REMO STARS HELD AT ‘HOME’ ON OGUNMODEDE’S 100TH GAME

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo stars

Remo Stars were forced to settle for a 1–1 draw against Rivers United at the M.K.O. Abiola Sports Complex, their adopted home ground, in a Nigeria Premier Football League clash that also marked coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s 100th game in charge.

The Sky Blue Stars endured a nightmare start, conceding inside three minutes to a familiar face. Former Remo Stars midfielder Aniekeme Okon struck early for Rivers United with a brilliant header to silence the stands.

But the hosts responded swiftly. In the 9th minute, Striker Victor Mbaoma who rejoined the club levelled matters with a precise finish, ensuring Ogunmodede’s men did not trail for long.

The rest of the contest was finely balanced and keenly contested, with both sides probing but unable to carve out the decisive breakthrough. Remo Stars pressed hardest in the second half, but Rivers United’s discipline and compact defending saw them leave Abeokuta with a share of the spoils.

Post-Match Reactions

Speaking after the match, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede refrained from making excuses but stressed the importance of playing in Ikenne in front of their fans. “This is football, Spectators is important, familiar ground is important”

On the other hand, Rivers United manager Finidi George when asked to rate his opponents acknowledged the impact of Remo Stars’ not playing at their true home ground in Ikenne.
Not playing in Ikenne might have affected them,” he admitted, “They did not have the dominance we know Remo of, but it was a 50/50 game”.
He further added that Remo stars are used to the astroturf pitch, while they are not.

The result leaves both sides with positives to build on.
Ogunmodede’s men showed resilience in coming from behind, while Finidi’s team displayed solidity on the road. Hopefully for Remo Stars, the maiden victory at their adopted home will come in their next home game.

NPFL MATCH OFFICIALS APPOINTMENTS FOR MATCHDAY ONE FIXTURES

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has confirmed the list of referees, assistant referees, fourth officials, and referee assessors for the opening round of the 2025/26 season. The appointments cover Match Day 1 fixtures across different venues.

Below are the details of match officials:

MATCH 001: REMO STARS VS RIVERS UNITED
Ref. Assessor: Gambo Adamu (FCT)
Referee: Bashir Salihu Fagge (KN)
Asst. Ref 1: Samuel Pwadutakam (AD)
Asst. Ref 2: Peter Bwamba (FCT)
4th Official: Shehu Abdullahi (KW)

MATCH 002: ABIA WARRIORS VS KANO PILLARS
Ref. Assessor: Prof. Dele Ladipo (OY)
Referee: Patrick (CR)
Asst. Ref 1: Ridwan Lawal (OY)
Asst. Ref 2: Abibatu Yusuf (RV)
4th Official: Ibuot Nsisong (AK)

MATCH 003: WIKKI TOURISTS VS PLATEAU UNITED
Ref. Assessor: Ibrahim Umar Fagge (KN)
Referee: Kassim Abdulsalam (ZM)
Asst. Ref 1: Umar Mohammed (KD)
Asst. Ref 2: Ibrahim Mohammed (ZM)
4th Official: Shittu Mohammed L. (JG)

MATCH 004: KATSINA UNITED VS WARRI WOLVES
Ref. Assessor: Stella Eloji (NG)
Referee: Grema Mohammed (BO)
Asst. Ref 1: Ismaila Rasheed (KW)
Asst. Ref 2: Abu Emeje (KG)
4th Official: Muntaka Abubakar (NS)

MATCH 005: RANGERS INTL VS KUN-KHALIFAT
Ref. Assessor: Bola Sekiteri Ajayi (OD)
Referee: Ogabor Joseph Odey (CR)
Asst. Ref 1: Tejiri (DT)
Asst. Ref 2: Mahmud (BA)
4th Official: Ogunyanmodi Busayo (OD)

MATCH 006: KWARA UNITED VS IKORODU CITY
Ref. Assessor: Paris Hansen (BA)
Referee: Noah Adejoh (KD)
Asst. Ref 1: Darlington Nwauzobinom (AB)
Asst. Ref 2: Yali Bobby (KD)
4th Official: Ahmed Mohammed (KB)

MATCH 007: EL-KANEMI WARRIORS VS BENDEL INSURANCE
Ref. Assessor: Isah Mohammed (NS)
Referee: Mohammed Zakari (NG)
Asst. Ref 1: Moses Alayemola (SK)
Asst. Ref 2: Abba Mammaga (ZM)
4th Official: Uzairu Haruna (KT)

MATCH 008: SHOOTING STARS VS BAYELSA UNITED
Ref. Assessor: Peter Edibe (CR)
Referee: Ndidi Madu (EN)
Asst. Ref 1: Uche Ndukwere (IM)
Asst. Ref 2: Ezeobele Iraneus (AN)
4th Official: Udeh Smart (EB)

MATCH 009: BARAU VS ENYIMBA FC
Ref. Assessor: Hadiza Musa (AD)
Referee: Nurah Abubakar (BA)
Asst. Ref 1: Ben Japhet (BN)
Asst. Ref 2: Adewebi Cletus (LG)
4th Official: Ibrahim Ahmed Lamido (YB)

Match 010: Niger Tornadoes Vs Nasarawa United
Ref. Assessor: Taiye Fasanya (SK)
Referee: Ahmad Rabiu (KN)
Asst. Ref 1: Tomiwa Akinwale (OY)
Asst. Ref 2: Dahiru Muazu (AD)
4th Official: Osunde Jeremiah (TR)

NPFL COACHES FOR 2025/2026 SEASON

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede

𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 are 𝙩𝙝𝙚 n𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 20 𝙘𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙋𝙁𝙇 2025/26 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣:

1. 𝔸𝕓𝕚𝕒 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕣𝕤 – 𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙤
2. 𝔹𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕦 𝔽ℂ – 𝙇𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙣 𝘽𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙤
3. 𝔹𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕝𝕤𝕖𝕒 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 – 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙊𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙚
4. 𝔹𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕝 𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 – 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙜 𝙄𝙠𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙗𝙖
5. 𝔼𝕝-𝕂𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕚 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚𝕠𝕣𝕤 – 𝙆𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙪 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙤
6. 𝔼𝕟𝕦𝕘𝕦 ℝ𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕤 – 𝙁𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙨 𝙄𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙠𝙬𝙪
7. 𝔼𝕟𝕪𝕚𝕞𝕓𝕒 𝔽ℂ – 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙀𝙜𝙪𝙢𝙖
8. 𝕀𝕜𝕠𝕣𝕠𝕕𝕦 ℂ𝕚𝕥𝕪 – 𝘼𝙡𝙞 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙡
9. 𝕂𝕒𝕟𝕠 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤 – 𝙀𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙊𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙮𝙞
10. 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕒 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 – 𝘼𝙯𝙚𝙚𝙯 𝙈𝙤𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙙
11. 𝕂𝕦𝕟 𝕂𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕒𝕥 𝔽ℂ – 𝙊𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙐𝙯𝙤𝙝𝙤
12. 𝕂𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕒 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 – 𝙏𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞
13. ℕ𝕒𝕤𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕨𝕒 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 – 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙩 𝙈𝙗𝙬𝙖𝙨
14. ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 – 𝙈𝙤𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙟𝙞𝙙
15. ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕒𝕦 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 – 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙖 𝘼𝙙𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙣
16. ℝ𝕖𝕞𝕠 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 – 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙡 𝙊𝙜𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙙𝙚
17. ℝ𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 – 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙙𝙞 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚
18. 𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 – 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝘼𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙤
19. 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚 𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕧𝕖𝕤 – 𝙉𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙖
20. 𝕎𝕚𝕜𝕜𝕚 𝕋𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥 – 𝘼𝙗𝙙𝙪𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙖

CHAN EAGLES OUT ON A HIGH

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

8th African Nations Championship: Nigeria go out on a high after 2-0 win over Congo

The Super Eagles B caged Congo’s Red Devils with two goals in the second half in the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, but their firepower came too late as both teams were eliminated from the 8th African Nations Championship at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Congo had hopes of inching their way into the knockout rounds before kick-off, with two points from their first two matches, including a fit-fighting draw with champions Senegal. On their part, the Eagles already had their bags packed for the journey home after an underwhelming first two games of the group phase in which they lost by a lone goal to Senegal and were battered for four by Sudan.

Both teams did not present a spectacle in the first period, with no clear-cut opportunities created, though the Red Devils could have gone ahead in the 25th minute when Nigeria captain Nduka Junior bungled a simple pass and was lucky the opposing striker could not keep his header down in front of junior international goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

Nigeria returned from recess with obvious renewed vigour, and it was no surprise when Anas Yusuf connected home beautifully, a headed pass by Sikiru Alimi in the 56th minute, following a cross by defender Abdulrafiu Taiwo.

The 2018 silver medallists, who had not scored a goal in the competition since winning their semi-final clash with Sudan in Marrakech seven years ago, pushed forward more and more, and got a second goal three minutes into added time through Sikiru Alimi.

Cup-holders Senegal and Sudan make it to the quarter-finals from Group D, while the Eagles are expected back home on Thursday.

QATAR 2022: AWONIYI MISSING AS IGHALO RETURNS TO SUPER EAGLES

• 

Super Eagles list

According to the statement of the Nigeria football federation media department, 2019 AFCON top scorer Odion Ighalo has been recalled by coach Gernot Rohr for Nigeria’s closing group C games against Liberia and Cape Verde.

Ighalo who announced his retirement from the international game following that AFCON feat in Egypt is back after what seems like a persuasion from the The NFF boss and the coach Rohr.

Coach Gernot Rohr has also listed team captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Leon Balogun, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, forwards Moses Simon and Victor Osumhen, as well as 16 others for Nigeria’s closing Group C games of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African race against Liberia and Cape Verde this month.

Missing on the list is 24 year old Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi who is in top form with his club with 7 league goals so far in the German Bundesliga.

The Super Eagles will tackle the Lone Star of Liberia at the Grand Stade Tangier in Morocco on Saturday, 13th November and then fly into Lagos for the final group game against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday, 16th November.

Top of their pool with nine points but hotly chased by seven-pointer Cape Verde who host Central African Republic on the island of Mindelo, the Eagles need the three points against the Lone Star on the neutral turf of Morocco’s principal northern city to remain on firm ground when hosting the Blue Sharks three days later in Nigeria’s commercial and industrial capital.

Leicester City of England’s midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the last round of games home-and-away against Central African Republic, is back in the trough, just as fellow Premiership boy Alex Iwobi and Spain-based forward Samuel Chukwueze.

The invited players and overseas-based members of the technical crew are to report directly to the city of Tangier on Monday, 8th November while technical officials from Nigeria are to report in Tangier the same day.

Full list:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

FIFA COUNCIL SEAT: ORDINARY FANS ASSEMBLY CONGRATULATES PINNICK

• 

Ordinary Fans Assembly (OFA) has joined well meaning Nigerians in congratulating the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick on winning a FIFA Executive Council Seat.

Amaju Melvin Pinnick, was on Friday in Rabat, Morocco elected into the FIFA Council, the highest decision making organ in world football.

He attained the exalted seat after defeating his only rival, incumbent Walter Nyamilandu of Malawi by 43 votes to 8 at the Congress held inside the Royal Ballroom of the Sofitel Hotel in Morocco’s administrative capital.

In a statement made available to the public by President General of OFA, Endurance Ogbemudia, he termed Amaju’s win as a big win for Nigeria and Africa at large.

He described Amaju’s case as remarkable.

“It’s a remarkable case of rapid global football boardroom upliftment for a man who, a little over six-and-half years ago, had no intention of contesting for even board membership of the Nigeria Football Federation, but has now been in the post for six-and-half years (becoming the first person to democratically secure a second term), won election as Member of the CAF Executive Committee, served as CAF’s 1st Vice President, still serving as Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, and now a revered member of the world’s highest decision-making organ for football” Ogbemudia said.

P. G as fondly called, Ogbemudia challenged Amaju to use his position to bring about good development to Nigerian football at large.

He also prayed to God on behalf of the NFF boss for wisdom and guidance to excel in his new position.

E-Signed
Babajide O’seyi
Secretary General OFA

Osimhen, Etebo returns as Rohr invites 24 eagles for Sierra Leone battle

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up Captain Ahmed Musa, defender William Ekong, midfield enforcer Oghenekaro Etebo and 21 others for next month’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying quick-fire double against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.

Defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Chidera Ejuke are also called.

Nigeria’s leading marksman in the series, Victor Osimhen returns after missing out of this month’s friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, just as midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

Switzerland –based goalkeeper Sebastian Osigwe will hope to earn his first cap for Nigeria, while defenders Kevin Akpoguma and Zaidu Sanusi, who impressed in the friendlies in Austria, have been handed opportunities to add to their caps.

There are seven players on standby, including defender Abdullahi Shehu, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, midfielders Ramon Azeez and Samson Tijani, and forward Paul Onuachu.

The Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Friday, 13th November before flying to Freetown for the return game on Tuesday, 17th November at the Siaka Stevens Stadium.

Players are expected to report at the Protea Hotel Emotan in Benin City on Monday, 9th November. Victory in both encounters will all but guarantee Nigeria a slot at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals holding in Cameroon.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Standby: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium)

NFF APPOINTS TOPMOST STRIKER, TOBECHUKWU AS MEDIA OFFICERS.

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointment of Mr. Babafemi Raji also known as the Topmost striker as the new Media Officer of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles. He takes over from Mr. Toyin Ibitoye who has been in the post for five-and-half years.

Raji, according to the statement by the NFF media department, presently the Group Manager, Programmes and Contents in Brila Media Group, started sports journalism as a freelancer with NTA Ile-Ife between 2003 – 2006 while studying at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. On graduation with Bachelor of Arts in English, he joined Radio Brila, Nigeria’s first all-sport radio station in 2008. He was a member of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Media Committee set up by the tournament sponsors, and is a certified management consultant and a fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants.

Also on Tuesday, the NFF announced the appointment of Mrs Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu as the Media Officer of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons. She takes over from Miss Jane Onyinye Nweze.

Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, popularly known as tobexSports, is an astute women football advocate and a writer with passion for domestic women’s league. A Federal Government scholar as the second best graduating student in mass communication at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, she holds a master’s degree in the same discipline from the Lagos State University. She’s a former footballer herself, having played for clubs like Hamza Queens, Flamming Flamingos and Ibom Angels before pursuing her education further.

NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, praised Mr Ibitoye and Miss Nweze for excellent services rendered while they were with the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons respectively, and wished both of them good fortune in their future endeavours. “Mr Ibitoye and Miss Nweze were superb to work with. They demonstrated excellent people skills and acuity, and were diligent, energetic and knowledgeable. We wish them the very best in their endeavours going forward.”

MISPLACED PRIORITIES, MAJOR BANE OF THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION

By Ajibola Kazeem.

Why is NFF investing more time and energy on Anambra FA election when they have a more critical issues at hand to deal with?

The final standings for 2019/2020 league season is yet to be made public as adoption and application of PPG becomes a mystery and mirage in this part of the world.

One million dollars ($1m) FIFA grant is in the cooler for the NFF to share yet nothing is been said on how they plan to judiciously spend the fund, rather Pinnick claimed they’re waiting to mop up sponsors intervention funds before they could reach decision. But right there in Ghana, Sierra Leone and other part of the world, their FAs already mapped out plans and made to the public how the funds is going be expended long before they received the money from FIFA.

And I asked again, is NFF tacitly deviating public attention from the real issue?

FAKE NEWS: SHEHU DIKKO DEBUNKS STORY OF LMC ENDING SEASON IN CHINA

Chairman on the league management company (LMC), Mallam Shehu Dikko has refute claims circulating that the LMC are considering ending the season in China.

Responding to the story published by busybuddiesng.com in Talk about NPFL, NNL Whatsapp group, Mallam Dikko said its simply a fake news.

In his words, “It’s simply FAKE NEWS… Sad though this is how low some can go in the name of driving traffic to their sites…Just yesterday Mauritania FA said they will be spending 3million Mauritania Francs (about $320k) to support their system and someone deliberately reported that they will be spending $3m USD so it will trend”.

The League was suspended after match day 25 due to the outbreak of Coronavirus and the LMC are only waiting for go ahead from the Federal Government as they are willing to end the season.