Author name: adm

.

FC One Rocket Head Coach, Ndubuisi Ndah is looking ahead with confidence as the Nigerian National League (NNL) season kick off this weekend with Matchday one games.

The Akwa-Ibom based club will embark on a challenging opening fixture, facing Ogbomosho side, Crown FC.

Having overseen the team’s preparation during pre-season and introducing new additions to the squad, Coach Ndah expressed his belief in the team’s readiness for the forthcoming campaign.

“We have prepared very well for the upcoming season and we are very hopeful for a great start in Ogbomosho,” The former U-23 Eagles Captain told www.nnl.com.ng.

“The first game of the season is always a difficult one, especially when playing with a team like Crown FC, but we are confident and would put in our best for a great game.

FC One Rocket narrowly missed out of promotion last season, but Coach Ndubuisi Ndah is sure they can get it right this season.

“Our target this season is to get it right and gain promotion to the elite league. We missed out narrowly last year, but it would be different this time around.” He concluded.

The large crowd that thronged out to watch the opening match of the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) season at the Lafia City Stadium, capital of Nasarawa State has drawn the tonic for the leadership of the league to forge on.

The 10,000 capacity Lafia City Stadium was filled to the brim during the NNL opening fixture involving home side Nasarawa United and visitors Zamfara United.

NNL Board members could not hide their joy and excitement seeing how passionate football faithful and supporters of both clubs stormed the stadium to catch a glimpse of the clubs in the NNL season Saturday November 11, 2023.Chairman of NNL, George Aluo said;

“This is marvelous and a good sight to behold. You can see how much the fans have come to watch this game and support their teams, it makes it more fascinating for us, we are encouraged because football is all about the fans.Players love it most when they see the fans and not empty stands.”For the Chief Executive Officer of the league Emmanuel Attah.“The fans am watching here are big business for us, this is what our partners in this game and would be sponsors want to see.”

Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman, the Chief Operating Officer said the turnout would encourage the secretariat to work more for the NNL brand.President of the NNL club owners (NALCOMA) Chidi Okonkwo adds that it is the impetus for the game to grow knowing that the fans love the game and appreciate the players.“We must keep working hard to attract the fans to come to the stadium to watch their darling team. That way, there is fun for every one. We will have families and others coming to be part of the fun. The league will grow and we can all be proud of it.”Other Day one matches in the NNL will hold on the 18,19 and 20 of November ,2023 in the four conferences.

The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, on Saturday, was presented with an “Award of Excellence” by the Board of the Nigeria National League, NNL.

During the league’s 2023/24 curtain raiser between Nasarawa United versus Zamfara United at the renovated Lafia City Stadium, Organizers of the second tier football league in Nigeria, headed by George Aluo, said the award was in recognition and appreciation of the Governor’s gigantic strides and support to sports development in Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole, particularly, football.

The NNL Board added that the Governor’s swift response to host the opening match of the league despite the short notice was a further proof of his passion for sports and sports people, describing the Governor’s disposition as soul-uplifting and worthy of the highest recognition by sports stakeholders.

Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Sanusi Muhammad, who represented the President of the NFF, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, alongside Board Members of the NNL, presented the award and souvenir kits to the Governor.

Also, the NNL Board presented Plaques to the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe; Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, and Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, for their meritorious roles in promoting sports in Nasarawa State and beyond.

“We just want to put the defeat behind us and focus on our next game at home

Zamfara United Head Coach, Alhassan Mohammed is confident his team will bounce back after their opening day defeat by Nasarawa United in Lafia.

A 9th minute goal from Aminu Abubakar earned the Solid Miners the needed three points of the game and the experienced Gaffer us quick to put the loss behind him.

“We were actually here to win, but sadly, we lost. It was a great game and we showed what we can do on the pitch.

“We just want to put the defeat behind us and focus on our next game at home.

“I think there is an improvement in the NNL and I wish this could continue, going forward”. He said.

Nasarawa United Midfielder Chidera Nduka says winning the Nigeria National League Opener Player of the match Award will Spur him to do more in the new season.

The Defensive Midfielder was instrumental to his side’s opening day victory against Zamfara United at the Lafia City Stadium, Lafia. .

The Solid Miners had alot of goalscoring, but failed to convert the numerous chances, however were satisfied with a 1-0 victory against their northern counterpart in the Conference C of the 2024 Nigeria National League (NNL).

“I am so excited about winning the Man of the match Award, importantly, I helped the team win against a very solid team. I want to hail the organisers of the NNL for the wonderful organisation and am sure we are going to have a good season this year.

“The Award will motivate me to do for the team and for me, it’s a big task that would keep pushing me to achieve more. .

“Indeed we are aiming to promote this year. I mean immediately back to the Premiership, where we truly belong.” He concluded.

Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullah Sule has tasked the Management of Nasarawa United to keep working hard towards promotion to the apex league, the NPFL.

The charismatic Governor said this, after he watched the ‘Solid Miners’ defeat visitors Zamfara United in the opening match of the 2024 Nigeria National League at the newly refurbished Lafia City Stadium.

“We are happy to host the first game of the NNL. It means a lot to us that they are bringing the game all the way and from the way you see our boys playing, I think we have a very good team.

“Our target is to gain promotion back to the elite league, after last season’s disappointment.

“It’s not going to be an easy task, but we will work so hard to achieve that.” He said.

…As Nasarawa Gov, Deputy other top govt officials witness league opener

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi has described the Nigerian National League ( NNL) as the league to watch noting that it’s standard is comparable to the Premier League both in quality of play and organisation.

He stated this Saturday during the 2023/2024 league opener of the second tier league which took place at the Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State.

According to him, the NNL boasts of talented players who can hold their own anywhere and the quality of football artistry displayed by the players is an indication that the league cannot be ignored even as he commended the George Aluo led board for their vision in turning the fortune of the most important league in the country around in a very short time of coming on board.

“I’m highly impressed with what I saw here today in the league opener between Nasarawa United and Zamfara United. Both teams have quality players and their style of play is commendable.

” It’s an indication that the league has come of age and the quality is comparable to the Premier League and I urge the present board of the NNL to maintain the momentum”, he stressed.

Meanwhile, it was a very colourful opener watched by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abudullahi Sule, his Deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, former Governor of the state Umaru Tanko Al- Makura and other top government officials.

Both teams not only entertained the thousands of football fans that trooped out to the stadium to watch the match but gave a good account of themselves showing what to expect as the league finally progresses.

Nasarawa managed to run away with a deserved 1-0 victory.

Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe says that the state is ready to host a successful kick- off of the 2023/ 2024 Nigeria National League ( NNL) slated for Saturday, November 11 at the newly renovated Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State.

The opening game to kickstart the league will be between Nasarawa United and Zamfara United.Speaking after inspecting the stadium accompanied by the Chairman of the second tier league Mr. George Aluo, Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Sports Ministry, Barrister Isaac Danladi and the State Commissioner of Sports, Ango Jafaru, he noted that he’s satisfied with the standard of the pitch expressing hope that the opening game will be highly interesting.

” Nasarawa State is ready to host the opening game and am happy with the facilities at the stadium.”It’s also a thing of joy that the stadium got the approval of NNL board to host the opening game which goes to show that the pitch is of international standard”, he stressed.

Also speaking, Chairman of NNL Board, George Aluo commended Nasarawa State Government for improved facilities at the Lafia City Stadium noting that his board is ready to kick start the league.

“I’m happy with what I saw at the stadium and I want to announce that we’re on track to kick off the league. All arrangement has been put in place and the NNL board is committed to having a quality championship which every Nigerian will be proud of.”

Aluo while wishing all clubs a successful season advised them to not only adhere to fair play rules but also play according to the stipulated NNL rules and regulations.

“The present board of the NNL is out to organise the best league in recent times and that was why we organised a seminar for all club coaches taking part in the league. Clubs should realize that we have zero tolerance for violence and any behavior that will bring the game to disrepute will not be tolerated. Our matches will be closely monitored as we will be sending compliant officers across all venues. We expect the best and a grand opening game as we’re working hard to raise the standard,” he noted.