BY: NEWS EDITOR, JULY 28, 2025/ 05:25AM
The Borno State Football Club Owners Association (BOFCOA) held a refresher seminar for the 16 clubs that qualified for the round of 16 in the ongoing North East Development Commission (NEDC) football competition.
The seminar took place on Sunday morning at the El-Kanemi Sport Complex in Maiduguri.
The seminar aimed to reform the association's operations, focusing on accountability, transparency, and other key areas.
BOFCOA Chairman, Ibrahim Abubakar Mohammed (IBB), expressed gratitude to the participants and emphasized the importance of applying the knowledge gained to improve football standards in the state.
'We want to make sure that our operations are transparent and accountable, and that we earn the respect and confidence of the people of Borno,' IBB said.
The workshop featured discussions on new football rules and changes, including handball, penalties, and substitutions.
IBB highlighted the success of the group stage, with 165 matches played and 365 goals scored.
The chairman also noted that the competition's format, inspired by the Champions League, is a first in Africa and has been well-received.
The round of 16 matches, which will be played at Ramat Square (Filin Sakuwa), are set to kick off on August 4, 2025, in a knockout format.
The draws for the round of 16 matches have been made, and teams are expected to compete fiercely in the upcoming stage of the competition.