Nigeria Premier League

Osasuna cleared to play in Conference League playoff round

Osasuna have won their battle to be admitted into the UEFA Conference League, after they took their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Pamplona will be a happy place this week after Los Rojillo emitted a statement confirming that they had been given permission by UEFA to play the Conference League next season.

UEFA had initially suspended the club from European competition for a year following match-fixing that occurred in 2013 and 2014. At the time Osasuna were the ones that reported the incident to the authorities, and in the Spanish justice system, they were declared a victim of the match-fixing, with the individual directors involved the perpetrators.

After taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Osasuna did not say that ruling was given, but rather that UEFA had concluded, as the authorities in Spain had, that in light of new evidence provided by the club, they were victims of the crime too.

This will be a major relief for Osasuna, who had described it as great injustice, while Sporting Director Braulio Vazquez had said it left him questioning his faith in football. They felt that they were being robbed of a reward that they had earned on the pitch.

Their statement continued on to say that they would accept a punishment imposed by UEFA for taking the case through the ordinary justice system, but that it would not impact their participation in the competition. They will now attend the play-off draw on the 7th of August with the rest of the teams.

Athletic Club are set to miss out as a result. Los Leones, who had finished 8th and just behind Los Rojillo, would have taken their place had the case been upheld, but will now have to reshuffle their plans too.

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.

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.

Nigeria Premier League

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.

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