Newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, and reigning President Federation Cup champion, El-Kanemi Warriors FC, Lobi Stars and some clubs in the NPFL are on the verge of being banned from all football activities, if they fail to pay judgment sum to their former players whose contracts were unilaterally terminated.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through its Players status and Arbitration committee, on 24th May, 2024, ordered El-Kanemi to settle the debt, 30 days from the date of the decision, with a grace period of 15 days totaling 45days.
Through their legal representative, FIFA Licensed Football Agent, Mr. Eddie Iseri Ogbemudia, the players Bala Yusuf Mohammed, Adoyi Emmanuel and Suleiman Sadiq Abubakar had written to the Nigeria Football Federation, explaining in details how El Kanemi Warriors had treated them unjustly by unlawfully breaching the contract binding them.
The NFF after reviewing documents submitted by the claimants, and response from the respondents Elkanemi Warriors, found out that El Kanemi Warriors,were guilty of unilaterally terminating the contract of the players without just cause, and ordered the Maiduguri based club to settle the overdue payables.
Although the NFF ruled that the team should pay 50 percent of the salaries owed, this reduced amount the club has failed to pay till date.
Going by the NFF Players Status and Arbitration Committee’s decision, El-Kanemi Warriors, Lobi Stars and others will not be cleared to participate in any football activities within and outside Nigeria if they fail to adhere to the verdict of the NFF on or before July 8th 2024.
The legal representative of the players Mr. Eddie Iseri Ogbemudia said, “It’s a new dawn for Nigeria football, the current composition of NFF Players Status and Arbitration Committee are men that desire to write their names in gold in the history book of Nigeria Football. The few opportunities I have had before the committee you will know they are ready to wield the big stick no matter who is involved.” It’s unfortunate that one of our Continental representatives in CAF Confederation Cup is among those who will suffer this. I believe they still have a few days to do the needful or suffer the consequences.
Time is ticking and Elkanami Warriors FC, Lobi Stars FC and other clubs will soon know their fate.

Former Super Eagles Coach Finidi George , on Wednesday signed two years contract as technical manager with Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt, at Real Madrid Conference Hall, in Port Harcourt.
The management of the club  officially unveiled the new technical manager to fans, supporters and Rivers people yesterday at the Sharks Football Stadium.
It was a funfare at the Sharks Stadium as at the unveiling ceremony attracted old Sharks players, Ex-Internationals, Rivers Angels players and people from all walks of life.
Speaking shortly after George put pen on paper, the General Manager of the  Club, Okey Kpalukwu expressed joy for the newly signed technical manager.
“ We all know that Finidi George  grew up in Port Harcourt , also started his football career  from Port Harcourt   and today we have grabbed him back to Port Harcourt as a coach.
“Today is a very glorious day  in our team because last season it was difficult for us and a lot of questions were asked. We are happy to tell you that we have  taken corrections and we are trying to do our best to see that the people of Rivers state will be proud of the team” he said.
In his reaction, Finidi George promised to bring back the lost glory of Rivers United, also pledges  to bring back  fans to Stadium to watch good football.
“ First and foremost I am very happy to be here as the technical manager of the pride of Rivers. I grew up in Port Harcourt, where I started my football career and today I am back as a coach. I played for Sharks Football Club back then and went to Europe.
“It impressed me to come back home and give back to them, to where I started. As a Port Harcourt guy I want to see how  I can impact a little bit, I have been away in Abia State for some time, I think this is an opportunity for me to give back to where I started from.
“ I am not here for fun, I am here for a purpose, I know there is hunger for success of the team but we must have patience for the team”, George said.

Tonye Orabere/Kiadum Edookor

Lagos and Oyo States were big winners at the 3rd edition of Cycling Lagos, an initiative organised by BrandEscort Communications in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos State Cycling Association.
The competition themed ‘Sustainable Healthcare’ was kicked off by the Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Grassroots Sports Development, Adebanji Atewogboye, in a celebrity race that started from Teslim Balogun Stadium and proceeded along Alhaji Marshal Road and back to the stadium.
Atewogboye emphasised that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is committed to providing a solid platform for athletes in the state to succeed, saying, “The event is fantastic for the young athletes participating, and our focus is on partnering with and promoting talented athletes from the grassroots. We appreciate the organisers, Cycling Lagos.”
The event, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and supported by Stanbic IBTC Bank, Cway, Nutrify, Nestle Nigeria Plc, McVitie’s, ADVAN, and NNPC, saw Lagos State pro cyclist Tijani Quwam emerge as the winner in the male category after riding for 56 minutes, 29 seconds.
Agbo Francis from Ogun State came in second with 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds. Moshood Garuba, also from Ogun State, came in 3rd after riding for 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds.
In the professional female race, Lagos State’s Patricia Nunachi came in first after racing for 56 minutes, 38.44 seconds, while Angulum Doris from Lagos came in second with a time of 58 minutes, 22.58 seconds. Kate Oyewole, also from Lagos, finished third with a time of 58 minutes, 28.47 seconds.
celebrity race that started from Teslim Balogun Stadium and proceeded along Alhaji Marshal Road and back to the stadium.
Atewogboye emphasised that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is committed to providing a solid platform for athletes in the state to succeed, saying, “The event is fantastic for the young athletes participating, and our focus is on partnering with and promoting talented athletes from the grassroots. We appreciate the organisers, Cycling Lagos.”
The event, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and supported by Stanbic IBTC Bank, Cway, Nutrify, Nestle Nigeria Plc, McVitie’s, ADVAN, and NNPC, saw Lagos State pro cyclist Tijani Quwam emerge as the winner in the male category after riding for 56 minutes, 29 seconds.
Agbo Francis from Ogun State came in second with 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds. Moshood Garuba, also from Ogun State, came in 3rd after riding for 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds.
In the professional female race, Lagos State’s Patricia Nunachi came in first after racing for 56 minutes, 38.44 seconds, while Angulum Doris from Lagos came in second with a time of 58 minutes, 22.58 seconds. Kate Oyewole, also from Lagos, finished third with a time of 58 minutes, 28.47 seconds.
In the amateur male category, Isiaka Ibrahim from Lagos State came first after riding for 15 minutes, 22.11 seconds, followed by Ajibade Ibrahim from Oyo State in second with 15 minutes, 22.13 seconds, and Sagiru Ibrahim in third with 15 minutes, 28.08 seconds.
In the amateur female category, Olawale Peace from Oyo State was the winner after racing for 16 minutes, 48.88 seconds, while Lilian Odumegwu from Lagos came in second with a time of 16 minutes, 48.88 seconds, and Ejima Peter from Lagos State came in third with 17 minutes, 25.50 seconds.
The children’s demographic was not left out of the competition, with Mukadan Isiaq from Oyo State coming in first with a time of three minutes and 41.10 seconds in the U-15 male category, while Babatunde Ramadan from Lagos State came in second with three minutes and 41.11 seconds, and Emmanuel Unimna of Lagos State came in third with three minutes and 41.15 seconds.
In the U-15 female category, Aminu Olamiposi, from Oyo State, won with a time of three minutes and 46.22 seconds, followed by fellow Oyo indigenes Adeola Olabisi, second with three minutes and 47.12 seconds, and Mukadan Rodia, third with three minutes and 47.14 seconds.
The male U-10 category saw Akinola Destiny from Oyo State come in first with a time of two minutes and 35.22 seconds, while Emmanuel Popoola from Lagos came in second with a time of two minutes and 35.24 seconds, and Adesola Opeoluwa, also from Lagos, came in third with a time of two minutes and 35.25 seconds.
In the female U-10 category, Odebiyi Hikimat from Oyo State came in first with a time of two minutes and 36.25 seconds, while Aminu Olamiposi, also from Oyo State, came in second with a time of two minutes and 36.27 seconds, and Victoria Kalejaiye from Lagos came in third with a time of two minutes and 36.29
seconds.