Nigerian Football
RIVERS FLOW INTO NPFL SECOND POSITION
BY SAMMY WEJINYA.
A classy Rivers United performance culminated in a 2-1 victory over Kano Pillars at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt in one of the stand out fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.
Konan Ruffin and Cletus Emotan netted for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ either side of half time while Rabiu Ali converted a brilliant free kick with practically the last kick of the game to give the raucous visiting fans something to shout about.
The win takes United up to second on the NPFL standings, just a point behind the leaders, Plateau United with the Jos club claiming a share of the spoils at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi against third-placed Lobi Stars.
Pillars started well and could have taken the lead inside the opening four minutes when Usman Babalolo rattled the Rivers United goalkeeper, Ospino Egbe with a long range drive which was pushed away for a corner.
The hosts slowly grew in stature and began to dominate with their quick passing game which earned them a penalty in the 18th minute after midfielder, Esor Nelson was fouled in the box.
Esor had rounded the Pillars goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo following some intricate bits of passing and movement and was on the verge of plating an emphatic finish into an unguarded net before he was upended by the startled Enaholo.
Ruffin is a deadly customer from 12 yards and he made no mistakes, firing home with frightening force despite the best efforts of Enaholo, who got a hard to the fierce effort, to send the home fans into fits of euphoria.
The visitors then took over, dominating large stretches of the rest of the half with veteran Ali, enjoying their best chance, a free kick from the edge of the area which he placed well wide in the 41st minute.
United had enjoyed two gilt-edged opportunities before Ali’s moment of indiscretion and had themselves to blame for not taking even one of those to further stretch their lead.
The first fell to Ruffin who latched onto Emotan’s sleek pass on the half hour before blazing into Orbit from a tight angle with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Michael Gopey also went close, a minute later, with a header which Enaholo managed to scramble away for a corner.
Pillars started the second stanza gamely and continue to look dangerous as they stepped on the accelerator in search of the second goal.
Substitute, Ahmad Musa came close in the 82nd minute when he side footed Nyima Nwagua’s inch-perfect cross just wide with just Egbe at his mercy from four yards out.
It was a shocking miss, which was to attract consequences as the hosts made the points safe with a delightful goal five minutes from the end.
A delightful passing move carved open the Pillars backline and Emotan was afforded the luxury of time and space to pick his spot and curl exquisitely past the badly-exposed Enaholo in the Pillars goal.
Ali’s intelligent free kick just before the end represented nothing more than scant consolation for the hosts as referee, Ndubuisi Ukah brought a wonderfully-open and richly entertaining game of football to an end.
Head coach of Pillars, Ibrahim Musa rued his side’s missed chances in the game as he discussed with the official Rivers United FC website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng after the game.
“We need to improve in our finishing. That is the only problem we are facing,” he said.
On his part, technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma
“We could win the league title if we intensify our efforts because it is very possible. We will not allow the tempo we have built to drop and we cannot allow the little success we have gotten so far to get into our heads now,” he said.
Rivers United have now amassed 36 points from 21 matches and next travel to Okigwe to face Heartland FC in their next game in the competition.
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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