2024/2025 NNL Super 8: Coaches Talk Tough as Teams Gear Up for Promotion Battle

Posted : 11 June 2025

As the 2024/2025 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 playoffs draw closer, attention shifts to the tacticians who masterminded their teams’ path to this crucial stage. From Conferences C and D, four standout coaches are set to headline the battle for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Conference C Representatives

Coach Abdul Maikaba – Wikki Tourists (Bauchi)
A household name in Nigerian football, Abdul Maikaba brings decades of top-level coaching experience to the playoffs. The 60-year-old, an NFF/CAF C license holder and instructor, has previously led teams like FC Abuja, Enugu Rangers, Akwa United, and Kano Pillars to success. A former FA Cup and NPFL winner, Maikaba’s return to Wikki Tourists is fueled by his mission to restore the club to top-flight football. With a Super 8 ticket already secured, the veteran tactician is focused on finishing the job.

Coach Rabiu Tata – Barau FC (Kano)
Nicknamed "The Elephant," 52-year-old Rabiu Tata has quietly built a reputation as one of the most underrated coaches in Nigerian football. Taking over from veteran coach Salisu Yusuf, Tata has guided the privately-owned Barau FC—a relatively new side—to an unexpected place in the Super 8. With past stints at Jigawa Golden Stars, Kebbi United, Shekarau FC, and Malumfashi FC, he combines technical know-how with calm leadership. Barau FC’s rise has been one of the stories of the season, and Tata is being tipped as the surprise package.

Conference D Representatives

Coach Ibrahim Mohammed Sani – Yobe Desert Stars
Known fondly as “Sallau Naira,” 41-year-old Ibrahim Sani is a former player of Yobe Desert Stars now scripting a dream run as coach. A graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, he previously helped the club earn NPFL promotion as a player—and now looks to repeat that feat from the sidelines. His hunger and tactical acumen have won admirers, and his gutsy leadership has been compared to that of Ivorian coach Emerse Faé. With the Super 8 in sight, Coach Sani’s mission is clear: lead Yobe back to the NPFL.

Coach Akinade Onigbinde – Doma United (Gombe)
A seasoned coach from Oyo State, Akinade Onigbinde brings a wealth of experience and resilience. At 56, he’s worked with clubs like Kwali FC, Sat FC, and Road Safety FRSC FC, and was recognized with the AITEO Cup Coach Award for consistency. Despite facing relegation last season, Doma United retained his services—and that decision has paid off with a Super 8 slot. Known for his discipline and tactical rigor, Onigbinde is on a mission to bounce back into the top tier with Doma United.

Coaches from Conferences C and D—Maikaba, Tata, Sani, and Onigbinde—are set to lead their teams into the 2024/2025 NNL Super 8 playoff, each with eyes on promotion to the NPFL.

2024/2025 NNL Super 8: Coaches Talk Tough as Teams Gear Up for Promotion Battle

Conference C Representatives

Conference D Representatives

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