Sports
NNL 2025/2026: Promotion Race Heats Up; Who’ll Make the Cut?
The Nigeria National League (NNL) promotion battle is intensifying, with several clubs vying for a spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Doma United FC has already secured promotion from Northern Conference Group C, ending Lobi Stars’ NPFL hopes. The Gombe-based club, which was relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago, is looking to make a swift return to the top flight.
In Southern Conference Group B, Inter Lagos and Beyond Limits are locked in a tight contest for the single promotion spot. Both teams have impressed, but only one can make it to the top flight. Beyond Limits has experience, having earned promotion two years ago, but were unable to take their place due to NPFL rules. Inter Lagos, on the other hand, is determined to feature in the NPFL for the first time and is doing everything to secure the coveted spot.
Akwa United appears poised to secure promotion from Southern Conference Group A, having extended their lead to 5 points with a 3-1 win over Ekiti United. The Promise Keepers have been in top form, and their dominance is evident in their current league position. Sporting Lagos, however, remains in contention after thrashing Stormers 5-1. The Lagos side sit second with 27 points and have a game in hand, making them a force to be reckoned with.
In Northern Conference D, the promotion battle is a three-horse race between Ranchers Bees, Yobe Desert Stars, and Jigawa Golden Stars, with all final matches suspended pending resolution of pending cases. The uncertainty surrounding the group has added an extra layer of intrigue to the promotion chase.
With the final round of matches approaching, the NNL promotion race is set to get intense. Doma United has already made history; who will join them in the NPFL? The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the season.
Sports
From Boardroom To Battlefield: Corporate Giants Trade Deals For Goals As Third Edition Of Corporate Stars League Kicks Off
Joel Ajayi
Ten corporate giants are preparing to swap boardroom meetings, spreadsheets and strategy decks for football boots, tactical battles and bragging rights as the Corporate Stars League returns with a promise of fierce competition, corporate networking and business deals that could extend beyond the touchline.
For five weekends, beginning Saturday, October 24, 2026, participating organisations will battle for supremacy on the pitch, where boardroom influence counts for little without teamwork, skill, determination and the ability to find the back of the net.
This year, new contenders have thrown their hats into the ring, hoping to dethrone defending champions Norrenberger and prevent them from making it back-to-back titles.
But Norrenberger are not surrendering their crown without a fight. Their representative, Victor Olamide Mattews, insists the champions are ready to defend their title, warning challengers that stopping them will be no easy task.
The company’s ambition to simplify wealth creation and champion inclusive financial solutions appears to extend beyond the financial market, with the champions eager to establish their dominance on the football pitch as well.
Telecommunications giant MTN, whose slogan is “Everywhere You Go,” will also be looking to make a stronger impression after falling short last season. Their representative, Abubakar Bako says the team is returning with renewed determination, hoping to improve its performance and ensure that this time, its presence is felt across the competition.
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) is also taking its reach beyond financial statements and revenue collection to test its strength on the pitch. But whether its reform-driven approach can translate into football success remains another ball game entirely.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV), David Idakwo, says although this is the organisation’s first appearance in the competition, the team is ready to learn and challenge established conventions.
Similarly, Hassan Haruna of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) says the organisation hopes to translate its financial discipline into tactical precision, sound decision-making and a winning performance on the pitch.
Then comes Beer and Barn, ready to bring its own flavour to the contest. Beyond the football, the hospitality brand offers grilled pub meals, shawarma, live-band performances and energetic DJ nights. Its representatives will hope to make their presence felt on the pitch as much as they do in the entertainment and hospitality scene.
However, the competition is not just about goals, celebrations and corporate bragging rights. With the Nigeria Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Pension Commission (PenCom) and Jaiz Bank also among the participating organisations, the banter is already gathering momentum.
From playful jibes about power supply and infrastructure to pension benefits, investment decisions and corporate expansion, the pre-tournament exchanges have added another layer of excitement to a competition where professional rivalries will temporarily give way to football banter.
But when the whistle blows, the real talking will have to be done with the ball. Every misplaced pass, missed chance and defensive lapse could prove costly, while a moment of brilliance could separate champions from challengers.
Speaking after the draws and unveiling of the teams, 5Stars Operations Manager, Misal Dikko, said this year’s edition promises a higher level of competition, with more participating teams and increased expectations from corporate management.
“We are going to have an interesting competition, especially with the number of participating teams and the level of expectations from management. They have shown they are ready to put their money where their mouth is by supporting their teams with all the necessary logistics,” Dikko said.
With ten corporate teams preparing to battle over five weekends, the Corporate Stars League promises more than football. It is a meeting point for competition, camaraderie, networking and business opportunities.
For the defending champions, the mission is to protect their crown. For the challengers, it is a chance to rewrite the story. And for every team, the ultimate objective is clear: turn corporate ambition into football glory.
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