Godwin Enakhena Sympathises With Relegated NNL Clubs, Backs Super Four Format

President of the Nigeria National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA), Godwin Enakhena, has expressed sympathy for clubs relegated from the Nigeria National League (NNL), stating that every team in the division faced significant challenges during the just concluded season.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ikenne on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Enakhena said the campaign was demanding for all clubs, including those promoted, those relegated and teams that managed to retain their NNL status.

According to him, survival in the NNL remains difficult because of the league’s competitiveness and the financial burden placed on participating clubs.

The NALCOMA President also praised the ongoing Super Four tournament in Ikenne, describing it as an improvement on the previous Super Eight format.

He explained that the Super Four reduces pressure on clubs and officials, adding that the atmosphere surrounding the competition has shown that a more compact format could better serve the league.

Enakhena commended members of NALCOMA for supporting the Super Four competition despite opposition from some quarters.

Reflecting on the last Super Eight tournament held in Asaba, he maintained that it was not the ideal system for deciding promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), noting that valuable lessons have been learnt from the current competition in Ikenne ahead of future league-ending tournaments.

The veteran sports administrator reminded clubs that they remain the major stakeholders in the league and urged all parties to continue working together for the growth of the NNL.

He also called on NALCOMA members to remain united, stressing that unity is necessary to protect the interests of clubs and contribute positively to the development of Nigerian football.

Enakhena further advised clubs that gained promotion to the NPFL to prepare properly for life in the topflight, insisting that promotion should not be the final objective.

According to him, promoted clubs must also prove their quality and competitiveness throughout the NPFL season.

The NALCOMA President additionally called for an amendment of the association’s constitution to allow the President of NALCOMA and one additional member to serve on the NNL Board.

He argued that club owners are the true owners and key stakeholders of the league and therefore deserve direct representation in decisions affecting the championship.

Enakhena also urged the NNL Board to continue working towards repositioning the league while appreciating sponsors and partners, including Toptier Sports Management, ProStar and Betpawa, for their continued support.

He concluded by thanking members for their commitment and support to the association and encouraged incoming NALCOMA executives to work hard towards strengthening the body for the benefit of all clubs.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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