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The  Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has affirmed that the resumption of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has brought a big relief after months of uncertainty. Warri Wolves team against MFM FC in the match Day 1 fixture of NPFL 2020/2021  Mr Dare made this assertion in a  media chat following the kickoff of the new NPFL season last weekend. "Truly, it is really a sign of relief to see the NPFL return. You can see the excitement on the social media and economic activities in different venues talking about the hotels, restaurants and hosts of others who  are beneficiaries of the restart of the league. "The return of the league brought about economic gains and it will  reduce social vices among the youth  "Even the gladiators of the  game are not left out of the party, players get travel allowances, Refrees, match officials and as well back room staff," Dare posited. MFM FC during the procession of opening league m...

Left fullback, Reuben Nicodemus, scored twice to hand Nasarawa United Football Club a hard-fought 2-1 victory over northern neighbours, Wikki Tourists FC (Bauchi), during the opener of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League Season decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday. In a game that was played behind closed doors in line with the directives of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, the Nigeria Football Federation, and League Management Company, the visitors took the lead four minutes into the first-half through Promise Damala following some poor defending. Nasarawa United, however, drew level courtesy of workaholic defender, Reuben Nicodemus, whose close range thunderbolt could not be dealt with by the visitors' goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, to end the first-half 1-1 apiece.  The mobile left fullback increased the tally for the Solid Miners seven minutes into the second-half(52nd minute) after spinning with the ball inside the box before releasing a low shot that...

A plucky Sunshine Stars side slipped to a narrow 1-0 loss in Sunday's NPFL 2020/21 opening round meeting with Jigawa Golden Stars at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. Jigawa Golden Stars and Sunshine in action. It was Gbenga Ogunbote's first game in charge of Sunshine Stars since returning to manage the club in September and of course, the first taste of league football for both clubs, following a nine-month hiatus occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. The game gathered momentum slowly and it was Sunshine Stars goalkeeper, Ariyo David that was called into the first save of the encounter, repelling a goal-bound effort from point blank after seven minutes of play. Sunshine Stars had an attempt of their own five minutes later with Waheed Adebayo forcing Godwin Paul into saving his fierce low drive before Fu'ad Ekelojuoti was flagged offside on the rebound. Chances were few and far between until the 42nd minute when Ariyo parried into safety off the frame from a well-taken free ...

Aminu Balele Kurfi, Chairman of Katsina state Football Associatio n Splashes .3m on Jigawa, Sunshines teams. Chairman of Katsina state Football Association Alh. Aminu Balele Kurfi has praised the efforts of the League Management Company LMC and all the Football stakeholders across for the successful kick off of the Nigeria Domestic league the NPFL.  Alh. Balele Kurfi who was amongst the top dignitaries that witnessed the encounter between Jigawa Golden stars FC and Sunshine stars FC played at the ABS stadium Kaduna particularly showered praises on the match officials for their excellent performances. The philanthropist who is also a member of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF Technical and Development committee gave kudos to players of the two teams for their high level of discipline, maturity and good display of soccer artistry.  He thereafter presented a cash donation of one hundred and fifty thousand naira to each of the two teams even as he took a group photograph with t...

Nigeria Professional Football League returns on Sunday, after over nine months of inactiveness due to COVID-19 global emergency, with Sunshine Stars among the clubs gearing up for the start of a season that has given the 2020 yuletide a welcome disruption. The Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS), Kaduna will be the epicentre when the Owena Whales battle hosts, Jigawa Golden Stars.  It is a game that will mark the beginning of coach Gbenga Ogunbote second spell in charge of the Akure lanlords following a largely succesfully first stint between 2010 and 2012. Speaking with Sunshine Stars FC Media on the eve of the season's opening round, The Oracle as the vastly experienced and tested coach is fondly called, affirmed his readiness for a positive start and give fans in Akure something to cheer about at the end of the campaign. The Oracle stated: "Every match is a serious game, Jigawa is not a bad side. We have done our best to make sure we represent the state and the Club very well and n ...

Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has re-affirmed that government alone can not develop sports, insisting that only public, private partnership could off shoot Sports Development. Dare Sunday with Private investors at a stakeholder's meeting According to Mr. Dare: "In an Egalitarian society, sports is developed alongside private investors. Look at countries like United kingdom, Jamaica, United States, South Africa and a  host of others that have successfully done this.  "We need to develop sports deliberately with the help of public, private partnership with Government.  We believe in a holistic sports development which is a total departure from funding sporting competitions  and waiting for the next Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games or the All Africa Games.But as important as these events  are, they do not equate to sports development.But we came in clearly with the vision of developing a template that speaks to sports developm...

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has assured that the National Stadium pitch in Surulere, Lagos could  be ready to host Super Eagles and other  International matches by May 2021. Sunday Dare inspecting the ongoing work at the National Stadium, Lagos The Minister made this assertion during an inspection tour of the Surulere National Stadium, Lagos which is under going rehabilitation. According  to him,  "it's high time we had a familiar ground for our national teams. The  Moshood Abiola National stadium Abuja and the Surulere National stadium, Lagos will be ready to host matches next year and it will be a major plus to our teams when they have a familiar ground. “This arrangement is under the adopt initiative which is a public-private model that we developed. We were able to pitch that to the private sector. we discussed with a philanthropist and lover of sports Sir Adebutu Keshington, who was convinced about the proposal. He is someb...