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Nigeria Premier League

USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe to retire at end of 2023 season

United States forward Megan Rapinoe announced Saturday that she will retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season.

The 11-year league veteran and U.S. women’s national team standout will play her final regular-season match at Seattle’s Lumen Field on Oct. 6 against the Washington Spirit.

Rapinoe, 38, is preparing to compete with the two-time defending champion USWNT in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which runs from July 20 to Aug. 20 in New Zealand and Australia.

Rapinoe also confirmed Saturday that this will be her final World Cup.

“I’ve been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people,” Rapinoe said in a statement to U.S. Soccer.

“I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we’ve been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it. To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.”

Megan Rapinoe has won numerous trophies throughout her career. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
Rapinoe joined the OL Reign during the NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013 and holds the club records for goals (48) and assists (25) in 109 matches.

She has won three NWSL Shields with the Reign and earned one Best XI and two Second XI selections. She is also the league’s all-time leader with 13 penalty kick goals.

Internationally, Rapinoe has earned 199 caps and a 2012 Olympic gold medal along with the World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019. In 2019, she was named Best FIFA Women’s Player and won the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Rapinoe has 63 goals and 73 assists with the USWNT while compiling a record of 157-14-28.

“I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years,” Rapinoe added. “Thanks to all my teammates and coaches all the way back to my first days in Redding, on to college at the University of Portland and of course thanks to U.S. Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially Sue [Bird], for everything.

“I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game, and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the National Team and the Reign.”

“She’s so key for this team on and off the field,” USWNT left back Crystal Dunn said. “I did tell her at the beginning of this year that I have no idea if this is your last one, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to get myself into a place where I can help this team win. And obviously send her off the way that she deserves, which is the queen that she is.”

An outspoken advocate for equal pay in women’s soccer and supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, President Joe Biden last year awarded Rapinoe the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

“Pino’s always just been a huge advocate for this team. She’s been a backbone of this team. And so whether it’s going through the equal pay fight, going through standing up for marginalized communities and backgrounds, she’s someone who is going to stand up for that when it’s not always a popular opinion,” USWNT captain Alex Morgan said.

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Nigeria Premier League

How GTI  Facilitated Radio Commentaries Deal Between NPFL And FRCN

 

 

Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited has successfully facilitated a partnership deal between the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and managers of the elite league in the area of live radio commentaries during matchday activities.

 

GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, broke the cheery news to reporters following the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties in Abuja on Thursday March 27, 2025.

 

During the signing of the MoU, the NPFL Board chairman Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye described the partnership deal between both parties as a game-changer initiative aimed at further enhancing the popularity of the top-tier League in the country and beyond.

 

“The return of regular live radio commentary on FRCN, the largest Radio Network in Africa is a heartwarming initiative because it is a sure channel to bring the magic of the ever-improving NPFL to as many homes, cars and football-loving Nigerians.

 

“This collaboration which is largely a corporate social responsibility of Radio Nigeria was agreed because of their unbeatable reach and reputation over the years,” he said.

 

In his response the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama an ardent follower of sports and football in particular, said he was pleased that live commentaries of Nigeria Premier Football League are back on the Network Service during his time at the corporation.

 

Also present at the occasion was the Executive Director of GTI Group, Mr Nelson Ine, who used the occasion to thank both parties for reaching a decision that aims to add value to the fast-rising elite league.

 

“Today marks another milestone in GTI’s quest in giving the NPFL a new lease of life. The step taken today has added value to the NPFL project because it has given more Nigerians the opportunity to listen to live commentaries of our elite league by bringing it to the doorsteps of our citizens.

 

“GTI remains committed to improving our league and adding value to it. We are all delighted today because history has been made and we hope Corporate Nigeria will use this golden opportunity to support the project via sponsorship and utilising it for their brand visibility,” he said.

 

It is expected that the deal will last till the end of the 2024/2025 NPFL season and will be renewed the following season for continuity.

 

 

 

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: No Respite For Abdallah Yet As Kano Pillars Extend Suspension Of Technical Adviser

 

The Management of Kano Pillars FC, under the leadership of Chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar, has extended the suspension of its Technical Adviser, Usman Abdallah, until after the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 28 fixture against Kwara United.

This decision was reached during a management meeting held on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata.

 

The extension follows a request from the committee set up to investigate the matter, chaired by the club’s Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo, which is yet to conclude its findings.

As a result, Chief Coach Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro will continue to lead the team in the upcoming fixtures against Akwa United on Wednesday, Rangers International at the weekend, and Kwara United on Match Day 28, pending further decisions regarding Abdallah’s return.

The club remains committed to upholding professionalism and discipline as it continues its campaign in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

 

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Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Edge Remo Stars, Heartland Pip Shooting Stars in Dramatic Ties

Rangers Edge Remo Stars, Heartland Pip Shooting Stars in Dramatic Ties

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 24 fixtures were concluded on Sunday with three games spread across the country.

The ties produced some thrilling encounters, with Rangers International FC and Heartland FC securing crucial victories over Remo Stars FC and Shooting Stars Sports Club respectively.

Rangers edge Remo Stars

Rangers International FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Remo Stars FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

Midfielder Saviour Isaac opened the scoring for Rangers in the 30th minute, expertly converting a free kick from outside the 18-yard box.

Rangers doubled their lead in the 48th minute, courtesy of a well-crafted goal involving CHAN Eagles’ Kenneth Igboke and Kingsley Maduforo.

Remo Stars reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, through Sikiru Alimi but it was too little too late to salvage the outcome of the match.

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

Late Drama in Owerri

Heartland FC of Owerri secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday.

Chukwuma Agor had opened the scoring for Heartland in the 31st minute, but the Oluyole Warriors equalised through a penalty kick in the 81st minute.

However, Heartland were awarded another penalty kick in the dying minutes of the game, which John Bassey successfully converted, despite initial controversy surrounding the referee’s decision.

Despite suffering back-to-back losses, Shooting Stars remained second on the log with 40 points from 24 matches.

Other result

In another match played on Sunday, Bendel Insurance secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes.

The concluding results of the matchday 24 encounters have shuffled the NPFL standings, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks.

Premium Times

 

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