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NPFL Matchday 2 Preview: Big Tests Await Old Guards & Newcomers

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago015 mins

By George Akpayen After mixed outings in the opening matchweek of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), not much separates all of the 20 clubs so far in the standings and they will go again this Saturday, Sunday and Monday in mouthwatering fixtures that pits the old guards against the newbies. Last weekend, there was a lean spell of goals in the 10 matches that opened the campaign. Only nine goals were scored which represented less than a goal per game and turned to be a good day for the defenders and goalkeepers who shut out the strikers. The fixtures for Matchday 2 looks finely balanced and a number of the matches have the trappings to produce goals aplenty considering previous head-to-head meetings. OLD FOES START MATCHWEEK AS BOTTOM-TWO When Alfa Sadiq signals for the start of this matchweek’s first fixture in Benin City, two traditional rivals, Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), will be battling as 20th and 19th placed teams. Both sides began the season on losing note – 3SC fell 0-1 at home to Bayelsa United while Bendel Insurance lost 0-2 at El-Kanemi Warriors. Last season in this corresponding fixture, Insurance edged past 3SC 1-0 through Michael Enaruna’s late goal. Enaruna, like a number of Insurance players from last season, has moved on to newcomers, Barau FC, but this does not take away the advantage that Insurance have posted over their rivals especially when they play hosts in this fixture. Head coach of 3SC, Nurudeen Aweroro, will have to work on the psyche of his players to banish the club’s poor recent trips to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. In their last five trips to Benin City, 3SC have avoided defeat just once (D1 L4) since the turn of the millennium. The other times, 3SC avoided defeat in Benin City was in February 1998 and July 1999 when they played out 2-2 and 1-1 draws respectively. Bendel Insurance head coach, Greg Ikhenoba and Aweroro, will hope their teams can put points on the board and score goals as well after watching their sides fire blanks on the opening day. CHAMPIONS IN TRICKY TRIP TO ABA WITHOUT MBAOMA The champions, Remo Stars, will also be looking to claim their first win of the season after the 1-1 draw at home to Rivers United in the first game of the season. The titleholders will have to face newcomers, Kun Khalifat FC at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, which they have adopted as home ground owing to renovation at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri without Victor Mbaoma. The striker returned to Remo Stars in the off-season transfer window and immediately got off the mark in the opening game before leaving the pitch early with a rib injury which his head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede told npfl.ng has ruled him out of the trip for Monday’s match. Ogunmodede’s explanation borders on taking precautionary measures on the striker since they have subsequent league games and CAF Champions League coming up in September. “Victor will not be available for the match (against Kun Khalifat FC),” Ogunmodede also known as Ijaball revealed to npfl.ng. “The extent of the (rib) injury has not be fully ascertained and we are still monitoring his situation which rules him out of the game entirely.” Mbaoma’s absence could pave way for Remo Stars’ Malian striker, Adama Goita, to earn his first start of the season. It is the first time both teams will meet in the topflight and the odds are in favour of the champions though Obinna Uzoho and his men will hope they can hold off another big team like they did in the opening matchday at Rangers where they got a point off a 0-0 draw. SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IN LAGOS Talk of holding off for a point, Ikorodu City started their season with a 0-0 draw at Kwara United despite featuring nine NPFL debutants and a new head coach in Ali Kandil after the departure of Aweroro to Shooting Stars. Ikorodu City will now shape up for their first home game against El-Kanemi Warriors in this season’s first Sunday night fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos. El-Kanemi, on the other hand, started with a 2-0 win over Insurance at home. Last season, which was City’s debut campaign in the NPFL, they scored 48 goals at home, 15 more than champions Remo Stars who netted the second highest number of goals at home. So, NPFL followers will expect this game to flow with goals considering Kandil was part of City’s coaching setup under Aweroro’s management and will want to continue with the same team ethos. Both teams have met just twice in the NPFL and City are unbeaten on both occasions (W1 D1). The Oga Boys saw off El-Kanemi 2-0 in this same fixture with Ayomide Cole and Shola Adelani scoring second half goals. Both players were missing in City’s game at Kwara United but it is likely Adelani should be back in the team for El-Kanemi’s visit. Kabiru Dogo should have a full El-Kanemi squad including his opening matchweek goalscorers, Al’amin Umar and Daddy Abdulrahman, for the trip to Lagos except for suspended midfielder Zayyad Musa who got a straight red card against Bendel Insurance. This first night game could be turn out to be a test for Kandil’s side, now full of newcomers in the top division. BIG GUNS AIM TO FIND COMFORT AT HOME On the opening round of the season, the big boys found it difficult to eke out results and this time will have to do so in front of their supporters or else the pressure begins to pile up from here on. Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Plateau United and Rivers United all play on Sunday against Niger Tornadoes, Wikki Tourists, Katsina United and Cup holders, Kwara United, respectively. All four clubs will hope to make playing at home count in order to get their first wins of the season. Enyimba under Stanley Eguma will be keen to…

NPFL: Shooting Stars Appoint New Head Coach

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Nigerian Premier Football League side, Shooting Stars Sport Club of Ibadan also known as 3SC has appointed Nurudeen Aweroro as the new Head Coach of the Oluyole Warriors. The club announced the appointment via her official Twitter now X on Friday. The club wrote; “Nurudeen Aweroro is the new Head Coach of Shooting Stars SC “A CAF Licensed tactician with experience from Remo Stars, MFM FC & Ikorodu City, Coach Aweroro is set to lead the Oluyole Warriors to glory. “Welcome to Ibadan, Coach! “Let’s all rally behind him.” The young tactician left his role at Ikorodu City to take charge of the Oluyole Warriors. The tactician guided Ikorodu City to fourth position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season. Aweroro took charge of the Oga Boys midway through the season following the sacking of Mike Ozegbage.

SWAN Hails Kunle Soname’s Drive To Transform Nigerian Sports, Remo Stars’ Maiden NPFL Win

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago56 mins

The National leadership of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has paid a courtesy visit to business mogul and sports philanthropist Mr. Kunle Soname, Chairman of Remo Stars FC, Bet9ja, ValueJet, and Portuguese club CD Feirense, to commend him for his leadership, sports development efforts, and the recent historic achievement of Remo Stars Football Club clinching their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title. The courtesy visit to Mr. Soname’s office at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, Ogun State, on the sidelines of the Gateway 2024 National Sports Festival on Saturday. This reflects SWAN’s resolve to collaborate with key stakeholders in the private, public and corporate sectors to drive professionalism, visibility, and sustainable development in the Nigerian sports ecosystem. In his remarks, SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, applauded Mr. Soname not only for his club’s title-winning success, but also for his broader impact on Nigerian sports, youth empowerment, and investment in sports media infrastructure. “Mr. Soname’s influence on Nigerian sports is profound. His vision and investments go beyond club football to grassroots development, sports business, and media innovation. Through brand initiatives like Valuejet, Bet9ja, Team 33 Productions, he continues to shape the way Nigerian sports are presented, broadcast, and consumed,” said Mr. Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin also acknowledged Mr. Soname’s unwavering support for sports journalists across the country, noting his significant role in helping to raise professional standards and build capacity within the industry. “You have also expanded your footprint to the global stage through CD Feirense in Portugal, this stands as an enduring testament to what vision, courage, and consistency can achieve. “In you, we see not just an inspiring story, but a lasting legacy, one we are proud to be associated with. Beyond your support for countless young talents and your establishing one of Nigeria’s leading production firms, Team 33 Production, we are equally excited by your recent launch of a new radio station,” he said Benjamin said SWAN was proud to identify with Soname’s impacts and glad to bestow him with one of the highest honours of the association in recognition of his good works. He said SWAN, as the voice of Nigerian sports would continue to advocate for growth of the sector, and partner with those who believed in its limitless potential. “It is in this spirit that we formally extend to you our invitation to serve as Grand Patron of SWAN. It signífies a bridge between professional sports journalism and transformative private sector leadership anchored in mutual respect, national pride, and a commitment to excellence. “Among our national priorities are the launch of a welfare driven cooperative for journalists, the establishment of our permanent National Secretariat in Abuja, and the celebration of SWAN’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. “In particular, we are enthusiastic about the possibility of adopting Valuelet as SWAN’s official airline at a subsidised, negotiated rate alleviating the burden on our hardworking, card carrying members,” he said. In response, Mr. Soname expressed gratitude to SWAN for the recognition and reiterated his belief in the power of sports journalism to drive positive change in the sporting landscape. He further acknowledged the importance of strengthening partnerships with the sporting media umbrella, particularly as Nigeria continues to build its reputation in global sports. “I’m humbled by this visit and the kind words from SWAN. Remo Stars’ journey is a result of commitment and collective effort, and I truly value the role the media has played in amplifying that story,” Mr. Soname said. “I am committed to working with SWAN, within my capacity, to support efforts aimed at rebuilding and repositioning the image of the sports media in Nigeria. I also deeply appreciate the media for their tireless efforts in promoting not just Remo Stars, but Nigerian sports as a whole.”

Unity Cup: Super Eagles Legends Commend Chelle’s Balanced Squad for Showdown in London

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago07 mins

As Nigeria prepares for the highly anticipated Unity Cup Tournament in London, two Super Eagles greats—Garba Lawal and Mutiu Adepoju—have thrown their weight behind current head coach Eric Chelle for his commendable decision to blend homegrown talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with established foreign professionals. Their endorsement comes as Chelle names a 25-man squad set to face off against Ghana in the semi-finals of the Unity Cup on May 28, with the tournament finale billed for May 31 at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London. Chelle’s approach evokes memories of legendary Nigerian coaches such as Clemens Westerhof, Stephen Keshi, and Bonfrere Jo, all of whom famously integrated domestic league players into the national team fabric. That tradition, which played a crucial role in Nigeria’s golden football era of the 1990s, appears to be receiving a modern-day revival. In an interview with reporters, Mutiu Adepoju—fondly remembered as “The Headmaster” for his aerial prowess—noted that Chelle’s inclusion of nine-ten NPFL players is not only strategic but inspirational for local talents. “Yes, I think it’s a good one, a good development,” Adepoju said. “Counting the number of home-based players, I could see nine—this is great for the NPFL. It’s a way of encouraging our domestic league and showing belief in the talent available at home.” When asked whether Chelle is intentionally following in the footsteps of former coaches like Westerhof and Keshi, Adepoju affirmed: “Yes, I think it’s always good. Chelle did something similar while he was coaching in Mali. It’s best to ensure the local league is encouraged—it’s very important. Adepoju also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances at the tournament: “Why not? They are going there to compete. If they put everything they have into it, I believe they can win.” Similarly, Garba Lawal—a versatile midfielder from Nigeria’s golden generation—hailed the squad list as a refreshing nod to player development. “It’s a good one. I believe Chelle wants to give some other people a chance to play, which is good,” said Lawal. “It’s a mix of foreign and home-based players. I hope the home-based will take advantage of this opportunity.” Lawal emphasised the significance of performance for local players in such international settings: “There aren’t too many professionals in there, so the home-based players need to showcase their talents. As a player, this is the kind of opportunity you’re looking for. When you’re called upon, you have to give your best because the coach has already done his part.” He also echoed sentiments on the historical context, saying: “People like Westerhof, Keshi, Bonfrere Jo—they all did similar things. It’s not new. This is a traditional way of bringing in the local players.” Strategic squad selection The Unity Cup is more than just another friendly tournament—it carries historical significance for Nigeria. The Super Eagles won the last two editions of the competition in 2002 and 2004. Notably, the 2004 edition saw the international debut of Obafemi Martins in a clash against Ireland. Martins would go on to become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated strikers, a testament to how impactful opportunities like the Unity Cup can be for emerging talents. Chelle seems keen to continue that legacy. His selection includes marquee foreign-based names like Moses Simon (FC Nantes), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), and Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla), balanced with standout NPFL performers such as Remo Stars’ captain Junior Harrison Nduka and Sikiru Alimi. In goal, Stanley Nwabali returns alongside Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie. The 2025 Unity Cup, featuring Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, will serve as a platform for Chelle to assess squad depth ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers in September and October. The Franco-Malian himself acknowledged this in a recent statement: “We’re looking forward to taking part in the Unity Cup as it will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad.” This blend of youth and experience, domestic and diaspora, signals a strategic evolution under Chelle’s stewardship. Beyond just winning the Unity Cup, the bigger victory may lie in building a more inclusive and competitive Super Eagles squad.

Osimhen Gifts Remo Stars N10m After Historic NPFL Title Win

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has celebrated Remo Stars’ historic League title triumph by gifting the team N10 million. The Galatasaray forward praised the club’s determination and resilience, describing their achievement as inspiring. Osimhen’s gesture highlights his strong connection to Nigerian football and his admiration for one of the country’s rising football institutions. Remo Stars etched their name in history on Sunday after sealing their first-ever premier division title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes. In doing so, they became the first club from southwestern Nigeria to win the league in 25 years the last being Julius Berger in 2000. Osimhen, who has a personal relationship with Remo Stars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede currently part of the Super Eagles’ technical setup personally called the team on Tuesday to congratulate them. He also announced a N10 million gift, split evenly between the players (N5 million) and the coaching staff (N5 million).

I’ll Play For Bendel Insurance FC If… -Ighalo

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Former Super Eagles and Manchester United striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, has hinted at starring for Nigeria Premier Football League side, Bendel Insurance. Speaking on The Abu Azeez Podcast, the 35-year old Al-Wehda of Saudi Arabia goal poacher said he wish to return to the local league before calling quit with football. Ighalo however insisted that the local club side must put in place adequate security if they want his services. Abu Azeez, who starred for several clubs in the local league and also a member of national beach soccer team, the Beach Eagles asked Ighalo if he would be willing to play for Bendel Insurance should the Edo State Governor call to. “I would love to play but they have to guarrantee my security because it is not just playing, there is some many things (sic) involved with it. “So, playing almost 20 years outside Nigeria, then come back to play in your homeland. I know it is going to be tough but if some certain things are out in place, why not? I would love to…,” Ighalo stated. Ighalo was given birth to in Edo but raised in Lagos, featured for Prime FC and Julius Berger before his sojourn in Europe. Between 2015 and 2022, he played 37 games, scoring 16 goals for Nigeria.

Kano Pillars suspend Technical Adviser for three weeks

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

Nigeria Premier Football Legaue campaigners, Kano Pillars have suspended their Head Coach Usman Sheriff Abdallah for three weeks. The coach’s suspension was announced on the club’s official X handle formerly Twitter on Sunday. “The management of Kano Pillars FC have suspended the club’s Technical Adviser, Usman Sheriff Abdallah for three weeks following poor results and his gesture towards the fans after the Sai Masu Gida’s 0-0 draw against Bayelsa Unitedd. “Chief Coach Ahmed Garba Yaro-Yaro will take charge of the team,”Kano Pillars tweeted. Kano Pillars are currently in the 10th place on the NPFL log with 29 points from 21 games and are trailing Remo Stars, who are the league leaders with 16 points.

Ex-Super Eagles’ star, Ideye joins Enyimba

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago02 mins

Nine-Time Nigerian champions, Enyimba, have announce the signing of 2013 AFCON winner, Brown Ideye, until the end of the current season. The Aba giants confirmed the new addition in a statement it posted on its X handle on Monday. “We are delighted to officially announce the addition of former Super Eagles Striker, Brown Ideye to our fold. “We are expectant of the experience & professionalism he will add to our game/quest in our remaining games, this season especially under the New Gaffer,” the statement read. Since leaving Kuwaiti side Al Yarmouk in 2022, the 36-year-old has been without a club since. He joins former international teammates Ahmed Musa and Abdullahi Shehu who are currently playing for Kano Pillars in the league. It marks the return of Ideye to the domestic league 17 years after leaving Ocean Boys to Europe where he spent years playing for Neuchâtel Xamax, Sochaux and Dynamo Kyiv. The Aba Elephants will be hoping that the addition of Ideye will help them end recent dip in form which has seen them dismiss coach Head Coach Yemi Olarenwaju and hired Stanley Eguma to take over. Enyimba wielded the big stick after going nine games without a win.