The winners from the 2025 President Federation Cup matches across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory has been announced.

The NFF has scheduled the National Play-Off of this year’s competition for 5th March, with the National Draw one week later, while the Rounds of 64, 32 and 16 are scheduled for 19th March, 2nd April and 16th April 2025 respectively. The quarter-finals have been slated for 3rd and 4th May, with the semi-finals fixed for 17th and 18th May.

Imo- Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC; Borno: CP Strikers Vs El Kanemi Warriors; Niger: Atlantic FA 0-0 Harmony FA (Atlantic FA won 6-5 on penalties); Abia: Enyimba 0-0 *Ahudiyannem FC* (Ahudiyannem won 3-1 on penalties); Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 ABS (Kwara United won 5-4 on penalties); Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC.

Lagos: Ikorodu City 0-0 Inter Lagos (Inter Lagos 5-4 on penalties); Jigawa: Lautai United 0-2 Dandidi Babes; Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 Wilbros FC (4-3 on penalties); Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 Beyond Limits (8-7 on penalties); Abuja: EFCC 0-0 FWC FC (3-4 on penalties)

Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo United; Nasarawa: Basira 0-2 Nasarawa United; Enugu: Rangers International 3-0 Ijele FC; Anambra: Solution FC 0-0 Edel FC (Edel won 2-0 on penalties); Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 Sunshine Stars U19 (Sunshine Stars won 4-3 on penalties); Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS FC.

Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagle Eye FA; Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 Shooting Stars (Shooting Stars won 4-2 on penalties); Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr Danburam; Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC; Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 Crusaders FC (Crusaders won 4-2 on penalties); Kaduna: Simoiben FA 1-1 Green Berets (Green Berets won 4-1 after penalties); Edo: Bendel Insurance 3-0 Assemblies of God; Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El-Shama FC.

Plateau: Mighty Jets Feeders 0-2 Plateau United; Cross River: Rovers 1-0 E-World; Delta: Warri Wolves 2-1 De Sapele Lions; Sokoto: Sokoto United Vs Sokoto North; Kano: Kano Pillars 3-2 Barau; Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 9-1 Gujba Academy; Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara United Feeders; Kogi: Bako FC 2-1 Kogi Central.

By SilverNews

Heartland FC of Owerri will battle non-league side, Onwubiko International Soccer Academy, OISA FC in the eagerly-anticipated 2025 Imo State FA Cup final at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.

Enroute to the final, the Ngor Okpala based side eliminated Heartland Comets 1-0 in the Round of 16 before beating Fr. Eburuaja, a two time finalists in 2023 and 2024 in the quarter final also by a lone goal.

The came up against Captain Marvel FC that eliminated NNL campaigners, Kun Khalifat FC in the quarter final 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw full time.

Having picked the ticket to represent the state alongside Heartland at the National President Federation Cup, they will be looking forward to pull out a shocker against the NPFL side.

Meanwhile, the management of OISA FC has rolled out plans to convey its teeming fans in their thousands to the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.

According to the arrangements, seven buses will convey fans from the OISA stadium at 1:30pm on Sunday before onward movement to Owerri at 2pm.

The management of Nigeria National League, NNL, side, Kun Khalifat FC of Owerri has announced a screening exercise for talent hunt and discovery of new players.

According to the club, the screening exercise is for the selection and admission of players that falls within the category of 18-22 years into the club.

They said that the exercise is geared towards recruiting young talented and well disciplined players into the team for further scouting programs.

The exercise would hold on 20th February, 2025 to 25th February 2025 at Bishop Lasbiry Irete Owerri West, Imo State at 7am.

The club noted that there would be provision for accomodations for players from far distance and those not within the state for the duration of the programme and other information will be duly disseminated.

By Silvernews

Former Iwuanyanwu Nationale star and Nigeria national team invitee, Sylvester Oparanozie, popularly known as Bahama, has made a passionate appeal to the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Hope Uzodimma, and kind-hearted Nigerians for financial assistance to undergo multiple orthopedic surgeries.

The talented utility player has been struggling with injuries sustained during his playing days. Despite numerous hospital visits in search of a solution, his condition has worsened. Doctors have now recommended urgent orthopedic surgery, initially estimated to cost ₦10 million. However, due to inflation and rising medical expenses, the cost has now doubled to ₦20 million.

According to Oparanozie, efforts to raise the needed funds have yielded little, even as he continues to spend heavily on routine medications.

Doctors at CASS Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Owerri, have warned that any further delay could lead to permanent paralysis.

*”It has been tough managing these injuries. I couldn’t continue my coaching career. I have undergone different treatments without success. I have spent so much money on treatment, and when surgery was recommended, the hospital initially gave me a bill of ₦10 million, but I couldn’t raise the money. Now, due to inflation, the surgery will cost ₦20 million.

I have been advised to act fast because any delay may result in paralysis,”* he said.

“I appeal to my dear Governor, His Excellency Hope Uzodimma, for financial assistance. I also plead with kind-hearted Nigerians to help me. I am in a dilemma and don’t want to be paralyzed. I can barely walk, even with the aid of a walking stick, and the pain is unbearable.”

A Legacy of Football Excellence

Oparanozie began his football career at Government Secondary School, Owerri, where he was selected to represent Nigeria at the World School Games in Sweden in 1981. His exceptional performances earned him a place in the all-conquering Iwuanyanwu Nationale team, which won the league title, FA Cup, and reached the final of the 1988 CAF Champions Cup.

He was also part of Nigeria’s squad for the Seoul Olympics pre-tournament and received a national team call-up under Clemens Westerhof in 1994.

Following his retirement from active football, Oparanozie ventured into coaching but later struggled with health challenges. Initially, he managed the condition with support from the Imo Football Legends (IFL), which assisted him in receiving medical attention. However, medical examinations later confirmed that both of his legs require surgery for him to walk again.

Now 64 years old, the Owerri-born football maestro is reaching out to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and kind-hearted Nigerians to help him raise the necessary funds for this life-saving operation.

Once a source of joy to Nigerian football fans with his dazzling dribbles and creativity, Oparanozie now faces the grim possibility of becoming permanently bedridden.

He is pleading with the football community and the Nigerian public to come to his aid before his condition worsens further.

Hon. Chike Okeafor, the representative of Obowo/Mbano Federal Constituency, has commended Heartland FC for their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Shooting Stars in a Matchday 24 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The Naze Millionaires secured all three points at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, with Chukwuma Agor opening the scoring in the 30th minute. Shooting Stars responded through Adams Mustapha Agba’a, who equalized with ten minutes left on the clock. However, John Bassey netted the winner from the penalty spot in the 88th minute. His initial attempt was saved, but the referee ruled that the goalkeeper had stepped off his line, allowing a retake that Bassey converted.

Hon. Okeafor expressed his delight at the team’s progress, stating, “Our team is improving. Let’s keep getting better. This team remains one of the best in Nigeria. I’m glad to see Heartland returning to their glory days. Congratulations to Amuneke and the boys.”

Heartland will look to build on this victory as they continue their campaign in the NPFL.

By Kingsley uzowulu

Heartland fc of owerri yesterday at the Dan Anyiam stadium defeated shooting stars fc of ibadan by 2-1.

The week 24 match in the NPFL kicked off by 3.56 pm by the home team through surajudeen lawal.

The oluyole warriors who are second on the NPFL log with 40 pts came with some bragging rights after having beaten the home team by 2 – 0 in the first stanza of the league.

The naze millionaires has 29pts already in their kitty and had also defeated Lobi stars of markudi and rivers utd fc respectively at the Dan Anyiam stadium owerri.

Heartland FC in the early minutes of the first half had opportunities through Charles Emmanuel in the 3rd minute of play off a header that almost resulted to a goal and moments later through Joel okoro.

The home were indeed at home as they maintained ball possession with occasional counter attacks to dislodge the visitors.

The Gbenga ogunbote tutored side on their own part tried to contain the excesses of the superior fire works of the naze millionaires.

In the 31th min of the half chukwuma Agor scored the opener for the home team and all efforts made by the visitors to come back proved abortive until the blast of the whistle for the end of the first stanza.

Upon resumption of the second half the visitors made two changes to beaf up their team and heartland fc continue to launch various attacks and firing all cylinders but failing as well to utilize these chances.

The visitors got a penalty in the cause of play which was clinically converted to goal by the oluyole warriors bring the match to a stalemate.

The naze millionaires were deeply wounded by that goal but we’re resilient and focused to get the job done.

In the 85th minute .heartland fc got a penalty which was slotted into the net by John Bassey

Heartland fc now has 32pts and will be on the road for t heir next match against niger tornadoes of Minna.

F/T Heartland fc 2vs1Shooting stars.

36 Lion has achieved another significant milestone. This time, it involves a remarkable blend of education and football for Olayinka Ogunleye, a promising young talent from its expanding roster, who has secured a full scholarship at the esteemed University of Louisville in the USA.

At an impressive height of 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches), the left-footed center back is not only a standout athlete but also an exceptional student, earning praise from football experts for his potential.

The management team at 36 Lion expressed their excitement about this development, highlighting the bright future of the highly regarded 18-year-old player.

“At just 18 years old, we have supported his academic journey, and he is now a Freshman at the University of Louisville on a full scholarship. Our goal is to inspire as many talented young individuals as possible to reach their full potential.”

In addition, Ola is viewed as a promising candidate for the Super Eagles, having played in 12 matches for his school, starting 11 of them as a strong center back.