Tag: NNL

The Board and Management of Nigeria National League (NNL) has identified with the management and players of FC One Rocket on the robbery incident that affected the club while returning from Lagos after keeping a date with Ikorodu City in Lagos.

According to the release signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the League Dr. Ayo Abdulraham, the robbery incident happened at Ihiala in Anambra State.

According to the Chief Operating Officer : “The Board while thanking God that no physical injury was inflicted on the players and no life was lost in the process wishes to identify with you and express our concern on this temporary setback.”

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“We are optimistic that this incident will not deter you from positively moving forward in your bit to perform well in the ongoing 2023/2024 League season.”

The League body stressed that they pray and look forward to a hitch free 2023/2024 League season.

FC One Rocket lost their Week 3 encounter with Ikorodu City by two goals to nil.

Former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana has  commended  the Nigeria National League (NNL), saying  he was impressed  with  the  Matchday One  match between  Smart City and Edel which took place yesterday  at the Onikan Stadium.

Olofinjana who spoke after watching the two sides played  out a 1-1 draw,  said there  was  a very massive improvement in the NNL even as he commended the George Aluo -led NNL board for taking steps to make the league attractive.

“I’m impressed with what I saw today. Good officiating, fine football artistry by very young players paraded by the two teams. The organisers of the league are doing a good job,” Olofinjana stated.

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The Smart City, Edel tie was one in which the two teams gave the fans a lot to cheer. Smart City dominated the first half and drew the first blood in the 20th  minute courtesy of Chinonso Uzoma’s strike.

Edel returned in the second half determined not to leave for Nnewi empty handed  and they  were  rewarded in the 55th  minute when Arinze Anya got the equaliser.

Photo:  (L-R): Adeyinka Adeboye (CEO of Smart City)  with Olofinjana; Aluo  and Alhaji Datti Umar, a member of the NFF security committee, at  the NNL Week One clash between Smart City and Edel at the Onikan waterfront on Monday.

The large crowd that thronged  the Lafia City Stadium in capital of Nasarawa State, for the opening match of the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) season,  has drawn the tonic for the leadership of the league to forge on.

The 10,000 capacity Lafia City Stadium was filled to the brim during the NNL opening fixture involving home side Nasarawa United and visitors Zamfara United.

NNL Board members could not hide their joy and excitement  as supporters of both clubs stormed the stadium for the NNL season’s opener  on Saturday.

” This is marvellous and a good sight to behold,” Chairman of NNL, George Aluo  told NNL Media. “You can see how much the fans have come to watch this game and support their teams, it makes it more fascinating for us, we are encouraged because football is all about the fans, I  love it most when they see the fans and not  empty stands”

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Chief Executive Officer of the league,  Emmanuel Attah, said:“ The fans I  am watching here is big business for us ,this is what our partners in this game and would-be sponsors want.”

Dr.Ayo Abdulrahaman, the Chief Operating Officer, added:  “This is already encouraging me to work better ,see the atmosphere it is electrifying and the  joy in the faces of these football followers makes me happy.”

President of the NNL Club Owners (NALCOMA), Chidi Okonkwo,   said  the huge crowd was the impetus for the game to grow  since the fans love the game and appreciates the players .

“We must keep working hard 4o attract the fans always to come to the stadium to watch their darling team, that way there is fun for every ]one. We will have families and others coming to be part of the fun.The league will grow and we can all be proud of it,” he noted.   More   Matchday One games in the NNL  will  hold between  November 18 and 20 in all the four groups .

Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, has said that the state is ready to host a successful kick- off of the 2023/ 2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) slated for tomorrow at the newly renovated Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State.

The opening game to kick-start the league will be between Nasarawa United and Zamfara United.

Speaking after inspecting the stadium accompanied by the Chairman of the second tier league, George Aluo, Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Sports Ministry, Barrister Isaac Danladi and the State Commissioner of Sports, Ango Jafaru, he noted that he’s satisfied with the standard of the pitch expressing hope that the opening game will be highly interesting.

” Nasarawa State is ready to host the opening game and I am happy with the facilities at the stadium.

“It’s also a thing of joy that the stadium got the approval of the NNL board to host the opening game which goes to show that the pitch is of international standard”, he stressed.

Read Also: NNL kick off date shifted

Meanwhile, Aluo commended Nasarawa State Government for improved facilities at the Lafia City Stadium noting that his board is ready to kick start the league.

“I’m happy with what I saw at the stadium and I want to announce that we’re on track to kick off the league,” he said. “All arrangements have been put in place and the NNL board is committed to having a quality championship which every Nigerian will be proud of.”
Aluo while wishing all clubs a successful season advised them to not only adhere to fair play rules but also play according to the stipulated NNL rules and regulations.

” The present board of the NNL is out to organise the best league in recent times and that was why we organised a seminar for all club coaches taking part in the league.

“Clubs should realize that we have zero tolerance for violence and any behaviour that will bring the game to disrepute will not be tolerated.

“Our matches will be closely monitored as we will be sending compliant officers across all venues.

“We expect the best and a grand opening game as we’re working hard to raise the standard,” he noted.

The board of Nigeria National League has announced the postponement of the kick off date of the 2023/2024 league season to a yet to be announced date.

The league originally planned to kick off on Saturday October 28 according to the NNL was postponed to enable clubs conclude registration for the new season.

According to a statement by the NNL, the board in arriving at the decision took into cognizance the inability of teams to meet up with  yesterday’s registration deadline because of the economic situation facing the country.

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” We regret to announce that the 2023/2024 league season originally planned to kick off this Saturday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital has been postponed to a new date which will be communicated to teams once clubs finish formalization of registration process.”

The statement explained that with the latest development, clubs are now advised to conclude their registration on November 3, 2023 noting that once registration is concluded, the board of NNL will announce a new date for the commencement of the league.

Teams are however warned that failure to meet up with the new registration date means non participation in the league.

The Chief Operating Officer of Nigeria National League (NNL), Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman has warned that clubs that fail to complete their registration formalities early this week risk being thrown out of the league which is billed to kick off on October 28.

Abdulrahman noted that some of the clubs have since not completed registration which began a month ago after the NNL AGM in Jos.

“We opened the window for registration immediately after the AGM which took place last month in Jos. As we speak, some clubs are yet to register in spite of the ultimatum issued last week. The new board under George Aluo is determined to do things differently. Any club that fails to complete its registration formalities by early this week may be thrown out of the league,” Abdulrahman warned.

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He pointed out that the NNL is a professional league and participating clubs must be prepared to show professionalism ahead of the new season.

“We won’t allow any club to draw us back. The secretariat is working round the clock to ensure that things are done in a professional manner,” he noted.

Uyo based Dakada FC are billed to welcome Lagos newcomers 1472 FC in the opening star match of the season at the Uyo Township Stadium on October.

The refresher course for coaches of the 40 clubs of the Nigerian National League (NNL) took off yesterday at the Remo Stars Sports Complex, Ikenne, Ogun State.

 Declaring the event open, Director General of National Institute For Sports (NIS), Prof. Olawale Moronkola noted that the institution accepted to partner with the NNL in organising the course because it falls within the recent plans it has developed to further implement its core mandate of training and retraining of coaches in a unique way just as he noted that the course will be of immense benefit to the coaches ahead of the resumption of 2023/2024 season.

 He stated that NIS in line with its statutory mandate is determined to upscale the technical expertise of Nigeria National League Coaches which made it partner NNL for the seminar just as he charged the coaches to make maximum use of the opportunity offered by the course, noting that the training programme shall be a continuum.

 “The NIS is determined to upscale the technical expertise of Nigeria National League coaches, hence the partnership with NNL.

“I urge the participants to be focused, determined and committed to make use of this unique opportunity. The fact that you’re here is a confirmation of your collective desire to join us to achieve this vision.

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“I want to assure you that although the duration of the programme is three days but it’s loaded and will be conducted in line with the best practices.

 “The knowledge that will be acquired will not only be impactful but life changing for the overall development of the second tier league,” he said.

 Also speaking, sponsor of the course and proprietor of Remo Stars FC, Chief Kunle Soname while welcoming the coaches advised them to make adequate use of what they’re taught even as he reminded them of the need to make fair play their watch word and jettison the idea of winning at all cost when the new season begins.

Soname, a former board member of NNL commended the present leadership of the board led by Mr. George Aluo for his vision in moving the league forward noting that the refresher course came at the right time.

In his welcome address, Chairman of NNL, George Aluo explained that the course is part of the board keeping to the charge given to it by the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau to think outside the box and come out with innovations on how to make the league attractive, positing that this is just the beginning of better things to come in the league.

“When this board was inaugurated by the President of NFF, Ibrahim Gusau few months ago, he charged us to come up with new ideas on how to make the second tier league more attractive and this seminar is just the beginning of some of the plans we will soon unfold to make the league be at par with what is obtainable in other countries of the world.

“This seminar is important because apart from improving the knowledge of participants, it will also take you through the basic principles of the game as well as keep you acquainted with the latest rules of the game.

 “The resource persons were carefully selected both within and outside the country and I have no doubt in my mind that as people who have played the game at the highest level with some of them having many years of experience as coaches of international repute, sports administrators and lectures at the NIS; the knowledge they will impact to you will be very beneficial towards our having a successful 2023/2024 league season and even beyond,” he stated.

He also commended Remo Stars proprietor, Chief Kunle Soname for his support to the seminar and for leading the way through his huge personal investment in sports infrastructure and capital development, charging other well-meaning Nigerians and clubs to emulate him.

The programme which ends on October, 19 have Prof. Olawale Moronkola Director General NIS, Technical Director of NFF, Austin Eguavoen, Former Super Eagles players, Peter Rufai and Clement Temile as well as Portuguese UEFA licensed coach, Thiago Conde and football lecturer at NIS, Kuhwa Iorsue Jeremiah as resource persons.

At the end of the three days course, NIS certificate will be issued to the participants.

The board of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has approved the constitution of various standing Committees to ensure the effective running of the league which will kick off on 28 October.

The Committees constituted are Disciplinary, Finance, Media and Technical.

The Disciplinary Committee will be headed by Yakubu Sarma while its members include Prince Momoh Muhammed, Emeka Iwuagwu, Barrister Abdul Ibrahim and Ayo Abdulraham who will serve as the Secretary.

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Emmanuel Attah will be the Chairman of Finance Committee, with Yusuf Baba Abdullahi, Yusuf A. Danjuma, Ezeocha Nzeh as members while Abideen Fasasi will be the Secretary.

The Technical Committee has Donald Ikpe as Chairman, Sani Mohammed as Vice Chairman, Diewaight Ikpechukwu as member and Nicholas Akujobi will serve as the Secretary.

Veteran broadcaster Emeka Odikpo will be Chairman of the Media Committee, with Patrick Ngwaogu, Adekunle Salami as members while Amar Ignis will serve as the Secretary.

The appointments, the Chief Operating Officer of the League, Ayo Abdulraham said is in consideration of their enormous experience and expertise in football administration.