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NPFL/LaLiga U15 tournament: I’ll buy land with my N100k – Plateau Utd’s Sumfat Julius

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Sumfat Julius with former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju

Remo Stars academy boys Beyond Limits were last weekend crowned champions of the 2023 NPFL and LaLiga U-15 Promises. Beyond Limits defeated Plateau United’s Mees Palace1-0 to make it back-to-back wins in the NPFLU-15 competition at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun state.

LaLiga Ambassador in Nigeria, Mutiu Adepoju said the tournament was a huge success as the youthful teams were worthy ambassadors of their various clubs.

“We had 16 teams that started but it was Remo Stars and Plateau United that got to the final.”

He observed that the standard of the tournament which was sponsored by MTN Nigeria was awesome and the final was top-notch. He said there was not much that differentiated the two teams. “The two teams played good football and the lucky side won”.

The former Super Eagles star insisted, “it could have been anybody’s game. It’s just that the Remo boys used the opportunity they had.”

He couldn’t hold back his joy as a LaLiga Ambassador. “For La Liga, this means a lot. LaLiga is passionate about developing the game from the grassroots. This is one of the ways LaLiga can contribute to Nigeria football and that is what we are doing.

“We saw good players emerge, there is one from Remo Stars who scored 10 goals in this edition. It’s improving, we are having more goals and new stars are emerging.”

Proprietor of Remo Stars Kunle Soname was all smiles after the match which was decided by a lone goal scored by 10-goal hero, Opeyemi Yusuf in the second half of the exciting encounter.

“It means a lot to us at Remo Stars, first it shows that what we are doing is good, at least we are on the right track. We are very proud of our achievements. Emerging the best among the best U15 teams in the country back-to-back is worthy of emulation.”

Soname was not flattered by the stylish manner the two teams performed in the final as he considered the standard of this year’s championship was not higher than last year’s.

“It is the same. To be honest, I think the standard is the same. But I also think that the crop of players sent by clubs were fairly younger than the ones we had last year. And that has been coming down year by year.”

He disclosed that the secret behind Remo Stars’ success was their academy which sees the players graduate from one stage to the next.

“Majority of these players that featured today came in as U13s and some of them who featured last year are eligible because they are still in the age bracket. The team has just been together. They all played in U13 and U15. They have just been together”

The tournament climaxed with an award ceremony in which the major sponsor, MTN Nigeria showered the outstanding players with N100,000 each.

Opeyemi Yusuf won the Golden boot and a plaque as the highest goal scorer with 10 goals. He was generous as he said he would share his cash with his teammates. Abubakar Sadiq from El Kanemi Warriors(most articulate) , Moses Chuwang of Plateau United(best goalkeeper), Sumfat Julius from Plateau United, who scored the goal of the tournament sent everyone in the packed hall chuckling with laughter when he said he would buy a piece of land in Jos with his N100k MTN largess. Umar Bala of Plateau United also won the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

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Five More Nigerians Join Kayseri Women, Taking Turkish Move to Eight in Two Weeks

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Five Nigerian female footballers have officially completed moves to Turkish women’s football club Kayseri Kadın Futbol Kulübü, further strengthening the growing Nigerian presence at the club ahead of the new season.

Sports247 reports that the quintet comprises Judith Adaobi Okay, Precious Uju Obasi, Omosuyi Ayo, Mariam Abdulkadri and Roseline Ayatsea Hembafan, all of whom are set to begin a new chapter of their careers in Turkey.

Four of the players arrive from clubs in the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), while one joins from the Ghana Women’s Premier League, highlighting the growing pathway from West African women’s football to the Turkish top flight.

The players will compete in the Turkish Women’s Super League (Kadın Futbol Süper Ligi), Turkey’s highest level of women’s football, as they look to establish themselves in the Central Anatolian city of Kayseri.

The new arrivals are expected to bring additional quality, competition and experience to Kayseri’s squad, with the Nigerian players determined to make an immediate impact and contribute to the club’s ambitions during the campaign.

The latest transfers also represent a significant milestone for those facilitating the players’ moves.

Just last week, three other Nigerian female footballers completed transfers to Kayseri Kadın Futbol Kulübü. The latest five signings take the number of Nigerian players moved to the Turkish club to eight in less than two weeks.

The remarkable sequence of transfers underlines the increasing connection between Nigerian women’s football and the Turkish league, while providing more opportunities for young Nigerian players to gain international experience.

For the players, the move represents more than a change of club. It provides an opportunity to compete in a new football environment, experience European-style competition and further develop their careers on the international stage.

Kayseri will also benefit from the influx of Nigerian talent as the club seeks to build a competitive squad capable of achieving strong results in the Turkish Women’s Super League.

With eight Nigerian players now joining the club within a remarkably short period, Kayseri is quickly becoming an important destination for Nigerian female footballers seeking opportunities abroad.

The quintet will now turn their attention to settling into their new environment, adapting to the demands of Turkish football and helping their new club achieve its targets.

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EuroMatch NPFL Explodes Into Action: Rangers Begin Title Defence as Matchday One Promises Fireworks

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The wait is over. The newly branded EuroMatch NPFL has entered the spotlight, and after Shooting Stars opened the 2026/27 campaign with a 2-1 victory over newly promoted Inter Lagos in Ibadan on Friday, attention now shifts to a packed Sunday programme that promises to set the tone for the new season.

The 2026/27 campaign is the first season of the EuroMatch NPFL, following the unveiling of EuroMatch as the league’s new title sponsor in Abuja on Wednesday. The three-year agreement is worth $7.5 million, with 60 per cent of the annual sponsorship proceeds earmarked for the 20 participating clubs.

Read Also: “We Stayed Together Until the End” — Sodiq Leads Shooting Stars to Winning Start Against Inter Lagos

That commercial breakthrough has added another layer of excitement to a season already carrying huge expectations, with the champions set to receive a record ₦1 billion prize.

Now the football must do the talking.

Defending champions Rangers International will begin their title defence against Katsina United at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm. The Flying Antelopes, champions of the 2025/26 campaign, have relocated their home fixtures to Abeokuta and will be determined to start their championship defence with three points. The fixture is also listed by the NPFL for live coverage on the official NPFL YouTube channel in partnership with Murphy Ben International.

For Rangers, the challenge is immediate: turn the excitement of being champions into the consistency required to defend the crown.

Katsina United, however, will have no interest in playing the role of supporting cast. A positive result against the champions on their opening day would immediately announce their own ambitions and provide one of the weekend’s biggest talking points.

Elsewhere, Bendel Insurance and Warri Wolves renew a South-South rivalry in Benin City. It is the type of opening-day encounter where intensity, physical battles and defensive discipline could dominate, with one moment of individual quality potentially deciding the contest.

In Ilorin, Kwara United welcome Kano Pillars in another intriguing fixture. Both sides possess experienced players capable of controlling the midfield, making the battle for possession and territory potentially decisive.

There is also considerable interest in Lagos, where Ikorodu City host newly promoted Ranchers Bees at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Ikorodu City have established themselves as one of the league’s most consistent sides, finishing fourth in each of the last two seasons, while Ranchers Bees arrive with the ambition and confidence that comes with promotion.

At the Pantami Stadium, another promoted side, Sporting Lagos, begin their campaign away to Doma United. Both clubs are returning to the top flight and will see the encounter as an opportunity to make an immediate statement.

Nine-time champions Enyimba also face an intriguing opening assignment away to Niger Tornadoes in Minna, while Rivers United host Plateau United in Port Harcourt.

Other fixtures will see Abia Warriors take on Kun Khalifat and Barau FC face Nasarawa United.

The full Sunday programme is:

Ikorodu City vs Ranchers Bees
Abia Warriors vs Kun Khalifat
Barau FC vs Nasarawa United
Bendel Insurance vs Warri Wolves
Rangers International vs Katsina United
Rivers United vs Plateau United
Kwara United vs Kano Pillars
Niger Tornadoes vs Enyimba
Doma United vs Sporting Lagos

All nine Sunday fixtures are scheduled for 4pm, according to the NPFL’s official fixture listing.

But beyond the individual fixtures, this opening weekend carries a much bigger message.

This is the first NPFL season under the EuroMatch title sponsorship, the first campaign following the league’s new digital streaming partnership with Murphy Ben International, and a season in which the NPFL is openly pursuing greater commercial value, wider visibility and stronger benefits for its clubs and players.

The league has effectively raised the stakes.

Now Rangers, Enyimba, Rivers United, Kano Pillars, Ikorodu City and the rest must respond on the pitch.

The EuroMatch NPFL has arrived.

The champions are defending. The challengers are coming. The promoted clubs want to make history.

And after Friday’s opening shock, Sunday could provide the first major statement of what promises to be one of the most closely watched NPFL seasons in years.

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