Sports

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

Published

4 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

Football Fever Hits Abuja as Montage FM 99.7 Launches Maiden Community Tournament November 18

Published

3 hours ago

November 4, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

In its determination to foster unity among communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), identify and promote raw football talent, encourage physical fitness and discipline, and tackle youth restiveness, Montage FM 99.7 Abuja has unveiled plans for the Maiden Edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament.

The highly anticipated grassroots competition, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is set to kick off on November 18, 2025, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

The tournament will feature 24 teams, with four teams representing each Area Council, competing for a cash prize of over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.

However, grand finale scheduled for December 7, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where the top four teams will battle for first, second, and third place honors.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Cordinator of the Tournament Mr. Raphael Ekpang, described the tournament as a significant initiative aimed at using sports as a tool for unity, youth engagement, and talent discovery across the FCT.

According to him, I am honored to stand before you today to announce the upcoming Montage FCT Community Football Tournament a dynamic grassroots inter-community football competition that promises to unite communities and discover hidden talent across the six Area Councils in the FCT,” Ekpang said.

“This tournament is more than just football; it is a celebration of community spirit and youth empowerment. Our long-term goal is to expand beyond football to include other sports like basketball and athletics in future editions.”

Ekpang further noted that registration and awareness campaigns are currently underway across the six Area Councils, urging interested teams and individuals to participate.

“We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and partners who share our vision of promoting sports development and community engagement within the FCT. We also call on other organizations and individuals to join this noble cause,” he added.

The organizers emphasized that the Montage Community Football Tournament aligns with Montage FM 99.7’s mission to promote peace, unity, and positive engagement among youths while strengthening its brand presence as a youth-driven, community-focused platform.

They encouraged the public to follow updates and live coverage of the tournament through Montage FM 99.7 Abuja and its social media platforms

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