Rangers 0-0 El Kanemi
Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars
Insurance 0-0 Rivers United
Heartland 1-3 Enyimba
Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City
Kwara United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes
Nasarawa United 1-1 Shooting Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United
Sunshine Stars 3-0 Bayelsa United.
Enyimba produced a magnificent performance at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri to secure a 3-1 away win in the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday One tie played yesterday against Heartland FC.
The game was goalless at halftime but it spurred to life in the 53rd minute when a patient Suraj Lawal was rewarded with the opener after he dribbled the People’s Elephant Goalkeeper, Nathaniel Asibe before slotting the ball beyond desperate Enyimba defence.
Ifeanyi Ihemekwele levelled for Enyimba in the 67th minute following a nice volley that kept the Naze Millionaires Goalkeeper, Chisom Chiaha rooted to the same spot. The visitors took the lead four minutes later from a good cross which Clinton Jephta side-footed in.
Jephta wasn’t done yet. He struck again in the 73rd minute for his brace and his team’s third goal as Enyimba ran away with the three points in the first Oriental derby of the season. It marked the People’s Elephant third successive victory over Heartland FC since the eight years unbeaten streak ended last season in Owerri.
Remo Stars were brutal in Umuahia as well beating their host Abia Warriors 2-0. Sodiq Ismail scored the game’s first goal in the 49th minute before Jide Fatokun doubled the advantage in the 61st minute while Niger Tornadoes handed Kwara United a 2-1 home defeat in Harmony Boys’ head coach, Tunde Sanni’s first game in charge.
Godstime Joseph put the Ikon Allah ahead in the 32nd minute while Sabiu Ibrahim got the second goal for the visitors in the 69th minute. Sadeeq Yusuf reduced the goals arrears in the 90th minute but it was too little too late.
Shooting Stars also bagged a late goal to steal a point off their host, Nasarawa United who played their first topflight game in two seasons having gained promotion back to the elite division last season. The game ended 1-1.
Anas Yusuf scored for the Solid Miners in the 59th minute from the spot but Samuel Ayanrinde equalised for the Oluyole Warriors in the third minute of stoppage time.
In another game played in Benin City, Bendel Insurance were held to a goalless draw by Rivers United in Finidi George’s debut game with the Pride of Rivers while Ikorodu City’s baptism of fire in the NPFL was a 3-0 loss to Kano Pillars in Katsina. Sai Masu Gida are playing their home game at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina because Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano was not passed fit to host topflight games.
Mustapha Umar scored Sai Masu Gida’s opener in the 59th minute before Rabiu Ali’s double in the 70th and 80th minutes.
In Jos, Plateau United under head coach, Mbwas Mangut pipped Katsina United 1-0 in the first game of the season through Olawale Doyeni’s 24th minute goal from the penalty spot while Sunshine Stars went goals berserk beating Bayelsa United 3-0 in Ijebu Ode at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium.
Seidu Salisu scored first for the Owena Whales in the 44th minute through Promise Awosanmi’s assist before he scored the second goal himself in the 54th minute. Stephen Chukwude with the icing on the cake in the 90th minute.
The domestic league in Nigeria is back. Not without the characteristic upheavals. This new term comes with a great debate about a relegated team buying over the promotion ticket of a team in the lower rung to escape the drop. One can’t understand why a relegated team can’t accept their fate and struggle to return to the elite class the following season. It isn’t rocket science. Leicester City FC are back in the Premier League in England, having been relegated the previous season.
Not so in Nigeria. A team whose owners didn’t care a hoot when their club’s league fortunes were sliding down the abyss is now doing everything under the sun to retain their position by default and people don’t see the misnomer in such an exercise. Where is such a thing done in the world? Who does that?
In trying to justify their decision, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) issued a statement which said: ”Specifically, there is one ownership of Beyond Limits Football Academy and Remo Stars, a club already competing in the NPFL, which constitutes a breach of Rule B11.4 of the NPFL Framework and Rules.
”As a result of this decision, the slot previously occupied by Beyond Limits Football Academy has been relinquished and subsequently handed over to Heartland FC. This decision aligns with Rule A5.2, which stipulates the criteria for club participation. Heartland FC met the requirements set by the NPFL board and was the only relegated club to express interest in filling the vacancy.
”We also need to clarify that there was no slot buying transaction, as such practices are explicitly prohibited under NPFL rules. The NPFL remains committed to upholding a fair and competitive league. While the NPFL rules do not explicitly foresee every scenario, the board has exercised its discretion, as permitted under the league’s governing documents, to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the league and its stakeholders.”
The questions to ask NPFL chieftains include wanting to know the essence of demoting poorly performing teams and rewarding those in the lower rung who did well with an elevation into the elite if a relegated side in the previous season decides to buy one of the promoted side’s space? Wouldn’t it have been right to promote the next qualified team in the lower rung than to reward a failure on the altar of dishonourable laws? What happens to the space which this relegated team ought to occupy in the lower rung of the league? Won’t this lacuna affect the structure of the lower division by one in terms of its composition? What rules determine the team that should occupy this unethical imbalance of teams? Are rules not meant for men than men for rules? What this decision represents is that any relegated team with new ownership can escape the drop, if any promoted side can’t fund its campaign in the elite. Isn’t this a tacit invitation to match-fixing soonest?
Dear NPFL, having disqualified the lower side which got a promotion on grounds of single ownership of two clubs, does the rule directly say that such a team should be replaced by a demoted team whose owners have suddenly become rich? Why didn’t NPFL raise the alarm to NFF when it was obvious that Beyond Limits Football Academy would be promoted on grounds of single ownership with Remo Stars?
Interestingly, a country’s growth in the game is most times judged by the number of home-grown players in their senior soccer teams at the World Cup, not by the sickening number of Nigeria-born lads discovered by other football nations. If we can’t run the domestic league on rules universal to all climes, it won’t come as a surprise if we need another 38 years to win any continental trophy with our local clubs.
A domestic league without a regimented calendar can’t produce new stars, since they only know when the season begins without knowing when it would end. We have had in the past in Nigeria, a league season without end, hence such contraptions as abridged leagues or regional league competition, become the only way out of a self-inflicted quagmire.
I have always advocated here that the best form of security starts by ensuring that the competent referees are assigned such red-lettered matches are handled by the best set of referees and match commissioners with several independent assessors. League matches can’t be played to attract sponsorship from the blue chip companies without television coverage.
A league without an official television rights holder is a circus, which should not be taken seriously. Such leagues obviously cannot produce national team players since they wouldn’t want their careers truncated through the organisers’ ineptitude. Any league without title sponsors has no business with the corporate world – it has unwittingly become a commercial failure. Any league without an official insurance company for the clubs, coaches, and players can best be likened to celebrating mediocrity.
This writer challenged a member of the league board over the possibility of having VAR machines at league venues across the country bankrolled by the committee. The league board member welcomed the suggestion but disclosed that it costs about $377 million to buy the VAR machine not forgetting the cost of installation and training of the experts to operate the machine. Quickly, we both brought out our phones to convert $377 million to naira and the expression on our faces told the story about the slippery pole task if it was to be purchased and installed for use during matches by either the league board or the participating teams.
Should we throw our arm up over the purchase and usage of the VAR machines during domestic league matches? No, except we are saying that there are unresolved issues surrounding the live transmission of games in the courts or are out of it by way of existing Supreme Court judgments which must be respected and obeyed.
The league board may need to sit with those in whose hands lie the right ownership of the domestic league’s television rights for proper schooling for the good of the game. Government bodies should learn how to respect such issues since the owners of such rights did so with large sums of money, most times secured from
commercial banks with very vulgar interest rates. Besides, these rights owners are businessmen and women whose intellectual property shouldn’t be wished away on the altar of a few people’s penchants of always thinking that there are Nigerian ways of doing things. No way. That is why we have the courts to help adjudicate on such matters.
League matches can’t be played to attract sponsorship from the blue chip companies without television coverage. The league board should, therefore, sit with the true rights owners and talk things over. These rights owners love the game and have chosen to do the business of television coverage based on the tenets of their contract. Breaches to contracts should be frowned upon. This perhaps may have prompted the decision to head to the courts for judgments which must be respected.
The call to have a live telecast of the domestic leagues is on the NFF in conjunction with the bodies law section to look at the defunct league board’s document to see how best the problem can be resolved amicably for the good of the game.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has returned with a bang, promising an exciting season filled with competitive matches and thrilling storylines.
The 2024/25 season kicked off with a thrilling clash between defending champions Rangers International and El Kanemi Warriors, setting the tone for a highly competitive campaign.
This year’s league is poised to be even more exciting, thanks to the increased visibility provided by StarTimes’ acquisition of the NPFL broadcasting rights.
The StarTimes broadcast deal has added another layer of excitement, bringing live matches directly into fans’ living rooms and captivating a broader audience nationwide.
This ground-breaking partnership has revolutionised the way fans experience the league, making it more accessible and enjoyable.
With StarTimes cameras beaming live action from across match centres, this season promises to be interesting with lots of drama expected. As fans eagerly anticipate the action, it is clear that Nigerian football is on the rise, and the future looks bright. Below are some key teams to watch.
Rangers International:
Defending champions Rangers have strengthened their squad with new signings, including Anayor Ogbonna, Ekeson Okorie, and Tekena Garando. Led by coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, they aim to become the first side to defend their title in over a decade.
Remo Stars: The Daniel Ogunmodede-led side has kept a bulk of last season’s squad and strengthened with new additions like Alex Oyowah and Faisal Sani. They seek to win the trophy after finishing second in back-to-back seasons.
Enyimba
Former champions Enyimba have lost players to abroad deals but acquired capable replacements like Wasiu Jimoh and Kalu Nweke. They seek to regain their title-winning form.
Kano Pillars
Now led by Usman Abd’Allah, Pillars have undergone significant restructuring and signed new players, including Mohammed Zulkifilu from Rangers.
Rivers United: Finidi George is on a redemption mission with the Port Harcourt-based club after his reputation was battered during his stint as Super Eagles coach. Rivers United have signed Taiwo Abdulrafiu and Bamidele Adeniyi as they seek to rebuild after losing players to foreign deals.
Plateau United
The Peace Boys have signed new players like Sadiq Abubakar, Adewale Adeyinka, and Chinedu Sunday, while losing Albert Hillary and Nenrot Silas. They seek to avoid a repeat of last season’s fizzling out.
Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars have bolstered their ranks with new signings like Lukman Binuyo and Ikouwem Utin, but lost key figures like Gbolagade Adelowo and Dele Aniyikaye. They seek a return to the continent after coming agonizingly close last season.
Sunshine Stars
The Akure Gunners, led by Kennedy Boboye muscled their way out of the relegation waters last season. They have brought in Seth Mayi and Isaac James and some other young talents to push for a better campaign this season. Sunshine will be playing their home matches at the Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu Ode with the Akure Stadium undergoing renovation.
Ikorodu City
Led by Bright Ozegbagbei, newcomers Ikorodu City have been prudent in their dealings as they pursue their main target of retaining their status at the end of the season.
Heartland FC
In a welcome development, Emmanuel Amuneke has joined Heartland FC, marking his return to the Nigerian football scene. After gaining valuable experience coaching in Sudan, Tanzania, and Egypt, Amuneke is now poised to make his mark on the home front.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has determined that Beyond Limits Football Academy will not be participating in the 2024/2025 season due to concerns regarding dual interest.
Specifically, there is one ownership of Beyond Limits Football Academy and Remo Stars, a club already competing in the NPFL, which constitutes a breach of Rule B11.4 of the NPFL Framework and Rules.
As a result of this decision, the slot previously occupied by Beyond Limits Football Academy has been relinquished and subsequently handed over to Heartland FC. This decision aligns with Rule A5.2, which stipulates the criteria for club participation. Heartland FC met the requirements set by the NPFL board and was the only relegated club to express interest in filling the vacancy.
We also need to clarify that there was no slot buying transaction, as such practices are explicitly prohibited under NPFL rules. The NPFL remains committed to upholding a fair and competitive league.
While the NPFL rules do not explicitly foresee every scenario, the board has exercised its discretion, as permitted under the league’s governing documents, to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the league and its stakeholders.
The NPFL will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ensuring that all actions taken are in line with our commitment to fairness and the integrity of the competition.
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited has assured teeming soccer fans across the globe that all arrangements are in place regarding the live-streaming of NPFL matches ahead of the 2024/2025 season.
GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba revealed that from Saturday fans can watch NPFL Matches through the platforms provided by the broadcast partners (StarTimes and Propel Sports Africa).
He informed that the 2024/2025 season’s opener between defending champions Enugu Rangers and Federation Cup winners, El Kanemi Warriors, will go on as scheduled by 4 pm local time at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan have unveiled some fresh legs to be paraded for the 2024/25 season.
Also unveiled were the home, away and alternative jerseys to be used by the team in the coming season.
The eight players unveiled included, goalkeepers Abiodun Akande from Rivers United, Mustapha Lawal from Sunshine Stars, center defender, Ojietefian Sylvester, from Enyimba, left back, Ikouwem Udom, who joins from Anenir Sportif De la Marsar of Tunisia, midfielder, Abubakar Aliu from Lobi Stars, Adebayo Abayomi formerly of Remo Stars, Bolaji Sakin Simeon, who is teaming up with the Oluyole Warriors from Congolese side, AS Otoho and striker, Ayanrinde Samuel,who last featured for Sporting Lagos FC.
While speaking during the unveiling, Executive Chairman of the Oluyole Warriors, Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan Akoro, disclosed that the club, hopes to improve on the performance of last season, hence the recruitment of quality legs who will be able to complement the efforts of the retained players.
He disposed that the team retained most of the best legs from last season’s squad, in order to give room for continuity, explaining that the club deliberately ensured coach Gbenga Ogunbote remained with the club for that purpose as well.
Honourable Olaniyan, who revealed that the club would be gunning for the league title this season, also stated that few more players would be still be unveiled as the Ibadan soccer lords intensify efforts for a rewarding 2024/25 season.
Ogunbote, in his own words, said the recruitments were done to specifically solve the problems encountered in some departments last season.
While speaking, the General Manager of the club, Dimeji Lawal, expressed hope that the new additions to the Oluyole Warriors will add quality to the team, assuring the followers of the club a successful outing.
Match officials in the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL will enjoy a fifty percent rise in salaries.
NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye announced the rise in indemnities of the referees in a chat with journalists.
According to him the move is to ensure fair and credible officiating in the top-flight.
Elegbeleye added that negotiations were ongoing to secure air transportation for referees and players.
Defending champions, Rangers will host EL-Kanemi Warriors in the opening fixture of the new season this Saturday in Enugu.
AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles Stars Get Chance To Impress New Coach Live on StarTimes
Football fans are in for a treat this week as StarTimes is airing a plethora of matches featuring Nigerian players across various leagues.
From the glamorous Spanish La Liga to the thrilling Bundesliga, Saudi Pro League and the competitive Carabao Cup in England, the excitement is set to soar.
After the exciting games played on Tuesday, the Carabao Cup takes center stage again on Wednesday, with several Nigerian talents vying for glory.
The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League, (NPFL), Davidson Owumi has reiterated that the seminar organized for clubs’ Chief Security Officers and Chairmen of Supporters Club was organised to bring peace and order to match venues in the 2024-25 season and subsequently.
The NPFL board held a seminar in Nasarawa State to sensitise clubs’ Chief Security Officers and Chairmen of Supporters club ahead of the upcoming season.
Owumi said the seminar would help instil safety and curb incidence of violence and hooliganism before, during and after domestic league matches in the coming season and thereafter.
“The seminar is aimed at educating the stakeholders who are saddled with the responsibilities of maintaining peace and order at match venues, that’s the Chief Security Officers and Supporters’ Club Chairmen of the Clubs participating in the League,” Owumi said. “We are also giving them soft copies of everything we have taught them, hoping that it will have a very positive impact on the participants when they get back to their respective Clubs.
“Additionally, this seminar will set a positive trajectory for the league going forward.”
The new NPFL season will commence this Saturday, August 31 with Rangers International, the reigning league champions squaring up with El-Kanemi Warriors who are the defending President’s Federation Cup champions.
Nigeria Premier Football League clubs media directors and sports journalists have been encouraged to be intentional in rebranding and promoting the NPFL in media spaces in order to attract more fans and prospective investors into the nation’s top flight football.
Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, Prince Davidson Owumi, said as much during the inaugural edition of NPFL media directors seminar in Makurdi, Benue state.
Owumi acknowledged that club media directors are critical stakeholders with an important role to play in the running of any successful football league in the country, and emphasized the need for NPFL clubs to leverage on the different social media platforms in promoting and marketing the NPFL brand to the world.
He said: “It is true that we cannot achieve much in football business without effective media branding, coverage, reportage and promotions. The NPFL is our biggest brand and as such we have a duty to package this product and market it to the world.
“The Nigeria Premier Football League cannot exist without the clubs and as you are working to promote and rebrand your respective clubs, you have to be intentional about presenting the NPFL as the bride of our country’s club football.
“At club level, there are lots of activities both on and off the pitch and we encourage you to create captivating contents from those activities in form of stories, short videos, pictures and graphics that will generate positive conversation about the league”
He further called on management of NPFL clubs to ensure their respective media departments are well equipped to enhance effective service delivery.