Nasarawa to Host Preseason Cup, As Govt Moves To Upgrade Stadium Ahead Of 2025/26 NPFL Season

Nasarawa to Host Preseason Cup, As Govt Moves To Upgrade Stadium Ahead Of 2025/26 NPFL Season 

By Niyi Busari 

The Nasarawa State Government has begun plans to overhaul facilities at the Lafia City Stadium ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, in line with a recent directive from the league's governing body, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

On Monday, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, led a government delegation and a team of technical experts on an inspection tour of the stadium, which serves as the home ground for both Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons.

The exercise follows a June 3rd directive from the NPFL Board, mandating all participating clubs to upgrade their home grounds. Key facility requirements include standard LED floodlights, a back-up generator, approved playing turf, perimeter fencing, emergency exits, and modernized changing rooms for players and match officials.

Addressing the media after the tour, Commissioner Yakubu emphasized the urgency and importance of the upgrade.

 “We’ve carried out a detailed on-site assessment, and I will immediately brief His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule, in the priority areas. The governor is deeply passionate about sports, especially football. We’re determined to ensure our teams do not have to play home matches outside Lafia again,” Yakubu said.

He stressed that failure to meet the NPFL standards in the past had forced the teams to play their home matches away from home, incurring both logistical costs and performance setbacks.

 “We struggled and spent heavily during those seasons. That will not happen again. We are moving quickly to install new floodlights, replace worn-out turf, refurbish changing rooms, install tartan tracks, and mount a digital scoreboard,” he added.

The renovations are expected to be completed before the league kicks off on August 22, 2025. The stadium will also host the annual Gusau/Ahlan Cup Preseason Tournament, a key fixture ahead of the new season.

In his remarks, Nasarawa United Chairman, Solomon Babanjah, expressed appreciation to the state government for acting swiftly on the NPFL’s directive.

 “This move is timely and will definitely boost the morale of our teams. Playing at home, in front of our fans, is a psychological advantage we cannot overstate,” Babanjah said.

Other officials present during the inspection included: Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ahmad Yusuf, Director of Facilities and Stadia Management, Salisu Galadima ‘Basira’, Chairman, Nasarawa State Football Association, Members of the technical team and members of the press.

Meanwhile, Nasarawa United will head into the 2025/26 season having secured a 12th-place finish last season, ensuring their continued presence in Nigeria’s top-flight league. The team’s star striker, Anas Yusuf, finished the 2024/25 campaign as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals.