Sports
Excitement As NPFL 2013 Season Takes Centrestage
Five months after the end of the last season, Nigeria’s top flight football competition returned over the weekend.
Re-christened as the Nigeria Professional Football League, in a bid to distance it from the legal pot-holes afflicting the last competition, it was a welcome relief to actually see football played for a change.
And what a start it proved to be.
Watched by a mammoth crowd that included members of the League Management Company, led by chairman Nduka Irabor, the first televised game of the season was settled by Bitrus Dada’s first half goal.
The former Unicem Rovers striker took advantage of calamitous defending to poach the winner in a tightly-contested game.
On their way to the title last season, Kano Pillars won just one game away from home. That was against Akwa United on the final day of the season, with the title confirmed as theirs.
This time, they have wasted no time laying down their season’s marker. Rabiu Ali secured the winner with less than five minutes left.
But the three points almost turned to one when the home side were handed a penalty but fluffed it.
Solomon Ogbeide became the first coach this season to have a go at referees after his team were beaten 2-1 in Port Harcourt.
Ogbeide was livid that his side were denied a goal by the officials.
In any case, goals from George Amakiri and Frederick Obomanu gave the home side what looked like a commanding lead, until former Sharks man Akeem Yakubu came back to punish his old club just before the break.
Two days before the season started, Heartland General Manager, Fan Ndubuoke said how unfair it was that his side had been classed as pretenders rather than contenders in the season preview.
On the evidence of their opening game, he may have cause to look inwards to find the cause of that gripe.
New boys Nembe City, in their first top flight game, showed little fear. Coached by ex-junior international full back John Aranka, they took the lead through Brown Braye.
Heartland took a while but eventually hit back. Olusesi finding a headed connection top Jolly Osas’ cross.
But Samuel Akinbinu settled matters with a goal of international quality with just over 15 minutes left to play.
With many of the players who helped the club reach the CAF Champions League semifinal having departed, Sunshine Stars looked disjointed as they welcomed Kaduna United to the Akure Township Stadium.
But they would be grateful to one the remaining old guard, Ajani Ibrahim, whose goal after eight minutes settled the fixture.
Former champions Bayelsa United marked their return to the top division with a narrow in over ever-present campaigners Lobi Stars.
Babangida Ibrahim saw his fierce left foot volley tipped away by John Lawrence before Iyasele Odili struck nearly on the stroke of full time.
Odili stole in at the back post to meet Otimoti Diri’s excellent cross.
Premier League returnees Nasarawa United and El Kanemi came face to face in this fixture that could have swung either way.
Neither side looked imposing enough and in the end, a barren draw was the best score.
If Nasarawa and El Kanemi cancelled each other out from the familiarity of having campaigned in the lower division last term, ABS and Kwara United’s familiarity came from proximity.
Both are based out of Kwara State, and know each other inside out. Last season, this opening fixture also ended in the same scoreline.
Kwara will be the happier of the two, having been on the receiving end of a 3-0 scoreline against ABS in the past.
Shooting Stars have played perhaps more pre-season games than any other club in the build-up to the season’s kick-off.
And the preparations showed in their dismantling of Gombe United, who arrived with a proud record of not having lost to the Oluyole Warriors in two seasons.
Tony Edjomariegwe and Osagona Ighodaro scored in a ten-minute first half spell to hand the Oluyole Warriors the full points.
Akwa United, who lost at home on the final day of last season, opened this campaign with a much needed win over Dolphins.
Sports
UNICAL Ready To Host 2026 NUGA Games
The University of Calabar has been officially announced as the host of the 2026 Nigerian University Games Association Games, bringing the country’s most celebrated university sports festival back to Calabar after 35 years.
The announcement was made on Friday by Dr Michael Ajibua, Acting President of the Nigerian University Games Association, accompanied by Mr Yunusa Bazza, Secretary-General, and Prof. Musa Yakasai, Chairman of the technical committee.
The pronouncement was formally presented to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, in her office, with the Local Organising Committee led by Papa Enamhe and other key stakeholders in attendance.
Ahead of the official declaration, the Nigerian University Games Association delegation conducted a comprehensive tour of proposed venues, including the U.J. Esuene Sports Complex, where they inspected the basketball court, swimming pool, table tennis and squash courts, as well as the stadium pitch.
He praised the institution’s readiness, stressing that it already has world-class facilities capable of hosting the Games within six months.
Prof. Yakasai echoed this sentiment, affirming that 90 per cent of the facilities are already in place and emphasising that the University of Calabar is poised to host the best Nigerian University Games Association Games in history, just as it did in 1990.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, who pledged full support on behalf of the state government under Governor Bassey Otu.
She described the development as a welcome innovation aligned with the administration’s people-focused agenda.
In her remarks, an elated Prof. Obi expressed gratitude to the Nigerian University Games Association for entrusting the University of Calabar with the hosting rights.
Sports
Tinubu Lauds Lagos Over E1 electric powerboat championship
President Bola Tinubu has thrown Nigeria’s weight behind clean energy and marine innovation as Lagos made history on Friday, hosting Africa’s first E1 electric powerboat race.
Tinubu in a goodwill message on Friday, quoted in a statement by Lagos Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, praised Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the sponsors for bringing the championship to Nigeria, describing it as a milestone for clean energy and marine innovation.
He said Lagos was making history as the first African city to host the E1 championship, joining Monaco, London, Jeddah, and Venice on the global calendar.
“This championship is not merely a thrilling spectacle on water but a statement of intent.
The President linked the event to his administration’s vision for the blue economy, noting that the government is committed to building prosperity around renewable energy, marine tourism, and coastal infrastructure.
“By investing in our coastal infrastructure, marine tourism, and renewable energy, we create jobs, open new opportunities for youth, and strengthen Nigeria’s place in the global community,” he added.
Tinubu, who described himself as a “proud Lagosian,” said the championship affirmed the state’s reputation as a bold and forward-looking city.
He added,”Lagos, the cultural capital of Nigeria, the heartbeat of our economy, and a symbol of our resilience, is the perfect host. Its vibrant waterways and dynamic people embody the spirit of competition, creativity and hospitality.
“I commend Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, his team, and all partners, particularly the E1 and sponsors of this event, for the vision and hard work that made this possible.”
At the opening ceremony held at the Lagos Boat Club in Ikoyi, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Tinubu, currently in Lagos, had expressed excitement about the event and would watch the final race on Sunday from his Ikoyi residence.
The opening day featured a boat regatta led by Sanwo-Olu and state officials, followed by shakedown runs by the competing teams ahead of the weekend races.
Sanwo-Olu said the competition was not only about sports but also a platform to showcase Lagos’ capacity for global events and sustainability.
“For us in Lagos, the E1 Lagos GP, the first to be held in Africa, is a befitting accolade to a sports-loving people and a government that knows the place of sports in human development.
“E1 Lagos GP is more than a race; it is a celebration of Lagos’ dynamism. The Spirit of Lagos. Besides, it is a vivid testimony of our growing influence and energy,” the governor said.
Sports
Captain Dreams U-20 World Cup title
Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi says Nigeria have the quality to win the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
The defender expressed optimism despite the team’s rocky start to the tournament, which saw them lose 1-0 to Norway in their opening match.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side bounced back with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia on Friday, with Bameyi converting a stoppage-time penalty to secure all three points.
The 19-year-old centre-back, who was named Man of the Match for his commanding performance, believes the win can inspire the team to glory.
“I’m happy we got the three points after losing the first game,” Bameyi told Tidesports source.
“Nothing is impossible in football. It’s a tournament that my country hasn’t managed to win yet, and I think we’ve got the quality in our squad to do what it takes.”
Nigeria face Colombia in their final Group F match on Monday, needing a victory to advance to the knockout stage.
The seven-time African champions currently sit third in the group with three points from two games.
Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga, who plays for Norwegian club Molde, echoed his captain’s confidence ahead of the crucial clash.
“Our next game is against Colombia in the last group match. We hope to win again so we can move to the next stage,” Daga said.
The ideal scenario for Nigeria would be defeating Colombia while hoping Norway fail to beat Saudi Arabia, which would see the Flying Eagles top the group.
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