Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Rangers Storm Lafia For Tie Against Lobi Stars

Rangers International F.C of Enugu is keen on maintaining its newfound form that has stretched to three-match unbeaten when it trades tackles with fierce neighbors, Lobi Stars F.C of Makurdi in a delayed match day 6, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture scheduled for the Lafia City Stadium, Thursday, November 2, 2023.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu will most likely be banking on the squad that decimated Kano Pillars 4-1 over the weekend as the ‘Flying Antelopes’ targets the scalp of the Benue giants, ‘Shoe Get Size’ under coach Eugene Agagbe.

With the likes of Godwin Obaje, Chukwudi Nwaodu, Chidiebere Nwobodo and Isaac Savior finding their rhythm, it would be difficult to stop the high-flying Antelopes from stopping the home side that parades such players as Orji Kalu, Madu Christian, Kumaga Suur, Moses Tsehuan, Francis Odinaka, Stephen Eneji, Oko Onyedika, and Godwin Aloa.

Coach Ilechukwu, in a chat, described the encounter as one with a lot of intrigues and interest as his wards are determined to come out with a positive result to maintain their good start to the season and regain the bragging rights over the Makurdi-based side stressing, “We know what we want to achieve at every point in time as we work towards achieving our set target for the season. We are positive about the outcome of our game in Lafia. Everywhere is home for Rangers as we have worked on our players to understand that and play our style of football always with the aim of coming out unscratched. Lobi may have been on top in head-to-head contest but we want to turn the tide around starting from this encounter in Lafia.”

Also speaking, defense Trojan, David Chimezie, said ahead of the crunch encounter, “We are very confident going into this fixture as we have worked hard and prepared to get a result in Lafia. No doubt, Lobi is a good side and would come at us with everything they have to carry the day but with the level of motivation and determination in us, we shall come out with a good result. We will fight well and won’t let our fans down.”

The host, Lobi Stars F.C is enjoying a superior ratio of wins in the twenty-six official matches involving both sides with sixteen wins. At the same time, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ have ten wins with six encounters ending in a draw just as the eight-goal thriller in Awka in the 2021/2022 season where Rangers defeated Lobi by 5-3, being the highest score in a single match involving the two clubs.

With ten goals from five matches and conceding six in the process for Rangers and netting seven times and leaking five at the back for Lobi in the same number of matches, football fans of Lafia and its environs are assured of quality football display from the two former continental teams under young managers.

Nigeria Premier League

NPFL Needs Total Overhaul, Says Musa After Eyeing CWC

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), stressing the urgent need for reforms in league organization, club structure, and officiating standards.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Musa expressed admiration for the African clubs currently participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, describing the tournament as both exciting and financially rewarding.

However, he used the opportunity to draw a stark contrast between the global stage and the state of Nigeria’s domestic league as the Competition features no teams from Nigeria.

“I have been following the FIFA Club World Cup, and my focus has been on the African clubs in the tournament. Apart from the excitement, the tournament is a money-spinner for the African clubs,” Musa wrote.

“It’s a sober reflection if we compare the African Clubs at the Club World Cup to our domestic league, the Nigeria Premier Football League. Can we compete at this level? What are we not getting right?”

The former CSKA Moscow and Al Nassr forward called for a deliberate review of the NPFL’s framework, noting that talent alone is not enough to thrive in the modern football environment.

“We need to review the organization of the League, clubs’ structure, and funding. We need to set out new policies and drive the reforms. The NPFL is not lacking in potential, our football has got an abundance of talent and potential from the grassroots to the elite level, but these factors aren’t enough in a modern football system.”

Musa emphasised the need for collective commitment among stakeholders to elevate Nigerian football to global standards, both on and off the pitch.

“We must collectively decide to make our football work which will ensure that our clubs compete at the continental and world level.”

The NPFL star also questioned the current state of officiating in the country, highlighting the absence of Nigerian referees in CAF and FIFA tournaments.

“What about the referees and officiating? Other African countries are producing referees for CAF and FIFA tournaments, but what do we have here?”

He concluded his post with a note of support for the African representatives at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, wishing them success in the global competition.

Musa’s remarks have already sparked conversations across the football community, with many echoing his concerns and calling for urgent steps to revive the fortunes of Nigeria’s top-flight league.

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Nigeria Premier League

Akwa Ibom Commissioner Dissolves State Football Club Boards

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has announced the immediate dissolution of the management teams of the four state-owned football clubs following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Nigeria Football League season.

The affected clubs are Akwa United FC, Dakkada FC, Ibom Angels FC, and Ibom Youth FC—all fully funded by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Elder Bassey made the announcement during a meeting held in Uyo with representatives of the four clubs.

He directed the chairmen and secretaries of each club to submit their handover notes to the Ministry of Sports within two weeks.

According to the commissioner, the decision is in line with the state’s broader plan to reposition sports and elevate performance levels across all sporting fronts, in alignment with Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda.

“A new management structure will be announced soon to commence preparations for the upcoming football season,” Bassey stated, adding that the dissolution marks the beginning of a renewed vision for sports excellence in the state.

He expressed appreciation to the outgoing officials for their service and contributions to the growth of football in the state, wishing them well in their future endeavours.

In his reaction, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr. Samuel Umoh, acknowledged that the just concluded football season was challenging for all four teams. He applauded the commissioner’s decision as a timely move to reposition the clubs for future success.

Representatives of the clubs—Elder Omon Bassey (Akwa United), Coach Aniedi Dickson (Dakkada), Coach Edwin Okon (Ibom Angels), and Coach Lawrence Iquaibom (Ibom Youth)—thanked the commissioner for the opportunity to serve and pledged their continued support for football and sports development in Akwa Ibom State.

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Nigeria Premier League

Commissioner Inspects Lafia Stadium, Assures NPFL Standards

In a decisive move to ensure compliance with Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) requirements ahead of the 2025/26 season, the Nasarawa State Government, on Monday, commenced a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of facilities at the Lafia City Stadium.

Led by the State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, a high-powered delegation comprising government officials, engineers, and stadium experts assessed the readiness of the stadium, which serves as home ground to Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons.

The inspection comes on the heels of the NPFL Board’s June 3rd directive mandating all participating clubs to upgrade stadium facilities to meet modern football standards. Among the key requirements are the installation of standard LED floodlights for night matches, a functional backup generator, perimeter fencing, improved changing rooms, emergency exit routes, and a quality-approved playing turf.

Speaking after the facility tour, Hon. Yakubu reiterated the commitment of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to meeting the NPFL’s expectations before the new season kicks off on August 22, 2025.

> “We’ve identified key areas for immediate improvement,” said Yakubu. “We’ll begin installing new floodlights, refurbishing changing rooms, replacing damaged turf, and improving emergency response infrastructure. Governor Sule’s passion for sports is unwavering, and we won’t let our teams play home matches away from Lafia again.”

Nasarawa United FC Chairman, Solomon Babanjah, lauded the state government’s swift response, describing the move as a significant morale booster for both Nasarawa United and the Nasarawa Amazons.

> “This will change the psychology of our teams,” Babanjah said. “Playing at home, in front of our fans, on a well-equipped pitch, gives us the confidence and environment we need to compete at the highest level.”

The inspection also holds strategic importance as Lafia is set to host the prestigious Gusau/Ahlan Cup Preseason Tournament, a major curtain-raiser for the Nigerian football calendar.

Key stakeholders on the inspection team included Permanent Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, Director of Facilities Ahmad Yusuf, and Nasarawa FA Chairman Salisu Galadima ‘Basira’.

With the 2025/26 season fast approaching, and Nasarawa United aiming to build on their 12th-place finish in the just-concluded season—highlighted by striker Anas Yusuf finishing as league top scorer with 18 goals—the state’s infrastructural push may well be the game-changer the club needs.

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