Sports
Sustaining Achievements Of NPFL Calls For Consistency
The quality of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is on a path of positive transformation, sailing on the winds of enhanced transparency, professional management and greater public investment.
On sustaining these laudable achievements, the GTI Group, stated, “Therefore, the recent ugly incident at Jos should be properly investigated and appropriate sanctions applied accordingly to forestall future occurrences.”
It maintained that the pieces of evidence and attestation of a new dawn for the NPFL frankly affirm that the managers of the league are seriously committed to a safe environment for match day activities, with zero tolerance for crowd violence.
By enforcing immediate sanctions on players, clubs and fans who engage in disruptive behaviour, the league now underscores the importance of respect and security. This firm stance preserves the joy of the game for all and upholds the integrity of the NPFL experience.
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In its view, upholding professional standards by the NPFL means accountability across all levels! Recently, a popular player that upcoming Nigerian stars look up to threw caution to the winds by making a sweeping statement against a match official and was sanctioned for unprofessional conduct.
This simply demonstrates that no one is above the league’s code of conduct. This approach ensures that all parties, from players to fans, respect the NPFL values, thereby reinforcing a disciplined and fair environment for the beautiful game to thrive.
Football pundits notice that significant progress has been made in the past two years with the help of the NPFL’s strategic partners, the GTI Group, maintaining this momentum still requires maximum dedication to core principles that define a top-flight league.
Nigerian football stakeholders aver that transparency is now the cornerstone of the NPFL as Nigerians from all walks of life, including those in the diaspora have all noticed a new ray of hope for the game that was nearly in comatose a few years back.
They give credit to the GTI Group, sporting media and the present board of the NPFL headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye for working round the clock to ensure a rebirth of our elite league. Through clear-cut decision-making processes and publicly accessible data, the league has fostered a culture of trust.
Fans and stakeholders can now monitor teams’ progress, match day outcomes and league decisions, thereby minimizing biases and setting a new bar for accountability in Nigerian sports.
In a game where fair play is everything, the NPFL match officials are bound to the highest standards of integrity when it comes to officiating. The league has now introduced stricter guidelines and oversight to ensure that referees and officials uphold the spirit of fair competition.
Regular training and ethical oversight are in place to safeguard the league’s reputation, making sure every match is fair and competitive.
However, through the introduction of The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) by the GTI Group, fans now have a tangible stake in the NPFL. This investment model allows Nigerians and other stakeholders to support the league directly thereby fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility through investment in the Fund.
Simply put, TNFF strengthens the bond between the league and its fans, giving the people a say in the future of Nigerian football, while generating financial resources for the sustenance of the elite league.
As the NPFL continues its journey, the focus remains on transparency, integrity and public ownership. Thus, by working together, fans, officials and players can secure a future for Nigerian football that is built on pride, passion, and professionalism as seen in other glamorous leagues in the world. In every game and every decision, GTI, sporting media and NPFL are building a legacy that Nigerians and her children yet unborn can celebrate and be proud of.
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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