him to become something of an activist.
Yet even at the start of his Chelsea reign, Emenalo revealed the shocking extent of the scepticism that met his appointment.
‘Some people said: “Why did this Russian owner, who knows thousands and thousands of people, confide in him? He’s African so he must have killed somebody for the owner.’” No one stopped to think it could possibly be because of my intellect or experience,’ Emenalo said.
‘When I was appointed [as technical director] some journalists didn’t think I spoke English. They said I had never played the game.’
This, of course, was far from true. Emenalo won 14 caps for Nigeria and marked Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta in the 1994 World Cup. He was named as one of the side’s stand-out performers at the tournament.
Emenalo went on to work with some of the world’s most high profile managers, and happened to be responsible for giving several of them marching orders on multiple occasions.
Yet although he gained more experience as the seasons passed by, Chelsea’s former technical director always felt like he had that little bit more to prove.
‘Everybody has a misconception of my knowledge, insight and experience. I did it 10 times with 10 managers,’ said Emenalo.
‘Each time I climbed the hill and convinced them of my worth. I have a university degree in international relations and diplomacy. I know how to deal with people and with situations. I had World Cup experience and been part of this industry on five continents,’ he outlined.
‘I said: “I’ll give them an opportunity to understand me.” They all did but it’s not easy starting from ground zero every time.’
Following the defeat by Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final, Emenalo admitted he was ready to walk away from the club after Avram Grant was let go. It was only Grant’s words, where he outlined how much Abramovich respected Emenalo, that saw him remain in west London.
Grant spoke to Abramovich in his departing meeting, and sought assurance that Emenalo would be ‘relevant.’
Abramovich, it is said, was already of the mindset that the Nigerian would play a commanding role for Chelsea as the club sought to conquer the European stage.
Emenalo was present in Munich when Chelsea finally achieved their dream in 2012, beating Bayern in the Champions League final upon their own turf.
He departed Chelsea in November 2017, after becoming exhausted in his role and decided to take a break. Such was his record, however, that Monaco wasted no time in acquiring his services.
Emenalo left Stamford Bridge having taken pride in placing huge emphasis on the academy system – something which has now blossomed on a vast scale with the emergence of the likes of first team stars Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Having left Monaco following a difficult spell in which the club dropped to the bottom of Ligue 1, Emenalo is hopeful of a Premier League return in the near future. He does, however, feels attitudes on race desperately have to change soon.
He added: ‘There’s always someone saying a white guy can do it better. People need to do the right thing.’
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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Nigerian Football
NPFL Run-In Heats Up: Title Contenders Jostle for Top Three as Relegation Battle Turns Cut-Throat
By Kunle Solaja.
With just a handful of matches left in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the race for continental places and the desperate fight for survival have reached a boiling point on Sunday, setting up a dramatic run-in across matchdays scheduled between March 23 and 29.
Remo Stars, hoping to avert the fate that befell Shooting Stars in 1999 by becoming the first Nigerian champion to be relegated the next season, braced up with a 3-1 defeat of fellow backwater swimmers, Kwara United, in Ikenne.
Bayelsa United were the only other defending champions to have gone down the following season after going down in the 2009/2010.
At the top of the table, Enugu Rangers have placed themselves in pole position with 54 points from 31 matches, but their grip on the summit remains far from secure.
Rivers United, just two points behind with a game in hand, are poised to mount a serious challenge, particularly with a crucial away fixture against fourth-placed Nasarawa United on Tuesday, March 23.
That clash in Lafia could significantly reshape the title picture. A win for Rivers United would not only take them to the top but also deal a major blow to Nasarawa’s ambitions of breaking into the top three.
Ikorodu City, currently third with 49 points, have quietly emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Their home tie against Warri Wolves on March 29 presents a golden opportunity to consolidate their position, especially with several direct rivals facing tricky fixtures.
Shooting Stars, Abia Warriors, and Bendel Insurance are all within touching distance of the top three, separated by just two points. The March 29 showdown between Shooting Stars and league leaders Enugu Rangers stands out as one of the defining matches of the run-in. A win for Shooting Stars could throw the title race wide open, while Rangers will be eager to assert their dominance.
Abia Warriors face a demanding schedule with two matches in quick succession—first against Niger Tornadoes on March 23, then away to Enyimba on March 29. Maximum points from these fixtures could catapult them firmly into continental contention.
Further down the table, the battle against relegation is even more intense, with as many as eight teams still in danger.
Kwara United and Kun Khalifat currently occupy the bottom two spots with 33 points each, and both face must-win situations. Kwara United’s home clash against Nasarawa United on March 29 could be pivotal, though they face a tough opponent chasing a top-three finish. Kun Khalifat, meanwhile, travel to Rivers United in what appears to be a daunting fixture against a title contender.
Just above them, Remo Stars, Wikki Tourists, Enyimba, and Bayelsa United are all locked between 36 and 37 points, separated by the slimmest of margins. Enyimba’s clash with Abia Warriors could prove decisive—not just for their survival hopes but also in shaping the continental race.
Bayelsa United’s encounter with Kano Pillars on March 29 is another high-stakes fixture, particularly as Pillars themselves are not entirely safe despite sitting on 39 points after a points deduction earlier in the season.
Niger Tornadoes and Wikki Tourists will face off in a classic relegation six-pointer on March 29, a match that could determine which side gains a crucial edge in the survival battle.
Even mid-table teams like Warri Wolves and Barau FC are not entirely free from danger, highlighting the unusually tight nature of this season’s NPFL.
As the fixtures unfold, the league is delicately balanced between ambition and anxiety—where every point could either secure continental football or confirm relegation.
The coming week, therefore, promises defining moments at both ends of the table, with the NPFL title race and relegation fight set to go down to the wire.
CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Enugu Rangers 31 15 9 7 38 21 17 54 2 Rivers United 30 14 10 6 28 19 9 52 3 Ikorodu City 31 13 10 8 29 23 6 49 4 Nasarawa United 30 13 8 9 27 24 3 47 5 Shooting Stars 31 14 5 12 32 34 -2 47 6 Abia Warriors 30 13 7 10 24 22 2 46 7 Bendel Insurance FC 31 11 12 8 36 28 8 45 8 Katsina United FC 31 11 9 11 28 29 -1 42 9 Plateau United FC 31 13 3 15 31 33 -2 42 10 El-Kanemi Warriors FC 31 12 6 13 27 34 -7 42 11 Barau FC 31 10 11 10 25 26 -1 41 12 Warri Wolves 31 10 10 11 28 29 -1 40 13 Niger Tornadoes FC 30 11 6 13 31 28 3 39 14 Kano Pillars (-3pts, -3 goals) 31 12 6 13 25 28 -3 39 15 Bayelsa United FC 31 9 10 12 26 32 -6 37 16 Enyimba FC 31 9 9 13 31 34 -3 36 17 Wikki Tourists FC 31 8 12 11 28 33 -5 36 18 Remo Stars FC 31 11 3 17 32 40 -8 36 19 Kwara United (-3pts, -3 goals) 31 9 9 13 22 29 -7 33 20 Kun Khalifat FC 31 8 9 14 28 36 -8 33
- March 23: Abia Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes
- March 23: Nasarawa vs Rivers United
- March 28: Bendel Insurance vs Plateau United
- March 28: Barau vs Katsina United
- March 29: Bayelsa United vs Kano Pillars
- March 29: Elkanemi Warriors vs Remo Stars
- March 29: Enyimba vs Abia Warriors
- March 29: Ikorodu City vs Warri Wolves
- March 29: Kwara United vs Nasarawa United
- March 29: Niger Tornadoes vs Wikki Tourists
- March 29: Rivers United vs Kun Khalifat
- March 29: Shooting Stars vs Enugu Rangers
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