Sports

NNL Board Sets October Kickoff for 2025/2026 Season, Holds AGM in August

Published

3 months ago

July 12, 2025

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has confirmed October 2025 as the official kickoff month for the 2025/2026 season, following a strategic Board meeting held on Friday, July 11, at the VIP Lounge of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State. The Board also scheduled the league’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the last week of August 2025, as part of its preparatory roadmap for the new campaign.

The high-level meeting marked a decisive moment for Nigeria’s second-tier football league as it reviewed the just-concluded 2024/2025 season and laid out a framework to build on its recent progress.

The Board expressed profound appreciation to Delta State Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, and the people of Delta State for their warm hospitality and sponsorship of the 2025 NNL Promotion Playoffs.

The Board also extended heartfelt congratulations to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on his recent elevation as President of the West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU B) by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). They described the appointment as a deserved recognition of his leadership in regional football.

Further, the Board acknowledged the decision of the NFF Executive Committee to extend the tenure of the current NNL leadership, reaffirming its unalloyed loyalty to the Federation. It pledged to continue aligning with reforms that will further professionalize Nigerian football and enhance the league’s status as the heartbeat of domestic talent development.

Key sponsors and partners were not left out of the appreciation. Organizations such as Prostar Recreational Services Ltd, Sportlight Hub Ltd, Sofascore, and Monimichelle were recognized for their crucial support. Hon. Kunle Soname was given special mention for hosting the pre-season workshop and seminar that helped shape a productive season.

The Nigeria National League Clubs Owners Association (NALCOMA) also received accolades for its collaborative spirit and discipline throughout the 2024/2025 season. The Board urged even deeper cooperation in future campaigns.

Acknowledging improved officiating standards, the Board commended the Nigeria Referees Association and the NFF Referees Appointment Committee for their role in enhancing the credibility of match officiating.

Looking ahead, the Board announced plans to constitute a Constitution Review Committee to assess and revise key articles in the league’s Rules and Regulations, aimed at improving governance and operational efficiency.

Promotions and Relegations Confirmed

As part of the meeting’s resolutions, the Board confirmed the promotion of four clubs to the elite Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following a highly competitive season:
• Wikki Tourists FC
• Barau FC
• Warri Wolves FC
• Kun Khalifat FC

Meanwhile, eight clubs have been relegated from the NNL to the lower division after struggling in the recently concluded season. These include:
• Ijele FC
• Igbajo United FC
• 1472 FC
• Abakiliki FC
• Madiba FC
• Gateway FC
• Zamfara United FC
• Adamawa United FC

As the 2024/2025 season concludes, the NNL Board reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement, strategic stakeholder engagement, and alignment with global standards to make the league more competitive and commercially viable.

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Sports

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

Published

16 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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