Matches of the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will be played with the official match balls produced by Prostar Sports.

This followed the delivery of the first batch of the match balls from Prostar Sports to the NPFL earlier this week.

NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye noted that negotiations for the partnership dragged beyond the first stanza because both parties, including the NPFL investment partners, GTI Assets Management wanted to ensure a thorough understanding of the obligations of all parties.

“Ideally, the official match balls would have been introduced at the start of the season but we wanted to ensure that we got a ball that is of very high standard. 

“There was an issue of ensuring that the balls met international football competition standards so our players won’t get used to playing sub-standard balls. 

“So, we had lots of going forth and back until we were satisfied with what they were bringing to the table”, Elegbeleye clarified. 

Paul Maduakor, the CEO of Prostar Sports expressed delight at finally getting the deal over the line, describing the negotiation process as very meticulous.

“It is a breakthrough for us at Prostar Sports, a proudly Nigerian brand keying into President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to produce and supply sporting equipment of international standard for the NPFL, the biggest league in Africa”, declared Maduakor.

Maduakor added that “doing business with the NPFL allows us to contribute to the growth of local talent and elevate the professional football experience in the country”.

A brand literature of the ball describes it as the pinnacle of Prostar Sports International dedication to quality, innovation, and performance.

The size 5 ball is crafted with diamond-pattern soft-touch thermal bonded PU leather, ensuring exceptional durability, control, and a premium feel for players.

 The ball features a micro-shell coated butyl bladder, providing superior air retention and consistent shape, even under intense match and weather conditions.

The design is said to incorporate 32 panels, delivering aerodynamic stability and precision during gameplay. 

It has a weight of 400-430 grams, a bounce range of 1.1-1.4 meters, and engineered to meet the needs of professional-level football. 

Maduakor emphasised that the ball complies with FIFA Regulated International Match Standards, ensuring it is suitable for competitive play at the highest level.

He assured the NPFL that “this exceptional combination of advanced materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and adherence to international standards guarantees a ball that enhances performance, durability, and consistency, providing players with an unparalleled match experience”.

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Sammy Wejinya, the journalist who has been slammed with a season ban from the Nigeria top-tier league matches by the Nigeria Premier Football League may drag the matter to court.

Wejinya, a journalist and media aide to the Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, Christopher Green, was earlier in the week sanctioned with the stadium ban by the NPFL who wrote a letter to him over an article he wrote about his ordeal in a 22nd December match of Nasarawa United and Rivers United.

The letter from the NPFL banning Wenjiya from the Nigerian league matches for the rest of the season

He had written about his ordeal in an article titled “Lafia, Pain, Blood and Escaping Death by the Whiskers.”

Following the ban, Wejinya’s legal representatives, Sammie Somiari & Associates have written the NPFL asking for not just a retraction of the ban, but also a public apology for the embarrassment caused to their client.  

The legal firm requested the NPFL to act within seven days of receipt of the letter dated 15 January 2025 to avert legal steps being taken to remedy what it termed as an “improper, unlawful and unjustified ban.”

In the letter signed by Sammie Somiari, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Boma Owunabo, the firm argued that the NPFL action was a violation of Section C, sub-section 18, para 18.12 of the NPFLFramework and Rules for 2023-2024.

The section provides that: “The sanctions which the NPFL may impose for breach of these Rules include:18.12: Suspension or ban on a player or official”.

Owing to this, the lawyers believe that the NPFL acted ultra vires its powers by banning Wejinya.

They also argued that Wejinya was never given an opportunity, by way of invitation, to be heard by any tribunal or panel set up by the NPFL before such a sanction was meted out.

“This is a clear contravention of his right to a fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36 of the CFRN, 1999 (as amended)and applicable to all citizens of Nigeria.”

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Nigeria’s new national team coach, Eric Chelle, remarked that he was aware of all the misgivings that followed his appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Benin Republic’s newspaper, Matin Libre, culling an interview that the Franco-Malian granted the France Radio Internationale (RFI), reports that Chelle insisted that he was the right man for the job.

The French channel had asked Chelle his frame of mind as he took the Super Eagles job in the context that insinuation arose that he lacked the experience.

Responding, Chelle remarked: “I go through a bit of all the states of mind.

“First of all, I am very happy and very proud to be here. It is an honour for me to have become the coach of the great national team.

I am arriving in an environment that I do not know, it is an English-speaking country, but I am very proud to be here.

“I was very well received, so I thank all the Nigerian people, the federation, the sports commission and, of course, the government.

“I only have one desire; it is to get to work quickly.”

 When it was put to him that doubts abound about his ability to lead the Super Eagles to an enviable height, Chelle remarked: “Already, there are a lot of people who say that I don’t have much experience.

“But ultimately, I do have experience. I ended my career in 2014, and I’ve been coaching since that year.

“I coached a team, let’s say, from West Africa (Editor’s note: Mali) not long ago.

“I coached a team in Algeria, the Mouloudia Club d’Oran. So, I’m starting to get to know African football well.

“Today, I feel ready to lead this great team with great players. So, I’m part of the progression process; the players will help me progress and I will help them progress too.

“Because I have a vision of football that will fit well with this team.”

RFI then asked: “There will certainly be more pressure than in Mali. How will you manage this?”

Chelle responded: “We play football, it’s normal that there is pressure.

“It’s normal that there is criticism. Wherever I go, in any club or team, there will be people who are fans of me and others who will hate me.

“Today, I will work, I have certainties, I have my game plan in mind, and I will quickly put it in place.

“Now, my results and the team’s results will speak for me. So, we can say what we want.”

The greatest fear expressed was Chelle’s ability to manage the plethora of stars most of whom are big names in Europe. Such include the likes of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.

Chelle admitted that they are great players, great men. “I will come with a lot of humility, but once again, I have a lot of certainties. It is a dialogue that we will have to establish between us.”

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