Nigerian Football
NPFL: LOBI, PLATEAU, RIVERS CHASE TITLE AS SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON KICKS OFF
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE.
The business end of the season starts across the country this Sunday with Lobi Stars standing on top of the log. Plateau United, Rivers United as well as Sunshine Stars and Dakkada FC are immediately challenging them.
This weekend’s fixtures are a reverse of the last Matchday games when the season reached the halfway point. In effect, teams who got on the wrong end of the result have the chance to have their own revenge.
Lobi Stars are in Bauchi to face Wikki Tourists who were unlucky to lose 1-2 from a winning position in Makurdi a week ago. Wikki arrive the Benue State capital from Aba where they had clashed with Enyimba in a rescheduled fixture midweek and lost 0-3. Not having fresh legs may count so much against the Giant Elephant, who are only two steps and two points above the bottom four.
In their last five matches, Lobi have won two, drawn two but lost to Jigawa Golden Stars by a lone goal in Kano; while Wikki have only won one (2-1 versus MFM in Bauchi), lost two on the road and drawn the remaining. Last season in Bauchi, this fixture ended 1-1.
Second placed Plateau United will sneak back to the head of the table if Lobi fail to make it in Bauchi and they, in turn, beat Dakkada in Jos. New on the blocks, the Akwa State side have punched above their weight and are rubbing shoulders with the heavyweights in the elite league.
In their first ever head-to-head clash, Plateau United got a point in their trip to Uyo against Dakkada last Sunday.
The former Akwa Starlets will be all out to emulate their “big brothers” Akwa United, who played goalless at the New Jos Stadium in Matchday 14 against Plateau United, the same result Kano Pillars got in Jos on Matchday 6.
Seven other home matches have however ended up in triumphs for Plateau United this term at home.
In third place are Rivers United who travel to Ilorin to encounter Kwara United, lone goal victims in Port Harcourt last Sunday. That result marked the seventh away defeat for Kwara United, which included 1-6 humiliation by Kano Pillars.
Nine home matches in their former name Delta Force and since the acquisition of that club have fetched Kwara United only five victories and two shared honours. In their first match as Kwara United, they lost 0-1 to Heartland in Ilorin and have also suffered 1-3 humiliation at the same ground against Plateau United.
Rivers United will be aiming at their third win on the road after beating Adamawa United (2-0) and Warri Wolves (1-0). United will also lead the league if they win and the results of Lobi Stars and Plateau United go their way.
Sunshine Stars, in No 4, are away in Nnewi to face FC Ifeanyi Ubah. Last Sunday in Akure, Sunshine shone in front of their fans winning 2-0 to break into the top four in place of Dakkada FC.
Wikki Tourists and Adamawa United surrendered to Sunshine Stars away this season, which means Ifeanyi Ubah should be mindful of their guests.
Akwa United were lucky to escape with a point in their kitty in the local derby against Dakkada midweek and they are in Enugu this time to face Rangers. The first leg in Uyo on Sunday was a goalless affair.
Katsina United wounded Warri Wolves 2-1 last weekend and arrive Warri Township Stadium aiming to replicate Rangers’ experience. In their last match on this ground, the Seasiders lost 1-2 to the Flying Antelopes.
Pillars returned to Kano last Sunday rueing their 1-3 capitulation to MFM in Agege after leading at the interval and having a large turnout of their fans in that vicinity backing them.
The invincible tag at Sani Abacha Stadium has been removed from Pillars this season. Opening with a goalless result against Rivers United, the Masu Gida lost 0-1 on Matchday 2 to Lobi Stars, and have also failed to beat Wikki Tourists and Warri Wolves on that ground.
MFM showed no respect to their hosts in their first away games of the season beating Heartland and Rangers, but have experienced setbacks, including the rejigging of their technical crew.
Like Rangers, defending champions Enyimba have four outstanding matches accumulated as a result of continental engagements. The People’s Elephant will aim at a double against local rivals Abia Warriors after winning the first leg 2-1 a week ago. Their 3-0 bashing of Wikki Tourists on Wednesday will boost them.
The fixtures
Abia Warriors v Enyimba
Rangers v Akwa United
Heartland v Adamawa United
FC Ifeanyi Ubah v Sunshine Stars
Kano Pillars v MFM
Kwara United v Rivers United
Nasarawa United v Jigawa Golden Stars
Plateau United v Dakkada FC
Warri Wolves v Katsina United
Wikki Tourists v Lobi Stars
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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