Nigerian Football
REMO STARS HOLD ON TO LEAGUE LEADERSHIP
Two second half goals from Akinsanmiro Ebenezer and Agbeko Morgan earned Remo Stars FC a 2-0l victory over Apex Krane FC at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State in matchday 17 of the ongoing Nigeria National League.
Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede made five changes to the side that lost 2-1 against Ibom Youth FC in Akwa Ibom. Agbeko Morgan, Akinsanmiro Ebenezer, Wisdom Samuel, Dada Oladimeji and Victor Osuagwu were called upon to be part of the game.
Both sides started brightly and it was the Sky Blue Stars that got the first attempt when Nduka Junior located Oyedele Adebayo who tried to get the ball at the back of the net but Njoku Ochenna cleared at sight.
Akanni Qudus with a brilliant run found Oyedele Adebayo on the left, he took the shot immediately but the visitor’s goalkeeper, Israel Kologwu parried and the referee sounded his whistle to indicate he was in an offside position.
The visitor came closer to get a goal after Njoku Ochenna found his way the final third of the host, he tried to square the ball towards James Collins and Bankole Kayode calmly intercepted.
The Sky Blue Stars were given a chance to go ahead from the spot after Oyedele Adebayo was infringed inside the visitor’s box, Agbeko Morgan took the kick and it went wide.
The host continued to find a goal, Agbeko Morgan got a beautiful pass from Akanni Qudus, he took anxiously and his attempt hit the side net.
Towards the end of the first half, the visitors through Uthuko Egbo and John Collins combined well to get the lead but Bankole Kayode rushed out of his box to intercept an attempt from John Collins.
The Sky Blue Stars had two beautiful attempts in the closing minutes through Agbeko Morgan but Israel Kologwu saved and immediately Agbeko Morgan got the ball to locate Akinsanmiro Ebenezer, but he couldn’t get to the ball early enough.
The second half started from where the host stopped with Agbeko Morgan getting another chance to give his side the lead but Israel Kologwu was brilliant enough to stop him yet again.
The host kept on knocking to get a goal after Akinsanmiro Ebenezer sent a thorough pass towards Agbeko Morgan, he swiftly dribbled Okoro Paul to shoot but it went over the bar.
Substitute Dada Oladimeji picked the ball from his half to find space upfront to locate Adah Mathias who immediately sent a pass to Akinsanmiro Ebenezer, he took anxiously and it went over the bar.
The goal finally came in the 75th minute after Adah Mathias found his way into the final third of the visitors, he took but the woodwork denied his chance and Oyedele Adebayo calmly located Akinsanmiro Ebenezer who then put the host ahead from close range.
Agbeko Morgan doubled the lead for the Sky Blue Stars Adah Mathias beautifully squared in a pass, and he was there to make it count for his side.
The host continued to push to get their third of the day after Dada Oladimeji raced with the ball towards the corner flank, he sent in a beautiful cross but Adah Mathias wasn’t there to put the ball at the back of the net.
In the closing minutes the Sky Blue Stars got their third goal after Aneka Bless located a free Victor Osuagwu who sent towards immediately to Dada Oladimeji to score but the referee ruled it offside.
Up next for the Sky Blue Stars is an away trip to Otujeremi Ughelli Stadium to face J. Atete on Saturday in one of match day 18 fixtures.
Meanwhile, Head Coach of Remo Stars FC, Daniel Ogunmodede has hinted that he told his boys not to be anxious to impress him but play to get the three points against Apex Krane FC.
The head coach who celebrated his birthday told the boys that the three points are more important because he would always celebrate his day but the points can’t be gotten back if lost.
The Sky Blue Stars defeated Apex Krane FC thanks to the second half goals from Akinsanmiro Ebenezer and Agbeko Morgan in the matchday 17 of the ongoing Nigeria National League.
In his words to RSFC Media, he also disclosed that he was tensed at half time when his boys haven’t gotten the goals during the first half of the game.
“Like I told the players at the interval, my birthday is not as important as the three points. The three points is the most important because I will always have another birthday but the three points if we had lost it will never come back again, so I let that know that we can’t afford to loss it.”
“They were very anxious, they wanted to impress me and make me happy, having a young boy like Morgan carrying the load of the team is difficult, the young boy wanted to impress. This is his second time losing a penalty consecutively, I don’t blame him but I know over time he will grow past this stage.”
“I was so tensed at the end of the first half, in all sincerity, I was so scared because I know we have to win, and we have to win to remain on top of the table, also to take pressure away from these kids.”
“They are small boys playing in the league for the first time, they are most of our youth players and I feel for the boys not really for me because not scoring in the first half brought a lot of pressure for us and the guys were unable to deal with the pressure.”
“I told them we have to win, if we don’t then we might likely end up third on the table, and we will feel more pressured than this game that we have just played. So instead of feeling the pressure upfront, let’s eliminate the pressure now with this game, we can do it, and they came out to do it.”
As the countdown begins for the commencement of the 2026/27 Nigeria’s lead football league’s season, strategic partners of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited, have welcomed plans by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to significantly increase the prize money for Nigeria’s top-flight football competition, describing the move as a major step towards strengthening the domestic game.
The proposed increase, recently announced by the country’s football authorities, is expected to enhance competition among clubs and improve the league’s attractiveness to investors and corporate sponsors.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, said the initiative demonstrated a renewed commitment by Nigerian sports administrators to reposition the NPFL as a commercially viable and globally competitive league.
“GTI commends this progressive initiative. Increasing the NPFL prize money sends a strong statement of intent that will undoubtedly motivate clubs, improve competitiveness and send the right signals to investors and stakeholders about the future of Nigerian football,” Ekejiuba said.
He added that additional financial support from the NSC would further strengthen league operations and accelerate ongoing reforms.
GTI, which has been involved in the league’s restructuring and commercial development over the past four years, also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at transforming the NPFL into one of Africa’s leading football competitions.
According to Ekejiuba, the company has worked alongside the NPFL Board to improve corporate governance, enhance commercial opportunities and increase investor confidence in the league.
“The contributions of GTI Group cannot be overlooked. Over the last four years, we have remained steadfast in supporting the NPFL and helping to lay the foundation for a more structured, commercially viable and globally competitive football league,” he said.
The company stressed that collaboration among the NSC, NFF, NPFL Board and private-sector stakeholders would be critical to sustaining progress.
While welcoming the planned increase in prize money, GTI cautioned that deeper structural reforms would still be required to unlock the league’s full potential.
“It is not yet time to celebrate because there is still a great deal of work to be done,” Ekejiuba said.
He identified improved governance, club licensing, infrastructure development, broadcast production, content and data management, financial accountability and fan engagement as key areas requiring continued attention.
GTI said its long-term objective remains the creation of an accountable and transparent football ecosystem capable of attracting greater corporate investment and sponsorship into Nigerian football.
The company also noted that the current financial value of the NPFL, including the recently announced grant support, represents only a fraction of the league’s potential earnings.
“This collaboration between the NSC and NFF further complements the efforts of the NPFL Board and GTI. We welcome more partners to join this transformation journey because the current value, including the grant recently announced, represents less than two per cent of the league’s overall potential revenues which we expect to unlock over the next five years,” Ekejiuba said.
The latest endorsement from GTI comes as stakeholders intensify efforts to improve the commercial profile of the NPFL and position it as a stronger contributor to the growth of Nigeria’s football industry.
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Prominent Nigerians from all walks of life gathered at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Modakeke, on Friday to pay their final respects to former Super Eagles coach and ex-Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, whose burial rites drew dignitaries from across the country.
The solemn ceremony attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, academics, philanthropists, religious figures, business executives, retired civil servants, former Nigeria internationals and football administrators, all united in celebrating the life and legacy of one of Nigeria’s most influential football personalities.
Tributes poured in for the late tactician, remembered as a pioneer who broke barriers for indigenous coaches in Nigerian football. Onigbinde was the first Nigerian coach to lead the country’s senior national team to the Africa Cup of Nations final and the first indigenous coach to take the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup finals.
Clergy members who officiated at the funeral service described the Modakeke High Chief as a man of integrity, discipline and service, whose influence extended beyond Nigeria to the global football community.
Beyond his achievements with the national team, Onigbinde served as Technical Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and later rose to become a Technical Advisor to FIFA.
Representing the NFF, former Super Eagles captain and current Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, paid glowing tribute to the late coach, describing him as a mentor who played a significant role in shaping his football career.
“Chief Onigbinde had a tremendous impact on my footballing career,” Eguavoen said. “He was a pathfinder who elevated the status of indigenous coaches through his intellect, professionalism and dedication to the game.
“The NFF recognises and appreciates his immense service to our country. He rose to the pinnacle of the coaching profession through hard work, discipline and commitment. He was a towering figure in coaching, not only in Nigeria but globally.
“He was the first Nigerian to lead our Eagles to silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations and the first indigenous coach to guide the team at the FIFA World Cup. Even after retirement, he continued to contribute immensely as a resource person during NFF coaching programmes. His legacy is enduring and impressive.”
Eguavoen added that the nation and the football community would continue to cherish the contributions of the late coach while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Former Nigeria captain and member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Dr Felix Owolabi, also extolled Onigbinde’s qualities, describing him as a courageous leader, an exceptional mentor and a man of unquestionable integrity whose knowledge of football earned him widespread respect.
Among those present at the funeral were former NFF General Secretary Ambassador Fanny Amun, NFF Director of Communications Dr Ademola Olajire, former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju, representatives of the Osun State Government, traditional rulers, former international players and ex-members of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, where Onigbinde made a lasting impact both as coach and administrator.
Dignitaries, football administrators, former internationals, traditional rulers and community leaders attend the burial rites of former Super Eagles coach and ex-Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Modakeke, Osun State, on Friday, paying tribute to one of Nigeria’s most influential football figures.
The Nigeria Football Federation also demonstrated its support for the family by making a financial contribution towards the funeral arrangements.
Widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Nigerian coaching, Chief Onigbinde leaves behind a rich legacy of service, excellence and pioneering achievements that helped shape the development of football in Nigeria and beyond.
For many gathered in Modakeke on Friday, the farewell was not only a burial ceremony but also a celebration of a life devoted to the growth of the beautiful game.
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Nigerian Football
Osimhen Clarifies Absence from Super Eagles Friendlies, Dismisses Transfer Speculation
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has moved to clarify the circumstances surrounding his absence from the Super Eagles’ forthcoming international friendly matches against Poland and Portugal, insisting that recent comments by head coach Eric Chelle were misunderstood.
The Galatasaray forward will not be part of Nigeria’s squad for the two high-profile friendlies this month, a development that sparked speculation after Chelle suggested that the striker was focused on resolving issues relating to a possible transfer.
While explaining the absence of key players from his squad, Chelle remarked that Osimhen could be on the verge of changing clubs, prompting widespread reports linking the Nigerian star to a move away from Turkish champions Galatasaray.
“We miss two players because Victor Osimhen may be about to change clubs,” Chelle had said.
The comments fuelled fresh speculation about the future of the 27-year-old striker, who has been linked with several top European clubs following another prolific season in Turkey.
However, Osimhen has now sought to calm the situation, revealing that he personally contacted the Super Eagles coach to discuss the remarks and clear up any misunderstanding.
In a statement posted on his Instagram Story, the Nigerian international stressed that Chelle’s comments had been taken out of context and did not reflect any intention to create controversy surrounding either his future or Galatasaray.
“I just got off the phone with Coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview,” Osimhen wrote.
“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games, and never intended to create any controversy.
“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to always represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him. He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculation surrounding this matter.”
Osimhen’s statement effectively confirms that his absence from the friendlies against Poland and Portugal should not be interpreted as a sign of tension with the national team setup. Rather, it appears to be a mutually understood arrangement as the striker manages personal and professional commitments during the transfer window.
The former Napoli star remains a central figure in Chelle’s plans as Nigeria continues preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
For now, the Super Eagles will take on Poland and Portugal without their leading marksman. Still, Osimhen has reaffirmed both his commitment to Nigeria and his strong working relationship with the national team coach.
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