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Tag: Nigeria National League

  • Skybound excited over renewed sponsorship deals for NNL

    Skybound excited over renewed sponsorship deals for NNL

    Marketing Consultants to Nigeria National League (NNL), Skybound J & B Connect  Ltd, has expressed joy over the corporate support coming the way of the nation’s second tier league.

    CEO of Skybound J & B Connect Ltd, John Joshua Akanji,  said in a statement that the corporate support is a direct fallout of the excellent job being done by the George Aluo-led board of NNL.

    “The ground- breaking  mega partnership deals secured by the Nigerian National League Board  is an indication of the confidence, trust and new direction  provided  by the  George Aluo led Board,” Akanji stated.

    Akanji asserted that the NNL  has undergone transformation with improved  standard of play, better officiating and less violence which is attracting  corporate attention.

    The statement read: “Every  discerning  person can see the impact of the transformative  leadership at the NNL under the able leadership of Mr George Aluo. This is the reason why corporate bodies are investing  in the Nigerian National League.

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    “In the past, no sponsor wanted to put its money in the league due to poor officiating, crowd  violence and win at home syndrome. Happily, today the story is changing as teams win on the road without  fear of being  attacked or molested by the fans of the losing teams.

    “This is a new dawn for Nigerian  football  as BetPawa, Toptier Sports Management (TSM) have signed up  to be part of NNL. Talks have also been  held with BlockChain Sports Arena with a deal almost secured.

    “Other companies, individuals and organizations should take a cue from these companies to support  the Most Important League. And for us at Skybound J and B Connect Ltd, we are proud to be part of the new dawn in NNL. Things can only get better.”

    Recall  that the NNL   secured a major new sponsorship deal with gaming  company BetPawa totalling over ₦494 million.

    The deal comes with a unique “Locker Room Bonus” for players and coaches just as Toptier Sports Management (TSM) is poised to inject billions into the league over a 10-year period.

  • NNL shifts second stanza’s kick-off to Feb. 14

    NNL shifts second stanza’s kick-off to Feb. 14

    The Nigeria National League (NNL) has officially announced February 14 as the new date for the resumption of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 season.

    The league was initially scheduled to resume on January 31, but the restart has now been shifted by two weeks. The NNL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Danlami Alanana, disclosed the development on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

    According to Alanana, the postponement was necessitated by logistics and other emerging circumstances, stressing that the decision was taken in the best interest of the league to guarantee a smooth and well-coordinated restart.

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    He urged all participating clubs to take advantage of the extended break to resolve outstanding logistical issues ahead of the resumption, adding that all conferences will return to action simultaneously on February 14.

    Meanwhile,  a club owners’ retreat is expected to hold later this month as part of efforts to strengthen league administration.

    At the halfway stage of the season, Inter Lagos, Akwa United FC, Doma United, and Ranchers Bees currently top the standings in their respective conferences. Only the conference winners at the end of the campaign will earn promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

  • Dakkada FC Withdraws from Nigeria National League season amid placement dispute

    Dakkada FC Withdraws from Nigeria National League season amid placement dispute

    Dakkada FC of Uyo has officially withdrawn from the 2025-26 NNL season following an unresolved disagreement with the League Board over their conference placement.

    The Akwa Ibom-based club, which recently underwent a change in management and transitioned to private ownership, had written to the NNL requesting to be placed in Conference B — the same group that includes their city rivals, Akwa United. However, the League Board reportedly declined the request, citing the need to preserve the competitive and structural integrity of the league.

    A senior source within the NNL Secretariat confirmed the development, stating that Dakkada’s withdrawal was a direct consequence of their insistence on being grouped with Akwa United.

     “The team wrote to us informing that they now have new management under private ownership, which was not a problem for us,” the source revealed. “But they insisted on playing in Conference B. When we turned down the request to maintain fairness and balance in the league, they opted to pull out. The League Board has accepted their decision because we do not want anything that would undermine the credibility of the NNL.”

    Dakkada’s exit comes just days after the club unveiled their new head coach, Emmanuel King, in what was initially seen as a sign of renewed ambition under their revamped management. King, who previously handled FC One Rocket in the NNL, had expressed optimism about restoring Dakkada’s competitive spirit and rebuilding the team’s identity.

     “I’m here to help Dakkada FC rediscover its identity and compete with belief,” King had declared during his unveiling. “The goal is to build a winning mentality from day one.”

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    He was to be assisted by Godwin Effiong as part of the club’s new technical setup, and the team had been scheduled to open their campaign away to Beyond Limit FA in Ikenne.

    Dakkada FC, formerly known as Akwa Starlets, rose from being a feeder team to Akwa United before gaining promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in 2016. The club adopted the name “Dakkada FC” to reflect a new identity rooted in Akwa Ibom’s developmental mantra, “Dakkada,” meaning “Rise Up.”

    However, after suffering relegation from the NPFL in the 2021/2022 season, the club’s fortunes continued to wane amid administrative challenges and ownership transitions.

    Their withdrawal from the NNL marks a significant setback not only for Akwa Ibom football but also for the league, which now faces the task of adjusting its fixtures and addressing potential disciplinary implications.

    The NNL Board is expected to issue an official statement in the coming days outlining the next steps, including possible sanctions and how Dakkada’s withdrawal will affect the 2024/2025 fixtures.

  • NNL abolishes Super 8 as new season begins Nov. 8th

    NNL abolishes Super 8 as new season begins Nov. 8th

    • By Joshua Osinowo

    The Nigeria National League (NNL) will begin its 2025/2026 season on Saturday, 8th  November  with a star match, while other opening-week fixtures follow on 14–16 November at selected venues nationwide.

    This decisions  was part of the key resolutions reached at the league’s 16th  Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday at  the 5th Chukker Resort, Maraban Jos, Kaduna State.

    The meeting, which drew top football administrators, thanked Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the people of Kaduna for hosting the event. It also praised NFF President and the entire federation board for what it called their “extraordinary ability” in supporting the league’s growth.

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    A major highlight was the adoption of an abridged four-conference format Conferences A, B, C and D for the new season. In a significant change, the AGM abolished the Super 8 competition, declaring that the club finishing first in each conference will gain direct promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

    However, a Super 4 tournament will still hold to decide the overall NNL champion. Crucially, any promoted club that fails to compete in the Super 4 will forfeit its NPFL slot to the conference runner-up.

    The AGM reinforced strict standards: only stadia that meet the league’s approved facility criteria will host matches, and every club must present insurance cover for players and officials during registration.

    Financial matters also received attention, with delegates adopting the 2024/2025 audited report and approving the 2025/2026 budget. The league confirmed that only Prostar/NNL-branded match balls will be used; any home team failing to provide the official ball will face sanctions.

    The gathering lauded ongoing sponsorship efforts and ended with a vote of confidence in the NNL board led by Chairman George Aluo for its “resolve to continue improving the standard of the league.”

    The resolutions signal a streamlined path to Nigeria’s top flight while demanding higher professionalism from clubs ahead of the new campaign.

  • NNL’s hammer falls on two clubs for assaults and hooliganism

    NNL’s hammer falls on two clubs for assaults and hooliganism

    The Nigeria National League has again wielded the big stick against erring Clubs, with Godswill Akpabio FC of Uyo and Barau FC of Barau FC of Kano severely penalized for assault and intimidation of match officials.

    On its part, Uyo-based Godswill Akpabio FC was found guilty of assaulting match officials during their Matchday 15 encounter against Rovers FC of Calabar at the Uyo Township Stadium on 26th April. The match ended 2-2, but right from the end of first half, the home team’s match officials and fans started to intimidate match officials, and a player, Austin Ajibawo, was cautioned for physical intimidation of the first assistant referee. Further assaults were committed at the end of the match.

    While they have been fined the sum of N3,000,000 which must be paid before their next match, Godswill Akpabio FC must also play their next two home games under strict closed-doors. They will pay the sum of N250,000 as medical bills to the assaulted match officials, and Ajibawo is suspended for two matches. The Akwa Ibom State FA is also given only seven days to identify the names of assailants or show evidence of disciplinary action taken against them.

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    Strict closed-doors means only 20 security personnel, seven club officials per team, 12 ball boys, 10 host FA officials, match officials, accredited medical personnel, two accredited cameramen per team and 10 representatives of the media can attend the match.

    On their part, Barau FC committed the infraction during their home game against Gombe United at the Danbatta Township Stadium on 26th April. From the first half, fans of the home team (which eventually won the match 2-0) started throwing missiles at the technical bench of Gombe United, which caused some injuries and led to the abandonment of the match for 15 minutes.

    Barau FC has been fined the sum of N2,000,000, will pay assaulted Gombe United officials the sum of N150,000 for medical bills and also play their next two home matches under strict closed-doors.

  • Yobe Stars players, officials involved in auto crash

    Yobe Stars players, officials involved in auto crash

    .NNL tie with Kebbi United now Sunday

    Yobe Desert Stars players and officials travelling for a Nigeria National League game against Kebbi United were yesterday  involved in a near-fatal accident.

    The media officer of the club, Yibo Zakari, told NationSport that a tipper rammed into their team’s bus conveying the team to Birnin Kebbi and some players and officials sustained injuries.

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    He said they were still in shock regarding the incident and that they will sleep over in Sokoto to examine the injured players and officials before deciding on when to embark on the trip to Kebbi.

    “We were on our way to honour our league tie with Kebbi United when a tipper hit us from the side. Some players and officials got injured but no life was lost,” Yibo told NationSport. “The injured players are in the hospital and are being attended to. We thank God no live was lost. We shall remain in Sokoto till tomorrow (today) before we know the next line of action.”

    Yibo informed that the NNL on contacted have interceded and their league game hitherto fixed for today (Friday) has now been shifted to Sunday to allow the injured recuperate before then.

  • Interesting matchups in NNL Matchday One fixtures

    Interesting matchups in NNL Matchday One fixtures

    The official Matchday One fixtures of the 2024-25 Nigeria National League, NNL, season have been revealed to the media with blockbuster games scheduled across the Northern and the Southern Conference.

    At the draw ceremony in Ikenne, relegated NPFL side, Sporting Lagos are drawn bye in Group A; Solution FC of Awka are at home to Rovers of Calabar while Edel FC will slug it out with Abia Comets in Southern Conference in Group B.

    In other Group A fixtures made available, Kun Khalifat of Owerri will file out with Emmalex FC while First Bank and Osun United will open their season’s account in Lagos.

    In Group B, Beyond Limits will face Dakkada; Warri Wolves versus Crown FC and Edel FC versus Abia Comets.

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    In the Northern Conference, Sokoto United will slug it out with Mailantarki Care FC while Zamfara United versus Wikki Tourists is another top fixture to look out for in the opening weekend of the second-tier league in Group C.

    Group A

    Sporting Lagos Bye

    Solution vs.  Rovers

    First bank vs. Osun United

    Gateway vs.  Godswill Akpabio FC

    Kun Khalifa FC vs. Emmalex FC

    Abakiliki FC vs.  Madiba FC

    Group B

    Smart City Bye

    Edel FC vs. Abia Comets

    1472 FC vs.  Igbajo

    Beyond Limits vs. Dakkada FC

     Warri Wolves vs. Crown

    FC Ijele FC vs. Inter Lagos

    Group C

    Gombe United Bye

    Sokoto United vs. Mailantarki Care

     Zamfara United vs. Wikki Tourists

     FC Barau FC vs. Mighty Jets

    Group D

    Doma United Bye

    Kebbi United vs. Sporting Supreme

    Basira FC vs. Yobe Desert Stars

    Adamawa United vs. Kada Warriors

  • Crisis rocks Nigeria National League

    ..CEO Bukola Olapade quits
    …Kanda City pullout

    Nigerian domestic league  has been thrown into full blown crisis as the CEO of the  Nigeria National League(NNL), Bukola Olopade, resigned his post over reported meddlesomeness  in the activities, even as  one of the purported promoted clubs to the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) Kanda City, has also pulled out of the NNL.

    In a message circulated over social media platform on Saturday, Olopade, erstwhile commissioner of sports in Ogun State said he was left with no choice  after  the NFF seemingly  backed  out of  its decision over the number of clubs to be promoted into the NPFL.

    Olopade statement reads: ”  Good morning Mr President. Let me first start by thanking you for the confidence reposed in me to be the CEO of the Bet9ja Nigeria National League. Nigeria is a country blessed with so many capable hands, despite that, you picked me with the belieF that I had the capacity to do a decent job and for that I am grateful.

    “These past few days have thrown up a different kind of challenge to our football, in particular the promotion of 8 teams from the Bet9ja NNL to the NPFL. And in all of these, my stand has been based on the principle of common sense. I am sure you have read from a few Whatsapp forums my strong opinion on this matter, but importantly, is the fact that I had told you of my intention to leave if the decision of the Bet9ja NNL Congress is not respected and all stakeholders sit down to seek solution to a situation that all caused especially the LMC.

    “I woke up this morning 8th Dec 2018 by a call from the League’s COO confirming to me that the NFF has gone ahead to direct that the there must be a playoff to promote only 4 teams. Mr President, I respect the decision of the highest body in football but I now humbly inform you first through this medium and subsequently through an official letter of my resignation from the position of the CEO of the Bet9ja NNL.”

    In a related development, the proprietor of Kanda City , Ekene Abubakar Adams, in a release said he was pulling out his club from the domestic league  over the same issue.

    He said: “Sequel to the directive of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to stage a promotion playoff against the collective decisions  reached by NNL clubs during the Annual General Assembly (AGA) held on 24th November,2018 at  NERA Hotel Jabi, Abuja where eight (8) team promotion to the NPFL was proposed.

    “Before the AGA, the NFF had during its Executive Committee meeting held at the Hampton hotel, Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday, 20th November, 2018 in paragraph four (4) of its communiqué, encouraged the NNL Board to hold a meeting with all NNL clubs, because issues of Relegation/ Promotion between NNL and NPFL was a matter for the clubs to propose. The Board also empowered the NFF President to approve whatever propositions/decisions reached at the expanded meeting for a way forward for the league.

    “Following the silence by the NFF two weeks after the NNL clubs had met and took their stand on promotion/relegation as directed by the NFF and the recent directive to stage playoff which was abolished during the NNL AGA, I Mr Ekene Abubakar Adams, Chief Executive Officer of Kada City FC hereby withdraw from the league and will have nothing to do with Nigerian football until the decisions of the NNL clubs during the Annual General Assembly (AGA) held on the 24th November, 2018 are respected and implemented.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • NFF committed to training referees, match officials, says General Secretary

    In its bid to ensure greater Nigerian leagues, the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) says the it will remain committed to enhancing the capacity of referees and other match officials.

    The NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, told the News men on Tuesday in Abuja that it was imperative for referees and match officials to be at par with their European counterparts.

    He said that the federation would continue to drive football management in line with international standards.

    “We will build the capacity of our referees and match officials in order to meet up with current rules of the game.

    “Referees and match officials need to know how best matches are officiated in line with FIFA rules,’’ Sanusi said.

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    The general secretary who expressed optimism in the capability of Nigerian leagues to compete with standard leagues, called for total support.

    According to him, the federation will not leave any stone unturned in making our league one of the best in the world.

    He noted that the federation’s biggest challenge was sponsorship, adding that the greatness of Nigerian leagues was a collective duty of all Nigerians.

    The newsmen reports that Nigeria’s Professional Football League ( NPFL ) is ongoing alongside the Nationwide League One ( NLO ), while the Nigeria National League ( NNL ) is postponed indefinitely.

    NAN

  • Clubs gear up for NNL stadia inspection

     

    The 32 clubs in the Nigeria National League are presently making efforts to tidy up their match venues as the board of the NNL is putting together inspection teams ahead of the new season.

    Executive Secretary of the NNL, Mr. Lawrence Katken told thenff.com on Tuesday that the online collection of registration materials that began on Monday would end on Thursday this week, while the first four days of the month of February will be devoted to stadia inspection.

    The Congress of the 32 clubs will hold in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja February 9-10, and return of forms by the clubs and collection of players’ licenses have been set for February 13-17.

    Kick –off of the new season has been set for February 24 across the various centres, while mid-season/mid-season registration will be observed July 3-13.

    The new board of the NNL, headed by Mr. Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Independent Chairman) has also set the season to end on October 15, with Super 4 competition scheduled to take place November 2-5 at a venue to be determined.