The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has conferred a prestigious National Award on Heartland FC’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, in recognition of his immense contributions to football development and his enduring impact on Nigerian sports.

The announcement was made in a statement jointly signed by SWAN’s National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo, after a recent press briefing held in Abuja.

According to the statement, the award is part of activities marking SWAN’s 60th Anniversary and celebrates individuals whose leadership, achievements, and influence have significantly advanced sports in Nigeria.

“The conferment is in recognition of the national pride and glory you have brought to your fatherland. Nigerian sports writers owe it to thank you for your dedication and consistent contribution to football development,” the statement read.

Amuneke, a former African Footballer of the Year and one of Nigeria’s most respected football tacticians, has continued to inspire a new generation of players and coaches through his work with Heartland FC and other national assignments.

Reacting to the honour, Amuneke expressed deep appreciation to SWAN for the recognition, describing it as a call to continue serving Nigerian football with greater passion and commitment.

He also extended his appreciation to the management and players of Heartland FC, noting that their collective effort and belief in his vision for the club have been key to their recent progress.

“This honour is not mine alone. It belongs to everyone at Heartland — the management, the players, and our loyal fans. Together, we are rebuilding a club with a proud history and a bright future,” he added.

SWAN, in its statement, highlighted Amuneke’s illustrious career as both player and coach — from scoring Nigeria’s historic Olympic gold medal-winning goal in Atlanta 1996 to grooming young talents who have gone on to represent the country internationally.

The formal presentation of the SWAN Diamond Jubilee National Award will take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 1 p.m., with top dignitaries from the sporting community expected to attend.

SIGNED:
Heartland FC Media

Isaiah Williams announced his presence as a new member of the Rivers Hoopers team for the 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs with a crowd-thrilling performance as he dropped nine (9) first-quarter points with a 100% record from behind the arc to inspire the KingsMen to a 73-50 matchday one victory over Hoops & Read.

The American point guard joined the defending NPBL champions in time for the Final Eight playoffs, having recently starred for Patriots Basketball Club during the 2025 Rwanda League Playoffs semifinals against APR.

Isaiah, who stands at six feet two inches, is a good handler of the ball, a brilliant reader of the game with laser-sharp court vision, and is known for his ability to thread a pass through the eye of a needle, as well as his efficiency in shooting from deep and from the free-throw line.

He recorded a 68.8% shooting efficiency from the charity line while playing for Patriots in Rwanda, 85.7% while representing Mexico’s Los Mochis, and 90.9% when he starred for Vikos Falcons in Greece.

On November 08, 2019, Isaiah Williams scored a career-high 37 points in a Ukraine Superleague game while playing for Khimik Yuzhny as they beat Kharkivski Sokoly, 77-93, shooting 10/10 from the free-throw line.

The 2018 Georgia State University graduate brings a wealth of experience to the Rivers Hoopers fold, having also played in Malaysia, Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, and the USA.

Head Coach of the Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere has apologized to Nigerians following the team’s outster from the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

2022 bronze medallists Nigeria were eliminated from the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after a 4-0 defeat by Italy, who took their tournament tally to four wins in as many matches.

The defeat ended Nigeria’s interest in the ongoing championship in Morocco, but the Flamingos must immediately commence preparations for the qualifying series for next year’s edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, which is now an annual event.

According to him, “First of all, I want to apologise to our fans all over the world. We’re sorry it had to end this way.
There are lessons to learn and positives to take home. I’m proud of the girls because they gave their best.”

Shooting Stars Sports Club played a memorial game against Crown FC, Ogbomosho, in honour of late Mr. Kehinde Ojelowo, who passed away on Friday, October 17th.

The encounter ended 1–1, with Olaoke Olajobi scoring the only goal for the Oluyole Warriors.

The match served as a tribute to a respected football figure whose contributions will be remembered by all.
May the soul of Late Kehinde Ojelowo rest in perfect peace.

The 2025 Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has set the stage for a thrilling 2025/2026 Premiership season with several key resolutions reached.

According to the season calendar released during the assembly, the 2025/2026 NWFL Premiership will officially kick off on November 26, 2025 and conclude on April 22, 2026. Teams will compete in four match weeks before proceeding on a Christmas break, after which action will resume on January 7, 2026.

A total of 20 clubs will participate in the Premiership this season. In line with the league’s promotion and relegation format, six teams will face demotion at the end of the campaign. Meanwhile, two clubs will earn promotion from the Championship to the top tier, just as two will be relegated from the Championship to the NWFL Nationwide League.

The Assembly also reaffirmed player eligibility rules, stating that the age limit remains 15–17 years, and clubs will not be allowed to register more than three underaged players in their squads.

As part of efforts to strengthen financial governance, all clubs are required to submit an annual financial report at the end of the season.

The NWFL further announced the timeline for online registration ahead of the new season. The registration portal will open on November 14, 2025 and close on November 22, 2025, with an automatic shutdown after the deadline. To ensure a smooth process, video tutorials will be circulated to clubs before November 14 detailing steps for successful registration.

This year’s AGA marks yet another significant step in the ongoing growth and professionalization of women’s football in Nigeria as stakeholders look forward to an exciting and competitive season ahead.

FIXTURES

Group A Week One Fixtures:

Bayelsa Queens vs Edo Queens

Adamawa Queens vs Pacesetter

Heartland Queens vs Ekiti Queens

Naija Ratels vs Ibom Angels

Castmog Ladies vs Rivers Angels

Group B Week One Fixtures:

Nasarawa Amazons vs Delta Queens

Confluence Queens vs Abia Angels

Sunshine Queens vs FC Robo Queens

Ahudiyannem Queens vs Remo Stars Ladies

Dannaz Ladies vs Osun Babes

The Governor of Benue state, Hyacinth Iormen Alia has approved an Interim Management Team for Lobi Stars.

This was contained in a statement by Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.

“This Interim Management team will take over the affairs of the club pending a proper restructuring of the club.

They are ;

1. Terver Ikya – Chairman

2. Uja Emmanuel  – Media Director

3. Harry Yachi – Technical Director

4. Terzungwe Chugh – Admin/Board Secretary (Ministry of Sports).

5. Barr Owocho Adejoh Ogiri – Member

“The interim Management committee has been directed to immediate register the club for 2025/2026 NNL football season.

“The Governor warns against distractions and urges all members to work together to achieve success and ensure the club returns to top flight football.”

Rivers United will return to Nigeria Premier Football League action on Wednesday, October 29 (4pm) when they take on a new-look Ikorodu City side, as they aim to lay down a marker by maintaining their impressive form ahead of a series of back-to-back matches.

The first sees the Pride of Nigeria host an Ikorodu City side who will arrive in Rivers State unbeaten in their last 4 fixtures (W2, D2) with consecutive wins against Bendel Insurance (1-0) and Nasarawa United (2-0). However, they have never won at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, or indeed scored a goal against us at home.

Maintaining that will be imperative for Technical Manager Finidi George as they look to build momentum in these important days ahead.

Team news:

Ebuka Akobundu will be out of action as he continues on his road to full fitness. In more good news for Finidi George, Emmanuel Nnaji and Ani Ozoemena were also pictured back in training this week and could be fit enough to feature.

Oga Boys captain Waliu Ojetoye, goalkeeper Michael Atata, and Musa Maliq, who is returning from injury, are in the squad in Port Harcourt so also inform Joseph Arumala who will have to be closely monitored to ensure he does not cause havoc for the Pride of Rivers.

Oga boys’ recent visits:
The Oga boys haven’t enjoyed visiting the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, as they have lost on both occasions they’ve played at our home, conceding three times and netting none. That miserable record continued when we ran out 1-0 victors last March when David Boluwaji Sholumade capped off his man of the match performance by scoring the match winner during a routine win.

Match overview:
Rivers United 🆚 Ikorodu City
🏟️ Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium
🗓️ 29th Oct, Wednesday
⏱️ 4pm
📊 #NPFL26 || #MD10 || #RIVIKO

The reigning Nigerian basketball league champions, Rivers Hoopers, have secured the services of Kelvin Amayo for the 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs ongoing in Port Harcourt.

Amayo was instrumental in Rivers Hoopers’ third-place finish in last year’s Basketball Africa League (BAL), averaging 16 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. His impressive performance earned him spots on the All-BAL Second Team and the BAL All-Defensive Second Team in 2024.

He also led the KingsMen to victory in the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight securing their place in the BAL.

The guard was named most valuable player of the playoffs and made the best five of the tournament.

The team has remained unbeaten throughout the 2025 NPBL season so far, and Amayo’s experience and skill will be invaluable as they navigate the playoffs.

Rivers Hoopers weathered an early surge from Kano Pillars to earn a nerve-racking 69-57 victory on day two of the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Eight Playoffs to keep their chase for a third straight league title on track.
Having enjoyed an explosive start during their 73-50 victory over Hoops & Read on day one, the KingsMen found themselves in unfamiliar territory as Kano Pillars flipped the script to race into a 10-3 lead inside the opening five minutes of the game.

Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu was unimpressed with his side’s slow start and quickly rang changes, replacing his starting five with fresh hands from the bench to breathe some much-needed energy into the game.

That proved to be a masterstroke as the KingsMen took the fight to Kano Pillars to reduce what was at one moment an eleven-point deficit (14-3) to a three-point gap as the first quarter ended 15-12.

The hosts maintained the energy as the game swung back and forth in the second quarter and took the lead for the first time when Peter Olisemeka slammed a dunk with just over five minutes until halftime. Pillars attempted to regain control of the game, but Rivers Hoopers maintained their lead at 32-29 at the half.

The KingsMen returned from the break with the same energy and produced a series of brilliant plays, much to the delight of the Port Harcourt crowd, which cheered for every bucket, as the lead stretched to five points at 49-44.

The defending champions finished strong by scoring twenty points in the fourth quarter while allowing their opponents thirteen, as the final score was 69-57.

It was a game which was both electrifying and full of intensity and enjoyed by not only the spectators but also Odaudu.

“I extremely enjoyed the game. [It was] very, very interesting. You’ll think it’s just the spectators who enjoy the game. Of course I enjoyed the back-and-forth, to see what the other coach comes up with, and to think of how to go against it and all that. It was really exciting for us. I really enjoyed the game. [And] I think it was one of the best games so far in the Final Eight,” he admitted.

Victor Sunday (nicknamed Tilo) scored a game-high seventeen points, as Peter Olisemeka recorded a near triple double with nine points as well as thirteen rebounds, and John Idoga scored nine points along with seven rebounds.

Despite the win, which was their second straight victory at this year’s Final Eight Playoffs, Odaudu was concerned by his team’s slow start to the game.

“I think the players were just laid back, [and it is] something that I have to work on. They have this feeling that [because] we are playing at home, we are going to run over everybody, and actually that is not the case. So, it’s something that we’re going to keep hammering at them, and hoping that they pick up before we get to the finals,” he stressed.

The 2024 Basketball Africa League Coach of the Year, however, showered some praise on his players for upping their game and taking control of the match.

“With the amount of threes that we shot yesterday, I knew we were going to be in trouble because it’s difficult to come back and shoot the same amount of threes back-to-back, playing the same way. But luckily for us, players like Tilo stepped up, Favour [Komene] came up with aggressive defense, and we took the day. We’re still not at our best yet, but we’ll get better day by day.”

Up next for Rivers Hoopers is a date with Nigeria Customs by 5pm on Wednesday, 29th October, 2025.

Day 3 – Wednesday, 29th October

11:00am: Kwara Falcons vs Hoops & Read

1:00pm: Lagos Legends vs Gboko City Chiefs

3:00pm: Nile University vs Kano Pillars

5:00pm: Rivers Hoopers vs Nigeria Customs

All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Towering Center, Peter Olisemeka has rejoined the reigning Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) champions, Rivers Hoopers, for the 2025 NPBL Final Eight Playoffs.

Olisemeka is no stranger to Nigerian Basketball having helped the KingsMen win the 2024 NPBL title, and also featuring for the Nigerian champions at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2024 and 2025.

One of his biggest highlights for the KingsMen came at the 2024 BAL, when Olisemeka helped Rivers Hoopers become the first Nigerian club to reach the BAL semi-finals, notching an inspiring eighteen points and twelve rebounds in the pivotal quarter­final victory over Tunisia’s US Monastir (92-88).

The six feet nine inch Center who strikes a commanding figure, once again proved his perimeter dominance, by marking his return to the team with a game high twelve rebounds as the KingsMen thrashed Hoops & Read 73-50 during a matchday one of the 2025 NPBL Playoffs, on Monday, 27th October, 2025.

Before joining the KingsMen in 2024, Olisemeka had spells across European leagues such as Romania (RM Vâlcea), the Netherlands (ZZ Leiden), Bulgaria, and Poland.

At 33-year-old, Olisemeka’s presence and wealth of experience from playing top level basketball across Europe and Africa could prove vital as the KingsMen chase a third straight league crown.