Nigerian music sensations Davido and Burna Boy, alongside other Nigerian top music stars, are set to feature at the inaugural Nigeria Premier League (NPL) All-Star Game, organized in partnership with Nigerian foremost sports marketing company, the Nilayo Sports Management.

The event will feature a thrilling football showdown between top players from the Northern and Southern regions of the league, promising an exciting blend of sports and entertainment.

Speaking in press conference held in Abuja on Monday, NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, highlighted the significance of the All-Star Game in raising awareness and promoting the league.

“We’re trying to replicate the success we saw last year with the Super 6 tournament, where fans from across the country gathered at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu , to cebrate Nigerian homegrown soccer stars. It was a huge success, with SuperSport broadcasting the event live,” he said.

Elegbeleye explained that the NPL sought a reputable partner to help bring more glamour to the league, which led them to collaborate with foremost Nigerian sports marketing company, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd., a company renowned for its success in promoting sports in Nigeria with Chief Bukola Olopade, as the Managing Director.

“At the end of the season, we will hold the NPFL All-Star Game, where we’ll select the best players in the league and divide them into two teams representing the Northern and Southern Conferences. It’s going to be an incredible game,” he added.

He also emphasized the importance of the league in Nigeria’s football landscape, stating, “The league is a permanent fixture in the country. While national teams come and go, the league remains constant, and we are committed to elevating it to greater heights.”

The event will feature top music performances from Davido, Burna Boy, and other popular artists, blending sports and entertainment to attract more corporate sponsors to the league.

A total of 44 players will participate, with 22 representing the Northern conference and 22 from the Southern conference. Each player will receive a 1 million Naira appearance fee. Additionally, celebrity coaches will join the regular coaches to guide the teams, with each celebrity coach earning 2 million Naira as an appearance fee.

The NPL All-Star Game promises to be a landmark event, combining football and entertainment to elevate the profile of the Nigerian Premier League.

The management of Nasarawa United has congratulated two clubs in the state, Nasarawa Amazons and Basira FC over their recent triumphs in national championships.

The club in a statement Saturday says: “The entire Management and Staff of Nasarawa United FC are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to fellow City clubs, Nasarawa Amazons FC and Basira FC on their outstanding achievements in winning the 4th edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Pre-season Tournament in Benin City, Edo State, and the NLO Afriskaut Cup in Abuja, respectively.

Nasarawa Amazons had beaten 2023/24 Nigeria Women’s Premier Football League champions, Bayelsa Queens, 6-5 via penalty shootout after regulation time ended goalless apiece on Wednesday, 16th October, 2024, to be crowned Champions of the off-season competition.

Basira FC made history by becoming the first winners of the Nigeria Nationwide League One Afriskaut Cup competition since it was renamed, beating hard-fighting First Bank 2-0 in the finale in Abuja on Friday, 18th October, 2024, to be decorated champions of the 3rd-tier league in Nigeria.

Both of you have made Nasarawa State proud with these remarkable feats achieved outside the shores of the State, a proof of your hard work, commitment and spirit of sportsmanship.

We join thousands of well-wishers to celebrate our sister-club, Nasarawa Amazons, on their triumphant preseason cup win, demonstrating the Coach Christopher Danjuma-led team’s potential and promise for the upcoming season in the NWFL.

We commend our City rivals, Basira FC, on their outstanding league campaign, bringing the wealth of their experience to bare from the beginning of the 2023/24 NLO Campaign.

Indeed, the aforementioned achievements have brought so much pride and joy to the people and Nasarawa State as a whole, including Nasarawa United, as these feats underscore the State’s Government’s relentless commitments to promoting sports and sports people at all levels.

On behalf of our Chairman, Mr. Solomon Babanjah, who was physically present at the NLO Afriskaut Cup final, we wish Nasarawa Amazons FC continued success and prosperity in the 2024/25 Nigeria Women’s Premier Football League Season, and also extend our best wishes to Basira FC as they set focus on the 2nd-tier 2024/25 Nigeria National League campaign.

We remain eternally grateful for the unalloyed supports and commitments of the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration to Nasarawa United FC and other representatives of the State at the various levels of club football in the Country, and we assure His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, of our resolve to reward his passion, support and commitment to the teams.”

Reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C are already in the ancient city of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state flly set to maintain the fine form that has seen the team win three matches out of four played since its ouster from the money-spinning, CAF Champions league as they engage Sunshine Stars F.C of Akure at their adopted ground.

Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, would be hosting this match day 6, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture which will be the twentieth time that both sides would be clashing in the top flight with the ‘Flying Antelopes’ enjoying an edge with eight victories as against four for the ‘Owena Whales’ with seven encounters ending in draws in the first nineteen matches.

Still basking in the win over Abia Warriors in an ‘Oriental Derby’ at the weekend in Enugu, the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu led side will be hoping to push for a good result against the coach Kennedy Boboye’ wards who are very strong at their adopted home ground with Chinedu Nwosu, Seth Mayi and others firing from all cylinders for the Akure side.

With the expected presence of reliable midfielder, Kazeem Ogunleye, Isaac Saviour and Ugwueze Chinemerem in the middle of the pack to service the attacking line, the visitors are in for a real deal as they target to improve on their 4th position on the log while the home side will be looking to catch up with the early pace setters.

Fans can expect an energetic atmosphere at the Dipo Dina Int’L Stadium, even as Rangers’ latest attacking sensation, Silas Nenrot said, “I am really glad to be in Rangers. A very big club with high prospects. I want to be part of history by making a big contribution towards retaining the trophy won last season and this starts with this weekend’s game in Ijebu-Ode. Sure, the league is a marathon but we have our eyes on getting the maximum points because we have being working so hard and I believe that with the help of my team mates, we can achieve our goal.”

In the run-up to this weekend’s fixture, Rangers have scored in four consecutive league matches while keeping three clean sheets but their opponent, who have won two league matches out of the five they have played, losing two and ending the other in a draw, the visitors will want to continue in their new found form and make their push for a successful title defense, realisable.