Sports
NPFL Crown: No Retreat, No Surrende For MFM FC
With the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) crown apparently going to the wire, Lagos-based MFM FC have promised to fight on till the last whistle of the league game.
Tidesports source gathered that the recent slump by the league table toppers Plateau United necessitated the delay in crowning the 2016/2017 NPFL champions. Only a point separates the two leading teams on the league table, with Plateau having 63 points and MFM 62.
The Peace Boys from Jos should have wrapped up their league victory but they suffered a shocking home draw on Match Day 36 and an away defeat on Day 37.
The Kennedy Boboye-tutored side of recent had failed to sustain the tempo which saw them on the summit of the table as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against a spirited Rivers United.
The team also failed to win their last match as they also slumped to yet another 0-1 defeat in the hands of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
With the slump experienced by Plateau United, second placed team, MFM who have been on their trail are now confident of springing a last minute surprise to snatch the crown.
The high-flying MFM on their part was able to put sword in the heart of their opponents Nasarawa United at their Soccer Temple Agege Township Stadium , winning 2-0 on Matchday 37, despite losing Matchday 36, away to Abia Warriors.
A stunning free kick from defender Stanley Okorom in the 13th minute and an assist for Tchato Giscard who scored a blazing header in the 46th minute gave the Olukoya Boys the comfortable win on 31 August.
Commenting on the possibility of catching up with Plateau United, MFM image maker, Olawale Quadri, said: “It is not over until it is over” in their pursuit of the 2016/2017 league shield.
“We need to put this straight. We are still very much in contention for the league crown. The winner has not emerged yet, so we are fighting on.
“The league still has a match to be played and we will do our best not to disappoint our fans. We made a promise to win the league and we are still on course.
“No one expects the league leaders to slump like that, since they are now vulnerable to defeat. Owing to the pressure on them, we will not leave it without a fight.
“MFM are known for their fighting spirit and we are ready to sustain that. We won’t let go, No retreat no surrender,” he said.
Quadri said that aiming for the league crown was not yet a “Dead duck” but that the club was motivated with the difficult match, against in-form Rangers International, ahead of their rival Plateau United.
“We can catch up because Plateau United should now be under pressure and their last match against the incumbent champions Rangers International of Enugu may not be a ride in the park.
“Rangers are now in a precarious situation and they must not lose their last game for the fear of relegation. They will want to fight.
“Our own game which is away will also be tough but nothing is impossible. We are not yet fulfilled. Our target is the league crown which is not far away.
“We want to put smiles on the faces of the Lagos supporters who have been the motivation behind the team since we started the campaign in the NPFL,” he said.
MFM will be travelling to Maiduguri to meet El-Kanemi Warriors on 9 September.
Tidesports source gathered reports that only a point separates the two contenders for the 2016/2017 league crown. The league leaders, Plateau United, are on 63 points, while MFM second are on 62 points.
A win for both clubs will crown Plateau United, while a draw or defeat for them will see MFM a surprise winner of the coveted season shield, if they beat El-Kanemi.
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.
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