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Brig-Gen Habila's 20-Year Scorecard: Quiet Philanthropy Fueling Nigerian Grassroots Football

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For over 20 years, Brigadier-General Yahaya Pela Habila has been a silent but steady pillar of football development in Nigeria. A senior officer of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps and current Director of Budget, Army Headquarters, Habila is a decorated soldier with the Distinguished Service Star, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star and several Operational Medals. Beyond the military, his passion for football has left a clear footprint from the barracks to the national stage. He sponsored the Dragon Football Competition for youths during his tour of duty at 82 Division, Enugu, and has funded several other grassroots tournaments across the country. His support has also included direct donations to players, coaches and clubs, and welfare for families of deceased football personalities. Habila was a key backer of Gombe United FC during their run to the Federation Cup finals in 2012 and 2013. He supported Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi with logistics equipment an...
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2026 DAVIS CUP WORLD GROUP II: Abua vs Bennani Opens Rabat Tie As Morocco, Nigeria Draws Are Set.

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The stage is set for a weekend thriller as the official draw for the 2026 Davis Cup World Group II tie between hosts Morocco and Nigeria was conducted earlier today at the Conference Hall of the Union Sportive des Cheminots de Tennis du Maroc in Rabat. Prior to the draw, a meet-and-greet was held where players, coaches and officials of both countries interacted in a cordial atmosphere. The session, which was witnessed by International Tennis Federation (ITF) representatives, set the tone for the formal ceremony. Nigeria's No.1, Canice Abua, will open proceedings against Morocco's Karim Bennani in the first singles rubber on Saturday morning. In the second singles of Day One, Nigeria's Daniel Adeleye will take on Morocco's Yassine Dlimi. Action resumes on Sunday with the crucial doubles rubber. Morocco will present the pair of Younes Lalami and Yassine Dlimi against Nigeria's Michael Emmanuel and Yusuf Abubakar. The reverse singles will follow...
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NextGen Elite League Championship: Best Talent FC Set for Saki Stars Clash as League Kicks Off Saturday

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The much-anticipated NextGen Elite Championship (NEC) League gets underway, Saturday, September 19 2026, with Best Talent FC set to begin their campaign against Saki Stars SC in a Matchday 1 encounter at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena. The Mowe giants, known for their commitment to youth development and emerging football talents, will lock horns with the Saki-based side in the 2:00pm kick-off, with both teams expected to approach the opening fixture with determination as they seek a positive start to the new competition. The NEXTGEN Matchday 1 programme will feature four fixtures at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena. The opening game will see Rising Roots FA face Lasegski FC at 10:00am, followed by TOE FC against Elegant FA at 12:00 noon, before Best Talent FC and Saki Stars SC take centre stage at 2:00pm. The fourth fixture, between Super Accurate FA and Ikorodu City Academy, is listed as postponed. For Best Talent FC, Saturday's encounter represents an important opportunity to...
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2026 Davis Cup: Team Nigeria Intensifies Training in Rabat to Break Long-standing Jinx Against Morocco

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_NTF hails NSC leadership of Dikko, Olopade for support ahead of Morocco clash_ Team Nigeria has settled down in Rabat, Morocco and has already hit the ground running ahead of the highly anticipated Davis Cup World Group II tie against the host nation. The Nigeria Tennis Federation contingent, which departed Lagos in the early hours of Monday, has arrived and settled comfortably in the Moroccan capital ahead of the two-day clash scheduled for September 19-20 at the Union Sportive des Cheminots de Tennis du Maroc. The team, led by the Secretary General of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Shammah Aliyu Makpa, wasted no time in kicking off its preparation routine. The early arrival is a deliberate strategy to allow the players to acclimatize to the weather, adjust to the court surface and get into the right frame of mind for the showdown. The players in camp include Daniel Adeleye, Canice Abua, Michael Emmanuel and Yusuf Abubakar, under the guidance of Head Coach Benson Ishichel...
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CAF Confederation Cup: Oyo FA Vice Chairman, Ayangbile Pledges ₦10,000 Per Goal to Shooting Stars Players

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By: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) The Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Football Association, Comrade Isaac Olawale Ifadare Ayangbile, has motivated Shooting Stars players ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup clash against Tunisia’s CS Faxien. Ayangbile pledged ₦10,000 for every goal scored by Shooting Stars in the crucial encounter scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, with kick-off at 4:00 p.m. He said that his little gesture is aimed at inspiring the players to give their best and secure a convincing result for the Oluyole Warriors. According to the soft spoken football administrator: “Every favourable goal counts. One goal in favour of Shooting Stars attracts ₦10,000,” Ayangbile declared. The players will now look to reward the gesture with goals and victory as they file out against against the Tunisian side in the CAF Confederation Cup fixture.
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F&A Supremo Commends EuroMatch Group For Investing in Nigeria Top Flight League

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The Chief Executive Officer of F&A Sporting Management, H.E. Prince Fred Akhigbe, has commended Euromatch Ltd for fulfilling its promise by investing in the Nigeria Premier Football League after years without a title sponsor. Following extensive engagements with Euromatch executives, F&A Sporting Management facilitated a $7.5 million, three-year deal that secured a title sponsor for the NPFL. Under the agreement, Euromatch Group has entered into a three-year partnership with Nigeria’s top-flight league. From the 2026/27 season, the competition will be branded as the "Euromatch NPFL". The Euromatch brand will also feature on club jerseys, in stadiums, and across match broadcast graphics. Days before the kickoff of the 2026/2027 NPFL season, Euromatch and the NPFL formalized the deal and unveiled Euromatch as the official title sponsor at an elaborate ceremony held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The event was attended by top stakeholders in Nigerian footbal...
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Meet the Newly Appointed Nigeria U23 Assistant Coach, Deniran Ortega

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Nigeria U23 Head Coach Eric Chelle has unveiled Deniran Ortega as one of his two new assistant coaches for the Olympic Eagles, as the team begins preparations for the upcoming U23 AFCON qualifiers and a push to return Nigeria to the Olympic Games. The appointment, made directly by Chelle who doubles as Head Coach of the Super Eagles and the U23 side, is part of a deliberate effort to blend international best practices with deep local knowledge in the technical setup of the national U23 team. Deniran Ortega hails from Lagos State and has steadily built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s brightest young coaching minds. Based in the United Kingdom, he brings a global outlook shaped by formal training and practical experience across different footballing environments. He is a UEFA Licensed Coach and also holds several professional coaching qualifications from football bodies in Africa and Nigeria. That combination of European certification and African football understanding is ex...
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