Sports
JUST IN: We’ll soon introduce VAR in NPFL – NFF

The President of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Misa Gusau has disclosed the ministry’s plan to introduce Video Assisted Referees, VAR in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
Gusau made this known at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu while addressing journalists at the end of the opening game of the premier league between defending champion, Rangers International and Wkki Tourists.
Gusau who attested that VAR requires a capable hands to handle, disclosed that the ministry want to make sure that they have qualified and trained personnel that will manage it.
He, however, assured that they will start with training and retraining of personnel to ensure efficiency and quality service delivery.
Speaking on the 2024/25 season, Gusau assured that there would be a lot of improvements in the league, adding that referees will be wearing communication gadgets while officiating to provide a communication platform for referees and their assistants without going close to themselves.
“We are working on improving the league to international standard. We will soon introduce the VAR but we are concerned about training the personnel that will handle it first so that we won’t have any error while using VAR.
“From next week, you will see our referees starting to use communication gadgets. The referees will now communicate with themselves, they don’t need to go to AR to start asking them questions.
Gusau who attested that VAR requires a capable hands to handle, disclosed that the ministry want to make sure that they have qualified and trained personnel that will manage it.
He, however, assured that they will start with training and retraining of personnel to ensure efficiency and quality service delivery.
Speaking on the 2024/25 season, Gusau assured that there would be a lot of improvements in the league, adding that referees will be wearing communication gadgets while officiating to provide a communication platform for referees and their assistants without going close to themselves.
“We are working on improving the league to international standard. We will soon introduce the VAR but we are concerned about training the personnel that will handle it first so that we won’t have any error while using VAR.
“From next week, you will see our referees starting to use communication gadgets. The referees will now communicate with themselves, they don’t need to go to AR to start asking them questions.
Sports
Peter Rufai’s burial : Taribo West explodes, lashes out at NFF, LASG ‘What kind of nation is this?’
Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart.

• Taribo West
Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, has condemned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Lagos State Government for alleged abandonment of the family of deceased goalkeeper, Peter Rufai.
During Rufai’s burial at Ikoyi cemetery on Friday, Taribo West expressed outrage at what he described as the consistent failure of Nigerian authorities to honour football heroes after their death.
In a video shared by News Central on Friday, the ex-Inter Milan star , lamented: It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving.
“My mother died . I never shed tears. My father died in my hands. I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?”
“With this kind of example they have shown in (Yisa) Sofoule, Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliya and Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory), I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family.
“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart,” he stated.
Sports
Bayelsa to host 2028 National Sports Festival
Bayelsa State presented an amazing bid for the 2028 sports festival. I was happy to know that there is an intentional desire by Bayelsa to host the sports festival.

• Bukola Olopade, DG National Sports Commission
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has said Bayelsa State can comfortably host the 2028 National Sports Festival (NSF).
The Director-General, of the NSC, Mr. Bukola Olapade, stated this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
Olopade said that the team was in the state to inspect facilities before announcing the 2028 sports festival host.
He said facilities inspected included the security infrastructure, medical facilities, wrestling gyms, table tennis halls as well as the ongoing construction of an ultramodern stadium.
According to the NSC DG, from what the team saw, he was confident that Bayelsa will get the nod to host the festival.
He described the state as very peaceful, hospitable and a sleeping giant with great potential in the sports sector.
His words: “Bayelsa State presented an amazing bid for the 2028 sports festival. I was happy to know that there is an intentional desire by Bayelsa to host the sports festival.
Bayelsa is a sleeping giant in sports.“Yenagoa is beautiful and peaceful. This is an amazingly peaceful and beautiful state and it tells me that these are people ready to welcome visitors.
Sports
Enyimba unveil faces of 22 new players

Eight-time Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba International Football Club, have confirmed a massive shake-up in their squad with the departure of 22 players ahead of the new season.
The players released include Imo Prince Ikemdinachi, Musa Usman Babalolo, Innocent Gabriel, Nelson Michael, Alade Muyiwa Balogun, Nnachi Chidiebere, Chisom Ejio, Junior Lokosa, Fatai Abdullahi, Imo Obot Udo, Umeh Gozie, Olufemi Opeoluwa, Somiari Orinate Alalibo, Chidera Eze, Ukadiike Chiemerie Divine, Augustine Onyemaechi, Gideon Peter, Tobias Orkuma, Leonard Obinna, Brown Ideye, Ani Ozoemena, and Elijah Akanni.
The Nation, reports that in an official statement, the Aba-based club expressed appreciation to the departing players for their service, dedication, and contribution to the team, while wishing them success in their future careers.
In addition to the permanent exits, three players have been sent out on loan to gain more playing time and experience. They are Obichere Wisdom Odinaka, Purpose Ahubaraezemma, and Samuel Buah Nuako.
The clear-out follows a disappointing 2024/25 campaign in which the People’s Elephant fell well short of expectations, finishing outside continental qualification spots and ending the season trophies.
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