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Nigeria Premier League

Jepchirchir Clinches Gold as Kenya Sweep the Podium in Women’s Half Marathon at World Road Running Champs

Olympic champion Peres Jepchir showed a character of a champion when she sprinted to victory a in women’s half marathon to lead a Kenyan podium sweep at World Road Running Championships in Latvia, Riga.

Jepchirchir clocked a course record of 1:07:25 to beat compatriot Margaret Chelimo who clinched silver in 1:07:26 while Catherine Reline took bronze in 1:07:34.

“I wanted to win three times and make history, and thank God I have made it,” said Jepchirchir. “It was my birthday this week and I told my husband I would work extra hard to get the win.”

Jepchirchir led Kenya to a decisive victory in the team title, their first since 2016, when they also swept the medal positions. Their top three had a cumulative time of 3:22:25, with Ethiopia second with 3:27:55 and Great Britain and Northern Ireland claiming bronze with 3:29:15.

“I am so happy for team Kenya,” said Jepchirchir. “I knew we would sweep this as a team because I trust my colleagues so much.”

On a cool, sunny afternoon in the Latvian capital, Jepchirchir once again played a very patient game, the Olympic marathon champion and women-only half marathon world record holder content to let the pace remain steady through much of the race, knowing she possessed a gear no one else could live with when it counted most.

The early pace was relatively pedestrian, with a group of 22 hitting the 5km mark clustered together, led by Britain’s Samantha Harrison in 16:25. But that pack began to whittle soon after, with a group of eight passing 10km in 32:19.

Jepchirchir, Chelimo Kipkemboi and Reline Amanang’ole took turns at the front soon after, with British duo Harrison and Calli Thackery also putting in a shift in the breezy conditions. But in the third quarter, Harrison and Thackery began to lose contention while the Kenyans started to apply pressure up front, Amanang’ole passing 15km in 48:33 and six athletes left in the battle for the podium positions.

That was soon down to five, with Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray dropping away. Jepchirchir ran at the back of the pack as they approached 20km, marking her opponents’ every move. But as they ran through the old town and back towards the finish, alongside the River Daugava, Jepchirchir began to take closer order, with just one Ethiopian, Tsigie Gebreselama, sandwiched among the four Kenyans.

The 20km mark, reached in 1:04:20, was Jepchirchir’s cue to make her first big effort, surging to the front and quickly checking the effect on her rivals, with only her compatriot Irine Jepchumba Kimais dropping away. But with Kipkemboi soon taking up the pace, the Kenyans swiftly had what they wanted – with Gebreselama dropping off the leading trio.

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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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