Nigerian Football
NIGERIA-BORN DANJUMA GIVES BOURNEMOUTH PLAY-OFF LEAD
Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate knows his side “still have it all to do” to overcome Brentford in the Championship play-off semi-final despite winning the first leg 1-0.
Arnaut Danjuma scored the only goal early in the second half in front of a crowd of around 2,000 home fans, but Brentford missed a glorious chance to level through Bryan Mbeumo.
“It’s half-time, it’s a slight advantage,” Woodgate said after seeing Dutch winger Danjuma finish off a fine counter-attacking move from David Brooks’ precise through ball.
“We know how good Brentford are at home, we know how good the players are and the team is, they’ve been in this situation before and they’ve got that experience.
“It’s far from over.”
The Cherries created the bulk of the chances in the first leg, but could have found themselves going into Saturday’s return leg all square had Mbeumo not poked narrowly wide from six yards out with the goal gaping.
Emiliano Marcondes was also denied by a smart block from Asmir Begovic after coming off the bench.
Danjuma almost added a second goal late on for Bournemouth from a free-kick only for David Raya to palm it wide.
“I thought we created the better chances in the game and they had one towards the end, but we were outstanding on the counter-attack,” Woodgate said.
“We were compact behind the ball and then broke at speed, at pace and we’ve got that in abundance with the players we’ve got.
“Those sort of finishes is what Arnaut does and, for me, it was never in doubt once he got in that position, he’s so good at it.”
The move that led to the goal began when Brentford centre-back Pontus Jansson lost the ball in an advanced position shortly after being booked.
Bournemouth pounced on the space he left at the back on the counter and Wales international Brooks played a deft through ball to Danjuma on the edge of the area, and the Dutch forward calmly finished into the bottom right corner for his 16th goal of the season.
In what was one of the first sporting events to be allowed limited crowds back on the day coronavirus lockdown restrictions were eased across England, Bournemouth certainly responded to the noise and atmosphere their supporters were able to provide after a prolonged absence.
It was also the first time Woodgate took charge of a Bournemouth side in front of a crowd after he was appointed manager in February.
“The atmosphere was just unbelievable, it was electrical having them here,” Woodgate said.
“It helped our players, they were constantly behind us, they liked the way we were playing and they fully bought in to how we were trying to play.
“But we’re going to Brentford now and the shoe’s on the other foot, and I’m sure their fans will be bang up for it.”
Bournemouth also went close on the night when Jefferson Lerma fired an ambitious volley narrowly over the crossbar, Philip Billing skewed a shot wide from 12 yards out and Dominic Solanke hit the post with a downward header.
Steve Cook and Brooks were also denied in quick succession when Cook had his header from a corner saved low down by Raya and then Brooks’ follow-up was blocked near the post by Ivan Toney.
Cook was forced off in the first half with a knee injury but Woodgate hopes his centre-back and captain will be fit for the second leg.
Brentford, who finished third in the regular season, tasted defeat for the first time in 13 games while sixth-placed Bournemouth found the perfect time to bounce back from three consecutive defeats.
“An even game I would say between two very good teams that both tried to get on top of the game throughout.
“I thought Bournemouth were slightly more dangerous than us in the first half without dominating.
“I thought we were the better side in the second half and we had our chances, and I felt a draw would’ve been the right result.
“But in a tight game, we know it’s the small margins that will decide the game in a two-legged tie.
“We lost our structure and focus on their biggest threat, which was the counter-attack and we gave them the first goal from that, so we need to do better on that.
“It’s a massive chance for Bryan after that and it doesn’t get any bigger.
“But, this is just like we’re going out in the second half and we’re 1-0 down, so there’s plenty of time still to turn this round. We’ll be ready and come flying out 100%.
“We can use the experience from last year and we know it’s going to be another tight game with small margins.
“There’s still massive belief in the dressing room we can turn it around.
“It was great to have the fans back there. The Bournemouth fans did a great job, but I expect ours to do a better job, just like we need to do a better job.”
-BBC
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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Nigerian Football
NPFL Run-In Heats Up: Title Contenders Jostle for Top Three as Relegation Battle Turns Cut-Throat
By Kunle Solaja.
With just a handful of matches left in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the race for continental places and the desperate fight for survival have reached a boiling point on Sunday, setting up a dramatic run-in across matchdays scheduled between March 23 and 29.
Remo Stars, hoping to avert the fate that befell Shooting Stars in 1999 by becoming the first Nigerian champion to be relegated the next season, braced up with a 3-1 defeat of fellow backwater swimmers, Kwara United, in Ikenne.
Bayelsa United were the only other defending champions to have gone down the following season after going down in the 2009/2010.
At the top of the table, Enugu Rangers have placed themselves in pole position with 54 points from 31 matches, but their grip on the summit remains far from secure.
Rivers United, just two points behind with a game in hand, are poised to mount a serious challenge, particularly with a crucial away fixture against fourth-placed Nasarawa United on Tuesday, March 23.
That clash in Lafia could significantly reshape the title picture. A win for Rivers United would not only take them to the top but also deal a major blow to Nasarawa’s ambitions of breaking into the top three.
Ikorodu City, currently third with 49 points, have quietly emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Their home tie against Warri Wolves on March 29 presents a golden opportunity to consolidate their position, especially with several direct rivals facing tricky fixtures.
Shooting Stars, Abia Warriors, and Bendel Insurance are all within touching distance of the top three, separated by just two points. The March 29 showdown between Shooting Stars and league leaders Enugu Rangers stands out as one of the defining matches of the run-in. A win for Shooting Stars could throw the title race wide open, while Rangers will be eager to assert their dominance.
Abia Warriors face a demanding schedule with two matches in quick succession—first against Niger Tornadoes on March 23, then away to Enyimba on March 29. Maximum points from these fixtures could catapult them firmly into continental contention.
Further down the table, the battle against relegation is even more intense, with as many as eight teams still in danger.
Kwara United and Kun Khalifat currently occupy the bottom two spots with 33 points each, and both face must-win situations. Kwara United’s home clash against Nasarawa United on March 29 could be pivotal, though they face a tough opponent chasing a top-three finish. Kun Khalifat, meanwhile, travel to Rivers United in what appears to be a daunting fixture against a title contender.
Just above them, Remo Stars, Wikki Tourists, Enyimba, and Bayelsa United are all locked between 36 and 37 points, separated by the slimmest of margins. Enyimba’s clash with Abia Warriors could prove decisive—not just for their survival hopes but also in shaping the continental race.
Bayelsa United’s encounter with Kano Pillars on March 29 is another high-stakes fixture, particularly as Pillars themselves are not entirely safe despite sitting on 39 points after a points deduction earlier in the season.
Niger Tornadoes and Wikki Tourists will face off in a classic relegation six-pointer on March 29, a match that could determine which side gains a crucial edge in the survival battle.
Even mid-table teams like Warri Wolves and Barau FC are not entirely free from danger, highlighting the unusually tight nature of this season’s NPFL.
As the fixtures unfold, the league is delicately balanced between ambition and anxiety—where every point could either secure continental football or confirm relegation.
The coming week, therefore, promises defining moments at both ends of the table, with the NPFL title race and relegation fight set to go down to the wire.
CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Enugu Rangers 31 15 9 7 38 21 17 54 2 Rivers United 30 14 10 6 28 19 9 52 3 Ikorodu City 31 13 10 8 29 23 6 49 4 Nasarawa United 30 13 8 9 27 24 3 47 5 Shooting Stars 31 14 5 12 32 34 -2 47 6 Abia Warriors 30 13 7 10 24 22 2 46 7 Bendel Insurance FC 31 11 12 8 36 28 8 45 8 Katsina United FC 31 11 9 11 28 29 -1 42 9 Plateau United FC 31 13 3 15 31 33 -2 42 10 El-Kanemi Warriors FC 31 12 6 13 27 34 -7 42 11 Barau FC 31 10 11 10 25 26 -1 41 12 Warri Wolves 31 10 10 11 28 29 -1 40 13 Niger Tornadoes FC 30 11 6 13 31 28 3 39 14 Kano Pillars (-3pts, -3 goals) 31 12 6 13 25 28 -3 39 15 Bayelsa United FC 31 9 10 12 26 32 -6 37 16 Enyimba FC 31 9 9 13 31 34 -3 36 17 Wikki Tourists FC 31 8 12 11 28 33 -5 36 18 Remo Stars FC 31 11 3 17 32 40 -8 36 19 Kwara United (-3pts, -3 goals) 31 9 9 13 22 29 -7 33 20 Kun Khalifat FC 31 8 9 14 28 36 -8 33
- March 23: Abia Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes
- March 23: Nasarawa vs Rivers United
- March 28: Bendel Insurance vs Plateau United
- March 28: Barau vs Katsina United
- March 29: Bayelsa United vs Kano Pillars
- March 29: Elkanemi Warriors vs Remo Stars
- March 29: Enyimba vs Abia Warriors
- March 29: Ikorodu City vs Warri Wolves
- March 29: Kwara United vs Nasarawa United
- March 29: Niger Tornadoes vs Wikki Tourists
- March 29: Rivers United vs Kun Khalifat
- March 29: Shooting Stars vs Enugu Rangers
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