Author name: adm

Nasarawa United reignited their hopes for a return to the elite domestic football league with an emphatic 3-0 humiliation over visiting ABS FC of Ilorin in the match-day nine fixture of the 2023/24 Nigeria National League Season decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With mixed results clouding the first stanza of the campaign, the Solid Miners produced a much-improved performance against a side that held them to a barren draw in the first-leg in Ilorin, about a month ago, with Anas Yusuf scoring a superb opener before the half-time after benefiting from Abubakar Abdullahi’s assist in the 27th minute.

ABS went into the game 7th on the Group C table, and had come with an intention to either win or share the spoils, but the Lafia City Stadium was not the right venue to begin their second stanza party.

Despite plenty of huffing and puffing from the visitors, the home side increased the tally to 2-0 following a beautifully struck goal by substitute, Adamu Hassan, after Mubarak Hussain’s effort was deflected toward his path, six minutes into the restart.

The deadly attacker was on target again in the 61st minute after acrobatically poking home Habibu Alakija’s pinpoint delivery, to bring score to 3-0, a performance that earned him the Man-of-the-Match recognition.

Ali Farinyaro nearly reduced the deficit for the Ilorin-based side but his long range effort was contained by Goalkeeper, Ameh Godwin.

The result was no more than the home side deserved for a superbly organized counter-attacking display, with the result moving them to the summit of the Group C table with 17 points ahead of major contenders, Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi and El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri who both have a game each at hand.

Nasarawa United will travel to Abuja to face NAF FC in their next game on Saturday, next week.

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Babatunde Taofeek’s equalizer secured Gateway United a crucial draw against Solution FC at Awka City Stadium in matchday12 of the 2023/24 NNL season.

On resumption of the second half of the league, Taofeek’s goal canceled out Daniel Okpodi’s opener as both teams shared the points, but the visitors emerged happier from a back-and-forth encounter.

The visitors showed early promise when Christian Samuel delivered a teasing low cross into Solution’s goalmouth, but Odusina Sunkanmi arrived too late to capitalize in the 10th minute.

Joshua Oladeji then made a crucial save, stretching fully to claw a dangerous cross.

In the 23rd minute, Solution FC’s Joseph Chinaaza’s long-range effort struck the upright in a dramatic fashion.

Babatunde Taofeek received Odusina Sunkanmi’s delivery in the Solution box, evaded two markers, and aimed for the far post, but his effort went wide. On the half-hour mark, Christian Samuel rattled the crossbar with his rebound.

Fourteen minutes into the second half, Daniel Okpodi sent Joshua Oladeji the wrong way to give Solution FC the lead from the spot after Kabiru Popoola was adjudged to have fouled the scorer in the box.

Instantly, Babatunde Taofeek restored parity for the visitors. The Gateway United forward received the ball after a poorly timed header by Solution’s Iyke Preye off Kabiru Popoola’s through ball, and calmly slotted it into the far post.

Christian Samuel almost doubled the visitors’ lead, but his header was directed at Nwabueze Chinedu, who calmly gathered the ball.

Rather than crumbling, the visitors maintained total control of the game, but the search for a winner never materialized.

With this, Gateway United earned their second consecutive draw for the Gateway United and remain unbeaten in 4 games.

Gateway United will next face Warri Wolves on their home turf on Saturday, March 9th, 2024.

The local derby of Match Day 2 of the second stanza of NNL between two Lagos State sides, Smart City FC and ‘Team 1472’ was full of drama and suspense as the 1472 side got three red cards in the tension soaked encounter.

The game which was watched by the NNL Chairman George Aluo saw the Smart City boys drawing the first blood after five minutes of play but their lead did not last long as their opponents rallied round immediately to cancel the goal after ten minutes.

After the goals, both teams made no serious effort to increase the tally thereby ending the first half 1-1 with the Smart City boys accusing their opponents of time wasting.

However, the second half saw some purposeful display from Smart City and their effort was rewarded with a second goal through a goal mouth scramble.
This goal made 1472 players to resort to some rough play which resulted in the centre referee giving two of their players red card. This was followed by another red card to one of their assistant coaches for insulting the referee.

After this, both teams played with caution to end the game 2-1 in favour of Smart City FC.

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

Sporting Supreme FC of Abuja are on cloud nine after securing away victory over Adamawa United in the very first game of the NNL second stanza.

The Abuja boys who flew into Yola Thursday morning to honor the match in Adamawa went, saw and conquered as they defeated their hosts by 2-0.

The coordinator of the team, Shuaibu Yakubu whose boys has since flown back to base told NNL media that the away victory clearly shows that the team is battle ready for the second stanza of the league.

Shuaibu was full of praise for the NNL board for keeping to its words of commencing the second stanza on March 1st.

“We are really impressed with the way the chairman of the league board, George Aluo is piloting the affairs of the league. We say kudos to the NNL board, they are really doing their best to change the face of NNL. On our part, we’re battle ready to make our fans happy and the 2-0 victory we recorded in Adamawa shows how prepared we are to go all the way.”

As the Nigeria National League (NNL) second stanza resumption approaches on Friday, March 1st, 2024, Adeyemi Mayowa, central midfielder of Madiba FC, expresses his excitement.

Reflecting on the first stanza, Mayowa acknowledges the challenges faced but expresses gratitude, stating, “the first stanza was not easy but we thank God.” Looking ahead to the upcoming matches, Mayowa assures that he and his teammates are fully prepared for the second stanza.

Mayowa emphasizes the team’s readiness, expressing confidence in delivering a better performance than in the previous stanza. He highlights the importance of continuing to improve and perfecting the team’s game throughout the season.

Speaking about his role in controlling the midfield, Mayowa acknowledges the difficulty of playing among more experienced players but expresses determination to excel.

He states, “Controlling the midfield is not difficult for me because I am working on myself.” Mayowa understands the importance of personal development to perform at his best among seasoned professionals.

As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, Mayowa recognizes the responsibility on his shoulders. He affirms his commitment to giving his best, acknowledging the efforts of his teammates in the previous round and vowing to complement the performance with an even better showing.

With the resumption of the second stanza, Adeyemi Mayowa said his team is poised to continue their pursuit of success in the Nigeria National League, fueled by determination and preparation by aiming the NPFL promotion.

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Nigeria National League, NNL, side, Ikorodu City Football Club on Friday ,announced Bright Ozegbagbei, as their new Head Coach, after the departure of Sadiq Dabiri.

Bright, was assistant coach to former head coach, Sadiq Dabiri, since 2022. He will now take full responsibility as the man incharge of the first team.

His first test will come on Saturday, when Ikorodu City faces Crown FC at the Soun Stadium, Ogbomosho.

Ikorodu City are presently top of group B, with 18 points from ten games played.

Sporting Supreme of Abuja are already in Yola the Adamawa State Capital to keep a date with Adamawa Utd in Match Day 1 of the second stanza of the 2023/2024 NNL League.

The team flew to Adamawa Thursday morning with MaxAir and have fully settled down in the state more than 24 hours to the commencement of the match which headlines the second stage of the most important League in the country.

The second tier League will be resuming on Friday, March 1, 2024 following a two weeks extension of the mid- season transfers break which ended Tuesday , February, 6, 2024 and the Abuja based side is not living anything to chance as they aim at consolidating their position on the League table.

Apart from the Yola game, Kebbi United will also square up against Mailantarki Care FC at the FIFA Goal post pitch in Kebbi State.

Speaking on the early arrival of the team, Chairman of NNL, Mr.George Aluo commended Sporting Supreme for hitting Adamawa on time via air travel, just as he called on other teams to emulate them in making the League one of the best Leagues in the continent.

“I’m highly excited with the management of Sporting Supreme who not only flew the team to Adamawa but ensured they arrived on time so as to have enough time to prepare for their match and I want other teams to emulate them.

” It’s equally important I appeal to the teams to play to the rules of the game and avoid acts capable of giving a bad name to the league which has witnessed tremendous improvement since the present board took charge.

Aluo assured that the successes recorded in the first stanza will be consolidated upon in the second stanza as the board under his watch is keen at ensuring that the second tier League is a huge success and the best teams gain promotion to the elite league.

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All is set for the resumption of the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, second stanza.

The Board of the most important league in Nigeria led by Mr.George Aluo after a two weeks extension of the mid-season transfer break which ended Tuesday 6th of February,2024 ,has fixed Friday 1st of March 2024 as the new date for action to commence in the second stanza.

Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria National League,Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman said all Football Associations in the states housing the forty(40) participating teams in the league have been duly informed,with the view to ensure smooth and hitch – free chapter in the half.

Dr Abdulrahaman however, admonished the clubs to play according to the dictates of the NNL rules, regulations and with the spirit of fair play uppermost in their minds.

Nigeria National League (NNL) side Solution FC have appointed Cameroonian-born Encho Anthony Encho as the new head coach for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.

Encho comes in as a replacement to fill the void left by the late Coach Uche Okagbue who died in active duty after a brief illness.

Speaking to the media shortly after his presentation at the conference room of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) on Wednesday, 21st February 2024, Coach Anthony Encho said the task is to take the Solution Boys to the summit of the league and ensure they secure the playoffs spot for NPFL promotion at the end of the season.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the Management of Solution FC and indeed Anambra State Government for finding me worthy to deliver on the mandate. My job is to ensure the club tops the Conference B table and secure the playoffs slot in anticipation of qualification to the top tier, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

“With my technical crew, we will ensure we strengthen the current team to withstand the test and accomplish the task given to me in ensuring we put smiles on the faces of the teeming football fans of Solution FC in the state and beyond,” Encho said.

The Cameroonian Coach was once the Technical Adviser of NNL side Crown FC Ogbomosho, he has also worked with NNL sides, ABS FC and Ijebu United FC while also handling some foreign based clubs such as Samui United Academy of Thailand and Tiger Soccer Academy Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Meanwhile, Solution FC are currently placed seventh in the Conference B of the NNL and will kick-off the second stanza of the ongoing 2023/24 season at home against Gateway FC of Abeokuta on Saturday, 2nd March 2024.

Credit: Solution FC Media

Chairman of the Nigerian National League George Aluo has appealed to corporate bodies and individuals to embrace the League because of its unique nature in the country’s football development.

Aluo who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Thursday said the League remains the most important League in the country, because it is the only league that take teams from both the Nigeria Premier League and Nigeria Nationwide League.

“This is how important the league is, and deserves all the special attentions from corporate sponsors”.

Aluo took time to outline some of the achievements recorded in the first stanza of league, saying that they will intensify efforts to make the league comparable to what is attain in other leagues world wide.

Quoting his words, the veteran journalist said, “we have zero percent tolerance for hooliganism and the ones we have noticed, were dealt with immediately. Referees indemnities were taken care of promptly, the teams are doing well because they have very conducive environment to play the matches”.

He said in the second stanza of the league which will start in the first week of March, they will continue to monitor the league, and ensure that only best will emerge to join the NPFL at the end of season.

“Our teams are doing well, and that is why we are appealing to various sponsors to embrace the league for the future of our football development. Because, it is only when the League is growing that the national teams will perform well” he concluded.

The Chief Operating officer of the league body Ayo Abdulrahaman further gave a statistical analysis of the first stanza of the 2023/2024 League Season, saying that out of the 193 matches that were played in the first stanza, 383 goals were scored with an unprecedented 27 away wins and 45 away draws.