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Tag: Nigerian football

  • Wikki Tourists, Nasarawa United Share Spoils in Bauchi NPFL Clash

    Wikki Tourists, Nasarawa United Share Spoils in Bauchi NPFL Clash

    Wikki Tourists FC and Nasarawa United FC played out a 1–1 draw on Sunday in a keenly contested Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 24 fixture at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

    Nasarawa United took the lead in the 28th minute after Izuchukwu Chimezie capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home the opener.

    Wikki Tourists responded before the interval, with Jonathan Mairiga restoring parity in the 41st minute to ensure both sides went into the break level.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the encounter was highly competitive, as both teams displayed tactical discipline and determination throughout the match.

    Wikki Tourists had an opportunity to go ahead in the second half but failed to convert a penalty, and no further goals were recorded as the match ended in a stalemate.

    The result leaves Wikki Tourists on 28 points from 24 matches, sitting 14th on the Nigeria Premier Football League standings.

    Sports analyst Bala Sani described the match as exciting, noting that Nasarawa United appeared better organised technically and well-prepared for the encounter.

    Reacting after the game, Wikki Tourists Chief Coach, Bala Saleh, attributed his team’s display to fatigue, explaining that the strain resulted from playing three consecutive matches. He, however, expressed confidence ahead of their next fixture against Katsina United.

    Also speaking, Nasarawa United Assistant Coach, Stephen Moga, praised his players for their professionalism, saying they executed the game plan effectively despite the pressure of playing away from home.

  • Super Eagles Cruise Past Mozambique 4–0, Book AFCON 2025 Semi-Final Spot

    Super Eagles Cruise Past Mozambique 4–0, Book AFCON 2025 Semi-Final Spot

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria delivered a masterclass performance on Saturday, dismantling the Mozambique Mambas 4–0 in their AFCON 2025 quarter-final clash to secure a convincing place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

    Nigeria asserted their dominance early in the encounter, pressing high and controlling possession, with the midfield trio dictating the tempo and starving Mozambique of space.

    The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Victor Osimhen rose highest to head home a pinpoint cross from Ademola Lookman, sending Nigerian supporters into celebration.

    Buoyed by the opener, the Super Eagles intensified their pressure.

    Ademola Lookman doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 33rd minute with a well-placed finish following a swift attacking move, capping a dominant first-half display that left the Mambas chasing shadows.

    Mozambique attempted to respond after the break, but Nigeria’s defence, marshalled by Kevin Bassey and Taiwo Ajayi, stood firm, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remained largely untroubled.

    Nigeria effectively put the game beyond reach in the 56th minute when Alex Iwobi delivered a perfectly weighted pass that was calmly finished by Lookman, following sustained pressure in Mozambique’s half.

    The Super Eagles continued to dictate proceedings, with Osimhen and Lookman stretching the opposition with pace and movement.

    The rout was completed in the 74th minute as Lookman turned provider once again, setting up Adams Akor, who slotted home confidently to underline Nigeria’s attacking depth and dominance.

    Osimhen’s tireless runs, Lookman’s creativity, and Iwobi’s control in midfield proved decisive, while the defensive unit ensured Mozambique failed to register any meaningful attempt on target throughout the contest.

    Speaking after the match, the Super Eagles’ coach praised his team’s discipline and collective effort, describing the emphatic victory as a clear statement of intent as Nigeria continues its quest for a fourth AFCON title.

    With the convincing win, the Super Eagles march into the AFCON 2025 semi-finals full of confidence and momentum, awaiting their next opponent as hopes of continental glory grow stronger.

  • NFF Working Diligently To Ensure National Teams Attain Greater Heights – Gusau

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday disclosed that the football-governing body is working assiduously to ensure that all the National Teams perform much better in their competitions in the next one year, than they have done in the past year. He made this pledge while reviewing the activities of the NFF and the teams in one year of his Board in office, and also articulating expectations for the next one year.

    While highlighting the achievements of the past year, which included a first-ever podium finish at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, quarter-final performance of the Flying Eagles at the FIFA U20 World Cup, qualification of the Super Eagles to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and best-ever outing by the Super Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Gusau asseverated that the Board and Secretariat have worked in tandem to remove toxicity from the system and enable a more conducive environment for the game in the country.

    “One of our priorities on coming into office was to ensure that the football environment was cleansed of so much toxicity that had threatened the health of the game and made some persons feel unwelcome in the system. We have tried our best to give everyone a sense of belonging with a policy of inclusiveness.

    “Off the pitch, we are proud of the work of the Interim Management Committee that we constituted to organize the last NPFL League Season, which was commended by all stakeholders, and we also feel fulfilled about the constitution of the Boards of the NNL, NWFL and NLO with vibrant, knowledgeable and competent individuals who are capable of taking the leagues to the next level. Elections into the State FAs have also been largely peaceful and successful.”

    Gusau said his board will work assiduously and diligently with the secretariat and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to see the Super Eagles off to a great start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series and to win the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.

    “We also want to see the Super Falcons reclaim their African title and return to the Women Olympic Football Tournament. Our expectations include making good progress in our plan for hostel accommodation and some playing pitches for the National Teams, through the FIFA Forward 3.0 program, and also see that the U17 and U20 Women National Teams achieve their best-ever outings at their different World Cups next year.

    “We are working already with the new NPFL Board to grow the NPFL into the product that all administrators and stakeholders desire, and also with the boards of the other Leagues to improve the state of our domestic football. To achieve all these, we need money, so we are also looking to work even harder to grow our revenue base through aggressive marketing drive.”

    The NFF boss said his team will also not allow any FIFA window for friendly matches to go unutilized. “As you can see, we have arranged two matches for the Super Eagles in this month’s window, against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. Mozambique is in southern Africa where three of our opponents in the World Cup qualifiers, namely Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa also are. Playing Mozambique is a good opportunity for the team to have a sneak preview of what to expect against these three teams.”

    Also at the parley were NFF Executive Committee Members H. E. Ali Silas Agara and Mr. George Aluo; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Chairman of Anambra State FA, Chikelue Iloenyosi; NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competitions, Ruth David and; Head of Member Associations, Ali Abubakar Muhammad.

    Abdulrahaman takes over from Adesanya as COO, Nigeria National League

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has deployed Dr. Ayo Hameed Abdulrahaman to the Nigeria National League as the chief operating officer, to take over from Mr. Emmanuel Adesanya who has retired from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the age of 60 years.

    Abdulrahaman, who holds a doctorate degree in physical and health education, has robust sphere and institutional experience in football organization and administration. He is a deputy director in the Federal Civil Service.

    Before his deployment, Dr. Abdulrahaman worked as deputy director in the NFF Competitions Department. He had also worked for many years previously as chief operating officer of the NNL, and also in the same capacity in the Nigeria Women Football League.

  • NFF holds 79th Annual General Assembly in Uyo

    NFF holds 79th Annual General Assembly in Uyo

    The 79th General Assembly of Nigeria Football Federation will take place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Sunday.

    The annual plenary of Nigeria’s football governors at all levels will commence with an opening ceremony that is expected to be graced by His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar.

    President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau will, alongside the Executive Committee that he heads, welcome the delegates composed of chairmen and secretaries of the 44 members of the NFF (including FA chairmen and secretaries of the 36 States and the FCT). Also expected are members of the Akwa Ibom State cabinet, eminent football stakeholders and NFF Management and Staff.

    The business session, which begins after the opening ceremony, will kick off fully with an address by the NFF President, and such regular matters such as suspension or expulsion of members (if applicable), activity report of the General Secretary, presentation of the consolidated and revised balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement, approval of the financial statements and the budget, and admission for membership (if applicable) are on the agenda.

    On the agenda as well are votes on proposals for amendments to the Statutes, the regulations governing the application of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the General Assembly (if applicable), and discussion of proposals submitted by the Members and the Executive Committee.

    After the conclusion of the assembly, the delegates and other invited guests and stakeholders will proceed to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final-day qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Falcons and True Parrots of Sao Tome and Principe, which begins at 5pm.

    Nigeria, on 12 points and already qualified for next year’s continental showpiece in Cote d’Ivoire, need only the minimum win to secure leadership of their group ahead of Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus, who are on 10 points and host the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Bissau.