Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Sunshine Stars Host Heartland FC In Akure

Heartland FC will take the search for their first win of the season to the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure where they are guest of Sunshine Stars on Saturday October 14th, 2023 in one of the Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Three ties.

The Naze Millionaires got a 2-2 draw at home to Lobi Stars before the close 1-0 defeat to Plateau United in Jos in the league games they have played this season. The Owerri have all to play for in Akure knowing that barely three seasons ago they got a morale boosting draw at the same venue.

Heartland FC returned to Owerri from Jos on Tuesday after having a brief stop over at Otukpo, Benue State on Monday and the team had two training sessions on Wednesday to prepare for the game. The team headed to Akure on Thursday and will have the mandatory training session at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure on Friday at the official kick off time.

The Owerri side’s build up to the weekend league game has been very seamless and without hitches and it is expected that the team would translate it to success on Saturday in Akure. The support from the Imo State Government led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma through the Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo has been very massive.

Speaking to Heartland FC Media, the head coach, Heartland FC, Christian Obi tasked his players to be willing to take risks for the good of the team as they file out on Saturday against Sunshine Stars in Akure.

Obi who regretted a couple of near misses his team fluffed in Jos against Plateau United stated that with a little extra push, they could have left the Jos Road Stadium, Jos with at least a point.

He charged his players to perfect the errors noticed in the opening two games and ensure they play with everything they have with the zeal to return to Owerri with at least point if they are unable to claim the maximum points.

“I will say that the Plateau United boys were more determined than our boys. Their loss at Ibadan to Shooting Stars motivated them into playing the way they did. If they had dropped more home points against us,.it would have been a disaster from their own side. They were quicker to the ball than our boys it contributed to them having an edge over us in the game,” Obi said.

“European players take risks to achieve their aim of scoring. Patrick Nwogbaga was close to scoring for us. He would have have hit target with a little more effort.

“We have identified some of our problems in our last game and we are working on those areas. If we put things in order and correct our mistakes, we will get at least a point there.”

The former Flying Eagles goalkeeper to the 1983 FIFA U20 World Cup in Mexico confirmed the unavailability of Fabian Omaka and Rolland Koffi who are presently nursing injuries but disclosed that he has capable replacement to take their places.

“We have a few injuries here and there but the most important thing is that they are recovering. Fabian Omaka is out he is recovering and still on medication. Rolland Koffi is still on treatment table as well,” Obi added.

“We have other players around. Frank Erikan came in and he contributed his quota to the team. He didn’t do badly.”

Last Five Matches Between Sunshine Stars and Heartland FC

2-7-2022 Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars

2-3-2022 Sunshine Stars 3-1 Heartland

4-7-2021 Heartland 0-1 Sunshine Stars

21-2-2021 Sunshine Stars 1-1 Heartland

2-2-2020 Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars

Nigeria Premier League

Eunisell Gears Up For 2025 Boot Awards Amid Tight Scoring Race

As the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League season nears its thrilling conclusion, on Sunday, May 25, Eunisell Limited, Africa’s leading specialty chemicals and oil production solutions company, is proud to announce its readiness for the prestigious Eunisell Boot Awards.

This year’s event, scheduled for June in Lagos, marks a major milestone—a decade of Eunisell’s steadfast commitment to celebrating excellence and supporting domestic football development in Nigerian football.

The Eunisell Boot Award, is an annual ceremony honouring the NPFL’s highest goal scorer, spotlighting individual brilliance and inspiring the next generation of football
talent.

Since inception, the initiative has become one of the most respected individual
accolades in Nigerian football.

With one match day to go this season, the race for the 2025 Eunisell Boot is intensifying.

Nasarawa United’s currently leads the race to grab the Eunisell Boots with 18 goals.

Yusuf took his tally to 18 goals in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Enyimba.

The trio of Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars) Anthony De Souza Ijoma (Abia Warriors) and Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City) have 12 goals each.

Beyond the Boot Awards, Eunisell currently sponsors Abia Warriors, a prominent club in the NPFL, further demonstrating its active support for domestic football development and grassroots talent.

Ken Okeiyi, CEO of Eunisell, emphasized the company’s dedication to the sport and its role in uplifting communities.

Over the years, Eunisell Boot Award has stood as a symbol of recognition, reward, and belief in the power of local talent.

As the NPFL season wraps up, we are once again reminded of the skill, determination, and passion that define Nigerian football.

Eunisell is proud to continue investing in the future of the sport by celebrating those who inspire on and off the pitch.

Eunisell’s involvement in Nigerian football—through both its individual player recognition and club sponsorship—reflects its broader vision to foster excellence, empower youth and promote national pride.

Details of the 2025 Eunisell Boot Awards ceremony, including final date and venue, will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Nigeria Premier League

Abiodun Celebrates The NPFL’s New Era As Remo Stars Clinch The 2024/25 Trophy

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed delight at the steady transformation of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), commending the league’s organizers for aligning its calendar with international standards.

Governor Abiodun made the remarks in Abeokuta while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by its President, Ibrahim Gusau, and the Chairman of the NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.

The officials visited to congratulate the Governor following the official presentation of the 2024/25 NPFL trophy to Remo Stars—champions of this season.

Speaking on the sidelines of the visit, the Governor praised the NPFL’s decision to synchronize its season with global leagues, many of which conclude by May or early June.

“While the champions, our own Remo Stars from Ogun State, were crowned on Sunday, there is just one more game to conclude the season—meaning the NPFL will wrap up in May, just like most European leagues. This is commendable,” he said.

Abiodun, who attended the trophy presentation in Ikenne, also applauded the NPFL board for conducting a smooth and rancor-free season.

“It is to the credit of the NPFL Board, led by my brother, Elegbeleye, that we had this beautiful celebration today. All stakeholders agree that Remo Stars are worthy champions,” the Governor stated.

Present at the reception were several NFF Board members, including Ganiyu, Aisha Falode, and Silas Agara.

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL Drama: Late Spot-kick Seals Shooting Stars’ Win Over Sunshine Stars

Sunshine Stars narrowly lost 0-1 to Shooting Stars in a tightly contested Matchday 36 fixture of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The decisive goal came in the 84th minute after the referee awarded a late penalty to the home side, following a scramble in the box.

Just two minutes earlier, Sunshine Stars were reduced to ten men when defender Yusuf Olowoshile received a red card.

Shooting Stars capitalized on the advantage, converting the penalty with composure to secure all three points.

Despite the defeat, Sunshine Stars displayed grit and determination, going toe-to-toe with their hosts and creating several scoring opportunities.

Goalkeeper Emma Offori was a standout performer, making several key saves to keep the Owena Whales in the contest.

Speaking after the match, Shooting Stars head coach Gbenga Ogunbote praised Sunshine Stars for their resilience, labeling their current league standing as “unfortunate.”

On his part, Sunshine Stars coach Bobola Akinfolarin expressed frustration with the result, particularly the timing of the penalty. Nevertheless, he stressed that the team must now shift focus to their final two games of the season.

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