Nigerian Football
OVUNDA THE HERO, AS RIVERS UNITED OUST LOBI STARS TO REACH AITEO CUP SEMI FINAL
BY SAMMY WEJINYA
Unheralded goalkeeper, Darlington Ovunda was the unlikely hero
for Rivers United as the ‘Pride of Rivers’ defeated Lobi Stars 5-3 on penalty
shoot outs to reach the semifinals of Nigeria’s oldest football competition,
the AITEO Cup.
Ovunda saved once and converted the decisive kick in the shootout as United put
themselves within striking distance of the showpiece game.
The Port Harcourt club will now meet Niger Tornadoes in the last four in the
competition.
Friday’s quarter final decided at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode was one of
few clear cut goal scoring opportunities so it was unsurprising that the stand
out moment in regulation time was an extraordinary save by United goalkeeper,
Abiodun Akande to keep out Kadiri Timileyin’s goal bound effort in the 79th
minute.
United’s best chance in an extremely tight first was a backward header by Ossy
Martins which the Lobi goalkeeper, Kayode Olufemi stopped with ease in the 25th
minute.
Two minutes later, Lobi almost took the lead but a fine Akande save after the
attacker hit a stunning half volley from just inside the box denied the pacy
Timiletyin.
Lobi enjoyed the better chances in the second half and came close to taking the
lead 11 minutes after the restart.
It was the ever lively Timileyin at the tip of the Lobi spear again as his
curling effort from eight yards failed to trouble the outstanding Akande in the
United goal.
United barely had a sniff in the second half but Lobi’s forwards were also
frustrated for long spells as defences dominated.
With penalties looming, the Technical Manager of United, Stanley Eguma made an
inspired move, withdrawing Akande and throwing in the largely unknown Ovunda in
his place with less than five minutes remaining.
Eguma also withdrew Bright Onyedikachi and threw penalty expert, Chigozie
Ihunda into the fray.
The substitutions would prove to be a masterstroke as United dominated in the
shootout.
Konan Ruffin, Temple Emekayi, Ihunda and Bakary Bamba stepped up in nerveless
fashion to convert United’s first four kicks in the shootout.
Lobi were however staring down the barrel after their first four kicks in the
shootout.
Olamidare Ojo, Ebube Duru and Samuel Matthias all scored for the ‘Pride of
Benue’ but a stunning save by Ovunda to deny Lobi’s first penalty taker, Sikiru
Alimi meant that United’s fifth kick was the a potential decider.
So it proved as the man for the big occasion, Ovunda stepped to covert and put
United into the semifinal.
Ovunda was understandably pleased with his heroic display as he shared his
sentiments with the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
“I can’t express the joy I feel right now. I feel so happy and I thank my
teammates for the support they gave me,” he said.
“Now, we want to do well in the semifinal and try to reach the final,” he
concluded.
Eguma also fielded questions after the hard-fought win.
“Once we saw the draw and knew we would face Lobi, we knew we were in for a
very big battle.
“I studied Lobi at the Super Six where I watched them play.
“They succeeded in stopping us from scoring during regulation time which was
impressive (from their perspective) as we had been scoring goals in the
previous rounds.
“We showed more composure during the shootout and deserved to win in the end,”
he said.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Thursday, April 2, 2026 inaugurate its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee, marking a key step in preparations for the federation’s next executive elections.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja and will be presided over by NFF President and WAFU B Zone President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
The two committees were constituted during last week’s Extraordinary General Assembly held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of the roadmap towards the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 26 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
A total of 12 members have been appointed across both bodies. The Electoral Committee will comprise seven members, including a chairperson, vice chairperson and three other full members, alongside two alternates. The Electoral Appeals Committee will have five members, made up of three full members and two alternates.
According to the NFF, the Electoral Committee will oversee the entire electoral process in line with the provisions of the federation’s Statutes (March 2026 edition) and Electoral Code (March 2026). Its responsibilities include organizing, conducting and supervising elections into the NFF Executive Committee.
Those appointed into the two committees include Matthew Burkala (SAN), Hon. Justice C.J. Aneke, Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, Babagoni Grema, Benjamin Sak, Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal. Others are Arinze Azubuike Anughere, Dr Akogun Olugbenga Omole, Abayomi Akin Omoyimi, Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam.
Thursday’s inauguration is expected to formally set the committees in motion, with their immediate mandate being to lay the groundwork for a transparent and credible electoral process leading to the September congress.
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Nigerian Football
NSC, Edo FA Back Ikhana Football Academy, Set to Adopt Model for Youth Development
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the Edo State Football Association have pledged strong institutional support for the newly launched Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy (KIFA), describing it as a model for grassroots football development in Nigeria.
The commitment was made during the official unveiling of the academy in Auchi, Edo State, on Saturday, where stakeholders praised the initiative of former Nigerian international, Kadiri Ikhana.
Represented at the event by his aide, Ebidowei Oweife, Olopade commended Ikhana for establishing an academy that integrates football training with formal education, noting that the Commission intends to nurture and replicate the model across the country.
“We are happy that a person of the calibre of Coach Kadiri Ikhana has taken this initiative. He is not only a member of the historic 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations but also the first Nigerian coach to win the CAF Champions League with Enyimba,” Olopade said.
Declaring the project a priority, the NSC boss added, “The academy is our baby, and we shall adopt it. We are particularly impressed that it combines football with schooling. We want the students to take their education seriously alongside their football careers. The NSC will definitely support this project.”
Also throwing its weight behind the initiative, the Edo State Football Association described the academy as a significant step toward youth empowerment and football development in the state.
Chairman of the association, Fred Newton, who was represented at the ceremony, praised Ikhana for investing his experience and knowledge in grooming the next generation of players.
“We are delighted that you have chosen to give back by shaping young talents in Edo State. This initiative will have a lasting impact not only in Edo North but across the entire state. We are fully behind you and will support you in achieving your goals,” Newton stated.
The Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy is expected to serve as a hub for nurturing young football talents while ensuring their academic growth, aligning with broader efforts to create a more structured and sustainable pathway for sports development in Nigeria.
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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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