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Katagum United Football Club Azare-KUFCA, Azare (2026)

11/04/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

A CALL FOR URGENT SUPPORT: SAVE KUFCA’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 2026 NLO DIVISION 1 LEAGUE

The Management of KATAGUM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB AZARE (KUFCA) wishes to respectfully and soberly appeal to political office holders, well-meaning individuals, and philanthropists to urgently come to the aid of the club as it prepares for participation in the 2026 Nationwide League One (NLO) Division 1 season.

With barely one week to the kickoff of the league, KUFCA finds itself in a very precarious financial position, facing the real danger of missing out on this important national engagement. This situation, if not urgently addressed, will not only affect the club but will significantly impact youth development and football opportunities across Bauchi North Senatorial Zone.

KUFCA stands as the only representative from Bauchi North among over 300 clubs participating in this prestigious division across Nigeria. The club has, over the years, served as a vital platform for youth engagement, talent discovery, and community development—keeping many young people positively involved and away from social vices.

It is important to recall that during the 2025 NLO season, the club benefitted from the generous support of distinguished individuals and stakeholders. That support translated into a commendable performance, as KUFCA proudly finished in a respectable 3rd position, bringing pride and recognition to our region.

Today, we humbly return with an emotional appeal.

We call on our leaders, stakeholders, and compassionate Nigerians to once again rise in support of this noble cause. Your assistance—financial, material, or logistical—will go a long way in ensuring that KUFCA retains its place in the league and continues to serve as a beacon of hope for our teeming youths.

This is more than football.
This is about preserving dreams, sustaining opportunities, and protecting the future of our youths.

We sincerely plead that you come to our aid at this critical moment. Time is of the essence, and every support counts.

Together, we can save KUFCA. Together, we can keep hope alive.

For support and inquiries, kindly contact the club management.

24/03/2026

KATAGUM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB AZARE (KUFCA) deeply mourns the passing of Honourable Zubairu Sani (FIFA), Sarkin Kudun Bauchi and President of the Nigeria Football Referees Association, who departed this life today, Tuesday 24th March, 2026, after a prolonged illness.
His demise is a monumental loss to Bauchi State and indeed the entire Nigerian football community. Honourable Zubairu Sani was a respected figure whose immense contributions to the growth of refereeing and football development in Nigeria will never be forgotten. His leadership, wisdom, and commitment to the game stood him out as a true icon.
In this moment of grief, KUFCA extends its deepest condolences to his family, the refereeing fraternity, and all those he impacted during his lifetime. We share in your pain and pray that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.
May Allah grant his loved ones the strength, patience, and fortitude to bear this great loss.
Management
KATAGUM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB AZARE (KUFCA)
“Gone but never forgotten—his legacy lives on in the game he served.”

05/01/2026

MANU FIRMINO 🏆⚽
KATAGUM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB AZARE (KUFCA) heartily congratulates Usman Ado Sani (Manu Firmino) on his well-deserved emergence as the 2025 Best Player and Ballon d’Or Winner, as conferred by the Birnin Kudu Independent Coaches Association (BICA), Jigawa State, following a keenly contested selection process. The award ceremony was held on Sunday, 4th January 2025.
Manu Firmino was outstandingly instrumental in the historic treble victory achieved by BK Liverpool, winning the BICA Premier League, BK FA Cup, and the prestigious Dutse Emir’s Cup, where his goals and match-winning performances played decisive roles.
Beyond his prolific goal-scoring ability, Manu Firmino is widely admired for his humility, discipline, and dedication, qualities that truly define a complete footballer and a role model on and off the pitch.
Outside Birnin Kudu, Manu Firmino has also left an indelible mark with KUFCA, contributing significantly during our NLO Division 2 campaigns in 2023 and 2024, and playing a key role in our promotion and successful participation in the 2025 NLO Division 1 League.
This award is richly deserved and marks the beginning of even greater achievements ahead. We pray for continued success, growth, and excellence in his football journey.
Congratulations to the King of Birnin Kudu Football 2025! 👑⚽
KUFCA Media

18/12/2025

NLO LEAGUE DIVISION ONE REVERT BACK TO THE HOME AND AWAY FORMAT IN THE 2025/2026 SEASON. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE BLACK SCORPIONS TO HAVE A WAY OUT, FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN.

16/12/2025

NLO reveals 2026 registration guidelines for Division One, U19 Youth League clubs

The Nationwide League One (NLO), Africa's largest grassroots football league, is pleased to announce updated guidelines for player registration for clubs in Division 1 and the U-19 Youth League as we eagerly prepare for the kickoff of the 2026 season on Friday, April 10.

The NLO Executive Board, in collaboration with its Secretariat, is excited to initiate the registration process for the upcoming season. This includes important amendments approved by Congress designed to effectively address the current inflationary trends.

This proactive move highlights our commitment to ensuring that preparations for the 2026 league are moving forward seamlessly, with clear and comprehensive registration procedures established for all participating clubs.

Clubs are kindly reminded to remit a registration fee of ₦600,000 (six hundred thousand Naira) to FCMB BANK (NATIONWIDE LEAGUE ONE. 3267800014) to gain access to the NLO's database www.nlo.com for registration. All players must be registered within the database at www.nlo.com. Please note that official registration will be contingent upon the completion of the registration fee payment.

For Youth League clubs, we request the submission of players' primary school certificates. The deadline for Division One club registration is set for Friday, February 27, 2026, ensuring that all clubs have ample time to prepare.

The ₦600,000 payment not only secures registration but also covers essential pre-competition medical assessments, comprehensive insurance for players and officials, tamper-proof hologram security seals for 35 players and 7 officials, as well as necessary operations at the NLO Secretariat.

To ensure a smooth registration process, clubs should deposit the registration fee directly into the designated NLO FCMB account. After payment, please submit a copy of the receipt to the NLO, clearly indicating the name of the paying club. Adhering to these guidelines will help facilitate a successful registration process for all clubs involved.

14/12/2025

COMMUNIQUE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NATIONWIDE LEAGUE ONE HELD AT ZEUS PARADISE HOTEL, ABUJA ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 12TH 2025 AND RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

1. The Congress commended the Nigeria Football Federation for supporting and giving the NLO the enabling environment to operate.

2. The NFF President Alh. Ibrahim Gusau in his address, ably represented by the General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi appreciates the NLO Board and the Secretariat for the good job done in the league and encourages them to strive for more outstanding achievements that will continue to portray the good image of Nigeria Football and that the NFF will continue to support the League.

3. The Congress reverted to the home and away STADIUM LEAGUE format, and matches will be played in TV friendly stadiums across the country. And the NLO Secretariat will determine the venues based on previously approved venues for Professional league matches by NFF.

4. The Congress Unveiled and Approved the New NLO LOGO as part of the re-branding efforts and named ZKYTE Technologies as there New IT partners.

5. The Congress mandated the NLO secretariat to continue with the NLO 10 years master plan submitted to NFF in 2021. Among the details are to expand the League, ensure life after football and make the League profitable.

6. The Congress reviewed and amended the rules and regulations governing the NLO League. The congress discussion covered restriction of registered NLO clubs participating in other private leagues in the Country, increased fines for violation, improper Jersey Numbering, Non- compliance with players registration, and enforcement of club obligations consideration to ensure fairness and financial stability.

7. The Board observed that most of the clubs don't pay their annual registration fees, this has made the NLO Secretariat run into debts. The NLO Congress has made it mandatory for all the clubs to pay their annual registration fees or be removed from the league. The Secretariat will end club registration on the closing date.

8. The Congress approved Friday April 10, 2026, as season kickoff date to give the clubs ample time and opportunity to recruit more talented players knowing that most of their players might have been transferred during the professional league transfer window in January. While registration starts from Friday December 12,2025.

Communiqué Drafting Committee

Chairman:- Bar. Babatunde Bucknor

Member:- Mr Usman Habuwa

Member:- Richmond Itamah

Member:- Ibrahim Usman Arze

Secretary:- Mr. Tayo Egbaiyelo (MON)

02/10/2025

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM KUFCA FC AZARE TO SS MILA FC AZARE

On behalf of the management, players, and supporters of KUFCA FC Azare (The Black Scorpions, Masu Gari), we heartily congratulate our brothers, SS MILA FC Azare, on securing a slot to play in the NLO League One Division 2 for the 2026 season.

We are truly pleased to have you as compatriots within the zone. Your emergence brings pride to Azare and opens wider opportunities for our teeming local talents to showcase their abilities on the national stage.

To celebrate this achievement, KUFCA gladly offers to visit SS MILA FC for a novelty match at a date to be determined by your management. We look forward to this moment of unity and celebration of progress.

Be assured that you can always count on the goodwill, support, and solidarity of the players, management, and fans of KUFCA FC – The Black Scorpions, Masu Gari.

Once again, congratulations and welcome to the big stage!

Signed:
KUFCA FC Azare

23/08/2025

Breaking News

The Local Organising Committee of the Abdulazeez MD Unity Cup has finally ruled on the dramatic incident that stopped the highly anticipated clash between Super Starlet FC and kufca fc at Azare Township Stadium.

The game, scheduled for Friday 22nd August, never kicked off after Super Starlet players refused to step onto the pitch one minute to kickoff, demanding that the centre referee be changed. This was despite both coaches agreeing in the official pre-match meeting to accept the referee and assistants appointed for the game.

In its ruling, the LOC awarded the match to kufca fc, declaring Super Starlet’s action as a violation of football ethics. According to the statement, teams are required to play under protest if they have concerns, and any complaint must be submitted formally for review. Super Starlet failed to follow this procedure and instead disrupted the match.

The decision goes further with disciplinary measures. Three Super Starlet officials — Musa Ibrahim Waziri (Anko), Murtala Yakubu (Basko), and Khalifa Magaji — have been banned from entering the stadium for the rest of the competition. The LOC has also called on the Katagum FA to study the case and consider stronger sanctions against the club.

This ruling brings clarity to one of the most controversial moments of the tournament so far, and it sends a message that the Abdulazeez MD Unity Cup will not tolerate actions that threaten fair play, order, or the credibility of the competition.

For transparency, copies of the official decision documents are attached in the comments section.

KTG Football Mirror ✍️

10/07/2025

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS WIKKI TOURISTS FC! 🎉

On behalf of everyone at KUFCA FC Azare, we heartily congratulate Wikki Tourists FC Bauchi on their triumphant return to the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) after a resounding 4-0 victory over Yobe Desert Stars, topping Group A with 5 solid points!

This remarkable achievement is a source of pride not only for the club but also for the sports-loving government and good people of Bauchi State. With this promotion, football stakeholders can now look forward to the return of top-tier football action to the state.

We are especially proud that one of our own, young goalkeeper Salisu Alkali, was part of this historic moment — even as a standby, it’s an honour to be considered in a milestone that will be long remembered.

KUFCA extends its warmest congratulations to: ✅ The Government of Bauchi State
✅ The Management and Technical Crew
✅ The passionate and ever-committed Supporters Club

This is a win for us all. We wish Wikki Tourists continued success in the NPFL!

08/07/2025

KUFCA Azare Pays Condolence Visit to Darazo over the Death of Talented Footballer, Ismail Ahmad (Ila Oli)

A delegation from KUFCA Azare has paid a heartfelt condolence visit to the family and people of Darazo following the passing of one of the town’s finest football talents, Ismail Ahmad, fondly known as Ila Oli, who died last Tuesday after a brief illness.

The delegation was led by the club’s chairman, accompanied by the acting team captain and a respected community leader from Misau, Sulaiman Muhammad Bello (Raya Karkaran Misau)—a revered legend of the club.

During the visit, the team visited the bereaved family, including the parents and household of the late player, and also paid homage to the palace of the District Head of Darazo. Prayers were offered for the peaceful repose of Ismail’s soul, as the delegation conveyed the club’s deep sorrow and sympathy over the untimely loss.

The parents, widow of the deceased, and His Highness, the Sarkin Darazo, all expressed their gratitude for the visit and appreciated the bond between KUFCA and the community. They also pledged continued support for the family left behind and commended KUFCA for its show of love and solidarity.

May the soul of Ismail Ahmad (Ila Oli) rest in perfect peace. Ameen.

03/07/2025

💔 CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM KUFCA FC AZARE 💔

It is with deep sorrow that we received the heartbreaking news of the passing of a young, talented, and humble footballer — Ismail (Ila Oli) of Darazo Football Academy, who died today, Thursday, 3rd July 2025 at FMC Gombe after a brief illness.

KUFCA FC joins the entire football family in Bauchi State to mourn this painful loss. Ismail was a promising player whose dedication and humility stood him out both on and off the pitch. His death is not just a loss to his family and academy, but to the entire football community in our dear state.

While we are saddened by his departure, we are consoled by the belief that Allah (SWT), who gave and has now taken, loves him more. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may the Almighty comfort his family, Darazo Football Academy, and all those he left behind.

Adeu, Gwaska.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten.

🕊️ From all of us at KUFCA FC Azare 🖤

Katagum United Football Club Azare-KUFCA

11/04/2026

24/03/2026

05/01/2026

18/12/2025

16/12/2025

14/12/2025

02/10/2025

23/08/2025

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