Lafia City Stadium Hosts History as Basira FC Wins MatchDay 1 and Activates BetPawa’s Locker Room Reward
Jubrin Kaura, captain of FC Basira, led his team to a historic start in the 2025-2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) season opener. Playing at the Lafia City Stadium, Basira FC secured a dominant 3-1 victory over Mighty Jets of Jos. The home side set the pace early when forward Abubakar Yusuf scored the first goal of the NNL season in the 6th minute. Yusuf continued his spectacular performance, netting his second just before the break in the 39th minute.
The victory was sealed immediately after the restart. Peter Eneji scored the team’s third goal in the 46th minute, confirming the three points for Basira FC, despite a later consolation goal from the visitors. The convincing win not only secured a strong start to their campaign but also prepared the squad for an unprecedented reward system about to be activated.
The final whistle immediately triggered the payout of the groundbreaking BetPawa/NNL Locker Room Bonus Award. In a revolutionary move for the league, every member of the winning squad—20 players and three technical staff—had their mobile accounts instantly credited with ₦56,000. FC Basira earned the distinction of being the first team to benefit from this direct and immediate financial reward.
An ecstatic Captain Kaura expressed profound gratitude for the sponsor’s gesture. “I have just received my (winning) bonus from the league sponsor BetPawa. I’m very, very happy and very, very grateful,” he stated. He noted that the instant payment relieves financial pressure on the club’s owner, confirming the immediate positive impact of the bonus system on the team.
NNL Chairman George Aluo, watching the action alongside dignitaries like Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule and NFF Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, praised the successful debut of the initiative. He remarked that the payments were “real and fast,” serving as a genuine motivation for fair and competitive play. Aluo reiterated the league’s commitment to elevating the NNL’s status through partnerships like the one with BetPawa.
