Nigerian Football
RETURNING OGENE REFLECTS ON PLATEAU UNITED’S RELEGATION STRUGGLES
BY FISAYO DAIRO
Winners of 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Plateau
United are one of the surprise names in the relegation zone of the 2018/19
league groups with just two rounds of matches remaining.
Plateau United, coached by Abdu Maikaba won just
one of their first seven league matches this season and have failed to
sufficiently recover from that early season lethargy, compared to what their
group leaders Akwa United (who also failed to win any of their first four
games) have done.
While Maikaba’s former side Akwa United have
already secured a place in the season-ending Super Six playoff, his current
side Plateau United, still occupy an inglorious position in the red zone with
dangers of the drop hovering over the hitherto beautiful skies of Jos.
Plateau welcomed back their first choice centre
back Elijah Ogene to the starting lineup in their Match Day 20 clash at fellow
relegation battlers Go Round on Thursday and he contributed immensely to their
1-1 draw.
“It feels very good to be back, I was out
of action after our game in Maiduguri (four weeks ago) when I fell sick. I
thank God I’m back and better now and thankful for the point we got in Omoku as
well,” said Ogene to www.npfl.ng
The Genesis
Ogene traced the genesis of his team’s struggles
this season to the initial absence of their Coach and the crowd disturbances
that led to their playing home games away. With their head coach Maikaba away
with the Nigeria Under 20s preparing for the Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations in
Niger Republic, the team endured a torrid start to the campaign.
A home draw to FC Ifeanyiubah on Match Day One
was trailed by crowd disturbance, which meant that the team was banished to
Ilorin and Lafia for their next two home games. The team struggled.
“It wasn’t easy at the beginning. We
started very badly and the banishment did not help us too as it meant we were
always on the road every two days.
“Thank God we started getting it right
especially in this second stanza and by the grace of God, we will escape the
relegation. That’s what we’re really fighting for now,” said Ogene.
Hope of glory in the face of demotion
In spite of their troubles, Ogene still believes
his side can take the Cup route to land a continental spot at the end of the
football season in Nigeria. With Nigeria’s four slots in CAF competitions
restored, three teams will qualify to represent the country from the league
while a fourth will emerge from the Cup winners.
The Port Harcourt-born defender who featured in
each of Plateau United’s games in the CAF Champions League and Confederation
Cup in 2018 says once they are successful with their bid to avoid relegation,
they will turn focus on the AITEO Cup.
“One thing about the season is this
unpredictable nature so we just want to fight it out and make sure we escape
relegation by May 26. After then, we have hopes that we will do well in the
AITEO Cup and we will do better in the Cup to get a Confederation Cup
ticket.”
The Tin City side, have an easy fixture on paper
when they welcome already relegated Yobe Desert Stars to Jos for Match Day 21
on Monday. Ogene however insists they have to be careful against the North
Easterners.
“That they have relegated doesn’t mean they
cannot cause problems so we will be ready to do our jobs professionally and
make sure we get the three points at stake,” he concluded.
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
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Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
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The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
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