Sports
NNL: Kanu, Ikpeba for NNL’s Super 8 opener
The NNL Super 8 will be an assemblage of not just the league players, but will be graced by two legends of Nigerian football Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba.
The duo who are both products of the Nigerian league assured NNL Chairman George Aluo that they will grace the play- off as a mark of their confidence in the league and also to boost the morale of the players.
According to Aluo, “The Super 8 play- off is really generating huge interest with confirmation by two Former Super Eagles legends Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba that they will attend the games. Both legends spoke with me and assured they will grace the opener on July 5.
In fact Kanu said he is shelving an Overseas trip ostensibly to be part of the Super 8. He said he is impressed with how the NNL is being transformed and pledged to use his clout to attract sponsors to the league.”
On his part, former ACB FC of Lagos and Monaco Fc of France ace Ikpeba said he is happy the Super 8 is taking place in Asaba, saying it is a perfect venue to wrap up what he called a fantastic season.
Kanu and Ikpeba are both products of the Nigerian league where they plied their trade with defunct Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri and ACB of Lagos before hitting it big at the international scene.
The presence of the two former African footballers of the year will inspire NNL’S youngsters.
The play -off is taking place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba from July 5th- 12th.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
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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