Following are the results of Match Day 1 fixtures in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), played on Sunday and  dates of the remaining fixtures:

Akwa United FC 1-1 Abia Warriors FC

Bayelsa United FC 1-1 Kano Pillars FC

Katsina United FC 1-1 Bendel Insurance FC

Niger Tornadoes FC 0-0 Nasarawa United FC

Shooting Stars FC 1-1 Plateau United FC

El Kanemi Warriors Vs  Kwara United FC (postponed )

The following Match Day two fixtures

Would  be played on Sept.

25:

Ikorodu City FC Vs  Enugu Rangers international  FC

Enyimba international  FC Vs  Lobi stars  FC .

 (NAN)

The interim coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, said his team can beat any team with the quality of players in the team.

Eguavoen stated this after his team spanked the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 4-0 in the 2025 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Saturday.

“We have quality players to beat any team but we respect team anyway.

Any coach can come in and do the same job with the Super Eagles.

“It is a mindset, we have the potential and how you perceived your opponent, given the information about them and then go out and do the job,“he said.

Equavoen attributed the victory to the formation adopted by the technical crew, adding that any formation could be used to ensure that the team was successful.

“We can decide to use any system. It is something we discussed and I slept over it. I know with the caliber of players that we have, we can decide to play any formation.

“Football is about you win, lose and draw, I don’t believe we have a poor result,” he said.

He, however, said that the former Super Eagles coach didn’t do a good job but it has to do with believe, what is at stake and what you want to achieve.

“Psychologically as a group, we are agreed, where we are and where we are going to be. We will definitely achieve it,” Equavoen said.

He commended the performance of the defence , describing it as superb, adding that the team had been training together for one week.

The coach said that asking six players to warm up for the second half was to buy time, adding that there was no need to rush to change.

He said the Cheetahs of Benin Republic were a good team, adding that they came with a good game plan.

Report says that Eguavoen was appointed interim coach after the deal between the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF)  and coach Bruno Labbadia failed.

NFF explained in a statement that it failed   due to the  stringent regulations of German tax authorities.(NAN)

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Chairman of the Niger Badminton Association, Nma Kolo who is also Special Adviser Political and Strategy to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago organised a surprise civic reception in honour of two outstanding Badminton players for their sterling performance at the just concluded International Badminton championship hosted by Nigeria in Lagos.

The event which was organised in honour of a sensational teenage Badminton player, Shehu Saidu and silver medalist at the just concluded tournament, whose performances caught global attention and brought pride to the State. An overjoyed Nma Kolo, who is also the Jiwon Minna, explained exclusively to Daily Asset that the Association decided to honour the two players because they had written the name of Niger State Badminton Association in gold by their sheer brilliance and master stroke during the championship.He disclosed that 18 years old Aliyu Saidu mesmerized the Lagos fans with his sublime and master stroke to earn a place in the 32 best talents at the event.On his part, Aliyu Shehu powered all the way to the finals before gallantly losing to his Indian opponent in the final.”Let’s continue to celebrate our champions as they inspire a new level of Badminton in Niger state”The State Badminton boss, also used the occasion to announce the cash donation of 300,000 by a Sports enthusiast, Alhaji Ahmed Bello which he promptly directed should be shared among the Two State ambassadors.”A friend of mine, just walk in here this evening and within minutes was impressed with our efforts and gave a cash donation of 3000,000, I want it to be shared among the players while I will know what to do for the coaches, “He however, commended the coaches for their tireless efforts at nurturing budding talents to exceptional international success, and the Badminton board for their team efforts of taking the sport to the next level in the name.It will be recalled that, Alhaji Nma Kolo as he is popularly known in political and Sports circle engineered the construction of an ultramodern multi million Naira indoor Badminton complex with the state of the art facilities, thereby affording budding talents to be nurtured as it recently hosted the 1st Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago inter – Local Government Badminton championship.