Tag: NPFL

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has  declared readiness for the commencement  for another season even though the 2023-24 season was just concluded last weekend.

The Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, Davidson Owumi said   as much on  Sports Salsa anchored by Mitchell Obi,  that the fixtures and probable dates for the start of the 2024-25 season are ready but pending  ratification of the Club Owners and the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF)  during the league body’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)

“Not that relaxed because the end of one game is the beginning of another,” Owumi  said.“The pressure of events to begin the coming season is another round of pressure. From the NPFL internal workings, we already have that one in place but the league board also need to call the Congress of Nigeria Clubs for them to agree.

“ It is the only thing left to be done because the fixtures, dates and other things are ready. But we cannot say that because the Congress of Clubs need to ratify it so that we do not jump the gun.”

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Owumi further  praised  key stakeholders like the fans, media and the league sponsors for making the just concluded season interesting and successful, even as he  confirmed that  champions, Enugu Rangers, are due to collect their N150 million prize money for winning the league.

He said: “The NFF put up a good selection of people to be in the NPFL board and the clubs too were also cooperative while the press was there too. It was a win-win situation for the entire sectors involved in the league. We could not have done anything without the fans. It is just the beginning of a very long journey.

“They have given the mock cheque while they should receive their prize money cheque in the next few days hopefully they will get it if they come for the 2024 President’s Federation Cup this weekend because it ought not to be more than seven working days after they win the league.”

A major feat in live coverage of matches of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was accomplished on the final matchday of the 2023/24:season by Propel Sports Africa which streamed nine of the ten games in its NPFL_Live app.

It is an achievement that got stakeholders applauding the NPFL Streaming Broadcast partners as such number of matches have never been achieved on any platform in the history of the league.

Basil Kabbani, the Chairman of Propel Sports explained that the company chose the final day to push for total coverage to ensure that millions of soccer loving Nigerians are able to see their beloved teams perform and watch the final climax to the season.

“With the most sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras employed, we aimed to make Nigeria one of the world leaders in sports broadcasting, and Propel salutes the wisdom and courage of NPFL Chairman, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye and the NPFL board, GTI and the President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau in championing this fabulous initiative”, Kabbani remarked.

He assured the clubs and fans that Propel would be investing more on infrastructure to ensure seamless Streaming of more matches  in the new season.

Read Also: NPFL: Remo Stars, Enyimba claim  continental tickets in dramatic fashion 

“We look forward to the 24/25 season and beyond for further growth and success as we seek to invest in more sophisticated infrastructure to offer viewers an improved broadcast on the OTT platform” he continued.

He went to describe the just ended season as a learning curve which turned out to be a huge success.

“It is the first time in Africa, if not globally that AI Cameras have been deployed in this magnitude to cover over 300 matches in a season and we are proud of our Nigerian crew who learnt and operated the facilities within a very short period”, the Propel boss reflected.

He said the company investment includes the deployment of ten AI Cameras in Nigeria; hiring and training over 80 Technicians and Commentators and investment in local telecommunications and Starlinks for broadcast streaming uploads.

The race for the Nigeria Premier Football League highest goal scorer will go down to the final games of the season between the two notable front runners Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma and Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi.

Mbaoma is leading the pack with 16 goals having struck again for the People’s Elephant last weekend against Sporting Lagos, the lone goal in their 2-1 defeat in Lagos while Alimi on 15 goals fired blanks in the Sky Blue Stars’ 2-1 loss in Akure against Sunshine Stars, also last weekend.

The action spots in the race for the best marksman in the league this season would be at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba where the home team will host Plateau United with Mbaoma needing to score goals to lead his team to the continent and also beat Alimi to the accolade.

Remo Stars FC are also at home in the final game of the season against Katsina United. Alimi will hope to better Mbaoma’s goal tally this weekend to become the season’s best striker. Remo Stars with Daniel Ogunmodede in charge must win to play in the CAF Champions League for the second consecutive season and they will need Alimi and his fellow attackers to help deliver the goals.

Others still with an outside chance to upstage the duo are Albert Hilary of Plateau United and Jonathan Alukwu of Sporting Lagos who are both on 12 goals. While Enugu Rangers’ Godwin Obaje and Bashiru Usman of Niger Tornadoes are both on 11 goals.

There are five players who are stuck with 10 goals. They are Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United), Ibrahim Mustapha (Kano Pillars), Sani Suleiman (Akwa United), Samson Obi (Abia Warriors) and Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars).

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Four players are just a goal from double digits with nine goals. They are: Christian Pyagbara of Shooting Stars, Ubong Friday (Akwa United), Andrew Idoko (Katsina United) and Michael Ibe (Katsina United) while Tiza Samuel of Lobi Stars has eight goals.

Eight players have seven goals. They are Abdulkareem Ademola Ayinde (Shooting Stars), Nenrot Silas (Plateau United), Junior Lokosa (Sporting Lagos), Ismail Sarki (Bendel Insurance) Andy Okpe (Rivers United), Nyima Nwagua (Rivers United), Taofeek Malomo (Shooting Stars), Okojie Ekeson (Bayelsa United) and Clinton Japhet (Niger Tornadoes).

Alex Oyowah of Rivers United leads the NPFL charges with six goals. Stanley Oganbor, Kumaga Suur and Alao Danbani all of Lobi Stars while Promise Anyanwu (Heartland FC), Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United) and Sunday Megwo of Abia Warriors are also on six goals each.

Osimhen  visits Alma Mata with CAF  Award  trophy

Napoli FC striker, Victor Osimhen has again visited his Primary School, Olusosun Primary School in Oregun, Ikeja with the African Player Of The Year award.

The Super Eagles striker who missed the two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and  in December 2023 beat other nominees to win the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award, becoming the first Nigerian to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

His recent visit to the school was disclosed on X  by a photojournalist, Sulaiman Adebayo, popularly called Pooja.

The caption read, “Victor Osimhen takes his CAF Award to Olusosun Primary School, Ojota, where it all started with street coaches and friends.”

In June 2023, Osimhen had similarly visited the primary school.

He reportedly went to his former classroom, saw his old teacher, and took pictures with the students at the school.

Osimhen future is still unknown as many European top clubs are after his signature.

As the curtains draw on the 2023/24 NPFL season airing live on StarTimes Beta Sports channel 244, league champions Enugu Rangers are set to face Gombe United, who are at the bottom of the table, in a match that carries different weight for both teams.

For Enugu Rangers, it’s a celebration of their triumph, while for Gombe United will aim to exit the topflight with dignity.

It will be more ceremonial than competitive. The Enugu Rangers, having secured the title with a game to spare, will be crowned champions of 2023/24 season in Jos.

The match will be played on Sunday, a neutral ground, for both clubs and televised live on StarTimes Beta Sports Channel 244 at 3pm.

Enugu Rangers have had an outstanding season, clinching the league title on matchday 37 with a five-point lead. Their offensive strength has been a highlight, scoring the most goals in the NPFL this season.

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Gombe United have faced a challenging season, ending at the bottom of the league standings. Their struggle has been evident, with the team accumulating only 25 points from 37 games and conceding the most goals in the NPFL this season.

Enugu Rangers, are expected to play with freedom and flair, giving their fans a show to remember as they lift the trophy.

Gombe United, despite the relegation, will look to prove their mettle against the champions and leave a lasting impression.

The match is anticipated to be a relaxed affair, with Enugu Rangers showcasing their championship quality. However, Gombe United might just find the inspiration to put up a spirited fight, making it an entertaining match for the neutrals.

The final whistle will not only mark the end of the match but also the conclusion of a season of contrasting fortunes for both teams.

Rangers International emerged champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with one matchday to spare after they defeated Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

The other three contenders for the title, Remo Stars, 3SC and champions Enyimba, all dropped points in their respective matches, paving way for the Flying Antelopes to win their eighth title of Nigeria’s top division.

A goal in each from Kenechukwu Agu and Chidiebere Nwobodo secured a 2-0 win over Bendel Insurance for Rangers to become champions.

However, the season still has the final matchday to navigate with two continental places up grabs in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.

Remo Stars despite their 1-2 defeat to Sunshine Stars are in pole position to secure the second Champions League spot alongside Rangers. The Sky Blue Stars will play hosts to Katsina United and need an outright win to lay claim to that Champions League slot.

On their tails for the same spot are Enyimba and 3SC who also in the hunt to finish second behind the champions. 

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Jonathan Alukwu’s late goal for Sporting Lagos ended the chance of the People’s Elephant avoiding defeat or stretching the title race into the final Matchweek. Gbenga Ogunbote’s 3SC also fell to John Bassey’s late goal in Yenagoa as Bayelsa United gave themselves a fighting chance of beating the drop.

Despite their chances of claiming that second spot on the league table, Enyimba, 3SC and Remo Stars are also in the running for the CAF Confederation Cup should they fail to win their final matches irrespective of results elsewhere.

One of Plateau United and Lobi Stars have outside chances of crashing the party and claiming the third position should the apple cart be upset on the final day of the campaign. Plateau United, however, would rue failing to defeat Kano Pillars on Saturday when they had the chance to do so. Playing with 10 men after Mustapha Salisu was sent off, Rabiu Ali scored for Pillars and Plateau United laboured to a 1-1 draw at home after Sam Pam Jr levelled the score.

On the other hand, Lobi Stars had to shake off a tough-as-nail Kwara United side to win 4-3 thanks to Kumaga Suur’s late goal on 85 minutes. Lobi’s form of late makes them outsiders for a top-three finish as they play on the road at Kano Pillars on the final matchday.

Meanwhile, the final matchday will be interesting at the lower end of the table with eight clubs still yet to confirm their status for next season in the NPFL. Already Gombe United and Heartland have been relegated to the second tier, the Nigeria National League (NNL), but Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes are looking over their shoulders with the like of Bayelsa United, Akwa United, Sporting Lagos and Doma United breathing down their necks.

Sporting Lagos and Doma United will begin the final matchday in the relegation zone. Doma United suffered a 2-0 defeat at Katsina United, leaving their goal difference looking unhealthy at -15, the worst among the sides battling for survival. 

Doma United will play hosts to Abia Warriors while Sporting Lagos face 3SC in a tough Southwest Derby at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on the final day of the season.

Akwa United and Bayelsa United sit just above the drop zone after contrasting results on Matchday 37. The Promise Keepers fell to Sunday Megwo’s goals that sealed a 2-0 win for Abia Warriors while Bayelsa United left it late to see off 3SC 2-1 with Bassey scoring twice in the final 15 minutes. Akwa United have to face Rivers United at their Nest of Champions home ground in Uyo on the final day and Bayelsa United will make the trip to Benin City to play against Bendel Insurance who have just the points to play for.

Unless the final day throws up outrageous outcomes, the quartet of Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes need a point each from their final day matches to keep their places in the topflight for another season. Kano Pillars and Kwara United play at home against Lobi Stars and Heartland respectively while Tornadoes and Sunshine Stars go head-to-head.

As things stand, the outcomes of the penultimate match week have definitely shaped a thrilling finale to the NPFL season.

Sunday’s NPFL clash between Sporting Lagos and Enyimba is shaping up and could end in a nail-biting finish since both teams are battling for their lives at the opposite ends of the table.

The match, airing live on StarTimes Beta Sports Channel 244 at 4 pm on Sunday, will have major ramifications for the relegation battle and the title race.

Sporting Lagos, the league’s newcomers, are in dire straits. Winless in their last four matches, including a midweek home defeat to Plateau United, they desperately need a result to claw their way out of the relegation zone.

Enyimba, the reigning champions and two-time African champions, are also feeling the pressure. Despite their pedigree, a recent loss to Enugu Rangers and a draw against relegation-bound Bayelsa United have dented their title aspirations. A win is crucial to keep pace with the league leaders.

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The previous encounter between these two sides ended in a 2-0 victory for Enyimba, but Sporting Lagos will be banking on their top scorers and midfield maestros to turn the tide. Enyimba, boasting a strong squad with proven goal scorers and creative midfielders, will aim to dominate possession and exploit any defensive frailties.

With their backs against the wall, Sporting Lagos will likely adopt a defensive approach, relying on counterattacks to catch Enyimba off guard. Enyimba, on the other hand, will look to control the tempo of the game, utilising their experience to break down the opposition’s defence.

The stats don’t favour Sporting Lagos, who have scored fewer goals and conceded more than Enyimba. However, the unpredictability of football means anything can happen on matchday.

After the conclusion of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 in Enugu, four teams, Nasarawa United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Beyond Limits and Ikorodu United booked places in the elite Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

However, the promotion of Beyond Limits could hang in the balance as the rule does not permits two team from the same owner to play in the same league, thus putting in doubt the participation of Beyond Limits in the NPFL next season.

According to the NPFL rule on ownership of club, Clause 5.10 of the regulations, a person is not allowed to hold/acquire “significant interest” in an NPFL while holding a significant interest in another NPFL club.

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It simply means that no individual is allowed to have a significant interest in two or more NPFL clubs.

And with Chief Kunle Soname already credited  as owners of Remo Stars, a leading team in the NPFL as well as the confirmed owner of the newly promoted Beyond Limits, the possibility of the two teams playing in the NPFL next season dicey.

Soname is also the first Nigerian to acquire a European club, C.D. Feirense of Portugal, which he bought in 2015.

Asked to clarify the desirability of both Remo Stars and Beyond Limits participating the NPFL next season, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPFL, Davidson Owumi said the league body would make its position known  in the coming days.

 “We are aware of the situation; it’s not only in Europe that an individual is not allowed to have two teams in the same league, it’s also in our rule book. But please wait for the official statement from the NPFL,” Owumi pleaded.

Renowned financial investment banking firm and strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Group has expressed delight with the gradual return of football fans to match venues during match days.

The ongoing 2023/2024 football season in the country is witnessing large turnout of spectators in major cities including  Kano, Gombe, Jos, Akure, Enugu, Aba, Ibadan and Lagos where some of these clubsides are based and this has given a boost to the elite league.

GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, said that this has reaffirmed the conviction among football stakeholders in the country that the strategic effort of GTI in collaboration with Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye-led NPFL Board is now beginning to yield fruits. He added that the blend of quality football as seen in the elite league with massive followership at match venues by fans will help rekindle the spirit of the past glorious years of NPFL and attract more sponsors.

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Ekejiuba further added that managers of NPFL clubs must now be more proactive in managing crowd control during league games and ensure that the gains so far achieved with the league are sustained.

 “For a league to be successful, it requires the collective efforts of all stakeholders working towards the overall development. In view of the current trend at match venues, the focus of club owners or their managers should be on crowd control. NPFL is moving from a stage of low turnout of spectators to a new stage of massive turnout of fans on match days, and this phase must be managed well.                                                                     

 “Therefore, club managers must be more professional and responsive to the conduct of their teams and fans during league matches so as not to erode the gains so far made with the elite league,” he concluded.

Ibadan is set to witness another thrilling showdown as Shooting Stars host Enugu Rangers in a highly anticipated NPFL match tomorrow,  June 12th.

The match will air live on StarTimes Beta Sports Channel 244 at 5:30pm.

With both teams boasting passionate fan bases, a massive crowd is expected to fill the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere for this clash. Enugu Rangers’ sudden surge of fans in their previous two games in Lagos and Enugu will be a morale boost to the team as they eye the NPFL title.

The match carries significant implications for both sides as they vie for crucial points in the league standings.

Enugu Rangers currently sit on 62 points, while awaiting the NPFL’s verdict on the outcome of the match against Enyimba, which was suspended deep into stoppage time on Sunday due to a pitch invasion by fans protesting a penalty awarded to the home side.  Winning is crucial for Enugu Rangers to be in a comfort zone in the race for the league title.

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With 56 points and having won 14 home games, Shooting Stars will be looking to leverage their home advantage and secure a victory that could propel them further up the table. However, Shooting Stars have struggled against clubs from the Southeast this season, home and away, with a record of five losses, one draw, and one win.

Their first encounter this season saw Enugu Rangers secure a 2-0 victory over Shooting Stars.

As Wednesday approaches, anticipation continues to build among supporters of both clubs. Football enthusiasts are eager to witness the on-field action and experience the electrifying atmosphere that is expected to fill the Ibadan stadium. 

Before the epic encounter. StarTimes Beta Sports Channel 244 will air the Gombe United vs Abia Warriors match at 3:30pm. 

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title race remains wide open as the season enters matchday thirty-six, live on StarTimes Beta Sports channel 244.

While Enugu Rangers maintain their lead at the top, they face a challenging away game against Shooting Stars on June 12th  at the Lekan Salami Stadium. A victory in this match is crucial for Enugu Rangers to solidify their position and secure the coveted N150 million prize money.

The title race is still open for Enyimba and Remo Stars with sixty points and fifty-nine points respectively

So, the battle for first, second and third place, which guarantees continental club campaign qualification, is intensifying.

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Nothing was decided Sunday night and league-topping Rangers must gird their loins to battle Shooting Stars on June 12. Enugu Rangers need not lose any of their remaining three games to lift the title and coast home with the N150 million prize money. The match will air live on StarTimes Beta Sports Channel 244 at 5:30pm.

Both Remo Stars and Shootings Stars lost their shine last weekend in away games and they need to recoup midweek to still stay in the hunt. “This league has a nail-biting edge and as the final stretch sharpens at both the top and bottom echelons, it is fair to say that our league is gingerly finding its true groove and fans can’t wait to toast to their champion,” veteran Sports analyst, Mitchel Obi said.  

Tomorrow, Remo Stars will face a critical match against Heartland, a team fighting desperately to avoid relegation. Enyimba also face a relegation-threatened opponent in Bayelsa United, making their clash equally crucial.

As the season reaches its climax, the NPFL is witnessing a thrilling title race with multiple teams vying for glory. The league’s growing popularity is evident in the fervent support from fans across the country, who eagerly awaits the crowning of their champion.

With the stakes higher than ever, the upcoming midweek fixtures promise to deliver thrilling action and unexpected twists. Fans can expect a nail-biting finish to the season as teams’ battle for every point to secure their desired positions in the league table. NPFL matches air live on StarTimes Beta Sports Channel 244.