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  • NPFL: Elegbeleye reads riot act ahead of 2023-24 Season

    NPFL: Elegbeleye reads riot act ahead of 2023-24 Season

    NIgeria Premier League chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye , has affirmed that the league board will be strict with the enforcement of the rules and regulations guiding the Nigeria Premier Football League irrespective of whose ox is gored as the 2023-24 season starts on September 9th .

    Elegbeleye stated this while speaking with the representatives of the 20 NPFL clubs in Abuja ahead of the board’s Annual General Meeting held yesterday.

    He reiterated the NPL desire to sustain the feat recorded last season to ensure the NPFL regains his prideful position n Africa and world over.

    Read Also: Propel Sports Africa Congratulates Elegbeleye, NPL Board

    “As we move to commence the new season, this Board will be firm in enforcement of the rules and regulations as well as be very fair to all,” Elegbeleye said in Abuja. “There will be no favouritism in applying the rules no matter whose interest is at stake as our sole interest is the good of the league. “Therefore, we would be building on the achievements of the last season to ensure that Nigeria domestic league reclaims a pride of place in Africa,” he added.

    Elegbeleye who earlier during his speech at the AGM, acknowledged the significance role played by investment partners, GTI Assets Management opined that the NPL is targeting to increase its revenue base to the extent that clubs would share from sponsorships and would have enough to attract quality players abroad and also improve their infrastructure.

    The former Director General National Sports Commission nonetheless urged the club owners to show cooperation with Propel Sports Africa, the company that will live stream matches of the fast approaching NPFL season.

    He also called on the media to continue to support the Nigerian league and be constructive in their criticisms.

    He said: “It gladdens my heart to again harp on the Broadcast Streaming deal with Propel Sports Africa which has as today, deployed cameras to ten venues as start-up.

    “They plan to have a camera in each Stadium in the long run while we work out modalities to move cameras from one location to the nearest.

    “ So far the AI Cameras have been deployed, installed and tested in Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Uyo and Aba. Other locations are Ilorin, Jos, Gombe, Katsina and Kano.

    “The distribution covers the geographical zones. In the days ahead, there will be a big announcement coming on the Broadcast Streaming deal.”

    “Let me also use this very opportune occasion to appeal to our club leaders here to offer all required support to the Propel Sports Africa team as they start. Firstly is that all individual club streaming activity is no longer allowed as clubs will be offered the data of all their matches including individual analytics for each player.

    “It is also important to recognise the role of the media in the success of our plans. We will be counting on your support again as we embark on this journey. We appreciate your criticisms when not destructive because negative reports chase away potential sponsors,” he concluded.

  • NPFL goes tough on clubs over indebtedness to players, officials

    NPFL goes tough on clubs over indebtedness to players, officials

    Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs that are found to be indebted to Players and or Club Officials stand the risk of not being allowed to complete their registration for the 2023/24 season.

    In a memo titled “Re-Financial Requirements of Club Licensing Regulation”, the Chief Operating Officer of the NPL Board, Davidson Owumi reminded the respective leadership of the 20 clubs of an earlier memo on the subject and declared that provisions of the Club Licensing Regulations would be applied henceforth.

    The memo dated August 23 read in part: “Refer to previous communications on the above subject and note that the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) would enforce the extant provisions of the Financial Requirements of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as it relates to all due payables to players and Club Officials.

    Read Also: Amusan: I’m ready to defend my world title

    “It has become necessary to remind all clubs that registration for the season will only be completed on provision of satisfactory evidence of compliance, particularly in cases of reported indebtedness to former and serving players and Officials.”

    Owumi also explained that the measure is being adopted to ensure that all cases of indebtedness to players and Officials by clubs are resolved.

    Furthermore, the memo invited Clubs that have had their cases adjudicated on by the NFF Arbitration panel to approach the NPFL Registration schedule officers with evidence of compliance and or letters of mutual consent settlements.

    To Clubs with established case(s) of indebtedness, the League warned that they will not be permitted to register new player(s) in line with the provisions of the Club Licensing Regulations.

    It will be recalled that some clubs have had their vehicles seized by some aggrieved  players who cite unpaid financial entitlements.

  • NPFL-LaLiga U-15 Tourney: 21 Teams Ready for Hostilities

    21 football teams will begin hostilities today as the third edition of the annual Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) and LaLiga Promises Tournament kick-off today.

    The U-15 tournament which is part of the NPFL and LaLiga’s drive to the develop grassroots football in Nigeria has been designed to encourage NPFL Clubs to set up and maintain youth structures.

    The preliminary stages of the competition will be played across Benin, Abuja, Kaduna and Enugu. The quarterfinals, semi-finals and the final will then be hosted at the Agege stadium in Lagos from the 22nd – 28th   April, 2019.

    READ ALSO: La Liga ready to help Nigeria beyond football

    Managing Director, LaLiga Nigeria, Javier del Río spoke about the tournament in Nigeria and said “We are once again thrilled to have the opportunity to develop young talents across Nigeria. We are committed to each of our projects across Africa and hosting this tournament in Nigeria aims to further show our commitment to the development of football in the country through our longstanding partnership with the NPFL”.

    Also speaking about the initiative, NFF 2nd Vice President and LMC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko said “ the U-15 promises tournament is very impactful as some of the young talents have already started blossoming into special footballers, three of the players from the 2017 edition are in the current National U17 team, some are in the U20s as well and some have gotten game time with their first team in the league this season.

    We are committed to developing football from the grassroots as we believe these kids will end up growing up to become representatives of Nigeria in major tournaments in the future.”

    The NPFL-LaLiga partnership was signed in 2016 and has since recorded a number of exchange projects between the two leagues, including a tour of Spain by an NPFL All-Star team, the opening of the LaLiga Nigeria office in Abuja.

  • NPFL: Nwagua’s brace lifts Pillars over FC Ifeanyi Ubah

    Nyima Nwagua scored a brace on Wednesday for Kano Pillars Football Club to beat visiting FC Ifeanyi Ubah 3-0 in a 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League fixture.

    Goals in the 3rd, 62nd and 75th minutes of the Match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano gave the victory to Kano Pillars.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nyima Nwagua scored in the 3rd and 62nd minute while Rabiu Ali scored from the spot in the 75th minute of the entertaining encounter.

    Speaking to newsmen after the match, Pillars Coach, Ibrahim Musa said that his team’s performance was okay.‎

    Musa expressed satisfaction with the game’s outcome, saying he was happy that the experienced players in the team are motivating the youngsters.

    He also said that the team would pick the maximum point against Heartland FC on Sunday in Owerri.(NAN)

  • Rohr leaves Eagles’ door open for Moses’ return, but

    Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr on Wednesday said that the door of the team was still open for the team’s ace winger, Victor Moses, but he must show commitment and fight for shirt.

    Rohr made the comment on the sidelines of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 4 between MFM FC and Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    NAN reports that the Super Eagles gaffer was on the stands to watch out of outstanding players among the NPFL players.

    On Moses comeback to the team after announcing his premature retirement after the World Cup in Russia, Rohr said he appreciated Moses quality as a winger.

    “Victor Moses is a player with lots of quality but stopped playing for the National team after the World Cup. We have to respect his decision not to play again.

    “if he wants to come back to the team, it is okay but he must show a lots of motivation, he must show that he is fit to play for the team because we have other players playing well in his position now.

    “Moses has to be strong to come back to the team because we have more options on the wings now like Samuel Kalu, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa. All these players are on his wings.

    “Victor Moses comeback is a good news for us,” he said.

    Rohr said that he would present the fittest team in the last match of the AFCON qualifiers against Seychelles and the friendly match against Egypt.

    “We will invite the fittest players for the AFCON qualifiers against Seychelles and the friendly match against Egypt. The best of them will play the Match.

    “With the level at which some of the players are now in their different clubs, I believe they should turn that form to the national team.

    “For the local based players the ones that are good among them will surely be invited to the team. I regret that the league had a long break after the last season which affected the fitness of the players.

    “But now that the league is on, myself and my assistants are here to watch out for the outstanding ones that can make the team,” he said.

  • 100 Nigerian coaches for La Liga coaching clinic

    As a follow-up to the success recorded in its first two editions, the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) and LaLiga are set to kick off the third edition of the NPFL-LaLiga annual coaching clinic.

    The five-day clinic is expected to have about 100 youth coaches in attendance and will take place at the National Stadium, Abuja from Monday the 21st to Friday the 25th of January, 2019.

    The annual coaching clinic will precede the NPFL U-15 Promises Tournament and is designed to train youth coaches on how to properly develop young talents using LaLiga methodology.

    The content of the clinic will as usual be framed within a level 3 (professional) syllabus where coaches will learn more complex and technical aspects of LaLiga’s methodology as  a continuation of levels 1 (beginner) and 2 (intermediate) training from the first and second editions.

    LaLiga Sports Project Coordinator, Juan Zapata spoke about LaLiga projects in Nigeria and said “The first two editions of the clinic were highly successful and we are once again thrilled to have the opportunity to spread the LaLiga’s methodology across Nigeria and Africa with the third edition of the clinic. We are committed to each of our projects across Africa, and sending LaLiga coaching instructors to again train the youth coaches in Nigeria aims to further show our commitment to the development of football in the country”.

    Read Also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/nigerian-youth-coaches-set-2nd-edition-npfl-laliga-coaching-clinic/

    Also speaking about the initiative, Assistant coach of the Nigerian U-17 National team, Bunmi Haruna said “Last year’s edition of the coaching clinic was very impactful. We were exposed to the Spanish methodology for training players. The Spanish model is indeed unique and very technical, and I am grateful to the NPFL and to LaLiga for giving me the opportunity once again to better my skills as a coach”.

    The NPFL-LaLiga partnership was signed in 2016 and has since recorded a number of exchange projects between the two leagues, including a tour of Spain by an NPFL All-Star team, and the opening of the LaLiga Nigeria office in Abuja.

  • Bendel Insurance: Fans hail Obaseki, Shaibu for team’s return to NPFL

    Fans of Bendel Insurance Football Club have hailed Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, for initiating reforms which spurred the club’s resurgence and eventual return to Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), after 11 years.

    Bendel Insurance gained promotion to the elite league after an excellent outing with three wins at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 Playoffs, which held in Aba.

    A cross-section of fans of the club, who spoke with journalists, hailed Governor Obaseki’s clear vision for the club which brought about the impressive outings during the NNL season as well as during the playoffs.

    Mr. Ovbiosa Charles, said the club’s promotion came  as remarkable as it is emotional for anyone who knew the club in its heydays, noting “I sincerely thank the Edo State Government for responding speedily to the cries of our people for the return of Bendel Insurance to the NPFL.”

    “This promotion has been long overdue. Bendel Insurance is one of the first set of clubs to play in the Nigerian topflight division in the 1970s. So, I was wondering where we got it all wrong that the club had to be in relegation for 11 years. For spearheading the campaign that returned the team to the professional league, Governor Obaseki and his team have done us proud,” Ovbiosa added.

    Another fan, Mr. Barnabas Efosa, hailed Governor Obaseki for his role in returning the club to its past glory, noting that the impressive performance of the team after its rebranding by the governor, showed that the state government really does have good plans for sports development in the state.

    He said it would be delightful to watch the team take on opponents in the topflight division at the home ground in Benin City.

    “As we await the completion of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, I can’t wait to see Bendel Insurance play on home ground. For allowing the deputy governor to spearhead the rebranding of the team, Governor Obaseki has proven to us that he is a leader who is interested in things that will benefit the people.”

    Peter Odion, a sports analysist said the return of Bendel Insurance to the professional football league will put Edo State back on the spotlight in sports and boost the state’s economy, as it will attract more investors, sponsors and development.

  • Loss of passion for local league worries Oliseh

    Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh was in a nostalgic mood Monday as he wondered why the passion for the Nigeria league appears to have disappeared into thin air.

    The former Borussia Dortmund defensive midfielder took to the social media to display an old picture of one of the crowd pulling encounters in the local league.

    It was the match between Rangers international and Bendel Insurance in 1978.

    Interestingly Rangers international have managed to remain in the top flight 40 years down the line. Oliseh who left his job as Super Eagles coach just after the 2016 edition of the Championship of African Countries (CHAN) held in Rwanda noted that preference for foreign league has become the new passion.

    Oliseh’s worry for the local league is coming at time when the league board has been boxed into a corner following CAF deadline for all Federations to submit their representatives in Continental champions before October 15.  Unfortunately the Nigerian league was suspended just before the world cup in Russia and could resume no thanks to unending battle for the soul of the Glass House.

    With only 24 games played in the embattled season, the league Management Company and club owners decided that the team at the top of the league should represent the country in the CAF Champions league.

    “Upon consideration of different options (5 possible options were presented), it was unanimously agreed by the 20 NPFL Clubs, that the 2017/2018 season of the NPFL is deemed concluded and the team at the top of the standings – Lobi Stars shall be the representative in the CAF Champions League for 2019 Session starting Nov 2018 to May 2019,” the statement read.

    “No team shall be relegated from the NPFL for 2018 Season.  Four Teams shall be promoted to the NPFL from the Nigeria

    National League (NNL) from the ongoing 2018 season to compete in the 2018/2019 NPFL season.

    “The 2018/2019 NPFL season will commence in November 2018 with a total of 24 participating teams, which shall be divided into two groups of 12 teams each. The 2018/2019 Season commencing November 2018 will be played on 22 Match days ending with a Playoff to determine the Winner by May 2019.

    “Three teams from each group (a total of six) will be relegated from the NPFL after the conclusion of the 2018/2019 season, while two teams will be promoted to the NPFL from the NNL 2019 Season. This will allow the NPFL to revert to its normal structure of 20 teams as from the 2019/2020 season”

    Some stakeholders have reasoned that it will take a miracle to return to the nostalgic days being referred to by Oliseh, noting that lack of focus and foresight coupled with inordinate quest for power and supremacy has not only affected the league but has forced a reduction in people interest in the league.

  • Mixed reactions trail Coach Rohr’s provisional 30-man World Cup list

    Mixed reactions on Monday trailed Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr’s 30-man provisional list for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    It be recalled that Coach Rohr’s 30-man Provisional squad was released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday.

    Rohr named Captain Mikel Obi, goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile and Leon Balogun in Nigeria’s 30-man provisional list.

    Others were midfielders Ogenyi Onazi, Oghenekaro Etebo, including forwards Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses.

    The list also includes Spain-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Joel Obi and John Ogu as well as forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi.

    Chelsea wingback Moses was Nigeria’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign with three goals, while Captain Mikel, Iwobi, Simon and Iheanacho weighed in with two goals each.

    A cross section of football enthusiasts who spoke to our reporter noted that there was nothing really new about the list, while others expressed doubts about the goalkeeping and defence departments.

    Nduka Ugbade, an ex-international and former assistant coach of the Nigeria under-17 national football team said he was satisfied with Coach Rohr’s selection.

    Read Also: Rohr Releases 30-Man Provisional World Cup List

    “I think the list is made up of the usual suspects and these are the players that we should indeed be taking to the World Cup.

    “Looking at our options upfront, I think the likes of Ighalo, Moses and Iheanacho should be able to keep their jerseys barring any injury worries.

    “I am also so thrilled to see Lokosa’s name on that 30-man provisional list. He truly deserves it especially having scored 18 goals in 20 games for Kano Pillars in the NPFL so far this season.

    “I think he needs to be encouraged and let’s see how far he can go in competing for a shirt and it will be a major surprise if the young man makes it to the World Cup.

    “However, even if he does not make it to Russia, the experience in the Super Eagles camp and training will be very good for his growth and development,” he said.

    Emmanuel Babayaro, former Super Eagles goalkeeper and Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold medalist, also noted that the names were purely based on merit, adding that Junior Lokosa’s call up was the biggest surprise in the list.

    “I think the list is okay. Seriously looking forward to see if we can finally break that last 16 hurdle and get to the quarters for the very first time.

    “I think this is long overdue and hopefully Russia is where history will be made.

    “I am delighted that at least three home-based players namely; Dele Ajiboye, Junior Lokosa and Ikechukwu Ezenwa made the provisional list and my guts tell me Lokosa will make the 23-man final list.

    “He is the surprise package for me.

    “The goalkeepers however need to train thrice harder and work more on their confidence. I tip Uzoho for first choice,” he said.

    Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, FCT Football Coaches Association said the inclusion of the country’s biggest goal contributors in the list was a welcome development.

    “There were really no major surprises in the list as the country’s biggest goal contributors namely; Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses and Kelechi Iheanacho are destined for Russia.

    “Also, the partnership of the China-based players namely; Odion Ighalo and Mikel Obi will yield a lot of goals for the Super Eagles. I can’t wait for the tournament to start already.

    “My advice however to those whose names were missing is that they must dig their heels in, do better than their previous best and make it impossible for the Coach to overlook them for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019,” he said.

    Emmanuel Amakiri, the proprietor of Amakson Football Academy said he wasn’t completely satisfied with the list, adding that the goalkeeping and defence departments still looked weak.

    “For me, the list is not bad, but I feel our goalkeeping and defence department are weak and how Rohr sets up the midfield will be crucial.

    “I still don’t know what Ezenwa and Echiejile are doing in that squad? They better not make the final list.

    “Ezenwa isn’t the best goalkeeper in the NPFL so I am wondering what informed his selection.

    “So sad for the likes of Brown Ideye and Henry Onyekuru whose names were omitted from the list as they have both struggled in their efforts to get back to fitness ahead of the World Cup.

    “Some however discovered their form when it mattered most, such as Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa who had to go back to Russia to begin to command attention once again,” he said.

    The Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals is scheduled to kickoff from June 14 to July 15.

    NAN

     

  • Results of Match Day 2017/2018 NPFL

    Following are the results of Match Day 20 fixtures in the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), played on Sunday:

    Nasarawa United 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors FC

    Heartland FC 1-1 Kano Pillars FC

    Wikki Tourists FC 1-1 Rangers International

    MFM FC 3-0 Niger Tornadoes

    Kwara United 2-1 Yobe Desert Stars FC

    Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars

    FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 Go Round FC

    Katsina United 1-0 Plateau United

    Rivers United 0-0 Abia Warriors