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Kadiri Ikhana has said exclusively Completsports.com In his opinion, the title of the Premier Football League (NPFL) 2024/2025 Nigeria (NPFL) has already been decided, with the stars of Sky Blue, rowing, as the fugitive winners.
The 73-year-old, who was part of the Green Eagles team that won the first title of the Nigerian Africa Cup in 1980 after a 3-0 victory over Algeria in the National Stadium, Lagos, believes that the rowing stars have already secured the league. According to him, the race for the title effectively ended two games when Remo Stars opened an advantage of 11 points at the top of the NPFL table.
Ikhana, who won the 1979 NPFL title with Bendel Insurance, insists that it is practically impossible for any team to review the row stars.
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The coach, who was appointed coach of the CAF year in 2003 after becoming the first Nigerian to win the CAF Champions League with Enyimba, believes that the fight for second and third place is everything that remains in the League.
“For me, the season was decided two games ago when Remo Stars left 11 points at the top of the Premier League table,” Ikhana told Totesports.com from his hometown, Auchi, in the state of Edo.
“The rowing stars have already won the League, and the rest of the teams can only fight for the second and third positions for continental tickets.”
Ikhana, who won the League with Enyimba in 2003, has also achieved the best NPFL clubs, including Kano Pillars, El-Kanemi Warriors, Sharks, BCC Lions, Kwara United and Sunshine Stars.
Currently, the row stars sit at the top of the classification with 54 points, while Rivers United Trail in second place with 43 points, with 11 remaining games.
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This weekend, Remo Stars will travel to Face Bendel Insurance in a match of day 28, while Rivers United will receive Niger tornadoes.
Meanwhile, Completsport.com checks reveal that Ikhana has joined the growing list of former players and coaches who have launched football academies to foster young talent.
Ikhana confirmed that he has established a football academy in his hometown, Auchi, Edo State.
“While we talk now, I’m in my hometown, Auchi, Edo State, where I opened a football academy,” Ikhana said.
“It will be officially launched with a projection exercise tomorrow, Friday, March 7, 2025. It is important to develop a new generation of soccer players as a way to give back to society,” he emphasized.
By Sabsuji
