Football
Basira FC: The Tremendous Rise From The NLO To The NNL
Basira FC’s journey from local club status to the Nigeria National League (NNL) is a story of resilience and ambition. With dreams of reaching the NPFL, the Lafia-based club is set for new heights, making them an interesting option for football betting enthusiasts this season.
Image Credits: Basira FC
Basira Football Club, Lafia's phenomenal rise from the Nigeria Nationwide League (NLO), previously known as the Amateur League, to the prestigious Nigeria National League (NNL) is a testament to sheer determination and resilience.
Founded in 2016 and led by its chairman, Ahmed Usman Egye, the club's remarkable journey through the Nigerian football hierarchy is one to be envied. It has successfully navigated the challenges of the NLO, earning promotion to the prestigious NNL.
This achievement reflects the team's unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. The campaign in the Nationwide League was not easy, driven by an unrelenting passion for football supremacy. Now, they set their sights on conquering the Nigeria National League.
The 2024-25 Nigeria National League season will kick off on November 30, with Abakaliki FC hosting Madiba FC in Abakaliki.
THE DRIVE BEHIND FOUNDING BASIRA FC
Chairman Ahmed Usman Egye stated that Basira FC was founded with the philosophy of discovering and nurturing exceptional footballers from Nasarawa State, fostering community engagement and enthusiasm, and promoting a culture of excellence, discipline, and teamwork.
"Basira FC was founded with the mission to offer opportunities to talented footballers in Nasarawa State to showcase their skills and propagate football at the grassroots level, as we recruit our players from rural communities in the state," Usman Egye told SportsBoom.
The framework of Basira FC also emphasizes community empowerment through grassroots football promotion by providing mentorship, top-notch training facilities, and coaching, as well as developing strategic partnerships for grassroots growth and inspiring local youth through football initiatives.
CLUB VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT
The club's vision is to unlock Nigeria's football potential and emerge as a premier football club, harnessing the abundant youthful talent in Nasarawa State and propelling them to national and international excellence.
The mission is to cultivate and empower young footballers through comprehensive training, instilling essential values, skills, and resilience to enable them to thrive in their careers.
Image Credits: Basira FC
"The vision is to become a leading football club in Nigeria, developing young talents in the state and providing them with opportunities to excel both nationally and internationally. Our mission is to train and empower young footballers by instilling values, skills, and resilience."
These goals have been significantly achieved.
THE JOURNEY SO FAR
From humble beginnings as a local club, Basira FC has navigated numerous challenges to become a nationally recognized force in Nigerian football.
The club's resilience is a testament to hard work, grit, and dedication to overcoming obstacles to reach its current stature. Chairman Ahmed Usman Egye notes that it has been a long road, but their dedication and commitment have paid off.
"The journey has been tough, but with hard work and resilience, we have reached where we are today. We (Basira) started as a local club and transitioned through several stages to become a nationally recognized football team in Nigeria. We are happy to be in the NNL, and insha Allah, we hope to be in the NPFL soon."
Basira FC secured its NNL status in a playoff final against Family Worship Centre, winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout after regulation time ended 1-1 at the New Jos Stadium. Before the playoff, the Lafia-based team played nine matches during the NLO regular season.
SIGHT ON NNL EXCELLENCE
Excited by their qualification for the Nigeria National League (NNL) 2024-25 season, Basira FC's ambition extends beyond mere participation. They aim to justify their promotion from the NLO and make a strong push for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) next season.
We have just qualified to play in the NNL this season, and our ambition is not just to compete, but to perform well enough to qualify for the NPFL next season
Ahmed Usman Egye
The 2024-25 Nigeria National League season has been divided into four conferences, with Basira FC competing in Conference D alongside Doma United, Kebbi United, Adamawa FC, Kada Warriors, Yobe Desert, and Sporting Supreme.
NPFL AMBITION AND BEYOND
The Lafia-based club is driven to join Nigeria's football elite and compete against the best.
Ahmed Usman Egye stated that the club is committed to performing well in the 2024-25 NNL season with the aim of earning promotion to the NPFL and joining the nation’s football elite.
"To qualify for the NPFL and consolidate our position, we aim to attract talented players and build facilities that provide a conducive atmosphere for our boys to train and excel beyond Nigeria’s borders," he said.
Egye added: "Our future outlook is to consolidate our NPFL position through strategic signings and development, becoming a symbol of Nigerian football excellence and participating in continental competitions like the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
"Building a sustainable football academy and youth development program will enhance our coaching staff with experienced professionals and attract top talents from Africa and beyond. With perseverance and teamwork, we will continue to defy expectations and achieve greatness."
Adeleye Gbenga S is a well-known Nigerian sports journalist with over 14 years of experience in writing, reportage and extensive coverage of Nigerian football. Having begun his career with Grassroots Searchlight Newspaper for almost two years and as an editor with FreekickNaija.com.ng .