The Ajilete Warriors recorded the first away win in the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.Ogbomosho based Crown Football Club on Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Water front,Lagos picked all points in their Southern Conference B match week two against Inter Lagos Football Club.Coach Tajudeen Raheem led technical crew came from behind to beat the home side 1-2 in a game full actions.Inter Lagos scored first in the 26th minute through Favour Aroyameh, it took 85th minute for the Ajilete Warriors to hit back at Inter Lagos, courtesy of Folarin Temitope effort.Victory made sure for Crown FC as the Ajilete Warriors on strike at 90th minute as Adekunle Mojeed on target.It is now two victories for Crown Football Club of Ogbomoso, having defeated FC One Rocket 2-1 in their opening game at Soun Stadium, Ogbomoso.Crown FC now joins Sporting Supreme Football Clubs as the only two teams to have away wins in the new season.Sporting Supreme snatched a vital 1-2 win over Kebbi United in match week one at the Ginginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto, the new home of Kebbi United.The Ajilete Warriors also made history as the first team to have their safest pair of gloves, goalkeeper Joseph Onwuga as the goal tender to win player of the match this season in NNL.Crown FC at the moment have six points to shoot top of the 2023/2024 NNL Southern Conference B log .Photos:Coach Tajudeen Raheem and Player of the match goalkeeper Joseph Onwuga.Other away wins recorded in day two are:Tradesafe FC 0-1 Osun United also in Conference B. In Conference A ,Edel FC 0-1 Madiba FC,Lagos.Madiba FC goal keeper,Adeniyi Olukunmi is the second goal tender to be voted MOTM winner.
Following a fun opening weekend of the new Nigeria National League (NNL) season, Matchday two is just around the corner and definitely, there are some very intriguing fixtures on schedule.
Week One Recap:
The first week saw most of the teams, winning at home, with twelve (12) home wins, four (4) draws and just one (1) away win.
Aside all these, the fans really enjoyed themselves with some great goals scored on Matchday one. In total, thirty-seven (37) goals were scored across all centres, with Wikki Tourist, scoring the highest number of goals (5), followed by Ekiti United (3).
Week Two (2) Preview|
CONFERENCE A.
ABIA COMETS Vs BEYOND LIMITS.
Both Abia Comets and Beyond Limits failed to win their Matchday one game and will be looking to get maximum points. Abia Comets got it full against Ekiti United at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, while Beyond Limits, failed to pick maximum points against Madiba FC at the Remo Stadium. It promises to be a very tough game.
COAL CITY Vs EKITI UNITED.
Ekiti United will be traveling to Enugu with their heads so high, after a remarkable Matchday one performance against Abia Comets. Coal City on the other hand, gave Vandrezzer a tough time in their Matchday one fixture and would be ready to double their actions against a very good side in Ekiti United. What a game its promises to be.
STORMERS Vs VANDREZZER
Vandrezzer could only win Coal City by a lone goal, in their new home, Uyo Township Stadium. Their new gaffer Ike ThankGod will have a lot to prove, when they face a Stormer’s team, searching for their first win of the season, after Matchday one loss in the hands of Rovers.
Vandrezzer FC Head Coach, Ike ThankGod.
EDEL Vs MADIBA
Definitely, another interesting game to watch out for. Edel FC traveled down to Lagos and picked a point, against a very youthful Smart City side, same as Madiba who went to Remo to pick a valuable point against Beyond Limits.
Madiba FC of Lagos Star, Dada Oladimeji with the ball.
Madiba are good on the road and Edel FC will be hoping to get a win at the Awka Township Stadium.
1472 VS ROVERS
1472 FC are new, but traveled to Uyo to play out a 2-2 draw with Dakkada FC. A pleasing result for a team, which is barely two months old. Rovers will be hoping to add more points to the three they got against Stormers last week. The Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, will settle the scores.
1472 FC new Brazilian signings Wellington and Saulo.
SMART CITY VS DAKKADA
A great game and one that can’t be predicted. It’s the second home game for Smart City FC, having drawn against Edel FC on Matchday one. Dakkada have alot to prove same as Smart City.
FC One Rocket will be hoping to make their Eket fans happy with a win against a very good side, Giant Brillars. Giant Brillars won Ikorodu City FC by a lone goal, last week and will be aiming at adding to the woes of FC One Rocket, who lost 2-1 in Ogbomosho last week. Ndubisi Ndah is surely confident his team can get their first full point of the season.
Osun United will be playing their first game of the season against TradeSafe FC at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, a game, TradeSafe Sports FC players have promised the President of the team Ahmed Jamiu an outright win. Osun United however will be counting on some of their experienced players to pick one or three points from the MBJ Arena.
Solution FC will be aiming to get their second win, when they meet Warri Wolves FC on Matchday two of the NNL season. Warri Wolves unlike Solution FC, will be playing their first game of the season and a win will start off their promotion campaign target.
INTER FC Vs CROWN FC
International FC, Lagos will be at home in Lagos, this weekend, against Crown FC, who won their first game of the season, against FC One Rocket in Ogbomosho. Inter FC, who lost to neighbours Ijebu United last week, will be aiming to get their first win. We are about to see a great game in Lagos.
Excited to announce that @Latsthedj will be on the decks for our FIRST HOME GAME this weekend! 🎧
Brace yourselves for a game day experience like never before 🙌
EFCC FC will be welcoming Nasarawa United to the Area 10 Sports Complex this weekend and all they will be aiming at, is the maximum three points, after they were mauled on Matchday one by Wikki Tourist. Nasarawa United opened the new league season, with a 1-0 win over Zamfara United at the Lafia City Stadium, and would want a continuation of that this weekend.
MIGHTY JETS Vs WIKKI TOURIST
On Matchday one, Mighty Jets played a 2-2 draw with Yobe Desert Warriors at the Gashua Township Stadium, Damaturu and will be facing Wikki Tourist this weekend at home. The Zaria Road fans will surely be watching an intriguing encounter.
ELKANEMI WARRIORS Vs YOBE DESERT STARS
An interesting game to catch up with, both sides will be aiming for their first win of the season. Elkanemi Warriors will be hoping to get the needed points against their neighbour Yobe Desert Warriors.
CONFERENCE D‘
SPORTING SUPREME FC Vs JIGAWA GOLDEN STARS
Sporting Supreme FC traveled to the Ginginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto to record the only away win of Matchday one. The Abuja based side will face Jigawa Golden Stars, who also beat Mailantarki FC by 1-0 on Matchday one.
CITY FC VS MAILANTARKI CARE FC
City FC of Abuja will be at home against Mailantarki Care FC, who lost on Matchday one to Jigawa Golden Stars. City FC also failed to win on Matchday one and have set a target to pick maximum point at the Area 10 Sports Complex this weekend.
SOKOTO UNITED VS ADAMAWA UNITED
The Ginginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto will host the game between Sokoto United and Adamawa United. Sokoto United playing their second home game of the season, will only have one target, to get another three points.
Gateway United and Malumfashi have regained their statutory positions with the Nigeria National League (NNL).
This is the outcome of appeals submitted by both clubs after they were expelled for violating provisions of the NNL rules and regulations on registration and club licencing.
The Chief Operating Officer of the league, Dr.Ayo Abdulrahaman said the Disciplinary Committee after considering their appeals decided to re-admit the two clubs for national and economic interests. However, they are to fully return to the NNL family upon fulfillment of the payment of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) for obstructing the league and N250,000.00 (Two hundred and fifty thousand Naira) as inconveniences to their opponents in Matchday one(1).
They are also to meet other club licensing requirements to be legible for participation in the league which include and not limited to outstanding financial deficit.
The conditions are to be met on or before Tuesday 28 November, 2023.
Dr. Abdulrahaman further hinted that the readmission of both Gateway United and Malumfashi will be effective from Match Day three(3) of the on going 2023/2024 season.
The Chairman of Nigeria National League (NNL),George Aluo is excited about the qualities of Sporting Supreme prodigy Ebrima Manneh who scored the winning goal for the Abuja based club in their match day one fixture against Kebbi United at Ginginya Memorial Stadium,Sokoto.
Manneh did not only score the winning goal,he established himself as one of the youngest and brightest players to feature in NNL.
According the NNL Supremo” Manneh is for sure a player of the future ,he has shown a great quality ,his age is the big deal for us ,at 15 more of his class is needed to be the range of players for the league.
” Naturally and even in the academies players of his age grade are needed to grow as replacement and focus for their teams.We are happy that his club could recruit him and we want to urge teams to mix experience and youthful in building their teams.Congratulations to Manneh,and Supreme for setting the records in this season of NNL,we wish them the very best,Aluo ended.
Similarly, Head coach of Nigeria’s Under fifteen (15) boys football team otherwise known as the “Future Eagles” Haruna Ilerika has heaped praises on Ebrima Manneh for his exploits so far in the NNL,Ilerika described the younster as a “Fantastic player ,he has plenty skills and would go places”
” I spotted him in Hypebuzz(HB) Academy during a youth development soccer programme in Abuja and since then I have been following him,it was his skills that made me take him to the 2023 Japan U-16 Dream Cup earlier this year , because I needed him to be more exposed” Manneh has great potials and has what it takes to be a great player in the future if he is not distracted”
Manneh is fifteen years old now and will turn sixteen in April,2024. His father is from Adamawa North-East Nigeria while his mother is from West African country of The Gambia.
The attacking midfielder is expected to be lined up by his coach Daniel Itodo when Sporting Supreme hosts visiting Jigawa Golden Stars at the Bwari Township Stadium,Abuja in match day two (2).
Manneh stands 1.74Cm and still has the tendency to increase in height,and he weighs 65 kilogram.
Smart City FC of Lagos were on Monday held to a 1-1 draw at home by Edel FC of Anambra at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Matchday One of the Nigeria National League (NNL) tie.
The home team handled by former Flying Eagles forward Festus Odini took the game straight to the doorsteps of their rivals with some smart play before their cheering fans.But Edel FC held their line, repelling their probing hosts while also seeking for their own opportunity to cause some havoc in their opponents’ area.
It was however, in the 20th minute that the deadlock was broken.Striker Chinonso Uzoma bearing the No. 27 jersey, found a space between their line with a swift turn as he peeled away from his marker, to put the Lagosians in the lead.
Uzoma ran straight to the popular side to acknowledge the cheering fans who were elated with his execution of the goal.
In the 36th minute, a corner-kick taken by Smart City saw Edel FC goalkeeper losing the ball mid-air as he tried to catch it.But the referee stopped play moment before a Smart City attacking player kicked the ball into the open net. The first half would end 1-0 in favour of the home team.
On resumption, both teams tried to improve their lots but the first half would end 1-0 in favour of the home team.
Some notable personalities at venue for the NNL Conference A encounter were; NNL Chairman George Aluo, former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, Smart City CEO Adeyinka Adeboye and CEO MVP Sports Management Agency Limited Academy Alhaji Datti Umar Yusuf.
At the restart, Smart City tried to build on their slim lead by making some foray into their visitors’ vital area but it was Edel FC who pulled a rabbit out of their hat in the 55th minute.
Ayan Arinze silenced the partisan home fans as he pulled the Nnewi based club on level during a scramble.
This sparked some frenzy among their travelling fans and the goal gave coach Anthony Idowu some reassurance.
Faced with the reality on ground, his opposite number Ogini pushed his team for the winning goal but the resilience and delay tactics of their visitors ensured the match would end 1-1 as the referee signal the end to to entertaining affair.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana has noted that he is impressed with the standard of the NNL match day One involving Smart City and Edel FC at the Onikan Stadium on Monday.
NNL Chairman, George Aluo alongside Former Super Eagles Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana.
Olofinjana who spoke with www.nnl.com.ng after watching the two sides play out a 1-1 draw, said there has been a massive improvement in the NNL even as he commended the George Aluo led NNL board for taking steps to make the league more attractive.
“I am impressed with what I saw today. Good officiating, fine football artistry by very young players paraded by the two teams.
“The organisers of the league are doing a good job and more of this will definitely bring desired results” Olofinjana stated.
The Smart City, Edel FC tie was one in which the two teams gave the fans a lot to cheer. Smart City dominated the first half and drew the first blood in the 20th minute courtesy of Chinonso Uzoma’s strike.
Edel returned in the second half determined not to leave for Nnewi empty handed. They got rewarded in the 55th minute when Arinze Anya got the equaliser.
In another Week one rescheduled fixture of the NNL, Aminu Mohammed lone strike in the 70th minute, was good enough to give NAF FC a win over visiting ABS FC of Ilorin.
The first round of matches in the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) produced 34 goals from 16 games played so far.
2023/2024 NNL The Curtain Raising Match Between Nasarawa United And Zamfara United.
In the Conference C, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi at the Abubakar Tafa Balewa Stadium, recorded the highest number of goals in their 5-0 bashing of visiting EF’CC FC of Abuja.
Actions From Matchday One Encounter Between Beyond Limits and Madiba FC.
Yobe Desert Warriors played out a 2-2 draw with visiting Mighty Jets FC at the Gashua Township Stadium, Damaturu.
Meanwhile, NAF FC of Abuja, will battle ABS FC on Monday, at the Area 10 Sports Complex.
Actions From Vandrezzer F.C against Coal City FC In Uyo.
Nasarawa United Defeated Zamfara United 1-0 at the newly refurbished Lafia City Stadium in the curtain raiser game for the new season.
CONFERENCE C | MATCHDAY TWO FIXTURES.
Zamfara United Vs NAF FC
EF’CC FC VS Nasarawa United
Mighty Jets Vs Wikki Tourist
Elkanemi Warriors Vs Yobe Desert Warriors.
In Conference D, Sokoto United Defeated City FC of Abuja by 1-0 at the Ginginya Memorial Stadium, While Sporting Supreme FC of Abuja beat their host Kebbi United by two goals to one. The only away win of the week so far.
At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, Jigawa Golden Stars scored one past Mailantarki FC to record their first win of the season.
CONFERENCE D| MATCHDAY TWO FIXTURES.
City FC Vs Mailantarki FC
Sporting Supreme FC Vs Jigawa Golden Stars
Sokoto United Vs Adamawa United.
Six games was played in Conference A, over the weekend, with 1472 FC of Lagos picking a point in Uyo, when they went visiting Dakkada FC (2-2). Elsewhere at the U.J Usuene Stadium, Calabar, Rovers scored a lone goal to defeat visiting Stormers F.C from Ogun State.
Vandrezzer FC also won Coal City by a lone goal, Beyond Limits drew 1-1 at home, against Madiba FC, while Ekiti United rushed Abia Comets with three goals at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.
CONFERENCE A| MATCHDAY TWO FIXTURES.
Edel FCVs Madiba FC
Abia Comets Vs Beyond Limits
Coal City Vs Ekiti United
Stormers FC Vs Vandrezzer FC
1472 FC Vs Calabar Rovers
Smart City FC Vs Dakkada FC.
Conference B had Ijebu United defeating Inter Lagos, by two goals to one, Solution FC and Giant Brillars FC at the Awka Township Stadium & UNEC Stadium defeated Lagos teams, TradeSafe FC and Ikorodu City by 1-0 respectively. While Crown FC were 2-1 better off FC One Rocket at the Soun Stadium, Ogbomosho. Games will continue next weekend across all centres.
CONFERENCE B| MATCHDAY TWO FIXTURES.
FC One Rocket Vs Giant Brillars
Inter F.C Vs Crown FC
TradeSafe FC Vs Osun United FC
Warri Wolves FC Vs Solution FC.
MATCHDAY ONE RESULTS
Smart City -Edel FC (Now to be played Monday 20/11/2023).
On Thursday 16 November, 2023 Abuja based Nigeria National League Football Club, Sporting Supreme at 4:15 in the afternoon flew out from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Sultan Saddik Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto to honour their match day one encounter with Kebbi United.
Another NNL New comers 1472 Football Club of Lagos also on Friday 17 of November 2023 flew from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos to Uyo via Airpeace to keep a date with Dakkada Football Club at the newly build Uyo Township,Akwa Ibom State. 1472 FC Club Media Manager Peter Owoloko further disclosed that the Club will fly back to Lagos after their duel in Uyo.
It is a match day one fixture in Conference A.
Incidentally both Sporting Supreme are among the privately owned clubs in the NNL.
In the NNL Star match and opening day one tie at the new-look Lafia City Stadium, home side Nasarawa United edged Zamfara United 1-0 in a fierce encounter.
The victory of the Solid Minners in Lafia was the first in the new season of NNL.
Gateway Football club of, Abeokuta Ogun State and Malumfashi Football Club of Katsina State have both been ejected from the Nigeria National League (NNL) ,this is following their failure to comply with the terms and conditions of entry and participation for the 2023/2024 season as stipulated in the codified rules and regulations of NNL.
NNL Chief Operating Officer, Dr Ayo Abdulrahman told NNL media that the two clubs have been statutory withdrawn from the league for their financial inability and other club Licensing conditions for the season.
Dr. Abdulrahaman said the NNL board arrived at the decision after exhausting several waivers granted the clubs to enable them participate in the league.
“We did several circulars, phone calls and reminders to the clubs ,yet they fell short of the NNL rule book requirements even after the league started”
“statutorily we had to invoke relevant portions of the rule book articles (2.1,3.11 and 3.5) to withdraw the teams from participating in the league”
The development Dr Abdulrahaman strongly noted also means that Gateway United and Malumfashi forfeit their status as a professional clubs in the NNL.
Dr.Abdulrahaman who said the decision is without prejudice to the clubs,their financiers,owners Associates or supporters ,noted that the clubs have a right if appeal to the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) within forty eight (48) hours of receipt of the letter of withdrawal .
Gateway United was housed in conference B alongside Solution FC of Awka,Trade safe of Lagos,Osun United,Ijebu United;Int’l Lagos,Crown Football club ,FC ONE Rocket, Giant Brillars of Enugu and Ikorodu City of Lagos while Malumfashi was in Conference B with Sokoto United, City Football club of Abuja, Adamawa United, Kebbi United: Jigawa Golden Stars, Sporting Supreme of Abuja and Mailantarki Football club also of Abuja.
