Sports
Kano Pillars, Niger FC Shine Bright on Matchday One as Amputee Football Championship Kicks Off
Joel Ajayi
Defending champions Kano Pillars began their title defense in style, dominating Matchday One with impressive performances despite being scheduled to play two matches on the same day.
In a thrilling opening encounter, Kano Pillars edged Plateau State FC 2–1 in a fiercely contested battle. Pillars took the lead through Bethel Emmanuel, but Abdullahi Mohammed equalized for Plateau to restore parity. However, like a cat with nine lives, Pillars fought back strongly, with Emmanuel striking again to seal his brace and hand his team a well-deserved victory.
In the second match of the day, debutants Gida Gida FC gave a spirited performance but fell short against the more experienced Niger FC, who managed to snatch a 1–0 win courtesy of a decisive strike from Mohammed Nasiru.
Meanwhile, Kaduna FC could not withstand the relentless pressure from a rampaging Kano Pillars side, who cruised to a convincing 3–0 victory in the final match of the day, further asserting their dominance in the competition.
Speaking after the matches, Paul Maduakor, President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, described the ongoing championship as an important platform for scouting players ahead of the Amputee Football World Cup.
“I am impressed with the level of organization and the enthusiasm shown by the participants,” Maduakor said. “We are confident that from this competition, we will select some of the best talents to represent Nigeria at the World Cup while also blending in promising new players coming through the ranks.”
The Technical Director, Victor Nwenwe, also lauded the quality of play and commended the performance of the new teams competing for the first time, noting that the competition’s standard continues to rise each year.
“The level of play has been impressive. The new teams have shown great potential, and we’re hopeful of discovering top talents among them,” he said.
Matchday 2 Fixtures
Niger State FC vs. Phoenix FC – 10:00 a.m.
Plateau State FC vs. Kaduna State FC – 12:00 p.m.
Gida Gida FC vs. Phoenix FC – 2:00 p.m.
Six teams are participating in this year’s competition: Kano Pillars, Kaduna FC, Niger FC, Plateau FC, Gida Gida FC, and Kano Pillars 2.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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