Nigerian Football
Forty three years on, stampede at Shooting Stars-Insurance match remains Nigeria’s biggest football stadium tragedy
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
This Saturday, August 13, 2022 marks the 43rd anniversary of what is easily the biggest football tragedy to have ever befallen Nigeria. Yet it is hardly recalled as the death of Samuel Okwaraji 10 years later eclipsed the saddest scene that Nigeria ever witnessed in a sports arena.
On the night of August 13, 1979, television viewers got more than they expected. Results and analyses of the presidential election held two days earlier were just trickling in.
It was on this night that legal luminary, Chief Richard Akinjide propounded his infamous twelve two third theory that later became the clincher for Alhaji Shehu Shagari to become Nigeria’s first civilian president in a hotly contested election with Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
But the sports-inclined were awaiting the outcome of the epic encounter between IICC Shooting Stars and Bendel Insurance in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup, the exciting national football cup competition that has since gone through series of name change and now called Aiteo Cup.
Both Shooting Stars and Bendel Insurance had met the previous year at the same stage and Bendel were not just surprise winners of the match, but also of the Challenge Cup.
Moreover, both were hot contenders for the National League title that Bendel had just won in 1979, great thanks to the collaboration with Water Corporation FC, the Ibadan city rivals of IICC Shooting Stars.
Within the regulation time, the Shooting Stars had become victorious, winning 2-1. But there was no time for the expected celebration.
Their moment of joy had turned to become national grief. Sports Village Square recalls that 24 fans had died in a stampede that ensued minutes after the match when the floodlights were suddenly switched off.
The tightly packed crowd made frantic and hurried rush towards the 72 exit points of the main bowl where iron gates had just been mounted.
But unknown to the rushing crowd, the exit points at the northern end of the stadium, the gates A and B were still locked. Early arrivals to the locked gates were trapped to the barrier in the ensuing stampede.
The gates collapsed under the weight of the surging crowd and the early arrivals were trampled upon.
The unlucky fans were pressed upon the iron gates, which later fell under the weight of the surging crowd.
Some of them died of suffocation. Worse still, the National Sports Commission (NSC) medical centre was not opened.
So, there was no immediate medical attention. Ambulances at the sports complex could not also function for lack of personnel. About 50 others in convulsive conditions were rushed to hospitals.
By the time calm was restored, 24 fans were confirmed dead. Almost 30 others were seriously wounded.
The death toll was relayed in the late news announcement on television where viewers were possibly just awaiting electoral results and that of the classic Bendel Insurance /IICC Shooting Stars clash.
Two medical personnel, Dr. Alaba Efunkoya, a former chairman of Nigeria Table Tennis Association and Commander Sojinrin, a naval doctor who had come to watch the match and who was to become chairman of National Sports Commission some years later, assisted in offering first aid to some of the victims.
The Nigeria National League has again wielded the big stick against erring Clubs, with Godswill Akpabio FC of Uyo and Barau FC of Barau FC of Kano severely penalised for assault and intimidation of match officials.
On its part, Uyo-based Godswill Akpabio FC was found guilty of assaulting match officials during their Matchday 15 encounter against Rovers FC of Calabar at the Uyo Township Stadium on 26th April.
The match ended 2-2, but right from the end of first half, the home team’s match officials and fans started to intimidate match officials, and a player, Austin Ajibawo, was cautioned for physical intimidation of the first assistant referee.
Further assaults were committed at the end of the match.
While they have been fined the sum of N3,000,000, which must be paid before their next match, Godswill Akpabio FC must also play their next two home games under strict closed-doors.
They will pay the sum of N250,000 as medical bills to the assaulted match officials, and Ajibawo is suspended for two matches. The Akwa Ibom State FA is also given only seven days to identify the names of assailants or show evidence of disciplinary action taken against them.
Strict closed-doors means only 20 security personnel, seven club officials per team, 12 ball boys, 10 host FA officials, match officials, accredited medical personnel, two accredited cameramen per team, and 10 representatives of the media can attend the match.
On their part, Barau FC committed the infraction during their home game against Gombe United at the Danbatta Township Stadium on 26th April.
From the first half, fans of the home team (which eventually won the match 2-0) started throwing missiles at the technical bench of Gombe United, which caused some injuries and led to the abandonment of the match for 15 minutes.
Barau FC has been fined the sum of N2,000,000, will pay the assaulted Gombe United officials the sum of N150,000 for medical bills and also play their next two home matches under strict closed doors.
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Nigerian Football
Remo Stars’ Historic NPFL Win: A Testament to GTI’s Strategic Effort on Football Development
On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Remo Stars Football Club of Ikenne achieved a historic milestone by clinching their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title in the 2024/2025 season.
After coming up short in the previous two seasons, where they finished as runners-up, this victory was a personal achievement for the club and a significant moment for the NPFL itself.
Remo Stars’ 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes secured the title with three games to spare, marking a new chapter in Nigerian football.
This victory highlights the substantial impact of strategic partnerships, specifically with GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, which have been instrumental in the restructuring and repositioning of the NPFL.
Through their partnership with the NPFL Board, GTI has played a key role in improving the league’s competitiveness, officiating integrity, and overall management standards.
The last time a privately-owned club won the NPFL title was in 1996 when Udoji United triumphed.
Since then, privately-owned clubs have struggled to replicate that success, making Remo Stars’ achievement even more noteworthy.
Their victory came as part of GTI’s broader initiatives, including The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF), which has introduced greater financial transparency and discipline into the league.
This partnership is reshaping the business side of Nigerian football, ensuring that clubs operate more professionally and attract greater investment.
In what can only be seen as a serendipitous moment, Remo Stars’ victory occurred on the same day that the club’s proprietor, Kunle Soname, was celebrating his birthday. What a double celebration it was!
Looking at the broader picture, this victory signals a positive trajectory for the NPFL, with increased investment, improved management, and a heightened focus on player development. The efforts of GTI Group, working alongside the current NPFL Board led by Gbenga Elegbeleye, are setting the stage for the future growth of Nigerian football.
GTI’s commitment to elevating the league is rooted in a vision of creating a more business-oriented, sustainable model for the NPFL.
By addressing the structural challenges that have historically held back Nigerian football, GTI’s efforts are aimed at attracting investments from well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies.
This strategy is not just about enhancing the quality of the league but also about providing financial returns for investors, much like what is seen in top football leagues around the world.
Remo Stars’ victory is not just a triumph for the club, but also a reflection of the broader efforts being made to improve the NPFL.
With the strategic support from GTI, Nigerian football is on a path towards greater success. The hope is that the league will continue to grow, producing more success stories like Remo Stars and eventually earning its place among the most glamorous leagues in the world.
In conclusion, Remo Stars’ historic win is a symbol of the power of strategic investment and visionary leadership. It underscores the potential of the NPFL to rise to new heights, benefiting both the clubs and the passionate fans who follow them.
With continued efforts from GTI and others committed to football development in Nigeria, the future looks bright for the NPFL.
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Nigerian Football
Like what happened to Stores earlier, another Lagos club thrown out of the Nigerian League
Another Lagos club, 1472 FC, has been thrown out of Nigeria’s second-tier league, the Nigeria National League, for failure to honour three matches in the current season.
Crowd-pulling Stationery Stores suffered a similar fate 32 years ago when they were expelled from the Nigeria Professional League.
In a press release on Tuesday, the NFF announced that 1472 FC did not honour three matches during the current season.
The matches were against Abia Comets (Match 9), Dakkada FC (Match 53) and Ijele FC (Match 74).
The NNL relied on the league’s Article 14.11 to expel the club.
In the letter signed by the NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, 1472 FC are also fined the sum of N5 million, with the consequence that the results of all their played matches have been nullified, and those yet to be played are cancelled.
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