Nigerian Football
RIVERS EXTINGUISH FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN!
BY SAMMY WEJINYA.
Rivers United put up a professional display on Sunday to easily take apart MFM FC 2-0 on match day 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Ossy Martins and Esor Nelson were the goal scoring heroes for United who now move up to third on standings having started the day in fourth.
Technical manager of United, Stanley Eguma handed recalls to Bakary Bamba, Kunle Odunlami and captain Festus Austine who all missed the club’s last game – the 2-0 win over Adamawa United in Gombe a week ago.
United settled faster but it was the visitors who had the first real opportunity to open the scoring.
Oriyomi Lawal sprang the offside trap but saw his half chance from the edge of the box easily saved by the United goalkeeper, Darlington Ovunda, who has now kept clean sheets in his last two games.
United then took the game by scruff of the neck but found goal scoring chances hard to come by as MFM defended in compact fashion.
The hosts didn’t have to wait long though for their first clear goal scoring moment and it arrived in the 17th minute.
Quick passing between Martins and Ishaq Rafiu freed up the unmarked Esor who saw his exquisite chip beat Folarin Abayomi in the MFM goal but only kissed the roof of the net.
Chigozie Ihunda was the next to try his luck as his fiercely struck effort produced a fine save from Folarin.
The impressive Esor caused panic in the MFM back line with some control and dare devil dribbling before passing with precision to the unmarked Gopey Michael who somehow managed to fluff his lines at the opportune moment in the 22nd minute.
United then took the lead their overwhelming dominance deserved when Martins rose unchallenged to head home Ihunda’s precise free kick just before the half hour.
The visitors were reeling at this point and the home side twice came close to doubling their money in a frenzied 90-second period after they netted the opener.
Martins and Esor however failed to hit the target with headers on both occasions.
Ishaq was the next Rivers United player to come close to scoring, this time, in the 29th minute as he waltzed past his marker before seeing his shot saved by Folarin.
There was only one Horse at the races and United continued knocking on the door in search of the second goal.
Bakary Bamba caused mayhem in the MFM rear guard in the 39th minute when he sped down the byline only to shoot straight at Folarin with the unmarked Martins and Gopey well placed to make a simple tap in.
Two minutes later, Ishaq’s free kick from the edge of the MFM box was saved by Folarin.
Barely a minute later, ‘The Pride Of Rivers’ came close again when the imperious Esor completely hoodwinked the MFM defence and produced a pass of genius to Ishaq whose well-struck effort, seemingly destined for the bottom corner, got deflected for a corner.
United kept up the intensity in the second half and almost scored straight from the restart with some intricate passing releasing Martins who disappointingly shot straight at the keeper from point blank range.
It was a premonition the visitors failed to heed as the hosts scored from their next attack.
More quick tempo passing again carved open the MFM defence with Esor coming face to face with Folarin.
The United man did not panic as he calmly picked his spot, sending the keeper the wrong way and the home fans into fits of wild celebration.
Gopey should have made it 3-0 in the 61st minute but he shot wide from four yards when faced with a gaping goal.
Martins was the next to come close for the marauding hosts a minute later but he shot straight at the MFM goalkeeper from a promising position.
MFM then had a rare attack, Adeyinka Najeem firing firmly enough but he met Ovunda, largely untested in the one-sided contest, in inspired form.
United bossed the rest of the contest but there was to be no more scoring as the game finished 2-0 in favour of the richly deserving hosts.
Head coach of MFM FC, Tony Bulus was non-commited in his post match comments.
“It’s football,” he said when quizzed by the official Rivers United FC website, www.riversunitedfc.com after the game.
Eguma on his part, praised his charges for the win.
“It was a very disciplined performance. We controlled the game from start to finish and could have scored more goals.
“I am happy with the win and also pleased that we are moving up the log,” he said.
Rivers United now occupies third spot on the NPFL standings with 21 points from 12 games.
The ‘Pride Of Rivers’ will face Nasarawa United in their next League game on Wednesday, January 8 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt by 4pm.
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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Nigerian Football
NFF Congress Approves Statutes Amendments, Electoral Committees Ahead of 2026 Elections
The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved sweeping reforms to its governing framework, including amendments to its statutes and electoral processes, as preparations intensify for the federation’s 2026 elections.
At the meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Congress unanimously endorsed proposals from the NFF Executive Committee to amend the NFF Statutes (March 2026 Edition), the Electoral Code and the Standing Orders of the General Assembly.
In a major step toward the next electoral cycle, Congress also ratified the composition of both the NFF Electoral Committee and the Electoral Appeals Committee. The decision followed nominations by leaders of the country’s six geopolitical zones, with 12 individuals selected to serve across the two bodies.
Those appointed include Matthew Burkala (SAN) and Emmanuel Dada Obafemi (North Central); Alhaji Babagoni Grema and Barrister Benjamin Sak (North East); Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal (North West); Justice C.J. Aneke and Arinze Azubuike Anughere (South East); Akogun Olugbenga Omole and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi (South West); as well as Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie (Esq.) and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam (South South).
The members are scheduled to be inaugurated in Abuja on March 25, 2026, where they will constitute the two committees and elect their respective chairmen. In line with the Electoral Code, the Electoral Committee will comprise five full members and two alternates, while the Appeals Committee will have three full members and two alternates.
Congress further approved the appointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the new independent auditor of the federation for an initial four-year term, following what was described as a rigorous selection process involving seven firms. The Assembly commended outgoing auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for their nine years of service.
Looking ahead, the Congress fixed September 26, 2026, for the NFF Elective Congress, which will take place in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
In addition, members passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the NFF Executive Committee led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, praising its efforts in promoting and developing football across Nigeria.
The communiqué was drafted by a committee chaired by Mohammed Nasir Saidu, with Hajji Gafaar Liameed, Davidson Owumi, Yakubu Salma, Coach Ladan Bosso and Dr Ademola Olajire serving as members.
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