Sports

FIFA President, Infantino, congratulates Gusau and new NFF Board

Published

2 years ago

October 6, 2022

Joel Ajayi

President of world football-ruling body, FIFA, Mr. Gianni Infantino has sent a message of congratulations to the new President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of his new Board, following the Elective General Assembly of the NFF that took place in Benin City last Friday.

In a letter dated 5th October and personally signed by him, world’s football supremo wrote: “Please accept my warmest greetings and sincere congratulations for your recent election as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“Your knowledge and leadership, your passion and experience will undoubtedly have an important impact on the development of our beautiful game in Nigeria. Convinced of the potential of football in the country, you can count on my personal support and the help of FIFA to achieve this your goal. The doors of the Home of FIFA are always open if you wish to discuss our sport, its development and the promotion of its values.

“I also seize the opportunity to convey my felicitations to the Vice-Presidents and the Members of the Executive Committee elected with you and I wish you and your team good luck and success for all the challenges that lie ahead, in creating and witnessing a lasting legacy for the future of football in Nigeria…”

Gusau, an unassuming but thoroughbred administrator, rose through the ranks in the game, serving as Team Manager of Club 50, Sambo Babes and Zamfara United football clubs in Zamfara State as well as Kassim Stars FC in Sokoto State, before his election to the board of Zamfara State Football Association. He is the current Chairman of Zamfara State Football Association and has served as Chairman of the Zamfara State Sports Commission.

At the national level, he served two terms as Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria Football under the administration of Amaju Melvin Pinnick, before his election last Friday as Nigeria Football’s supremo.

At the continental level, Gusau has served in the organizing committee for the African Nations Championship, is a CAF Safety and Security Officer and is presently a Member of CAF’s organizing committee for youth competitions, viz U17, U20 and U23.

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Sports

Analysis of the 2024/25 NPFL Table (Match Day 22)

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Patrick Ngwaogu (Odogwu)

The 2024/25 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table after Match Day 22 reveals a competitive title race, a congested mid-table, and an intense relegation battle. Below is a breakdown of the key trends from the standings.

🏆 Title Race: Remo Stars in Control

1.  Remo Stars FC lead the table with 45 points from 22 games, boasting 14 wins, the highest in the league.
2.  Shooting Stars SC sit second with 37 points from 21 games, meaning they have a game in hand that could close the gap.
3.  Rivers United FC (35 points) and Rangers International FC (34 points) remain in contention, but their inconsistent results (only 9 wins each) suggest they will need strong finishes.

🚀 Key Insight: Remo Stars’ defensive solidity (only 16 goals conceded) and best goal difference (+14) make them the current favorites for the title.

⚖️ Mid-Table Battle: Competitive and Unpredictable

•   Teams from 5th place (Abia Warriors, 33 points) to 14th place (Katsina United, 26 points) are separated by just 7 points.
•   Clubs like El-Kanemi Warriors (32 points) and Enyimba FC (31 points) could still push for continental spots if they gain momentum.
•   Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United (29 & 28 points respectively) are sitting in the middle of the pack but could easily be dragged into the relegation fight if results don’t improve.

⚠️ Key Concern: Mid-table teams must be wary of inconsistency, as a few bad results could put them in relegation danger.

🌍 Continental Qualification Spots

•   The top two teams qualify for the CAF Champions League (CAFCL), while the third-place team enters the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC).
•   Rivers United (3rd) and Rangers (4th) are currently in the best position to battle for continental spots.
•   Ikorodu City FC (7th, 31 points) and Niger Tornadoes (9th, 31 points) remain dark horses for a top-three finish.

🌟 Key Contenders: Rangers International and Rivers United must improve their consistency to ensure a top-three finish.

⚠️ Relegation Battle: 6 Teams in Trouble

The bottom of the table is highly competitive, with at least six teams in danger of relegation:

1.  Bendel Insurance (25 points)
2.  Plateau United (24 points)
3.  Sunshine Stars (24 points)
4.  Nasarawa United (22 points)
5.  Lobi Stars (21 points)
6.  Akwa United (20 points, bottom place)

📉 Key Observations:

•   Nasarawa United, Plateau United, and Bendel Insurance have had 3 points and 3 goals deducted due to league violations, which has severely impacted their standings.
•   Akwa United (20 points, -8 GD) has the worst goal difference and could face serious relegation trouble unless they turn things around.

🔥 Key Battle: Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United, and Akwa United must fight hard to escape the drop zone in the remaining matches.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✅ Remo Stars are strong favorites for the title.
✅ Shooting Stars have a game in hand, making the top-two battle interesting.
✅ Mid-table is highly competitive, with several teams still in contention for continental football.
✅ Relegation battle is wide open, with six teams fighting to survive.

🚨 What to Watch For Next: Will Shooting Stars close the gap? Can Rivers United push for a top-two finish? Who will survive the relegation scrap? The remaining fixtures will be crucial in shaping the NPFL season’s outcome.

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