Sports
NPFL Stages AGM In Lagos From July 15-16
Lagos will host the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), which will deliberate on the 2024/25 season scheduled to start on August 31, 2024.
It was gathered that towards the August kick-off date, some clubs have been directed to carry out remedial works so that their grounds would meet the ‘Facility Requirements of the Club Licensing Regulations’.
The Chief Operating Officer, NPFL, Davidson Owumi, in a letter to the clubs dated July 2, felicitated the clubs on the successful completion of the last season and extended the invitation for the AGM.
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He wrote, “I write to convey the warm wishes of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Board and Management and to congratulate member clubs for the successful completion of the 2023/24 season.
“It is in working towards the new season’s earnest preparations and take-off on August 31, 2024, that the Board has elected to invite member clubs for the AGM on a tentative date of July 15-16 in Lagos.”
The NPFL informed the clubs through the letter that a number of them have been told about the unacceptable conditions of their playing turf and the absence of broadcast support facilities such as elevated camera stands.
“As we look forward to the meeting, letters have been written to some of the clubs whose facilities were found not suitable to host the NPFL matches in the new season in compliance with provisions of Facility requirements of the Club Licensing Regulations”, Owumi noted.
He also urged the clubs not in receipt of the letters to embark on a self-review of their facilities to ensure they met requirements for approval.
Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars, Shooting Stars, and Kwara United were among the clubs directed to work on defects in their stadia.
The others were Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United, and the newly promoted El-Kanemi Warriors.
By the letter, they were ordered to upgrade their playing turf or face the prospect of playing on alternative grounds.
Norway pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday night, defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland inspired the Scandinavian side with a brilliant second-half brace at MetLife Stadium, ending Brazil’s hopes of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
After a tightly contested encounter, Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a powerful header to give Norway the lead.
SEE ALSO: Trump Reacts as FIFA Clears Balogun to Face Belgium in World Cup Clash
Brazil’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in the closing moments when Haaland struck again in the 90th minute, sealing a famous victory for Norway and sending them into the last eight of the tournament.
The result marks one of the competition’s biggest surprises, with Norway eliminating one of the pre-tournament favourites to continue their impressive World Cup campaign.
Norway will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, while Brazil bow out of the tournament with their quest for a sixth World Cup crown brought to an abrupt end.
United States President Donald Trump has welcomed FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card issued to USA striker Folarin Balogun, clearing the forward to feature in the country’s crucial Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA announced the decision on Sunday, overturning the suspension that would have ruled Balogun out of Monday’s knockout encounter after he was sent off during the USA’s match against Bosnia last week.
SEE MORE: Fresh Report Warns Nigeria May Miss Another World Cup If Current NFF Stays
The development comes as a major boost for the United States, with Balogun expected to play a key role in the team’s bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Reacting shortly after FIFA’s announcement, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to praise the governing body for what he described as the right decision.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.
Balogun’s availability is expected to strengthen the American attack against Belgium in one of the standout fixtures of the World Cup Round of 16.
The striker has been a key figure for the USA throughout the tournament, and his return provides a timely boost as the team prepares for one of its toughest tests in the competition.
A new report has raised concerns over the future of Nigerian football, warning that the country could miss another FIFA World Cup unless significant changes are made to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The report, released as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, argues that Nigeria’s continued absence from football’s biggest tournament reflects deep-rooted administrative problems rather than a shortage of football talent.
SEE MORE: GTI Commends NSC, NFF for Commitment to NPFL Transformation
According to the report, failing to qualify for the World Cup has hurt the international profile of Nigerian players and slowed the growth of the domestic game.
It says the country’s football potential will remain underutilised unless the federation undergoes far-reaching reforms.
The report also notes that several football stakeholders and respected sporting figures have repeatedly called for the NFF to be restructured and insulated from political influence.
They believe only a transparent and professionally managed federation can restore confidence in Nigerian football.
It identifies a number of long-standing issues, including alleged financial mismanagement, delayed payment of players’ bonuses, inconsistent coaching appointments and poor administrative planning, as factors that have contributed to the Super Eagles’ recent struggles on the international stage.
Beyond the national team’s disappointing results, the report argues that years of weak governance have affected player welfare and weakened youth football development, limiting Nigeria’s ability to compete consistently with the world’s top football nations.
The report concludes that meaningful leadership reforms within the NFF are essential if Nigeria hopes to reclaim its place at future FIFA World Cup tournaments and restore the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
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