News Post

Soname, Egbe, Izamoje, others honoured for their Support for Coaches seminar

Events, News Post /

The board of Nigeria National League (NNL) has honoured some distinguished and sports loving Nigerians for their support for the just concluded coaches seminar held in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Those honoured are: The President of Remo Stars, Hon Kunle Soname, the Director General of the National Institute For Sports, (NIS) Prof Olawale Moronkola, Chief Executive Officer of first Sports Radio Station in the Country, Brila FM, Dr.Larry Izamoje, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited, Ebi Egbe and Managing Director of Zenith Sports, Paul Maduakor.

Speaking while presenting the awards to the recipients during the closing ceremony of the seminar, Chairman of NNL, George Aluo said they were singled out for recognition because of their support for the NNL in particular and football development in general.

“The NNL board decided to honour them because they are partners in progress and their support made the seminar see the light of the day.

“We did not only single them out because of their support for the present NNL board since it was inaugurated a few months ago but for their unrelenting support for sports development in the country and we look forward to more partnership with them,” Aluo said.

Speaking on the award, Chairman of Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited, Ebi Egbe while thanking NNL for the honour, said it would spur his Group to do more for Nigerian sports noting that he was the one that constructed the Remo Stadium turf where the seminar took place.

“I am highly excited with the honour done to me and others by the NNL. This shows that what we are doing is being recognized and appreciated by sports loving Nigerians and it will spur my Group to do more for the development of Nigerian sports.

“You are all aware that it was my company that constructed the Remo Stadium where the seminar took place and we will not fail to deliver whenever we are called upon to do so,” he concluded.

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Sixteen stadia listed for inspection

Events, News Post /

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has penciled down seventeen (17) Stadiums for final phase of inspection ahead of the 28 October kick off date.

A team of special facility inspectors/ compliant Officers have been assigned to carry out thorough inspection of the facilities as follows:

1. U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar Cross Rivers

2. MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta Ogun State

3. Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode

4. Ole Township Stadium, Delta State

5. Osogbo Township Stadium, Oshogbo

6. Soun Stadium, Ogbomosho

7. Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti

8. Area 10 Stadium Garki, Abuja

9  Area 3 Stadium,Garki, Abuja

10. Giginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto

11. FIFA Goal Project ,Birnin Kebbi

12. Abubakar Labbo Controller Stadium, Malumfashi , Katsina.

13. Kazaure stadium, Jigawa

14. Atiku Abubakar Stadium, Fufore Adamawa

15. El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Borno and

16. Gashua Stadium,Yobe.

17. Sadauna Memorial Stadium, Gusau, Zamfara

Chief Operating Officer of the League Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman told NNL Media that any of the Facilities that fall short of required standard will not host NNL matches for the 2023/2024 season.

The Facility Inspectors are to focus on the playing pitches of the stadiums, changing rooms ,perimeter fencing, media tribune and others

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Clubs asked to Affirm Their Position in the League

Club News, News Post /

The Nigeria National league (NNL) says clubs wishing to be part of the 2023/2024 season have till Monday 16 October ,2023 to confirm their willingness to participate in the new season.

The new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the league Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman who frowned at the slow pace of response from the clubs said the forty clubs must meet up with the five provisions stipulated in circular number 265 sent to them by the secretariat before Saturday 28 of October which is kick off date for the new season.

“We have listed five major criteria of legibility for the clubs to be part of the league and this they must ensure they comply with “

First he said is the issue of club licensing and regulations requirements, we should be done with it now, these clubs must face this task and help push us forward “

The players, official and clubs registration for the season is something we want to devote time with and if the clubs are not playing their part, it will slow us down, we must avoid this to move forward”

The NNL also listed financial, medical, infrastructure, legal and administrative requirements to be met by the clubs for participation.

Clubs must do the needful by liaising with the secretariat promptly at all times, he ended

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Agara Thumbs Up NNL on Relegation playoff

Events, News Post /

Chairman of Nigeria’s Nation-Wide league Board (NLO), Honourable Silas Agara has given a pat on the back to the Nigeria National League (NNL) after last week’s relegation play off in Kano.

Agara who was in Kano and watched the last match of the NNL play off noted that there is a lot the various league boards can achieve in common.

The former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State said he is impressed with what he saw in Kano, especially the level of officiating and the quality of play by the teams.

“I am impressed with what I saw here in Kano, our league is getting better and moving forward there is a lot we can achieve in common. The various league boards will work together and it is in that spirit of togetherness that I decided to be in Kano to be part of the NNL relegation play off.”

Agara who also held the position of Commissioner for Sports in Nasarawa state was equally delighted with the NNL choice to have the relegation play off hosted in Kano.

“It is also part of spreading the gospel of football nationwide. Kano is a huge place and the passion for the game here is overwhelming,” he noted.

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Board Allays Fears Over Diphtheria Disease In Kano

Club News, News Post /

The Nigeria National League (NNL), has dismissed as spurious news of the spread of Diphtheria disease in Kano, venue of it’s eight-team relegation play off which kicks off this weekend.

Shortly after the government of Kano State graciously gave the nod to host the NNL relegation play off at the Sani Abacha Stadium, unconfirmed reports made the rounds that the disease has engulfed the entire Kano State.

NNL Chairman George Aluo said the news is false noting that he personally made effort to confirm the safety of hosting the play off in Kano and that his inquiries from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has shown that Kano is safe.

“We are in touch with the NCDC to get the right information on the situation and there is no such censor that we should not go to Kano.”

“We even kept touch with the Police Commissioner in Kano CP Mohammed Usani Gumel and we were assured of our security and safety.”

“Our advanced party led by NNL Chief Operating Officer (COO) Emmanuel Adesanya who is working with the Local organizing committee for the success of the play off are on ground and have also allayed any sort of fears.”

“No state of health emergency has been declared about Kano and it is only normal we place the facts on the table. The NNL relegation playoff will go on as scheduled. We have put logistics in place and thanks again to His Excellency, the governor of Kano State Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for investing in the NNL.”

The eight teams billed to feature in the play off will arrive the ancient city of Kano Saturday 5th of August ahead of the draw which holds on Sunday 6th with the games starting the next day Monday 7th.

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MatchRoom Sports and Media Development Agency Appointed as Brand Consultant

Club News, Events, News Post /

Leading Sports Public Relations (PR) and brand development Agency, Match Room Sports and Media, has been appointed as strategic Brand Consultant by the Nigeria National League (NNL)

MatchRoom Sports and Media Development Agency will deliver strategic consultancy as the NNL seeks to boost its brand profile amongst key stakeholders across the country.

Speaking on the development, Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the NNL, Mr. Emmanuel Attah said: “Since the NNL board was constituted by the Nigeria Football Federation, we have been looking for partners to take the league to the next phase.

MatchRoom Sports and Media was identified as a key player to enhance our brand and we are satisfied with their approach so far”.

Reacting, Managing Director/CEO of MatchRoom, Ojeikere Aikhoje said: “This is an exciting partnership for us because MatchRoom provides strategic and creative thinking to help clients unlock the potential of their brands.

“We will sharpen the brand’s proposition, discover opportunities for the brand and make it meaningful to those that matter most.

“Our desire is to ensure the NNL inspires Nigerians and make a positive impact on society.”

The NNL hopes the appointment of MatcRoom Consults as brand consultant will further enhance the fortunes of the most important league in Nigeria.

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Relegation playoff set to begin in kano

Club News, News Post /

Eight teams are set to avoid the drop with the thrill of remaining in the Nigeria National League (NNL) .

Adamawa United, Abubakar Bukola Saraki(ABS) of Ilorin, Kwara State, Edel of Awka,Anambra State, FWC-Champions of Abuja, Henserd of Yenagoa, Bayelsa state; Ikorodu City(Lagos), Smart City (Lagos) and Sokoto United, second to the bottom after regular periods in the 2022/2023 season will compete for survival in the most important domestic football in Nigeria.

The Relegation Play offs offers a lifeline to the eight teams in each of the eight abridged divisions both in the Northern and Southern Conferences of the NNL.

It will be the most competitive survival battle of the season in NNL.

The battle ground is the 16,000 capacity Sani Abacha stadium, located inside the city, Festival road, Kofar Mata area of Kano, Nigeria’s commerce centre.

The stadium named after former Nigeria military ruler (Head of state) Late General Sani Abacha, is the home ground of Nigeria Premier league football outfit, Kano Pillars who just returned to the elite division after gaining promotion in the NNL Super 8 Play-Offs held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta state last month.

The Sani Abacha stadium, now with artificial turf opened in 1998 has hosted Africa Cup of nation’s matches and the FIFA U-17 games.

The eight teams are expected to arrive the Groundnut Pyramid City of Kano on or before Friday 5th, August, 2023 with the draw scheduled to hold the next day .

Hostilities will begin on Monday 7th.
Four games will hold each of the three playing days, making a total of twelve matches in the relegation play offs.

The relegation play is crucial to enable the Nigeria National league conclude the number of twelve (12) teams to be dropped to the 3rd tier Nigeria domestic football league, the Nation-Wide (NLO).

The already relegated clubs are :
1.FC Ebedei-Shagamu (Ogun)
2.Go-Round, Omoku (Rivers)
3.Green Berets, Zaria (Kaduna)
4.Ibom Youths, Ikot-Ekpene (Akwa-Ibom)
5.Joy Comeths (Lagos)
6.Kogi United, Lokoja
7.Police Machine FHQ (Gombe), and
8.Zamfara United.

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Relegation Playoffs: Aluo Hails Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf

Club News, News Post /

The Board of Nigeria National League (NNL) has commended Kano State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for accepting to host the 2023 NNL playoffs scheduled to hold from August 6-10 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Chairman of the NNL, George Aluo in a statement made available to the media on Tuesday, July 25, described the Kano state governor’s gesture as a huge boost for the development of the national league which remains the main foundation of Nigerian football.

According to the NNL boss, the governor by his gesture has demonstrated his passion for the growth of Nigerian football and sports in general.

“We, the board of the NNL want to thank the governor and good people of Kano state for accepting to host the 2023 NNL playoff in Kano. We are delighted to receive the huge support of the Kano state government in moving Nigerian football forward and we appreciate your support,” he said.

Eight clubs will be involved in the relegation playoffs which will determine the four teams that will remain in the NNL and the four teams that will be relegated in the Nationwide League.

“We’re happy that the 2023 NNL relegation playoffs will hold in Kano State with eight clubs participating to determine which of the four clubs will be relegated to the lower league,” NNL boss noted.

The eight clubs involved in play off are …ABS FC (Ilorin), Sokoto United FC (Sokoto), FWC Champions FC (Abuja), Adamawa United FC (Yola), Hensard FC (Yenagoa), Ikorodu United (Lagos), Smart City FC (Lagos), and Edel FC (Awka).

The board of Nigeria National League (NNL) has commended Kano State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abba Yusuf for accepting to host the 2023 NNL playoffs scheduled to hold from August 6-10 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Chairman of the NNL, George Aluo in a statement made available to the media on Tuesday, July 25, described the Kano state governor’s gesture as a huge boost for the development of the national league which remains the main foundation of Nigerian football.

According to the NNL boss, the governor by his gesture has demonstrated his passion for the growth of Nigerian football and sports in general.

“We, the board of the NNL want to thank the governor and good people of Kano state for accepting to host the 2023 NNL playoff in Kano. We are delighted to receive the huge support of the Kano state government in moving Nigerian football forward and we appreciate your support,” he said.

Eight clubs will be involved in the relegation playoffs which will determine the four teams that will remain in the NNL and the four teams that will be relegated in the Nationwide League.

“We’re happy that the 2023 NNL relegation playoffs will hold in Kano State with eight clubs participating to determine which of the four clubs will be relegated to the lower league,” NNL boss noted.

The eight clubs involved in play off are …ABS FC (Ilorin), Sokoto United FC (Sokoto), FWC Champions FC (Abuja), Adamawa United FC (Yola), Hensard FC (Bayelsa), Ikorodu United (Lagos), Smart City FC (Lagos), and Edel FC (Anambra).

Relegation Playoffs: Aluo Hails Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf Read More »

NNL New Boss Pledges To Turn Things Around

Club News, News Post /

Newly appointed Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), Mr. George Aluo has thanked the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau for naming him and other members worthy of steering the ship of the nation’s second tier football league to new heights and territories.

Aluo, a veteran sports journalist told NNL Media shortly after the new NNL Board was inaugurated in Abuja, on Monday July 17, 2023 inside the Conference Room of the Sunday Dankaro Football House, MKO Abioala National Stadium, Abuja.

“I must thank Mr. President, Ibrahim Gusau in a special way for finding us worthy and capable of being given the mandate to be co-drivers of his vision of taking football in Nigeria, to the next level”.

“As a team, and individuals with integrity and uncommon passion for better and efficient management of our football, and by extension our leagues; we promise to work assiduously so as not to betray the trust you have invested in us, as a unit”, the NNL Boss added.

In his words; “the mandate is for us to run the NNL professionally”. So it will be business oriented and not business as usual. God being our helper, our guiding principle, is to insist on doing things right and differently, at all times.

He then pledged his loyalty and that of his board members to the Nigeria Football Federation; while promising to work very hard to realize the vision of its leadership, under Alhaji Gusau, in birthing a vastly improved and self sustaining league.

“It is the most important league, and we are willing to make that a practical reality”, he quipped.

As a team, we are committed to making the NNL very attractive for the corporate world, would be partners, the fans and everyone out there. So, we appeal to the business community to buy-into our reinvigorated league, and partner with us in advancing the fortunes of the NNL.

On officiating of matches in the NNL, Mr. Aluo said the new board under his watch is ready to apply all the necessary measures, with the aim of stemming the era of bad and incompetent refereeing. But clubs must also shun the erroneous impression that they must win at home, at all cost, even when it is glaring that they lack quality.

“We shall also be setting high standards with our match venues; as there shall be no more obscure venues. Teams in the NNL must accept hosting matches, in stadium that makes playing football attractive, he posited.

The New NNL board will therefore, be meeting for the first time on Tuesday July 18, 2023 to begin the herculean task of rebuilding and restructuring the Most Important league in Nigeria.

The board members are

1.Mr.George Aluo -Chairman

2.Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki -Vice Chairman

Other members .

4.Mr. Yakubu Sama

5.Mallam Sani Mohammed

6.Dr.Donald Ikpe

7.Chief Joseph Uzoma Ebowusim

8.Chief Dotun Sanusi

9.Mr.Emmanuel Attah -Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

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