Sports
Teams In 2015/2016 League Well Prepared – Iorfa
Keeper Femi Thomas (right) of Enyimba going for the ball
The Chairman of Lobi
Stars of Markurdi, Dominic Iorfa, on Tuesday said that the high level of competition by teams as the 2015/2016 Nigeria Premier Football League began showed their readiness.
Iorfa, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos, said their adequate preparation was responsible for the away wins recorded at the competition’s first matches.
Tidesports source reports that the opening fixtures of the premier league produced four away wins with Lobi Stars of Markurdi being among the teams.
The Benue team defeated their hosts 3SC at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan by a lone goal through Ajia Emmanuel.
The other away wins are MFM FC beating Nasarawa United at Lafia Township Stadium, while Wikki Tourist piped El-Kanemi at Sani Abacha Stadiun, Kano.
Ifeanyi Uba also got the victory over Giwa FC at the Rwang Pan Stadium in Jos.
Iorfa, who hails from Gboko town in Benue, said that most teams in the league had now realised what it takes to play in the competition.
He said that the league results across the country revealed the seriousness now attached to winning away matches by the clubs.
“The results clearly demonstrate that the teams are getting ready. Taking a cue from what happened on Sunday, you will see passion and determinations from the clubs.
“The pre-season preparation of some of the teams was fantastic. Most teams went on camping not within their area but to other states in order to curb distractions.
“This is how it should be; we have seen the preparations of most teams in the federation, many going to other parts of the country to adapt to their environment.
“They also travelled to avoid distractions from home people and that really gave big incentives to the team. The results of the games were fantastic,’’ he said.
Iorfa told newsmen that the teams playing in the premier league had come of age and that they were poised to win though not by all means.
According to him, the League Management Company (LMC) deserves credit for the good organisation of the competition.
He also called for adequate remuneration for the match officials.
“I think we have to thank the LMC for the hard work and equally Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for doing their best.
“It is unexpected to see four teams losing at home; it is a rare thing in the history of Nigerian football. This also shows that the referees are coming of age.
“The match officials and referees are trying to be stable in their officiating and not to favour any side. This is how the league should be played,’’ Iorfa said.
“Good officiating is what tilted most people to watch overseas matches at the expense of ours but I think the good times are here now.
“I hope the LMC will continue in this momentum and also see to the grey area of providing good incentives to the match officials to discourage biased officiating.’’
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.
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