As Christians world over celebrate Easter which is about the life , times , death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Chairman Board of Nigeria National League (NNL) George Aluo has charged its Club Administrators, Players ,Coaches, Supporters and non Christians alike to assimilate the great teachings of Easter.
The lessons of Easter is of joy, redemption and a new beginning in Christ.
“We must at all times change our ways of doings things and living Christ like life. “The death of Christ is that of passion, commitment and forgiveness, Christ played according to the instructions of his Father in Heaven. it goes to show that if we play by the rules , tolerate each other and do things properly , we as individuals, our clubs and the League will also grow.
The Nigeria National League took a compulsory break to allow the Chriatians faithfuls to celebrate this most important holiday in the Christian calendar even as the clubs face the rigors of the Federation Cup state finals.
The Most Important League in Nigeria is expected to resume Tuesday 2nd of April, 2024.
In an unprecedented performance in recent times, an increased number of clubs campaigning in the Nigeria National League (NNL) have secured qualification for their States’ Federation Cup Final.
The finals are slated from 29th to 31st of March, 2024.
In Lagos State, Inter Lagos overcame their more flamboyant Nigeria Premier Football League side, Sporting Lagos in the semi-final with a 2-0 result while another NNL team Ikorodu City subdued First Bank FC with a 3-0 scoreline in the same stage.
Both Inter Lagos and Ikorodu City will play each other in the final.
Same scenario will be witnessed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja where two NNL teams; EFCC FC and Sporting Supreme will be facing each other in the final.
FC Rocket, another NNL team also qualified for the Akwa Ibom State final where they will clash against NPFL’s Akwa United.
Warri Wolves, Coal City, Cynosure, Ekiti United have also secured their spots in Delta State, Enugu State, Ebonyi and Ekiti States finals respectively as Edel FC and Solutions FC punched their tickets to the Anambra State final.
Beyond Limits stepped into the Ogun State final to face fellow NNL campaigners Stormers SC while Nasarawa United, Osun United with ABS also underlined the remarkable development in the second-tier division with a place in Ogun, Osun, Kwara and Nasarawa States’ finals.
This catalogue of impressive posts in the country’s oldest domestic competition has according to observers sparked some level of confidence among all stakeholders.
NNL Chairman George Aluo while commenting on this positive trend at the state level commended the club administrators, the players and other personnel who are involved in the strides being made by the league.
“What we are witnessing in the States’ Final of the Federation Cup is a reflection of the deliberate efforts by every stakeholder to make the NNL a worthy league of repute. As I speak,” he continued , “some of our clubs will be in about 10 State Finals of the Federation Cup. In fact, Anambra, Lagos and Ogun states’ Finals will see titles being contested for between two NNL Clubs.”
He urged the clubs to sustain the upward trajectory the NNL has been going through as he called on sponsors to see these opportunities and partner the body for national development
In an unprecedented performance in recent times, an increased number of clubs campaigning in the Nigeria National League (NNL) have secured qualification for their States’ Federation Cup Final.
The finals are slated from 29th to 31st of March, 2024.
In Lagos State, Inter Lagos overcame their more flamboyant Nigeria Premier Football League side, Sporting Lagos in the semi-final with a 2-0 result while another NNL team Ikorodu City subdued First Bank FC with a 3-0 scoreline in the same stage.
Both Inter Lagos and Ikorodu City will play each other in the final.
Same scenario will be witnessed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja where two NNL teams; EFCC FC and Sporting Supreme will be facing each other in the final.
Beyond Limits shock Remo Stars to quality for Ogunseye State Final
FC Rocket, another NNL team also qualified for the Akwa Ibom State final where they will clash against NPFL’s Akwa United.
Warri Wolves, Coal City, Cynosure, Ekiti United have also secured their spots in Delta State, Enugu State, Ebonyi and Ekiti States finals respectively as Edel FC and Solutions FC punched their tickets to the Anambra State final.
Beyond Limits stepped into the Ogun State final to face fellow NNL campaigners Stormers SC while Nasarawa United, Osun United with ABS also underlined the remarkable development in the second-tier division with a place in Ogun, Osun, Kwara and Nasarawa States’ finals.
This catalogue of impressive posts in the country’s oldest domestic competition has according to observers sparked some level of confidence among all stakeholders.
NNL Chairman George Aluo (middle) with Inter Lagos
NNL Chairman George Aluo while commenting on this positive trend at the state level commended the club administrators, the players and other personnel who are involved in the strides being made by the league.
“What we are witnessing in the States’ Final of the Federation Cup is a reflection of the deliberate efforts by every stakeholder to make the NNL a worthy league of repute. As I speak,” he continued , “some of our clubs will be in about 10 State Finals of the Federation Cup. In fact, Anambra, Lagos and Ogun states’ Finals will see titles being contested for between two NNL Clubs.”
As many celebrate the Easte, he urged the clubs to sustain the upward trajectory the NNL has been going through as he called on sponsors to see these opportunities and partner the body for national development.
Seasoned Lagos based sports journalist and one time Sportsville producer, Tayo Ogunseye has been appointed Media aide to the Chairman, Nigeria National League, NNL, Mr George Aluo.
Ogunseye, who recently penned a deal with leading international Sports outfit, AfroSports has covered several international sporting events the most recent being the 2023 AFCON tournament in Côte d’Ivoire where he was the only Nigerian journalist to host notable names like 1980 Nations Cup winner and joint top-scorer, Chief Segun Odegbami (MON) and respected former Super Eagles Media Officer Toyin Ibitoye on the Pitch-Side of Super Eagles matches for afrosport TV.
Vastly experienced in TV production, Ogunseye had a great deal of accomplishments at Sportsville on Channels TV, Silverbird TV, Hotsports and NTA before pitching tent with Afrosports.The erudite Journalist is the Producer of a special-purpose programme titled: “The MTN SUPER FALCONS SHOW” for the senior women’s national team and replicated same competence in online-publishing and social media blogging.
Ogunseye, no doubt, is a silent and result-oriented professional.
He has just returned from the 13th African Games in Ghana where he monitored four NNL players who featured for the national U-20 team.
The Ondo state born journalist who is an avid scrabble lover is also the incumbent Publicity Secretary of PANASA, the African Scrabble governing body.
It’s hoped he will bring his experience to bear to actualize the aspirations of the Chairman and Board Members of the Most Important League.
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has slightly rearranged weekend matches for the last week in March , 2024 with a view to accommodate the finals of the states’ Federation Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier directed that the thirty-six states including Abuja should concluded the 2024 Federation Cup schedules on the 30th and 31st of March, 2024.
The NNL in it’s stead to accommodate plenty of its clubs participating in the Federation Cup decided to shift its weekend matches.
Matches in the “Most Important League will now resume on Tuesday 2nd April, 2024.All the clubs and Football Associations concerned have been duly communicated on the latest developments .
Chairman George Aluo addressing officials during a NNL match interval
Chairman, Board of Nigeria National League (NNL) ,Mr George Aluo has commended Nigeria Referees Association, particularly those officiating in the second-tier league for the job well done.
Aluo made this disclosure while featuring in the popular online show tagged ‘Super Interview’ on the Nigeria leading WhatsApp group in Nigeria Sports World Platform on Monday.
The Lagos-based Football administrator clarified that, the officiating in the ‘Most Important League’ has been top notch since the start of the NNL season going by the statistics on the number of away victories recorded in the first stanza of the league.
In his words, he said, “If you look at the statistics on the number of victories recorded in the first stanza of the league, the number of draws that were recorded, you will clearly see that the officiating has improved, is not same of the same” Aluo stated.
The Imo born veteran journalist cum administrator, also noted that the officiating in NNL has been very poor before he came on board but the ongoing campaign is far above better, noting that clubs can acknowledge that officiating has been top notch with clubs now winning on the road with statistics on ground to back it up.
” Before now officiating in NNL has been very poor, we must give kudos to the referees. I think clubs can acknowledge the officiating has been top notch, clubs are winning on the road and we have statistics to back this up” He noted.
Aluo further cited that, the first stanza of the league recorded 47 away victories, given by 37% of the matches played, affirmed that it has never happened in Nigeria League . This is unprecedented going by the record of victories home and away in the history of NNL.
“After the first stanza, we had about 47 away victories and that gave us about 37% of the matches played, it has never happened in the history of NNL. You can check the records across boards not just NNL even in NPFL, the number of victories home and away is unprecedented in the history of the league” Aluo enthusiastically submitted.
The NNL league body boss, opined that the officiating has greatly improved, giving kudos to the referees for their job well done.
He however concluded that, in few cases where poor officiating occurred, erring officials were recommended to the referees committee of the NFF disciplinary actions.”
“So in the area of officiating, we cannot say that same of the same, it has greatly improved and I must give kudos to the referees for the job well done. Though few cases where they have been poor officiating, we have taken prompt action and make recommendations to the referees committee of the NFF for such referees to be sanctioned. Officiating has really improved and kudos must go to the referees in this direction” Aluo concluded.
Malumfashi Football Club of Katsina has been expelled from the Nigeria National League.This is part of their punishment for breaking sections of the codified rules and regulations guiding the league(NNL).Malumfashi FC refused to honour two consecutive matches of Conference D in the NNL: Sokoto United vs Malumfashi FC and Malumfashi FC vs City FC of Abuja .
Besides Malumfashi FC before now failed to honour the rescheduled 45 Minutes League match of Wednesday 14th February, 2024 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna against Sokoto United.
Chief Operating Officer of the League ,Dr.Ayo Abdulrahaman told NNL Media that the action of Malumfashi is a breach of Article 14.7 which also attracts a fine of N1,000.000.00 (One Million Naira only).This prompted the league to invoke Article 14.10 which implies the expulsion of Malumfashi from the league and all the matches played by the club are in the line with the rules cancelled.
Consequently, the Nigeria National League has mandated the Katsina Football Association to help in the recovery of all fines imposed on Malumfashi , especially as it concerns the items forcefully taken from referees in the match against Sokoto Utd in Malumfashi.
Bauchi’s Wikki Tourists FC leading goal scorer Owolabi Arume has pledged for a better performance in the remaining games of the 2023/24 NNL season.
Owolabi drop the hint in a chat with #wikkitouristsfc media after the club’s shake up at the Kwara Stadium ahead of the NNL game with ABS of Ilorin on Saturday 9/3/2024.
He said he was excited to have scored six goals so far in the league adding that the target is to promote Wikki back to NPFL and possibly for him to grab the highest goal scorer award of the season.
Reacting on the game against ABS Owoalabi said.
“I know the match will not be easy but we have made a commitment to ourselves to ensure that we come out victorious by the grace of God because we know the task ahead of us.”
He solicited for support,prayers and understanding of supporters always.
Kick off time for the Match is 3pm @the Kwara Stadium,Ilorin.
The Nigeria National League returned last week with Matchday 12 fixtures. 19 matches were played across the four conferences with 45 goals scored. 3 away wins were recorded, with Abia Comets maintaining a 7 match unbeaten record, most likely the longest ever by any team in the league. Only one draw was recorded.In Week 13, teams are going to strive to consolidate their stands on the table.
Conference A
1472 vs Edel : 1472 is not finding the league environment very comfortable as they struggled for better part of the first stanza. They lost last week, to a fellow Lagosian club Smart City FC. but this week, they will try to make a statement against Edel who defeated Beyond Limit last week.
Stommers vs Smart City : The Abeokuta Stommers could not hold their own in Uyo last week, as they fell by two goals to nil to Dakkada FC. This weekend against Smart City, they would strive to squeeze some points out from the home team. *Coal City vs Dakkada:* Coal City lost to Rovers last weekend in Calabar, but this weekend, they will be all out to pick the maximum points at home against Dakkada.
Abia Comets vs Rovers:
The rave of the moment Abia Comets of Umuahia, last weekend carried their first stanza six matches unbeaten to Uyo , to extinguish their host Vandrezzer FC by two goals to one. This Week, Coach Kevin Ejeh and his boys will unleash their arsenal on Rover of calabar at the Umuahia Township stadium. The Umuahia boys may likely extend their unbeaten runs by one at the end of proceedings.
Madiba vs Vandrezzer: The Lions from Uyo are visiting a terrain that is not too friendly in winning at this period. Playing highly informed Madiba FC who Whitewashed Ekiti at home last week is a bad market for Vandrezzer.
Beyond Limit Vs Ekiti Utd :Ekiti United are taking a redemption trip to Remo stadium against Beyond Limit. The Bet9ja boys will do everything possible to pick the maximum points in this match.
Conference B
Gateway vs Warri Wolves : Gateway returned from Chukwuka Soludo state with a point in their kitty against Solution FC last week. This weekend, they will have their hands full against Warri Wolves, who will be eager to make a name in Abeokuta this weekend.
Inter Lagos vs Solutions: Losing to Osun United last week, International Lagos would not want to drop a point against Solution FC in Lagos this weekend. The Soludo boys may return home empty after proceeding.
FC Rocket One vs Osun United: FC Rocket One are in for a strong battle against Osun United at home. The Seye Ajayi tutored boys from Ataoja town are eager to return to their way again, and will give their host a run for their money.
Ikorodu City vs Ijebu Utd: High flying Ikorodu City, will surely take Ijebu United to the slaughter this weekend. However, they would have to be careful, as the United team can be a hard nut atimes. *Giants Brilla vs Crown:* Crown will be travelling to Enugu to confront their host with only a mission in mind, and that’s”anything can happen”. If they drop a point at home last weekend, same can also happen elsewhere. So, the Brilliant boys should expect a big fight from the Ajilete boys.
Conference C
EFCC vs El-kanemi: This is a very dicey match for the anti graft team. The Warriors are desperately in need of every point to enable them boost their quest to return to NPFL. But, the Abuja based team will not go down to any team easily. They would want to improve on their stand, and leave the red zone. In this match, Elkanemi will have to seek redemption elsewhere, as Coach Kabiru and his boys will take this.
Zamfara vs Yobe Stars: The home team will pick the points in this match. They will want this to improve their stand on the log.
ABS vs Wikki Tourists: This is another match that hold much at stake. A win for the boys from Yankari and a slip for Nasarawa in Abuja may totally change the permutation in the group. The Bukola boys have a lot to play for, as they can not surrender so easily, especially in front of their home fans.
NAF vs Nasarawa United: Nasarawa looks good to pick this in Abuja. However, a slip in the match may rubbish their promotion bid. But, taking the Airforce boys for granted will be a risky business for Nasarawa United.
Conference D
Malumfashi vs City FC: Malumfashi for reasons best known to them, decided to stay away from their match against Sokoto United last week. But, they will face City FC in Kaduna their newly adopted home. City FC still basketing on the euphoria of their home win against Jigawa may take the spirit to Kaduna to pick an away win.
Sporting Supreme vs Sokoto Utd: This match holds much at stake. The leadership of the group will surely be determined after the match at the Bwari Mini Stadium. Sokoto United are group league leader with 18 points, while Sporting Supreme is a point below. Wherever the pendulum will switch, will totally adjust the top standing in the group.
Mailantariki vs Adamawa United:The electricity boys from Abuja will want to redeem themselves this weekend, against Adamawa United. It will be a fight of wits at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
Jigawa Golden stars vs Kebbi Utd: Jigawa Golden stars did not have it cool last week in Abuja, as they conceded three first half goals against City FC. Kebbi United on its path, walloped Mailantariki by four goals to one. Jigawa will strive to go all out to pick this one.
The leadership of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has advised the four NNL Players that made the final list of coach Ladan Bosso team to the 13th African Games holding in Ghana, to put in their best to excel in the tournament.
According to the Chairman of the League Board, George Aluo, this has shown that the League has high quality players that can fit into any of the national teams in the country.
Aluo further expressed confidence in Coach Ladan Bosso insisting that he would lead the country to a medal finish.
Sunday Joseph of Wikki Tourists Fc
The four players that made the final list are Andy Clinton Ezekiel of Rovers FC of Calabar, Ime Godwin Sampson of Dakkada FC, Oladunjoye Shola Yinka of Madiba FC and Sunday Joseph of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
At the beginning of the camping exercise, Rabiu Abdullahi and Nathaniel Arierhi both of Beyond Limit FC of Ikenne were among the invited players.
Clinton Ezekiel – Rovers FC goalkeeper
Aluo implored the players to exhibit their talents in the games to open more opportunities for them in world football.
Dakkada FC’s Ime Godwin Sampson
He expressed optimism on the abilities of the players to excel, while advising other national team coaches to emulate Bosso and beam their searchlight on the most important league in the country.
