Sports

Shehu Dikko Describes 2020/21 NPFL Season, The Best In History

Published

4 years ago

August 27, 2021

Joel Ajayi

Chairman, League Management Company (LMC), Malam Shehu Dikko has expressed satisfaction with the just concluded 2020/2021 NPFL season even as he picked it as the best ever league in history statistically.

Dikko divulge this while speaking at Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT Chapter Guest Forum in Abuja, highlighted the positives from the just concluded season, asserted that the positives far outweighed the negatives people may not have noticed.

He emphasized that Nigeria league owner did so well during the pandemic saying that unlike other countries where most players took pay cut, NPFL players received their full salaries.

“The last League season recorded impressive statistic better than the previous seasons. The number of away wins recorded (36) was the highest since the NPFL took charge as owners and organisers of the Nigerian elite league

“Technically it was the best League, not just in the NPFL history but since the start of professional football league in Nigeria.”

“Commercially it was challenging, but it was the most innovative, because we have brought innovations that people thought was impossible to do before. It was challenging because funds did not come the way we thought it will come.”

“Organizationally it was very challenging because of the Covid 19 and some other issues. When I say it is the best technically, we start looking at the numbers and numbers don’t lie.” the astute football administrator stated

He continued “First and foremost we had 380 matches, 288 matches were won, 92 were drawn. 791 goals were scored, an average of 2.8 goals per match.”

“It is the highest statistics of goals that we have ever had in the league. “

“352 home wins where recorded, 36 away victories, the highest away victories in the history of the league.”

“92 matches where drawn, it is also the highest.”

“Total numbers of penalties awarded this is 81, compared to other seasons where we have over 100 it shows the referees also did well.”

Speaking earlier, FCT SWAN chairman, Bunmi Haruna emphasised the need for the LMC to involve the media more in its activities. He also urged the league body to aim for the very best because nothing is impossible.

“We drive football development across the world, so we are partners in progress.”

“It is our desire that our league should be self-sustaining, that our clubs win CAF competition glories and have financial breakthrough.”

“We want our league to attract he best players cross the world, we want a Cristiano Ronaldo to one day decide he has to play in the NPFL.”

“These things might look impossible right now, but if we put in efforts, impossible is nothing.” Bunmi enthused.

Dikko promised to have quarterly Interactive session with the media henceforth.

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Sports

FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

Published

13 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums

Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.

Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.

In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”

He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.

“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”

Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT

Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.

“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.

Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.

“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”

The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.

He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development

As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.

“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”

Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.

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