Nigeria Premier League

1XBET Cup 2023: LASU Conference Begins Monday

Badagry Community is agog as the LASU Conference of the ongoing 1XBET 2023 Community Football Championship begins Monday, at the LASU Stadium, Ojo, Lagos. And this is coming after the successfully held Conferences in Mainland and Epe respectively.

Eight teams drawn from different parts of Badagry Division have been pooled into two groups of four teams each and they include, Ajegunle United, Badagry United, LASU Blazers, Chekas FC, Vinmo Energy FC, Joint FC, High Klass FC and Young Stars FC.

Meanwhile, ahead of the games in Badagry and subsequently in Ikorodu and Lagos Island, 1XBET, the sponsors of the championship and the organisers, Match International Limited, held a photoshoot for players of Emiloju FC and G-Innovation FC, who participated in the DBI Conference.

The players also participated in Cross Bar Challenge, Best Goalkeeper Challenge, as well as, Best Speaker Series, which according to the Coordinator and Consultant for the 1XBET championship, Engr. Waidi Akanni, was ostensibly aimed at further boosting the confidence of the players and motivating them as they forge ahead in their careers.

Ahead of the LASU Conference, the players of LASU Blazers have been waxing lyrical about their determination to emerge winners of the conference, even as they bank heavily on the massive support from fellow students of Lagos State University (LASU), during the championship.

Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede reflects on Emo Stars’ win over Abia Warriors

Emo Stars technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede admitted his side was fortunate to secure a 3-2 victory over Abia Warriors in Ikenne on Wednesday.

Abia Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Ayodele Eziekel and Anthony Ijoma. However, Emo Stars responded with three goals from Olamilekan Adebayo, Jabbar Malik, and Franck Mawuena to clinch the win.

Ogunmodede acknowledged that his team had underestimated their opponents but managed to turn things around. “The game was tense and shocking in the first half on our home ground. Not every time you will be lucky against a great team we played against,” he said in the post-match interview.

“We underestimated the qualities of our opponent, and we were punished for it. But luckily, we identified the problem and readjusted to get the victory.”

Emo Stars will now aim to build on this win as they continue their campaign

Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars eye maximum points in midweek showdown with Ikorodu City

Kano Pillars are determined to secure all three points in their upcoming fixture against Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Sai Masu Gida will face Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday.

Usman Abdallah’s side is upbeat and focused ahead of the match, with the players in high spirits.

“Done and dusted with the shake-ups ahead of our NPFL25 Matchday 21 clash against Ikorodu City this Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos,” Kano Pillars wrote on X.

“The boys are in high spirits and determined to secure maximum points as we aim to continue our impressive run this season.”

Kano Pillars currently sit in eighth place on the league table with 28 points.

Nigeria Premier League

Brown Ideye criticizes NPFL standards, calls for major improvements

Enyimba striker Brown Ideye has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), stating that significant improvements are needed to elevate its standard.

Ideye, who rejoined the league in December 2024 after signing for Enyimba, has made appearances in both NPFL and CAF Confederation Cup matches, scoring two goals so far.

Sharing his thoughts following Enyimba’s 2-0 defeat to Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday 16 fixture in Ilorin, Ideye voiced concerns about the league’s challenges.

“The system is getting worse; the league is not improving. I feel like we have a long way to go,” Ideye remarked during an interview.

Despite enjoying his time at Enyimba, the former West Brom striker emphasized that much remains to be addressed in the league.

“My time at Enyimba has been wonderful, but there are a lot of things in the league that need improvement and haven’t changed yet,” he added.

On the poor performances of Nigerian clubs in CAF competitions, Ideye highlighted critical areas requiring attention.

“In terms of traveling, feeding, hotel accommodations, and player relaxation — it’s all bad. Nigerians are not ready for continental competitions. We need to put our house in order before going there, instead of embarrassing ourselves.”