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GTI  Group hails media  and tasks investors on The Nigeria Football Fund

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Andrew Ekejiuba

The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, has expressed delight at the quality of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) coverage by the sporting media in the country. He has called on more stakeholders to support the League by investing in the TNFF.

The Nigeria Football Fund will facilitate sustainable liquidity in the football ecosystem and also provide attractive Returns on Investment (ROI) to investors.

Speaking with a section of the media recently in Lagos, the veteran sports journalist and author said the ongoing abridge league has received heart-warming media coverageand thanked the sporting press for doing a great job.

 He added that the second phase of the league which will commence on25th March 2023 will be quite thrilling.

GTI which is the strategic partner to the NPFL is leaving no stone unturned in laying a solid foundation for the league to thrive in the country.

“We are at a threshold of making history with the Nigeria Premier Football League following the massive media coverage given to our league by the sporting press at the ongoing 2022/2023 season and the positive restructuring that is quietly going on in the background as a result of the emergence of GTI into Nigeria’s football ecosystem.

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“Thanks to the sporting press for the great job they are doing with the league coverage.

“The introduction of TNFF by GTI has also brought a positive turnaround to the NPFL such that the issue of funding for our football league is no longer a problem. Clubs, FAs, match officials and NPFL staff can give testimony to the level of support and attention given by GTI in this regard,” Ekejiuba said.

He however called on Corporate Nigeria and individuals who have the interest of Nigerian football to invest in TNFF.

“This is a clarion call to Corporate Nigeria and individuals who have passion and interest in our beautiful game’s development to key into the TNFF project now before foreign investors will take up the entire units offered by TNFF. Already the value of N1 per Unit at the Launch of the Fund has appreciated to N1.02 per unit which depicts a positive future for the League.

“On February 20, 2023, the TNFF Project Director, Nelson Ine,made a presentation to some selected Sports and Business Editors of reputable media organizations in Lagos to buttress the need for Nigerians to invest in TNFF.

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Based on the outcome of the media parley, various media organizations published stories encouraging investors to key into TNFF without further delay. Therefore, this is a reminder to would-be investors that their attention is needed now the investment window is still open.

“Every investor in TNFF has nothing to fear because the fund has been so uniquely designed for safety, provides a win-win situation for the investors, stakeholders and enhances the development of our beautiful game in Nigeria.

“For the records, TNFF is a Specialized Collective Investment Scheme that combines the regular advantages of a mutual fund with the unique propositions of a structured fund. TNFF is raising N5 billion through an initial public offering of 5.0 billion units at N1 per unit. The minimum subscription to the fund is 100,000 units or in multiples of N100,000 units thereafter,” Ekejiuba concluded.

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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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Nigerian Football

Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament in Jeopardy as Middle East Tensions Escalate

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.

An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.

The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.

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The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant,  complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.

The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.

The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.

Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.

The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.

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Nigerian Football

Bendel Insurance’s Big Statement, Rangers Rise as Leaders Slip In NPFL

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Bendel Insurance make bold statement with a 4-0 emphatic win over title contenders, Ikorodu City

Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.

Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.

The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.

Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.

In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.

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Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.

Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.

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Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United

Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.

Sunday Results

  • Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
  • Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
  • Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
  • Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
  • Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
  • Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
  • Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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NNL 2025/2026: Akwa United, Doma United Eye Swift Return to Nigeria Elite League

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The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.

Southern Conference Delivers Drama

Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.

In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.

Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.

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Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm

Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.

Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.

Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead

In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.

The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.

Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies

Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.

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Promotion Race Wide Open

With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.

As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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