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NPFL Showdown: Amapakabo Raises Concerns Over Dropped Points, Finidi Sends Strong Message.

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Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo has described his team’s goalless draw against Rivers United as “two points dropped” after they failed to secure victory at home in the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Abia Warriors played out a 0-0 draw against Rivers United in their EuroMatch/NPFL Matchday 8 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Sunday.

The result means the Abia-based side have drawn three of their four home matches this season, collecting nine points from eight league games.

Speaking during his post-match press conference, Amapakabo attributed his team’s inability to score to poor attacking transitions and a lack of confidence among the players.

“It’s two points dropped. You know, it’s two points dropped because, to me, I go into every game wanting to win. We had a big problem today in the offensive transition,” he said.

The former Rangers International manager, who guided the Enugu-based club to the NPFL title in the 2015/2016 season, acknowledged that his team had already dropped six points on home soil.

He also raised concerns about Abia Warriors’ dependence on experienced striker Chukwuemeka Obioma to provide goals.

Obioma has scored six goals and registered one assist in almost all eight league matches this season. However, Amapakabo believes the team’s other attacking players must make greater contributions.

“When a team has one individual they count on for goals, it is not the best,” he said, urging the younger members of the squad to take more responsibility in attack.

Despite his disappointment with the result, the coach commended young defender Godwin Meyanga for his performance on his league debut. He also promised to give more playing opportunities to young players who demonstrate their abilities during training.

Meanwhile, Rivers United technical manager Finidi George expressed satisfaction with his team’s unbeaten start to the campaign, particularly their performances in away fixtures.

The draw kept Rivers United second in the league standings with 16 points, just one behind leaders Rangers International.

Finidi praised his side’s defensive performance but admitted that the demanding schedule was beginning to affect the players physically.

“I’m quite happy with the way we’ve handled most of our away matches so far,” he said.

The former Super Eagles winger emphasised the importance of collecting points on the road, recalling that Rivers United missed out on last season’s league title by just one point.

“Sometimes, at the end of the season, all these points will count for a lot,” Finidi added.

He described his team’s second-half display in Aba as inconsistent but maintained that they were satisfied with the result and would seek to build on their current form.

2026/2027 NPFL Matchday 8 Results

Friday, October 9

  • Katsina United 4–2 Enyimba

Saturday, October 10

  • Ranchers Bees 0–0 Niger Tornadoes
  • Ikorodu City 2–0 Kwara United

Sunday, October 11

  • Kun Khalifat FC 2–0 Shooting Stars
  • Sporting Lagos 2–1 Bendel Insurance
  • Barau FC 2–2 Enugu Rangers
  • Plateau United 4–0 Kano Pillars
  • Warri Wolves 3–1 Inter Lagos
  • Abia Warriors 0–0 Rivers United
  • Nasarawa United 2–0 Doma United
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Former Police Spokesman Frank Mba Begins New Career After Leaving Police Force.

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Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mba has launched a law firm in Abuja, marking a new chapter in his professional career months after retiring from the Nigeria Police Force following 34 years of service.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The firm, FRANK MBA LEGAL, was officially unveiled on Friday, October 9, 2026, at its office in Wuse 2, Abuja.

The ceremony attracted serving and retired police officers, government officials, members of the National Assembly and other prominent personalities.

Notable guests included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; former Inspectors-General of Police Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar and Usman Alkali Baba; and retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sadiq Abubakar.

Other dignitaries present were retired DIGs Tijani Baba and Dan Kwara, as well as serving DIGs Ekene Onwuemeelie, Isiyaku Abubakar and Suleiman Mohammed.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mba said he established the firm to continue contributing to society by applying his experience in policing, legal education and public service to the legal profession.

“Retirement is not the end of service; it is an opportunity to serve in a different capacity,” he said.

The former police chief explained that he intends to draw on his expertise in leadership, conflict management and the administration of justice to protect people’s rights and facilitate the resolution of disputes.

Mba retired from the Nigeria Police Force in March 2026 after a 34-year career during which he occupied several important positions.

He served as the Force Public Relations Officer on three occasions and also held the position of Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State.

He subsequently served as Commissioner of Police in Ogun State and was part of the police management team overseeing the Department of Training and Development, where he contributed to personnel development.

His transition into legal practice follows years of academic preparation in the field. Mba obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos, attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.

He later earned a Master of Laws degree with distinction from the University of Dundee in Scotland.

Beyond his domestic policing career, Mba served with the Nigerian Police contingent to the United Nations Mission in Liberia between 2006 and 2007, an assignment that earned him a United Nations Medal.

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Bayern Munich Breaks Silence On Shock Erling Haaland Transfer Speculation.

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Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has played down speculation linking the club with a move for Erling Haaland, insisting that the German champions have sufficient attacking options even if Manchester City are relegated from the Premier League over their ongoing financial charges case.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He made the remarks during an interview with German newspaper BILD on Sunday when asked whether Bayern would consider signing the Norwegian international if Manchester City were forced out of the English top flight.

“We have Kane, Olise, Diaz and more. We scored over 120 goals last season. So, I think we are very well equipped in attack,” Hainer said.

Bayern’s attacking options include England captain Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz. Hainer expressed confidence that the existing squad has the quality needed to continue delivering goals.

However, the club president did not completely dismiss the possibility of pursuing Haaland in the future, suggesting that circumstances could change in the coming years.

“If we’re talking about the future in a few years, then there will be a new situation, and we’ll see,” he added.

Manchester City continue to face scrutiny over financial charges, with possible sanctions, including relegation, remaining a subject of speculation as the case and any appeal process unfold.

Meanwhile, concerns have reportedly emerged among senior figures in English football over the possibility of Manchester City competing in next season’s UEFA Champions League even if they are relegated from the Premier League for financial breaches.

The issue centres on the possibility of City winning the Champions League, which could allow them to qualify for the following season’s competition as holders, regardless of their position in the English football pyramid.

According to a BBC Sport report, there is no automatic mechanism preventing a club from participating in a UEFA competition if it qualifies on sporting merit.

The report also states that an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of charges relating to the alleged inflation of sponsorship revenue by £830 million through sham contracts and the concealment of a further £90 million in expenses.

The commission reportedly concluded that City would have breached the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules in all nine seasons between 2009–2010 and 2017–2018 without the alleged financial manipulation.

Manchester City have strongly denied wrongdoing, describing the outcome as a “Premier League conspiracy”. The club lodged an appeal against the verdict last week.

Questions have also reportedly been raised about whether City could retain their UEFA licence if the verdict is upheld and the club receives significant punishment.

One source said the issue of the club’s licence “had been raised”, adding that a solution “would require the sort of joined up thinking that’s been a bit lacking so far”.

The Football Association issues UEFA licences, although the process is delegated to the Premier League. Licensing decisions are based on current information and do not take historical sanctions or breaches into account.

Under the existing rules, a club that satisfies all minimum admission criteria cannot have its licence refused. The principal grounds for rejection include overdue payments to other clubs or players and outstanding tax liabilities. Match-fixing convictions within the previous 10 years and certain conflicts involving multi-club ownership can also affect eligibility, although neither reportedly applies to City.

Another source questioned the grounds for refusing the club a licence, stating that “licences are awarded on the basis of current financial performance, so the grounds to refuse one are unclear”.

If Manchester City lose their appeal, they could face severe sanctions, potentially including a substantial points deduction, a heavy fine and transfer embargoes.

However, the hearing to determine the appropriate punishment has yet to be scheduled.

A points deduction could prevent City from qualifying for the Champions League through their Premier League position, although qualification through cup competitions could remain possible.

Immediate expulsion from the Premier League is also reportedly among the possible options.

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ADC Suffers Major Blow As Top Sokoto Chieftain Defects To APC.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strengthened its presence in Sokoto State following the defection of a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Aminu Ibrahim, to the ruling party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He explained that his defection was motivated by his desire to contribute to the development of Sokoto State, particularly in education and other key sectors of the economy.

The former rector said he considered it a responsibility to deploy his academic knowledge and professional experience towards improving the welfare of the people.

Reacting to the development, the Sokoto State APC Chairman, Haruna Sarkin-Gobir Adiya, welcomed Ibrahim into the party, describing his arrival as a significant boost to its membership.

Adiya urged the new member to work closely with other party leaders and members to strengthen unity and cooperation as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed allegations that the ruling party protects its members from prosecution and conviction over corruption and other offences.

Yilwatda made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

He argued that the party could not support the denial of anyone’s fundamental human rights, including the right to participate in an election, through what he described as strict prosecution.

He said, “Nobody is protected in the APC. I don’t want to mention names, but I know members of our party (APC) who are undergoing prosecution – who appear in court every day. As APC members, we can’t use strict prosecution to go ahead and deny people their fundamental human rights.”

The APC chairman also expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would win the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2026, citing the party’s internal polling results.

According to him, the APC had conducted assessments across the states and its findings indicated that Tinubu was in the lead.

“We have done fact-finding; we are leading. We have done our polls. We have our own polls that give us the real statistics across the states,” he said.

When asked whether the polls indicated that Tinubu would win, Yilwatda responded, “Of course!”

He further maintained that the APC was not intimidated by opposition parties, arguing that the ADC and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) had an electoral disadvantage because, according to him, they had not won any elections before 2027.

On the tax reforms introduced by the President, Yilwatda said the new tax regime had benefited the poorest Nigerians by expanding the tax base and increasing government revenue.

Addressing the power sector, he also claimed that the APC-led government had enabled state governments to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

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