Nigerian Football
Gara Gombe throws light into NFF Appeal Committee’s relief for Remo Stars
One-time Gombe FA chairman, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe and a major voice on Nigerian football has thrown light into the NFF Appeals Committee decision on the Remo Stars versus Gombe United match.
The match, which was one of the MatchDay 12 fixture in the Group A of the NPFL abridged league for the current season had to be concluded the following day, and with another referee when the designated referee refused to commence the second half of the game.
He claimed assault and injuries to his person by the General Manager of the home side, Ekene Adams. For the records, Sports Village Square reports that it is not unusual for an appeal committee to upturn a decision earlier made by a governing body. Otherwise, the appeal committee will just be a rubber stamp.
A recent global example is gleaned from the Italian Serie A where an earlier 15-point deduction imposed on Juventus was reversed by the supreme sports court of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) which last week accepted Juventus’ appeal.
Gara-Gombe titles his submission: “Between IMC and NFF- TOEFL as the newest prosecution witness on Remo Stars’ case”.
His submissions:
“The NFA Disciplinary committee recently inaugurated by Ibrahim Gusau had its baptism with the case brought before it on the decision of the IMC on allegations of wrong doing by Remo Stars FC and its officials for prejudicial conduct during their match against Gombe United FC.
“I know those reading this may wonder what the headline of this opinion means to the matter under reference.
“TOEFL means: Test of English as Foreign Language. It is an assessment test usually carried for prospective students seeking admission to foreign schools, especially universities.
“The fundamental issue in determining the Remo Stars’ case is the test of English. There were two key words – tapping and assault.
“Let us determine this first before we go into the matter proper as I understood it based on my findings. What is an assault and what is tapping?
“An assault is simply said to be the intentional use of force to cause harm on another person, while tapping is said simply to be a friendly way of drawing the attention of a person by another.
“A Remo Stars FC official precisely Hon.Ekene Adams, a member of House of Representatives- Elect from Kaduna State who is the General Manager of Remo Stars FC was reported to have gone into the dressing Room (a restricted Area)to assault the centre referee for issuing a red card to a Remo Stars player.
“On the other hand Hon Ekene Adams was said to have only tapped the referee in a friendly manner to complain about the red card.
“This made the centre referee not continue with the match citing an allegation of assault by Hon.Ekene Adams.
“It is clear that he who alleges has a burden of proof. Now let us take a look at the following issues:
“1. What was the evidence of assault that is so prejudicial to warrant the discontinuation of the match by the referee.?
“2. Where there are no witnesses in the referees dressing rooms to ascertain the commission of an assault or the incident that happened?
“3. Where was the Match Commissioner and the referee assessor?
“4. Was there no Ogun FA official or secretary on ground?
“5. Is an official of the home team said to commit trespass on match day if he finds his way to the Referees Dressing Room?
“6. Is the Referees Dressing Room a Restricred Area to an official of a Home Team.?
“7. What was in the match commissioners’ report and that of the referees report? Were they in agreement with each other?
“8. Did the alleged assault render the referee useless and could not continue with the match? If yes, why did the Assistant Referee 1 not continue with the match?
“9. Did the Match Commissioner agree with the centre referee to discontinue with the match? Why did he not, or did he order the Match Commissioner to continue with the match?
“10. On the security that was said to be inadequate, what was recorded during the pre-match meeting at the very meeting that security of a match is predetermined. Who is responsible for providing security – Remo Stars or Ogun F.A?
Take a look at this
“1. From what I know, no referee decides to discontinue a match in Nigeria without an external instruction. Last season it happened during Niger Tornadoes and Lobi Stars game in Minna.
“2. Whenever there is inadequate security the FA is to be sanctioned not clubs.
“3. There is no home team in our league that its officials don’t visit Referees Dressing Room at half time. Sometimes these officials even take drinks to them personally. They even visit their hotels before and after matches.
“4. Gombe United either due to inexperience or they are aware of a certain plan they should have just enter their bus and return to Gombe. Because they presented themselves for a match and after 45 minutes the officials refused to continue.They have no business staying a day after to replay or complete any game. It is no longer their business.
“5. Match commissioners, referees and assessors should be filing their reports within the stipulated time to avoid manipulation.
“Therefore, the Disciplinary Committee did a good job.
“1.However, after over ruling almost all the decisions of IMC, why sustained the suspension of Hon.Ekene Adams?
“2. I did not see where Ogun FA was not fined for inadequate security.
“3. The Match Commissioner should be reprimanded for allowing a match to start without adequate security.
“4. I know Remo Stars Chairman is a member of IMC but he does not attend meetings I hope it is not what I am thinking.
“5. The IMC Should not be carried away by their successes so far and the ‘media honeymoon’ they are enjoying they should not be hastily and be too hard in their decisions. Some of these reforms should be transitional. They should be using carrot and stick approach to affect meaningful reforms. Take it easy, but be firm. I come in peace..my opinion.”
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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