Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International, have continued to remain the busiest side in the transfer window by signing Tekena Garando from Bayelsa United as well as Anayor Ogbonna and youngster Somtochukwu Nwobodo. Bayelsa United, on Thursday, confirmed the departure of the midfielder. “We have confirmed the departure of our midfielder Garando Tekena to league champions Rangers International. We wish you well in your new club,” Bayelsa United stated. Rangers further hooked striker Ogbonna from relegated side, Gombe United to bolster their attacking options. The Nigerian champions did not stop with just landing experienced campaigners, they have also signed on young defensive midfielder Nwobodo to their roster for the coming season. Nwobodo joins from city rivals, Inter Enugu. Nwobodo considers his move to Rangers as “a big opportunity” to further develop his career in the game. “This is a big opportunity that I have been waiting for, and I will do my best to convince the coaches to give me playing time in the star-studded team that is being put together to defend the league and excel on the continent. I thank my coaches and teammates at FC Inter for making me a better player to be spotted by a big side like Rangers,” he told the club’s media after being unveiled. Rangers CEO, Amobi Ezeaku, explained that the clubs scouting team have been tracking the performance of the young midfielder for sometime before he was finally brought to The Catherdral. “Just as it is in the club’s philosophy, this is another great signing for us and it goes a long way to encourage young talents that abound the nook and crannies of the state to keep working hard for opportunities to join Rangers and showcase their God-given talents. The scouting team has followed Somtochukwu and coaches over time and, has shown he has what it takes to make it at the big stage,” said Ezeaku.
Lagos to host NPFL AGM from July 15 to 16
* As seven clubs told to upgrade playing turf Lagos will host the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), which will deliberate on the 2024/25 season scheduled to start on August 31, 2024. And towards the August kick-off date, some clubs have been directed to carry out remedial works to ensure that their grounds meet Facilty Requirements of the Club Licensing Regulations. In a letter to the clubs dated July 2, Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer, felicitated the clubs on the successful completion of the last season and extended the invitation for the AGM. “I write to convey the warm wishes of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Board and Management and to congratulate member clubs for the successful completion of the 2023/24 season. “It is in working towards the new season’s earnest preparations and take-off on August 31, 2024, that the Board has elected to invite member clubs for the AGM on a tentative date of July 15-16 in Lagos”, the letter to the clubs read. The NPFL informed the clubs through the letter that a number of them have been told about the unacceptable conditions of their playing turf and the absence of broadcast support facilities such as elevated camera stands. “As we look forward to the meeting, letters have been written to some of the clubs whose facilities were found not suitable to host the NPFL matches in the new season in compliance with provisions of Facility requirements of the Club Licensing Regulations”, noted Owumi who urged the clubs not in receipt of the letters to embark on a self review of their facilities to ensure they met requirements for approval.Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars, Shooting Stars, and Kwara United are among the clubs that have been directed to work on defects in their stadium. The others are Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United, and the newly promoted El-Kanemi Warriors. They were ordered to upgrade their playing turf or face the prospect of playing on alternative grounds.
Rangers wonderkid Igwilo signs pro contract
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International, have committed one of their youngsters Chimobi Igwilo a professional contract. Igwilo signed a three-year contract that will see him stay at the Cathedral until 2027. He is expected to add to the attacking pool of Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side when the champions begin their title defence next season. The excited youngster is ready for the new challenge and describes it as “a dream come true.” “It is a dream come true for me as I have been dreaming of putting on the jersey of the great club, Rangers International. I am humbled by this decision to hand me a contract and I hope to give my best in every situation to ensure that we succeed as a team,” stated the youth sensation. General manager/CEO of Rangers, Amobi Ezeaku, said Igwilo has a lot to offer and regards him as a special talent. “Igwilo is a special talent and management is happy to have him put pen to paper for us to showcase his talent to the world. He has a lot that will be thrilling to behold when the new season commences,” Ezeaku said. Igwilo finished as the best player at the NPFL Youth League in the Enugu and one of the highlights of his performance at the youth league was scoring a hat-trick against rivals, Enyimba.
Elegbeleye applauds sports minister, NFF, NPFL board for season’s success
Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye took stock of the concluded season and expressed appreciation to the Sports Minister, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), NPFL Board members and staff, clubs and the media for their respective contributions to what has been acclaimed as the best season in recent years. In an emotional congratulatory message to his board members and staff, he expressed appreciation for their group and individual contributions to the successful organisation of the recently ended 2023/24 season. The NPFL Chairman also sent a thank you message to the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang for the hospitality extended by the state to everyone that took part in the trophy presentation on the last day of the season. Elegbeleye in acknowledging the support of the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh and NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau noted that they provided an enabling environment for the smooth running of the league. To the Board members and Secretariat staff of the NPFL, the Chairman said, “congratulations to all of us for running a successful league season. I never for once doubted our capacity to get it right, though we are not where we desire, but we are obviously miles away from how we met the league. “There have been great positive steps achieved within a short span and definitely there are very brighter years ahead for NPFL. Kudos to you great comrades in the task of building the league”. He noted that the Governor Mutfwang took time off his very busy state duties to grace the trophy presentation ceremony even when his state sponsored club was not involved. “It was a very magnanimous act by his excellency, Governor Mutfwang to arrive early to participate in the events of the trophy presentation and host his colleague from Enugu State on a day his state club, Plateau United was on an away game. We are grateful to the government and people of Plateau State for their hospitality”, the NPFL Chairman stated. He praised the media for supporting the NPFL through extensive and positive coverage of league matches, players and associate events. “We enjoyed a robust media partnership which resulted in positive engagement on all media platforms. We took constructive criticisms as good feedback to correct observed errors while the positive reports made the league more popular with the fans”, Elegbeleye said. Concluding his post mortem, Elegbeleye expressed optimism that the next season would continue on a growth trajectory in the administration and marketing values of the league. “It is evident that we have in the last two seasons set the foundation to propel the NPFL to an upward growth in all spheres covering administration, quality of play and sponsorship”, concluded Elegbeleye. In the concluded season, the NPFL enjoyed live coverage of 76 matches on Direct to Home (DTH) Satellite broadcast by Startimes and 218 live streaming Over the Top (OTT) broadcast by Propel Sports Africa.
NPFL-Live App to stream President Federation Cup final
A major feat in live coverage of matches of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was accomplished on the final matchday of the 2023/24 season by Propel Sports Africa which streamed nine of the ten games in its NPFL-Live app. It is an achievement that got stakeholders applauding the NPFL Streaming Broadcast partners as such number of matches have never been achieved on any platform in the history of the league. Basil Kabbani, the Chairman of Propel Sports explained that the company chose the final day to push for total coverage to ensure that millions of soccer loving Nigerians are able to see their beloved teams perform and watch the final climax to the season. “With the most sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras employed, we aimed to make Nigeria one of the world leaders in sports broadcasting, and Propel salutes the wisdom and courage of NPFL Chairman, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye and the NPFL board, GTI and the President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau in championing this fabulous initiative”, Kabbani remarked. He assured the clubs and fans that Propel would be investing more on infrastructure to ensure seamless Streaming of more matches in the new season. “We look forward to the 24/25 season and beyond for further growth and success as we seek to invest in more sophisticated infrastructure to offer viewers an improved broadcast on the OTT platform,” he continued. He went to describe the just ended season as a learning curve which turned out to be a huge success. “It is the first time in Africa, if not globally that AI Cameras have been deployed in this magnitude to cover over 300 matches in a season and we are proud of our Nigerian crew who learnt and operated the facilities within a very short period”, the Propel boss reflected. He said the company investment includes the deployment of ten AI Cameras in Nigeria; hiring and training over 80 technicians and commentators and investment in local telecommunications and Starlinks for broadcast streaming uploads.
Makinde pledges to support 3SC in bid for continental spot
The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has expressed happiness over the performance of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, in the just concluded NPFL 2023/24 season. The sport loving governor, was physically present at the Lekan Salami Stadium last Sunday, to cheer the team to victory over Sporting Lagos in the final game of the season. The governor, who watched as his darling team pipped the Lagos based team 1-0, assured that all steps would be taken to ensure the team gets a continental slot next season. “The team has made considerable progress in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), finishing in the fourth place compared to last season. “As it is, there is room for the team to accomplish even more and we will go back to the drawing board to work towards our goal of qualifying for continental Championship next season”, stated the Oyo State helmsman. The governor, who arrived the match venue before kickoff, performed the ceremonial handshake with the two teams and the match officials and also presented the Shooting Stars’ Player of the Season Award to Adelowo Gbolagade after the encounter. It was all cheers for Makinde while stepping out of the arena, as supporters and fans as well as sports lovers hailed him for his commitment to the Oluyole Warriors in the just concluded season.
Match officials & TV schedule for Matchday 38
It is the final matchday of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with plenty to still play for despite Rangers winning the title in the last matchweek. Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 38. There will be nine LIVE matches all together for this gameweek on NPFL-Live and StarTimes. Sunday, June 23, 2024 3SC v SPORTING LAGOS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Grema Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Yusuf Ibrahim Assistant referee 2: Anas Ibrahim Fourth official: Dahiru Mohammed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan BENDEL INSURANCE v BAYELSA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Bashir Salihu Assistant referee 1: Ahmad Tijjani Assistant referee 2: Musa Dung Fourth official: Saeed Abdulazeez Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City GOMBE UNITED v RANGERS (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Joseph Ogabor Assistant referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman Assistant referee 2: Sunday Uboho Fourth official: Saeed Olatunde Kick-off: 4pm Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos AKWA UNITED v RIVERS UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Ahmadu Rabiu Assistant referee 1: Ahmed Yakubu Assistant referee 2: Ikenna Okerulu Fourth official: Kehinde Rotimi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo DOMA UNITED v ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Abubakar Abdullahi Assistant referee 1: Isah Usman Assistant referee 2: Sadiq Adejumo Fourth official: Mustapha Alhassan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe REMO STARS V KATSINA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Patrick Egba Assistant referee 1: Peter Ogwu Assistant referee 2: Imuetinyan Ikponmwosa Fourth official: Emmanuel Kolawole Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne NIGER TORNADOES v SUNSHINE STARS Referee: Nurudeen Abubakar Assistant referee 1: Tejiri Digbori Assistant referee 2: Idris Mohammed Fourth official: Ifeanyi Ibeneme Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna KWARA UNITED v HEARTLAND (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Olawale Fawole Assistant referee 1: Samuel Pwadutakam Assistant referee 2: Michael Ubah Fourth official: Oluwatobi Mojeed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin KANO PILLARS v LOBI STARS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Faisal Inuwa Assistant referee 1: Mohammed M. Sachi Assistant referee 2: Emmanuel Omada Fourth official: Chimene Ajibo Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano ENYIMBA v PLATEAU UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Yemisi Akintoye Assistant referee 1: Damilola Oloyede Assistant referee 2: Ismaila Rasheed Fourth official: Ridwan Ayeni Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba
NPFL in numbers
By George Akpayen After 370 matches played in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season, we look back at the numbers that have made this term thick. Here is a quick recap of which team and individuals have been involved in the highs and lows of the campaign. 5 – Kano Pillars winger Yusuf Abdullahi, at the moment, is the only player to score more than three goals in a single match this season. Abdullahi scored all five goals in his team’s 5-2 win at Gombe United on Matchday 11. 6 – Six players have scored hattricks this season. They are Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United; left to go abroad at some point), Yusuf Abdullahi (Kano Pillars), Albert Hillary (Plateau United), Nyima Nwagua (Rivers United), Silas Nenrot (Plateau United) and Godwin Obaje (Plateau United). 7 – Remo Stars have been issued the most red cards this season. They have been given seven red cards, one more than outgoing champions Enyimba. 8 – Rangers have emerged champions of this season with one matchday to go. It is their eighth title in the history of the NPFL. 9 – Doma United, on the brink of being relegated, enjoyed the longest run of clean sheets, three more than Rangers during the season. 10 – Champions Rangers have the longest undefeated run this season, avoiding defeat in 10 matches, one more than Doma United. 11 – Relegated Heartland hold the longest run without a win this season. They went 11 matches without a win, one more than Doma United and Gombe United with 10 games without a win. 11 – Plateau United’s Silas Nenrot holds the record of scoring the fastest hattrick so far this season. The attacking winger netted three goals in the space of 11 minutes against Gombe United in their 4-0 win over Gombe United on Matchday 25. 16 – Enyimba striker Victor Mbaoma is the leading scorer after Matchday 37. He has scored 16 goals. 17 – The fast goal of this season was scored by Wasiu Alalade as his team, Kwara United edged past Remo Stars 3-2. His goal came in 16:18 seconds after kickoff. 20 – The total number of penalties missed or saved this season. 29 – We have witnessed 29 away win this season from 370 matches played so far. 33 – Matchweek 29 has accounted for the most goals in a single matchday, one more than Matchweek 37. 49 – There have been 49 red cards this season. 55 – Rangers and Niger Tornadoes are the sides with lowest bookings ahead of the final matchday. They both have 55 yellow cards each. 70 – Seventy penalties have been converted so far this season. 76 – Bottom-placed Gombe United, who are already relegated, have conceded the most goals this season. They have shipped in 76 goals in total. 86 – The NPFL have had 86 matches end in draws this season. 92 – Remo Stars racked up the most yellow cards during the season. They have been issued 92 yellow cards at the moment. 822 – After Matchweek 37, this is the number of goals scored so far. 1,409 – This represents the number of yellow cards issued this season with one matchday to go.
Doma Utd go into final matchday in trouble after home loss
By George Akpayen Doma United have played themselves deep into the relegation battle ahead of the final matchweek of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) scheduled for this Sunday. The Gombe club suffered a one-nil defeat at home in a rearranged fixture against Sunshine Stars at the Pantami Stadium on Wednesday which further compounded their chances of remaining in the top division. However, the win for Sunshine Stars means they have spared themselves the trouble of being involved in a final matchday fight for survival. Ibrahim Yusuf’s goal eight minutes before the break helped Sunshine Stars to their second away win and stretched their undefeated run to five. For Doma United, their poor run of form continued as they have now managed just one win in their last five matches and will need a big scoreline to beat the drop when they play hosts to Abia Warriors on Sunday while they hope results elsewhere fall in their favour. Doma United’s collapse after an impressive first round performance in which they were in third position with 32 points after 19 games, ahead of champions Rangers who were in eighth place at the time has come as a result of dip in form in the second round of the campaign. Unfortunately for the Savannah Tigers they have managed just two wins in 18 matches in the second round of the NPFL season (W2 D5 L11). Despite the recruitment of Bala Abubakar as head coach to help save Doma United from the drop, the slide in form continued and now they do not have their fate in their hands any longer with the like of Sporting Lagos, Bayelsa United and Akwa United, who also deep in relegation trouble, aiming for a final matchday win to avoid going down to the second tier. Doma United will need a miraculous 15 goal plus win against Abia Warriors to beat the drop considering their inferior goals difference and at the same time, hope Akwa United, Bayelsa United and Sporting Lagos lose their final matchweek fixtures to stand a chance of staying in the NPFL.
Rangers’ NPFL title triumph leaves others scraping for continent & survival
By George Akpayen Rangers International emerged champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with one matchday to spare after they defeated Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday. The other three contenders for the title, Remo Stars, 3SC and champions Enyimba, all dropped points in their respective matches, paving way for the Flying Antelopes to win their eighth title of Nigeria’s top division. A goal in each from Kenechukwu Agu and Chidiebere Nwobodo secured a 2-0 win over Bendel Insurance for Rangers to become champions. However, the season still has the final matchday to navigate with two continental places up grabs in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE & CONFEDERATION CUP SPOTS Remo Stars despite their 1-2 defeat to Sunshine Stars are in pole position to secure the second Champions League spot alongside Rangers. The Sky Blue Stars will play hosts to Katsina United and need an outright win to lay claim to that Champions League slot. On their tails for the same spot are Enyimba and 3SC who also in the hunt to finish second behind the champions. Jonathan Alukwu’s late goal for Sporting Lagos ended the chance of the People’s Elephant avoiding defeat or stretching the title race into the final matchweek. Gbenga Ogunbote’s 3SC also fell to John Bassey’s late goal in Yenagoa as Bayelsa United gave themselves a fighting chance of beating the drop. Despite their chances of claiming that second spot on the league table, Enyimba, 3SC and Remo Stars are also in the running for the CAF Confederation Cup should they fail to win their final matches irrespective of results elsewhere. One of Plateau United and Lobi Stars have outside chances of crashing the party and claiming the third position should the apple cart be upset on the final day of the campaign. Plateau United, however, would rue failing to defeat Kano Pillars on Saturday when they had the chance to do so. Playing with 10 men after Mustapha Salisu was sent off, Rabiu Ali scored for Pillars and Plateau United laboured to a 1-1 draw at home after Sam Pam Jr levelled the score. On the other hand, Lobi Stars had to shake off a tough-as-nail Kwara United side to win 4-3 thanks to Kumaga Suur’s late goal on 85 minutes. Lobi’s form of late makes them outsiders for a top-three finish as they play on the road at Kano Pillars on the final matchday. SURVIVAL RACE The final matchday will be interesting at the lower end of the table with eight clubs still yet to confirm their status for next season in the NPFL. Already Gombe United and Heartland have been relegated to the second tier, the Nigeria National League (NNL), but Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes are looking over their shoulders with the like of Bayelsa United, Akwa United, Sporting Lagos and Doma United breathing down their necks. Sporting Lagos and Doma United will begin the final matchday in the relegation zone. Doma United suffered a 2-0 defeat at Katsina United, leaving their goal difference looking unhealthy at -15, the worst among the sides battling for survival. Doma United will play hosts to Abia Warriors while Sporting Lagos face 3SC in a tough Southwest Derby at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on the final day of the season. Akwa United and Bayelsa United sit just above the drop zone after contrasting results on Matchday 37. The Promise Keepers fell to Sunday Megwo’s goals that sealed a 2-0 win for Abia Warriors while Bayelsa United left it late to see off 3SC 2-1 with Bassey scoring twice in the final 15 minutes. Akwa United have to face Rivers United at their Nest of Champions home ground in Uyo on the final day and Bayelsa United will make the trip to Benin City to play against Bendel Insurance who have just the points to play for. Unless the final day throws up outrageous outcomes, the quartet of Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes need a point each from their final day matches to keep their places in the topflight for another season. Kano Pillars and Kwara United play at home against Lobi Stars and Heartland respectively while Tornadoes and Sunshine Stars go head-to-head. As things stand, the outcomes of the penultimate matchweek have definitely shaped a thrilling finale to the NPFL season.
