Rivers State Football Coaches Association has announced a valedictory session today in honour of the former assistant coach of Rivers United, Okechukwu Okabie.

In a statement made available to Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State chapter,Chairman of the Okabie Burial Committee, Eldred Sunju-Abbey stated that the Valedictory Session

is part of a week-long activities lined up to honour the Late Okabie who will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 29.

Today’s Valedictory Session at Number 34, Olozu Street, Elekahia, Port Harcourt by 1pm will precede a Novelty Match between Ex Sharks FC players and Rivers State Football Coaches Association same day at the Sharks Football Stadium by 4pm.

A Service of Songs will be held on Friday, April 28 at the New Covenant Anglican Church, Nzimiro street, Port Harcourt by 5pm in memorial of the deceased while internment and burial service will take place on Saturday , April 29 at the same church.

Late Okechukwu Okabie was a former player for Sharks FC, an assistant coach with Rivers United and a former chairman of the Rivers State Football Coaches Association before his demise on December 22,2022.

The draw for the 2022-2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup was held on Monday 12 December in Cairo, Egypt. And Nigeria’s only representative in continental club football competition this year, Rivers United have been drawn in the Group B.

The Nigerian Football Professional League Champions have be drawn with Asec Mimosa of Ivory Coast, Diables Noirs of the Republic of Congo and DC Motemba Pembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Group A, USM Alger of Algeria will compete for the top spot with Marumo Gallants South Africa, Al Akhdar Liberia, and Saint-Eloi Lupopo of the Republic of Congo.

Pyramids of Egypt, ASKO Kara of Togo, Future of Egypt, and FAR Rabat of Morocco will slug it out in Group C.

While in Group D, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, US Monastir Tunisia, Young Africans Tanzania, and Real Bamako of Mali will battle for the top spots.

The Port Harcourt-based team will travel away to Diables Noir for their first game on February 12, before they welcome ASEC Mimosas a week later.

While Enyimba are two-time African champions having won the CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004, no Nigerian team has won the Confederation Cup since it was founded in 2004, a narrative Rivers United will hope to change this term.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Just as Nigerians were trying to put behind them the rude shock of the death of former Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi, the football world woke up last Saturday morning to the news that four-time national team coach Shuaibu Amodu was dead, three days after the death of Keshi. But must the Nigeria Football Federation wait until their death to honour them?

When the immediate past Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh announced his resignation, citing contract violations, lack of support and unpaid wages, as reason for leaving many were quick to discard his claims, saying that even while he was a player, his coaches were owed and "why does he think things would change in his time."

But the death of Shuaibu Amodu has lent credence to the fact that NFF is not living up to its responsibilities. Probably, if his salaries were paid as and when due, he might be alive today.

As the federation's technical director, Amodu was reportedly on N800, 000 per month but without an office and official accommodation.

According to his brother, Akuri Afegbua, the former Eagles coach died after complaints of chest pain and his inability to get the money NFF owed him, adding that his financial status had made it difficult for him to take care of himself and his immediate family.

"I think he died of frustration due to his financial status. He was not paid. He was complaining of not being paid and had no money to maintain himself and his immediate family," the cousin said.

NFF general secretary Muhammed Sanusi said the football authority would forever be grateful to Amodu for his amazing service to Nigerian and African football.

"He lived for his family and football, Amodu gave his heart and soul to Nigerian football and we can never thank him enough," Sanusi told BBC Sport.

The late NFF technical director first took charge of Nigeria at the age of 36, coached the Super Eagles on four different occasions.

He helped the country to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and led them to a third-place finish in the 2002 Nations Cup.

Under his stewardship, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but Amodu was sacked despite the team's third-place finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

New FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has told the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick, about his intention to visit the country very soon.

Infantino held talks with Pinnick at the ongoing FIFA congress in Mexico on Friday.

The Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, disclosed this during a television programme on Friday.

Dikko said the FIFA supremo is happy with the development of soccer in Nigeria and most especially the partnership with La Liga.

“I want to let Nigerians know that the NFF president had a chat with Infantino during the ongoing FIFA Congress in Mexico and he praised the development of football in Nigeria and also commended the federation for attracting the La Liga to partner with our league,” Goal quoted the LMC chairman as saying during the TV programme.

“The FIFA president immediately told the NFF boss that he would like to come to Nigeria so that he can also see areas in which he could be of assistance to Nigerian football. He said he would come very soon.”

Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate payment of sign on fees for the 2013/2014 owed players and officials of the defunct Sharks FC and Dolphins by the previous administration. The two teams owned by the state were collapsed into the new Rivers United FC.

Wike’s magnanimity is in recognition of the recent brilliant performances of Rivers United FC in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), especially its recent away win against Warri Wolves in Warri, Delta State.

The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, who confirmed monday the governor’s approval charged the players and officials of Rivers United FC to gun for this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

United has been in impressive form in recent weeks, dispatching the log leaders, Enugu Rangers 3-1 in Port Harcourt on May 1 before following it up with a 1-0 away victory over Warri Wolves last Sunday.

“The governor has shown he is a man of action and a man of his words by ensuring that their priority is placed at the top burner.

“I am urging you all to reciprocate this commendable gesture by ensuring that you go all out to win this season’s NPFL title.

“If this feat is achieved, it will go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of all Rivers people and also justify the huge investment in the club,” Iyaye noted.

Rivers United currently occupies sixth spot in the NPFL standings with 25 points from 15 matches, three points adrift of the leaders, Enugu Rangers.

Speaking after Tuesday’s training at the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Abuja, coach Siasia noted that he barely had enough players in camp to start real preparations for the Olympics, which is barely three months away.

“I must confess that it has not been easy for me and my technical crew; a lot of the players we need to work with won’t report to camp as at when due because their club chairmen will always call me to beg that these players stay back to play mid –week games. I understand their plight that they need these players to do well in the League, but then we must draw a line between national interest and club interest. I have always built the foundation of my team on the home based players, so it is players I have at my disposal that I will work and plan with.

“So, I am appealing to all involved to please bear with us, because from next week, I will not release any player for mid –week games. If the clubs cannot release these players, then I am sorry, no matter how good these players are, they cannot be part of my plans.”

Coach Siasia said his call for understanding, is coming on the heels of the fact that he is preparing the team for the South Korea Invitational Tournament coming up early June, and he needs to pick players who will do the nation proud and get them in the mood for the games. “From the information at my disposal, we are supposed to be traveling on 29th May, to Seoul. It means we have barely two weeks to prepare adequately for that competition that will have in attendance other teams that would be going to the Olympics.”

Siasia disclosed that he will soon release the names of foreign based professionals expected to be part of the preparation, saying he has delayed announcing their names because he has not been able to get assurances from their clubs on their release for the Games.

Home based players in the Nigeria Professional Football League have a major role to play in the Super Eagles and compete for players with the second string foreign players according to interim Coach, Salisu Yusuf.

Salisu spoke in the long term despite the Nigeria Football Federation announcing it will hire a ” substantive head coach” after the Man/June friendlies.

The coach expressed hope that the new program will help the Men’s national team build a formidable side.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shehu Dikko, LMC Chairman, led its management while La Liga President Javier Tebas, led the Spanish delegation to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Dikko said that the partnership would see Nigerian coaches and clubs embark on capacity building tour of Spain and also see the La Liga establish a liaison office in Nigeria.

“We are excited with what happened today because it will help in our quest to change the face of football in Nigeria, using the international best practices.

“We are privileged to lead the reform that is expected to take Nigerian league to the next level.

“La Liga is one of the richest leagues in the world. So, we want to tap from them to make our league better.

“We are working with them on technical issues of developing the league. But, most importantly, they will develop our coaches and players as well as commercial activity.

“The next thing is to get Nigerians to put money into the league because this is our biggest challenge; however, the partnership will also involve marketing.

“Major leagues in the world want to associate with the NPFL and in no distant time, the result will begin to manifest,’’ Dikko said.

On his part, Tebas said the benefits of the partnership deal signed with the LMC would depend how better the NPFL becomes in future.

In a remark, Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo Sebastián de Erice, said his country is Nigeria’s third best client on the economic front and would want the relationship replicated in sports.

“Spain and Nigeria have strong relations which are strategic and our political relationships are based on friendship, trust and good understanding.

“Regarding the economic relations, we are the third best client of Nigeria with4.5 billion Euros of oil and gas bought by Spain.

“The MoU signed today will make our sports on mutual relations also strategic; La Liga is one of the most important companies in Spain and its presence in Nigeria is very important,’’ de Erice said.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, who witnessed the signing, said a page had been opened in the history of football in Nigeria.

Dalung said that the partnership would open up opportunities for exchange of ideas and experiences which is expected to transcend into football and other international relationships.

`The coming of La Liga into Nigerian football is a mark of trust Spain has for Nigeria’s football,’’ Dalung said.

NAN reports that Fernando Sanz, La Liga’s Director for International Projects, Melcior Soler, the Director of Audiovisual Affairs and Antonio Barradas, the La Liga Africa Continent Manager are among the delegation from Spain. (NAN)

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It will be an oriental clash between first and second placed teams in the Nigeria Professional Football League when FC IfeanyiUbah and Rangers clash at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu on Saturday.

Rangers toppled their Oriental rivals in the table midweek following a 2-0 home win against Plateau United.

The Nnewi- based outfit have amassed 19 points, while Rangers who were held to a 1-1 draw by MFM FC at the Agege Stadium on Wednesday are on 18 points.

Third placed Abia Warriors, the only side yet to taste defeat in the league this season have a chance to extend that run when they confront Lobi Stars at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Kennedy Boboye's led side are sweating on the fitness of top striker, Chisom Chikatara who missed the midweek 2-1 win at Akwa United due to injury.

Former champions, Kano Pillars will hope to return to winning ways when they host Nasarawa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

The Sai Masu Gida's six- games winning streak was halted by Giwa FC in the midweek.

Ikorodu United and Sunshine Stars will clash in the South West derby, while Jos rivals, Plateau United and Giwa will battle for supremacy at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

Read Also: Obaroakpo: Abia Warriors Want To Stay Unbeaten, Win NPFL Title

Shooting Stars who are yet to pick a point on their travels this season will be guests to El-kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.

In Owerri, Heartland and Rivers United will do battle in what is expected to be a highly entertaining affair.

The visitors are without defeat in their last three games.

Struggling Warri Wolves will keep a date with high flying MFM FC at the Warri City Stadium.

Akwa United who lost 2-1 against Abia Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Wednesday have another chance to make amend for that defeat when they slug it out with Niger Tornadoes at the same venue.

MATCH DAY -11 FIXTURES

Ikorodu United V Sunshine Stars

El-kanemi W. V Shooting Stars

Heartland V Rivers United

Kano Pillars V Nasarawa United

Plateau United V Giwa FC

Rangers V FC IfeanyiUbah

Warri Wolves V MFM FC

Abia Warriors V Lobi Stars

Akwa United V Niger Tornadoes

Already the season of a few top clubs is unravelling - Sunshine Stars are struggling to find a winning formula while one of the new boys are setting the pace at the top of the standings six match days into the campaign.

However, last weekend created intriguing talking points and supersport.com relive them.

MOST GOALS ON A MATCH DAY

Only seven games took part in the top-flight over the weekend with the trio of Enyimba, Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves grinding it out in continental football. The seven matches produced 25 goals - the most in a single match day this season. It brought the average of goals per game on the day to three with Plateau United and Sunshine Stars being the only teams of the 14 to fire blanks.

FC IFEANYIUBAH FOREIGN STARS TICK RIGHT BOXES AGAIN

Seven foreign players were named in FC Ifeanyiubah's match-day squad against Ikorodu United but three started. Fabrice Luamba Ngoma, Nico Dao and Alberico Barbosa da Silva made the startlist. Dao helped himself with a double while Pascal Seka came off the bench to score in their 4-1 win over the Lagos club.

MATCH DAY OF SUPER-SUBS

Out of the 25 goals scored on the day, five of them were scored by substitutes. Japhet Daniel came on for El-Kanemi to score in their 1-3 loss at MFM FC while Seka netted in Ifeanyiubah's 4-1 win off the bench. Giwa FC's Omotayo Adebogun replaced Said Mubarak 20 minutes to time and at the death scored the winner against Sunshine Stars. Rivers United substitutes, Daniel Israel and Guy Kuemian, scored late goals to make the scoreline respectable at Niger Tornadoes after the hosts had taken a three-goal lead.

DEJA VU SEQUENCE PANS OUT

Two matches produced the same sequence of ending in draws and with the away teams dropping points from winning positions. At the Aper Aku Stadium, Lobi Stars rallied back to hold former champions Kano Pillars at 2-2. Last season Lobi had to fight back from three goals down to draw 3-3.

In the southeast derby, Abia Warriors had to grind out a draw with Enugu Rangers. It ended 2-2 with Chisom Chikatara scoring the goal to level matters for the hosts like he did in same fixture last term when they played out a 3-3 draw.

Segun Odegbami, former Super Eagles captain, said on Sunday that lack of funds was making it difficult for clubs to successfully prosecute the Nigeria Professional Football League matches, adding that the problem was making it difficult for them to honour matches.

Despite the poor financial state of these clubs, he kicked against privatising these clubs on the premise that such an exercise would lead to the death of the clubs.

Privatisation, he said, would fail because no private organisation was willing to own club and not any could successfully manage a football club.

He said that the reason why clubs would fail was that sports to a great extent was viewed as recreation rather than being a purely business enterprise.

He also took swipe at the clubs which owed players for months saying that owing players was detrimental to the development of the game.

According to him, since most of the clubs were owned by the state governors, who cannot meet their financial obligation to their workers, certainly they would owe the players.

He called for greater attention to the generation of income to enable the clubs to operate.

He, however, gave a pat saying that coverage and officiating of the League (NPFL) was improving, calling on club owners, managers and sport administrators to sustain the improvements so that the nation’s football would be strengthened

Former Super Eagles striker, Nwankwo Kanu has devised another means of helping young Nigerians achieve their dreams in football.

From August 1, 2016, kids from all over the world, (U-11 and U-18) will converge in Alliston ON, Toronto, Canada, for the first Residential Soccer camp being put together by the Kanu Soccer Academy.

The camp which has been divided into two phases will see over kids from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas go through intensive soccer training, moral and educational lessons.

The children will also be exposed to modern training methods, come in contact with their counterparts from other cultures and interact with soccer greats, particularly Kanu Nwankwo's contemporaries during the active years of his illustrious career.

Players like Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp, Didier Drogba, Patrick Viera, and Ronaldo de Lime are some of the former stars to take on the kids. Each kid is to pay $6,000.

Co-ordinator of the camp, Abi Goodman told The Guardian in Lagos yesterday that the first phase of the camp would last from August 1-14, while the second phase holds from August 15-28, 2016.

Nigeria caretaker coach Samson Siasia had begged for midweek matches to be iced so that he could have enough time with the domestic league players ahead of the matches against Egypt.

The league organisers have now acted positively by adjusting their fixtures list for midweek games to be resumed just days before the home leg qualifier against Egypt.

“By March 23, the coach would have picked the players from the league he will work with for the Egypt matches and as such the other players could return to their various clubs,” a top official explained.

Three clubs, namely Enyimba, warri Wolves and Nasarawa United, are equally involved in the CAF club competitions.

Nineteen players from the league are currently in the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.

The League Management Company (LMC) has disclosed midweek matches have been suspended until March 23 to allow the Super Eagles prepare fully for two important AFCON qualifiers against Egypt.

Nigeria caretaker coach Samson Siasia had begged for midweek matches to be iced so that he could have enough time with the domestic league players ahead of the matches against Egypt.

The league organisers have now acted positively by adjusting their fixtures list for midweek games to be resumed just days before the home leg qualifier against Egypt.

“By March 23, the coach would have picked the players from the league he will work with for the Egypt matches and as such the other players could return to their various clubs,” a top official explained.

Three clubs, namely Enyimba, warri Wolves and Nasarawa United, are equally involved in the CAF club competitions.

Nineteen players from the league are currently in the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.

The League Management Company (LMC) has disclosed midweek matches have been suspended until March 23 to allow the Super Eagles prepare fully for two important AFCON qualifiers against Egypt.

Nigeria caretaker coach Samson Siasia had begged for midweek matches to be iced so that he could have enough time with the domestic league players ahead of the matches against Egypt.

The league organisers have now acted positively by adjusting their fixtures list for midweek games to be resumed just days before the home leg qualifier against Egypt.

“By March 23, the coach would have picked the players from the league he will work with for the Egypt matches and as such the other players could return to their various clubs,” a top official explained.

Three clubs, namely Enyimba, warri Wolves and Nasarawa United, are equally involved in the CAF club competitions.

Nineteen players from the league are currently in the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.

Super Eagles interim coach, Samson Siasia has urged Nigerians to stop worrying about the 2017 Afcon double header between Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt later this month because his wards have assured him of victory over the North Africans.

Siasia Speaking in Abuja ahead of the resumption of camp today, an optimistic Siasia said, “I have spoken to the likes of Mikel, Moses, Odion, Iheanacho and others; they are all ready to play.               They said: “Coach, we are coming to do it and play for you,” which is a good assurance. So, we want to go out there with a positive mind to make sure that we put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.” On his part, the coach has assured that the double header was a top priority.                                                                                                         He Said , “I am going to give over a 100 per cent of my time to make sure that we win those two games. I am full of confidence and, as long as the boys play to instruction, we do not have anything to worry about.” Egypt presently sits atop the group with maximum six points, two ahead of Nigeria after two rounds of matches.               But Siasia believes playing the first leg at home is an advantage to the Eagles. “We are playing at home and we must make sure that we win at home, no matter what it takes us.                                          Egypt can’t beat us, I assure you that. So, there is no need for panic,” he insisted. His belief has been strengthened by the availability of video tapes of the Pharaohs and he said the technical crew will seat with the players and study the tapes closely.                 “ The first leg encounter will hold in Kaduna on March 25, while the return leg is scheduled for Alexandria on March 29.

Since this statement was credited to Pinnick barely a week ago, very many football followers have expressed great concern about the ‘colonial mentality’ in the Glasshouse and how such retrogressive disposition would further impede the growth of our football.

One of them, Aloy Amamchukwu, had a particularly illuminating take on the subject: “At times like these when Nigeria is looking inwards the NFF is looking outwards. They always claim to be broke and can’t adequately finance the national team even with a low wage local coach, now they are talking about employing a foreign coach to…waste hard earned dollars that we all know is scarce these days. Maybe Nigerian government should get foreigners also to run the NFF since we don’t believe in ourselves.”

Some others even expressed disappointment with me for not weighing in on the matter with what they felt were my “usually compelling views.                                                                                     But, what really can I say that I have not said a thousand, no, ten thousand times before. No doubt, nothing about our football will be new for a long time to come. And that is so regrettable.

Wikki Tourists in their match day five fixture at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu on Saturday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities before Aguda scrambled home in the 46th minute.

Wikki fought hard to get back into the game in the second half, but the Flying Antelopes held on for their third win of the season.

The Coal City side are yet to taste defeat in the Nigeria Professional Football League since their opening day loss to Kano Pillars.

It was Wikki Tourists’ second defeat of the season.

Read more at http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/rangers-pip-wikki-go-top-npfl/#oOJy4wiy7Z9uzx9r.99

Dolphins head coach Stanley Eguma says “past mistakes” must be avoided if the club are to perform better in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) next season.

The Port Harcourt club escaped relegation on the final day of the previous season by the skin of their teeth after drawing 2-2 with Shooting Stars in Ibadan.

Eguma insists that mistakes were responsible for the poor showing of the side last season.

“There were too many mistakes made last season. We lost the best player in the league, Emem Eduok, and did not replace him.

“He was not the only important player that left us but a lack of funds meant we could not get capable replacements for them,” Eguma told supersport.com.

Dolphins were walked over by Club Africain of Tunisia in the early rounds of the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup and Eguma also highlighted that as one of the failures of the just-concluded season.

“We had little or no preparation for the league or our continental campaign.

“Scarcity of funds meant we were walked over in the competition.

“We have to do better next year but for that to happen, the mistakes we made this year must be avoided.

“Early preparation is key and funds must be there for us to achieve our objectives,” he said.

Dolphins finished in 16th place on the 20-team NPFL table with 45 points from 38 matches.

Though the champion for the 2014/15 Nigeria Premier League season, Enyimba, has already emerged, the season nonetheless is set for a thrilling climax this Sunday as the battle to escape relegation will be headlining the final day of action.

Aside the fierce contest to stay up in the elite cadre, the fight for available continental tickets is also bound to add some glamour to the final day of action of the domestic League.

CONTINENTAL TICKETS

As champions, Enyimba have secured one of the tickets for next year’s CAF Champions League and Warri Wolves are in good stead to snatch the other ticket once they get the needed victory over already relegated Taraba United.

Having narrowly missed out on winning the League, Wolves are expected to grab the chance of Champions League football next season by nailing Taraba United on Sunday in Warri.

In that regard, the battle is now to know who will finish in third spot to snatch the CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

Mathematically, the quartets of Giwa FC, Sunshine Stars, Nasarawa United and Wikki in that order all have the chance to claim the last spot – a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Of the lot however, giant killers Giwa FC seem to have the best chance as they have their destiny in their hands.

The ambitious privately owned Jos-based club need a point in their away game to Nasarawa United to be sure of rubbing shoulders with other African teams in the second-tier CAF Confederations Cup next season.

The needed point sure won’t come easy as Nasarawa United on their part need an outright win over Giwa FC. If that happens, Giwa will hope that the champions, Enyimba, do them a favour by defeating Sunshine Stars at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

On the other hand, Sunshine Stars like Nasarawa United also need an outright win and will hope that Nasarawa United do them the favour of defeating Giwa FC since they have one of the three best goal difference among the top-six sides going into the final match day.

For the last team in contention for the third spot, Wikki, the permutation is different and somewhat harder.

The Bauchi club can only qualify for Africa’s second tier club competition on the back of losses by Giwa FC and Sunshine Stars provided Nasarawa United’s victory over Giwa FC is not beyond a goal margin. Aside seeing their rivals lose, Wikki will still need to beat outgoing champions Kano Pillars by at least a four-goal margin to gate crash into the continent next season.

RELEGATION BATTLE

Away from the battle for continental tickets, next stop is the fierce contest for survival. Already, three teams, Kwara United, Taraba United and Bayelsa United, are heading to down to the Nigeria National League next season but one more team will be joining the trio after Sunday’s games are concluded.

Lobi Stars, Enugu Rangers, Sharks, Dolphins and Akwa United are all in danger of dropping to the second tier on the final day depending on how results pan out.

The Port Harcourt clubs, Dolphins and Sharks, both have their work well cut as only away wins against Shooting Stars and Abia Warriors respectively is their best bet to avoid the drop.

For Rangers, keeping their enviable record of never relegated from the top-flight before looks within reach as the Flying Antelopes only require a home win over Bayelsa to be sure they stay up.

After going six matches without a win, Rangers will sure want to end the season on a high.

The last relegation dogfight pitches Federation Cup finalists, Akwa United, against Lobi Stars.

It is quite tricky for Akwa United as victory for the Promise Keepers could still count for nothing should Dolphins, Rangers and Sharks all win. The only scenario which guarantees Akwa United staying up is if they go on a goal scoring spree; winning with a four-goal margin and that will mean Lobi drop to the second tier. Lobi just need a point to be safe.

In all, fans are expected to be at the edge of their seats at different match venues on Sunday as the curtain drops on the 2014/15 League season in Nigeria.

FINAL DAY FIXTURES

Heartland v El-Kanemi

Shooting Stars v Dolphins

Kwara Utd v FC Ifeanyiubah

Abia Warriors v Sharks

Wolves v FC Taraba

Sunshine Stars v Enyimba

Rangers v Bayelsa Utd

Akwa Utd v Lobi Stars

Wikki. v Kano Pillars

Nasarawa Utd v Giwa FC

The League Management Company (LMC) on Monday imposed a six points deduction on three clubs, Dolphins, Warri Wolves and FC Taraba which will automatically count if they fail to liquidate all financial indebtedness to players and Managers.

Players of Warri Wolves were also admonished to follow laid down procedures in seeking to enforce their industrial rights with a promise by the LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko that the rights of every football player in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will be protected at all times.

Dikko in a warning to the players said, Wolves players, let the system work or face ban. We will fight for you and every other player in the NPFL but we must also follow the rules in seeking our rights under any circumstance".

The decision to deduct six points from Warri Wolves and FC Taraba was sequel to the failure of the two clubs to pay backlog of salaries owed the players 60 days after they were served notices of Exercise of Surmary Jurisdiction by the LMC.

In separate letters to the three clubs, Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer of LMC, wrote, "you are in breach of Article B9.45 of the Framework and Rules, that is the failure to pay financial entitlements owed to players for a period of more than 60 days".

The LMC consequently ordered a suspended six points deduction on both teams which will be activated by November 14 should they still fail to remedy the breach.

"... The six points deduction referred to is suspended for a period of 14 clear working days and the points deduction shall immediately come into effect from the date of this decision provided that if the club fails to remedy the breach within the period".

Warri Wolves was on August 25, issued the notice of summary jurisdiction to offset financial indebtedness to the players and were handed a 60 days notice to pay off the debts. FC Taraba was also on October 2 issued an ultimatum of 10 working days to commence payment of debts owed players. Three clubs now have up to November 14, 2015 to avoid points deduction.

Matches in the Glo Nigeria Premier Football League will resume on Wednesday, October 28th, 2015 after all games where rescheduled due to Nigeria's CHAN 2nd leg qualifier away at Burkina Faso.

The home based Super Eagles could only manage a goalless draw in Ouagadougou but ultimately qualified on 2-0 on aggregate.

Attention however returns to the NPFL in midweek as Match Day 35 games are played across the country as the league runs to a close.

It's one of the closely fought title races in a decade as four teams are still in the mix with just four games to go.

There are just 5 points separating the top four teams of Enyimba, Warri Wolves, Wikki Tourists, and Giwa FC.

Defending champions Kano Pillars are resigned to losing their crown after their indifferent campaign that saw them surrender a 12-year record without a loss at home. They currently occupy the 9th position, 4 points adrift of a continental place.

Enyimba are the pundits' favourites however, after only losing a mere 6 matches all season. They next travel to Ilorin to square up against relegation-threatened Kwara United.

The Harmony Warriors are not the only struggling side though with none of Akwa United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Lobi Stars, Bayelsa United and Dolphins of Port Harcourt having recorded an away win so far. The latter duo are currently stuck in relegation waters. They are joined in the bottom four by FC Taraba.