Nigerian Football

NPFL legend, Eddie Dombraye thumbs-up Championship Play-offs

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2023

Eddie Dombraiye

Ex- international and coach, Eddy Dombraye, has commended the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and their strategic partners GTI Assets Management and Trust Limited for the good organisation of the ongoing NPFL Championship play-offs positing that it shows that with proper planning, Nigerian football will grow from strength to strength.

Dombraye told reporters at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan, Lagos venue of the championship that he’s highly impressed with the organisation of the tournament, noting that both the NPFL and GTI need the full support of all Nigerians to succeed and move Nigerian football to the next level.

“I’m highly impressed with what I have seen so far here. The organisation is wonderful, and the fans and team officials are behaving very well. I look forward to more improved football in the country,” began the former Lobi Stars coach.

“I can tell you that with what I have seen, it will be easy to encourage more sponsors to invest in the local league as is done in Europe and South America.

“GTI and IMC must be commended for repackaging the Nigeria league and there’s the need to keep the momentum going,” he stated.

The former Iwuanyunwu Nationale attacking kingpin further had some encouraging words for GTI.

“The coming of GTI into the Nigerian football ecosystem has positioned the country for greater things to come in football as compared to some other advanced countries in the round leather game.

“The ambiance and the atmosphere here at Onikan is electric as you can see fans from all parts of Nigeria converging here to witness the best of our league football on display.

“It’s been long since I witnessed such gatherings where fans and stakeholders of football are all under one umbrella enjoying the best of Nigeria football.

“Also, you can see how tough and unpredictable each of these matches are at the ongoing NPFL Championship Play-offs, such that one cannot in a jiffy predict the club who will take home the coveted trophy and N100m prize money.

“However, I want to thank GTI and IMC for bringing us here and I know next season we will see more soccer fireworks to the glory and advancement of our beautiful game,” he concluded.

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.

The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.

Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.

Nigerian Football

Three away wins mark the opening phase of Nigeria’s Season 2024/25

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.

It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.

Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.

Kwara United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes

Sunshine 3-0 Bayelsa: Saidu Salisu

Bendel Insurance 0-0 Rivers United

Heartland 1-3 Enyimba

Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars

Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United

Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City

Nasarawa United 1-1 Shooting Stars

Nigerian Football

NPFL 2025 Season goes into full swing this Sunday

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian football fields are set agog again as the Nigeria Premier Football League gets underway with the Season 2024/25.

The opening matches are not staggered as in the previous seasons. Rather, all the matches will be played simultaneously at 4 pm.

Sunshine Stars are hosting Bayelsa United. Bendel Insurance will host Rivers United.

Bendel Insurance begin another title race to see if they can be crownd Nigerian champions. They last won the Nigeria topmost league in 1979.

Former Enyimba and Super Eagles’ coach, Finidi George opens his bew adventure in Port Harcourt with a home game of Rivers United against Bendel Insurance.

Crowd-pulling Kano Pillars will clash with new comers, Ikorodu City. Kano Pillars, with a passionate home crowd, are always a formidable opponents.

Kwara United will look to dominate at home as they host Niger Tornadoes.

The Oriental Derby will be in Owerri as Heartland FC, lucky escapee into the top league will host Enyimba FC. Heartland which took the place of Beyon Limit Academy of Ikenne be looking to make a strong start at home after re-invigorating their squad with new signings and trimming old legs.

Their coach, Emmanuel Amuneke will also have to prove his mettle in the club.

Other matches on Sunday include Abia Warriors versus Remo Stars, Nasarawa United versus Shooting Stars, and Plateau United will host Katsina United.

Lobi Stars who are consistent performers will aim to secure an early win against Akwa United on Monday.

Akwa United struggled and escape relegation last season. But the team has re-energised their squad with new signings.