Nigerian Football

3SC React as NPFL Relocates Ibadan Fixtures Over Pitch Concerns

Published

2 months ago

January 31, 2026

Shooting Stars Sports Club have acknowledged the directive by the Nigeria Premier Football League to relocate matches from the Lekan Salami Stadium, insisting that concrete steps are already underway to restore the playing surface to acceptable standards.

The NPFL had earlier ordered that, with effect from the next matchday, no league fixtures should be staged at the Ibadan venue following growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of the pitch. Consequently, Shooting Stars Sports Club will now play their home matches at the MKO Abiola Arena until urgent remedial works are completed.

NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, who also serves as a Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, confirmed the decision, stressing that player safety, match quality, and the integrity of the league could not be compromised.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Shooting Stars said they had received official communication from the league regarding the suitability of the Lekan Salami Stadium to host NPFL fixtures, particularly in the context of broadcast and television requirements.

The club assured supporters and stakeholders that the issue was being treated with “utmost seriousness,” revealing that deliberate measures had already been implemented to improve the turf. According to the statement, intensified pitch maintenance, grass treatment, levelling, and regular watering have been ongoing in recent weeks.

Shooting Stars further explained that the current dry season and harsh weather conditions had significantly affected the playing surface, describing it as a broader environmental challenge that the club has been actively managing.

“Despite these conditions, work on the pitch has been ongoing to ensure steady improvement and long-term sustainability,” the club said, reaffirming its commitment to providing a safe, professional, and broadcast-friendly playing environment befitting its status and history in Nigerian football.

The venue reshuffle has also affected other NPFL clubs. Remo Stars, who were earlier sanctioned to play away from their Ikenne base and temporarily relocated to Ibadan, will now host their home matches in Akure. Ironically, Remo Stars had earlier hosted Sunshine Stars in Ikenne, before the latest reversal forced them to seek refuge in the Ondo State capital.

Shooting Stars stated that they would continue to engage constructively with the NPFL while prioritising lasting solutions that would allow supporters to return to the Lekan Salami Stadium under acceptable conditions.

The club also appealed for patience and understanding from the Oluyole faithful, assuring them of its determination to resolve the matter and restore Ibadan as a credible and safe home venue for NPFL football.

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Nigerian Football

Naze Community to Honour Late Super Eagles Legend Henry Nwosu with ‘Clash of Titans’ Novelty Match

Published

9 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Kunle Solaja

By Joseph Odoekwu

The Naze community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State will on Sunday, April 5, stage a novelty football match in honour of their late son and former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu.

The event, tagged “The Clash of Titans,” will see Naze All Stars square off against Imo Football Legends at the Naze Secondary School field, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

Details of the tribute match emerged following a training session held on Thursday morning at the venue, where former players and participants in the long-running Henry Nwosu Cup resolved to take the lead in celebrating the legacy of the late football icon.

Naze All Stars will be made up of indigenes of the community who have featured in the Henry Nwosu Cup since its inception in 1985, while the Imo Football Legends side will parade notable ex-footballers from across the state.

The Ikuku Oma Foundation is organising the match in collaboration with the Naze Football Federation as part of activities to immortalise Nwosu, whose grassroots initiative transformed local football in the community.

Since its establishment over four decades ago, the Henry Nwosu Cup—played annually during the Christmas period—has grown into a major unifying and entertainment platform for Naze and neighbouring communities such as Ulakwo, Agbala and Egbu. Beyond football, the competition has also fostered social bonds, with several marriages reportedly stemming from relationships formed on matchdays.

There are also strong indications that Heartland FC manager and former Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, could lead the Imo Football Legends side in Sunday’s encounter, adding further glamour to the occasion.

Members of the Naze All Stars who have confirmed participation include Ikuku Oma, Prof. Joe-Ken Nzerem, Ejike Urewuji, Nda Gboko, Oga Ekete, Oga Sarge, Oga Cho Cho, Man of God, Baba Urch, Oga Eshi ke Naze, Chief Agba I, Mmiri the Crown Prince (goalkeeper), Mr. Obiọma, Alkaline, among others.

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Nigerian Football

NFF Inaugurates Electoral Committees for 2026–2030 Elections

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Group photo of NFF chieftains, invited dignitaries, members of the committees and NFF Management.

The Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday inaugurated its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee ahead of elections into its Executive Committee for the 2026–2030 term.

NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau performed the inauguration at the federation’s secretariat in Abuja, charging members to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, neutrality and professionalism.

Gusau urged the committees to discharge their duties without bias, stressing the importance of credibility in a process that will shape the future leadership of Nigerian football.

Speaking on behalf of the committees, Matthew Burka’a assured stakeholders that the exercise would meet the highest standards of transparency and fairness.

“We will approach this task with the seriousness it deserves. On behalf of all the members, I assure the NFF, football-loving Nigerians and the world at large that we are going to conduct a free, fair, credible and acceptable election,” Burka’a said.

He added that the committees were mindful of the global attention on the process, including from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, and pledged to deliver what could become a benchmark for future elections within and beyond football administration.

Committee Composition

The Electoral Committee comprises Matthew Burka’a (SAN), Alhaji Babagoni Grema, Bature Musa, Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie and Akogun Olugbenga Omole, with Arinze Azubuike Anughele and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi serving as alternate members.

The Electoral Appeals Committee is made up of Hon. Justice C. J. Aneke, Benjamin Sati and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal, with FIFA Emmanuel Dada Obafemi and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam listed as alternates.

In line with NFF statutes, the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, will serve as secretary to both committees.

Election Date Fixed

The NFF also confirmed that elections into its Executive Committee will take place on September 26, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Philip Shaibu, NFF First Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Executive Committee members Silas Agara and George Aluo, alongside senior management and staff of the federation.

With preparations now formally underway, attention will turn to the electoral process as stakeholders await what has been promised as a transparent and credible exercise to usher in a new leadership era for Nigerian football.

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Nigerian Football

Super Eagles Set for Poland, Portugal Friendlies as June Window Beckons

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, will rekindle rivalries with Poland and Portugal in high-profile international friendlies scheduled for June, marking only the second time the Nigerian team will meet the two nations at the senior level.

The fixtures come on the back of Nigeria’s recent international outings in Antalya, Turkey, where they defeated Iran and held World Cup-bound Jordan to a 2-2 draw, signalling renewed optimism within the squad despite missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the Super Eagles will first take on Poland on June 3 at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, before travelling to Portugal for a second clash on June 10 at a venue yet to be confirmed.

Renewing Rivalries

Nigeria’s previous encounter with Poland remains a positive memory. On March 23, 2018, the Super Eagles secured a 1-0 victory in Wroclaw, courtesy of a 61st-minute penalty converted by Victor Moses after he was fouled in the box. The match served as preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

However, their only senior meeting with Portugal tells a different story. On November 17, 2022, Nigeria suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to the European side in Lisbon, with Bruno Fernandes scoring twice, while Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário added further goals in a dominant display.

That result remains one of Nigeria’s most crushing defeats the Super Eagles have ever suffered since the 1998 5-1 loss to the Netherlands.

Portugal’s World Cup Tune-Up

The upcoming clash will also serve as a crucial preparatory fixture for the Portugal national football team, who will head into the game as part of their final build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

For Nigeria, however, the matches represent an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition and rebuild confidence after missing out on the global showpiece.

Beyond the June friendlies, the Super Eagles are also scheduled to participate in the Unity Cup Tournament in London from May 26 to 30, where they will defend their title. The traditional teams of the tournament include Ghana and Jamaica.

The combination of competitive fixtures and high-level friendlies is expected to provide the head coach and technical crew with a broader platform to assess players and refine tactics ahead of future international engagements.

With mixed results in recent outings but flashes of promise, the upcoming matches against Poland and Portugal could prove pivotal in shaping Nigeria’s next phase on the international stage.

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