Sports
GTI Lauds NPFL Dramatic Season’s Finish
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, have expressed delight at the high level of competition among clubs as the 2025/26 NPFL season heads for what football analysts describe as a dramatic finale on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Speaking in Lagos on Friday, GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, commended the clubs for their fighting spirit, noting that the title race remains undecided until the final matchday of the season.
“It’s going to be a massive weekend filled with emotions because the stakes are extremely high and the situation remains very tense. Nine out of the ten Matchday 38 fixtures are crucial to the aspirations of the participating clubs, which clearly reflects the competitiveness of the outgoing season.
“GTI is delighted to witness this kind of scenario where some clubs are battling for continental tickets, while others are fiercely fighting to avoid relegation on the final matchday of the season,” he said.
Ekejiuba noted that for much of the campaign, Rangers International have looked destined for glory under Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, building their title challenge on defensive organisation, tactical discipline, and remarkable consistency in difficult away fixtures.
“The Flying Antelopes have conceded only 25 goals all season — the best defensive record in the division — while grinding out results with the mentality of experienced champions. However, their clash against Ikorodu City this weekend may prove to be their toughest test yet.”
He further observed that Ikorodu City remain unbeaten at home this season and are still chasing a possible CAF Confederation Cup qualification spot, setting up what promises to be a fascinating encounter against Rangers.
On the title race involving Rivers United, Ekejiuba praised Coach Finidi George for transforming the Port Harcourt side into one of the league’s most disciplined and tactically organised teams.
“Rivers United have turned the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium into a fortress, remaining unbeaten at home since their 2-1 defeat to Bayelsa United on October 13, 2025.
“Their dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Wikki Tourists in Bauchi on Matchday 37 perfectly captured the resilience that has defined their season. At one point, Rivers appeared to be surrendering the title race before producing a late comeback that kept the pressure firmly on Rangers heading into the final weekend.”
He added that Rivers United will rely heavily on their pacy striker, Wisdom Samuel, as they seek the goals that could deliver the title against visiting Katsina United.
Currently, Rangers lead the table with 65 points, while Rivers United, on 64 points, must win and hope Rangers drop points to emerge champions. That is how dicey the situation is heading into the final day.
With the NPFL enforcing simultaneous 4:00 p.m. kick-offs across all Matchday 38 fixtures, football fans across the country are expected to follow developments nervously from centres in Lagos and Port Harcourt as the title race reaches its climax.
Beyond the battle for the title, the final day also carries major implications across the league table. Shooting Stars SC remain in contention for continental qualification, while defending champions Remo Stars FC and Kano Pillars FC are among the clubs battling to avoid relegation.
The race for the NPFL Golden Boot is also set for a thrilling conclusion, with several leading scorers directly involved in season-defining fixtures.
“The NPFL Golden Boot race is heading for a breath-taking finale, with just one goal separating the leading contenders. Rangers’ striker Godwin Obaje currently leads the chart with 14 goals, but he faces intense pressure from defending champions Remo Stars captain Victor Mbaoma, Ikorodu City sensation Joseph Arumala, and Wikki Tourists striker Jonathan Mairiga, who are all tied on 13 goals.
“With such narrow margins, the Golden Boot race is perfectly positioned for an emotional finish on the final matchday of the season,” Ekejiuba concluded.
Portuguese football tactician Carlos Queiroz has made a surprise return as head coach of Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars.
The Ghana Football Association announced the 73-year-old’s reappointment on Thursday, weeks after he appeared to signal his departure from the team following their exit from the FIFA World Cup.
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Queiroz took charge of Ghana in April and guided the Black Stars to the last 32 of the tournament before they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
Shortly after the loss, the Portuguese coach appeared to announce his departure on social media.
However, following subsequent discussions, the Ghana FA has decided to bring him back for another spell.
The duration of Queiroz’s new contract was not disclosed, but the football association said he would be tasked with preparing the Black Stars for “a successful new phase on the international stage.”
The GFA said Queiroz’s extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars made him the right man to lead the team into its next chapter.
Queiroz has managed several national teams, including Portugal, Iran, Egypt, South Africa, Colombia and Qatar.
He also had two spells as assistant manager at Manchester United under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
His immediate priority will be Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the qualifiers scheduled to begin later this month.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia, although the dates and venues for their opening two matches are yet to be announced.
The Ghana FA said further details on Queiroz’s mandate would be released in due course.
Nigerian winger Femi Azeez has completed a remarkable rise from non-league football to the Premier League after joining Brighton & Hove Albion from Millwall on a four-year contract.
The transfer, for an undisclosed fee, was completed after Brighton and Millwall submitted a deal sheet before the initial 11pm transfer deadline, extending the window until 1am on Wednesday.
Azeez, 25, joins Brighton following an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Millwall, where he played a key role in the club’s push for the Championship play-offs.
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The Nigerian made 77 appearances for Millwall, scoring 15 goals and registering 13 assists. His impressive performances also earned him places in the PFA and EFL Championship Teams of the Season.
Brighton sporting director Mike Cave welcomed Azeez to the club, describing him as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship.
“We are delighted to add Femi to the squad. He arrives off the back of an excellent season with Millwall, having played a key role for them as they finished in the playoffs,” Cave said.
“He was one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship, and we’re delighted to have finally agreed his transfer, and we now look forward to working with him.”
Azeez’s journey to the Premier League has been unconventional. After spending time in Watford’s youth setup, he moved into non-league football with Northwood before spells at Wealdstone and Hanwell Town.
He subsequently earned a move to Reading in 2019 before joining Millwall in 2024, steadily working his way up the English football pyramid.
The winger has also made a strong start to his international career with Nigeria. On his senior debut in June, Azeez scored both goals in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe.
Four days later, he provided an assist as Nigeria defeated Jamaica 3-0.
Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been convicted of drink-driving in Gran Canaria, Spain, after a court found him to have been driving with an alcohol level more than three times above the legal limit.
A court source confirmed the conviction to AFP on Wednesday, stating that the 23-year-old centre-back was fined €14,400 ($16,700) and had his driving licence suspended for eight months.
The case followed an incident on August 16 and was heard at a trial in San Bartolome de Tirajana, a village in Gran Canaria.
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Asencio, who is from the Canary Islands, was not with Real Madrid’s squad at the time of the incident as he was recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the end of July.
The conviction comes amid another legal case involving the defender. Asencio is due to face a separate court hearing in Gran Canaria over the alleged non-consensual sharing of a sexual video dating back to 2023.
Spanish media reports say Asencio expects to be cleared in that case if the two women filmed in the video formally forgive him.
Three former Real Madrid reserve players are also on trial over allegations that they recorded and distributed the video. The trial is scheduled for September 3, 4 and 7.
The latest conviction adds to a difficult period for the young Real Madrid defender, who has been dealing with both injury and legal issues off the pitch.
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