Lobi Stars, Kano Pillars, Heartland, Others Named As NANPF Demands Transfer Compliance

 

Lobi Stars, Kano Pillars, Heartland, Others Named As NANPF Demands Transfer Compliance

On August 22, 2026, the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF), through General Secretary Comrade Austin Popo, petitioned the Nigeria Football Federation’s Players Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) to enforce compliance with directives on player registration and participation. The letter, addressed to the PSAC Secretary at Sunday Dankoro House, FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, emphasized that clubs found in default of obligations must not be permitted to field newly contracted players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), and the Nationwide League (NLO).  

The petition specifically named clubs including Lobi Stars, Katsina United, Kano Pillars, Niger Tornadoes, Heartland FC, Bayelsa United, 3SC, Sokoto United, Gombe United, and Sunshine Stars, urging league bodies to act before matches commence on August 28 for the NPFL and October 31 for the NNL, with NWFL and NLO dates pending. NANPF stressed that adherence to FIFA and NFF player status and transfer regulations is vital to maintaining integrity and fairness across competitions.  

The call reinforced the importance of professionalism and compliance in Nigerian football, ensuring that all participants compete on equal terms. By demanding accountability, NANPF highlighted its role as a guardian of players’ rights and the credibility of the leagues, reminding stakeholders that the future of Nigerian football depends on transparency, discipline, and respect for established rules.

NFRA Hails Regular Inclusion Of Nigerian Referees As Omotoye, Yusuf Storm Ouagadougou For WAFU B

 

NFRA Hails Regular Inclusion Of Nigerian Referees As Omotoye, Yusuf Storm Ouagadougou For WAFU B

Ahead of the kick off of the 2026 edition of the African Women Club Championship in Burkina Faso, two Nigerian women international referees have successfully landed in Ouagadougou for the soccer fiesta. 

The Nigerian referees comprise FIFAs Oluwatosin Omotoye and  Abibatu Yusuf scheduled to officiate as Referee and Assistant Referee respectively in the competition. 

On arrival, the two international referees have effectively integrated themselves into the pre tournament preparations and are good to go for the matches. 

The Nigeria Football Referees' Association,  NFRA, through the Acting President Sir Kelechi Mejuobi wishes the two match officials the best of luck. 

Mejuobi who disclosed that the NFRA is elated by the regular inclusion of  Nigerian referees in major competitions of FIFA, CAF and WAFU B notes that it's a justification of the renewed vigour of the joint efforts of the NFRA and Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Referees Committee targeted at placing the country's FIFA referees from Nigeria on good standing at the international corridor of officiating.

Mejuobi further said that the association is in prayers for them for a successful outing.

Grassrunners FC Emerges Ogunjobi Gold Cup 14th Edition Champions In Style ‎

 

Ogunjobi ‎Gold Cup 14th Edition: Grassrunners FC Are Champions

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‎Grassrunners have emerged champions of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup, beating Abakaliki FC 3-0 thanks to Hamzat Sheriff's 46th-minute own goal, Temileyin Adelabu's 70th-minute strike, and Lasisi Musa's stunning goal, drawing the curtains close on the 14th edition of the pre-season tournament. 

‎The 10-day football fiesta lived up to the hype despite a goalless first half. ‎Hamzat Sheriff inadvertently scored an own goal, giving Grassrunners FC the lead just two minutes into the second half.

‎Grassrunners nearly extended their advantage in the 58th minute when Nwose Emmanuel’s excellent cross was brilliantly saved by Okoa Chizoba of Abakaliki FC.

‎At the 60th minute, Abakaliki FC had two quick chances, but Gideon Nwanzi made two impressive saves to keep Grassrunners FC ahead.

‎The team effort of Grassrunners FC paid off in the 70th minute with Temileyin Adelabu’s goal, doubling the lead and putting the club on the verge of its first official trophy.

‎In stoppage time, Lasisi Musa's remarkable strike sealed the victory, making it 3-0 for the Ogunjobi Gold Cup champions.

Isawade Emerges As New Head of NUJ Osun Online Media Chapel

 

Isawade Emerges As New Head of NUJ Osun Online Media Chapel

Mr. Isa Isawade has been appointed as the new Interim Chairman of the Online Media Chapel of the Osun State Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), following the resignation of Mr. Francis Ezediuno.

The chapel, established alongside the Broadcast Consolidated Chapel, received recent approval from the National Body of the NUJ. The two interim executive councils were inaugurated on August 19, 2027, during a congress held at the Press Centre of the NUJ Osun State Council Secretariat. The inauguration was conducted by the Executive Chairman of the Council, Comrade Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin.

The originally inaugurated executives of the Online Media Chapel comprised Mr. Francis Ezediuno as Chairman, Mr. Omidiran Seun as Vice Chairman, Mr. Nicolas Adekeye as Secretary, Mr. Isa Isawade as Financial Secretary, and Mr. Seyi Akanni as Treasurer.

However, Mr. Ezediuno later communicated his inability to continue in the role of Chairman, citing conflicting engagements. This development prompted the Council Chairman to convene an emergency meeting of the available executive members. Following deliberations, the members unanimously appointed Mr. Isawade to fill the vacant position.

The transition is expected to ensure the smooth operation of the chapel as it begins its formal activities within the state's journalistic community.

Timo Ejigbo's Grassroots Sports Drive Wins SWAN Endorsement

 

 

“We Cannot Talk Sports In Ejigbo Without Timo Ejigbo” — SWAN, Salami Commend Folaranmi’s Impact

The impact of Hon. Timothy Folaranmi, popularly known as Timo Ejigbo, in grassroots sports development has continued to receive wide commendation, with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Osun State Chapter pledging partnership on his sporting projects. The endorsement was made when SWAN excos paid a courtesy visit to the Accord Party chieftain at his country home in Ejigbo.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of SWAN in the state Com. Timothy Agbor described Folaranmi as a grassroots mobilizer whose commitment to sports has created opportunities for hundreds of youths in Ejigbo and environs. He noted that the body of pen pushers is impressed by the consistency and sincerity behind Timo Ejigbo’s interventions in sports over the years.

Confirming the achievements, Comrade Tunde Salami, popularly known as Sportman, said Folaranmi has become a major pillar of football development in Ejigbo Local Government. According to him, the politician initiated the Timo for Imole Football Competition in the 2024/2025 season, with the first prize worth millions of naira, and preparations for the second edition were concluded last week. The competition, he added, has provided a platform for young talents to showcase their skills.

Com. Salami further highlighted that beyond organizing competitions, Folaranmi has also supported referees, players, and coaches across the local government. He revealed that some coaches from Ejigbo who recently completed professional training courses benefitted from Folaranmi’s financial assistance, a gesture he described as rare among political actors at the grassroots.

“Today, when we talk about sports development in Ejigbo, we cannot do without Comrade Timothy Folaranmi. He understands that our youths are mostly found in sports, and that is why he made sports one of the pillars of his grassroots engagement,” Salami stated. He added that the sports community in Ejigbo is grateful for the interventions and promised that stakeholders will reciprocate by contributing more to sports growth in the area.

In his response, Hon. Folaranmi appreciated SWAN for the visit and pledged to do more in sports development. He said his goal is to use sports to engage youths productively and discover talents that can represent Osun State and Nigeria at higher levels. SWAN body on their part assured that they will collaborate with him in publicity, documentation and expansion of his sporting initiatives to reach more communities.