Nigerian Football
NPFL: TOP 3 SEEK CONSOLIDATION ON MATCH DAY 23
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
Plateau United travel 130 kilometers to Bauchi hoping to preserve their leadership position while Rivers United and Lobi Stars – both one point behind – will hunt for points at home.
There is already a gulf between the top three and the rest of the field with Plateau United as well as Rivers United and Lobi Stars seven and six points better than Akwa United and Sunshine Stars, in fourth and fifth.
Wikki Tourists v Plateau United
Two seasons ago, this fixture ended in favour of the hosts who won 1-0.
November 17 when Plateau United hosted this evening’s opponents, it ended 2-1, advantage the home side.
Twelfth placed Wikki walloped Lobi Stars 4-0 and pipped Nasarawa United by a lone goal in their last two home games, while Plateau played goalless with Lobi Stars and Dakkada FC in their recent trips.
Rivers United v FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Current runners-up Rivers United welcome ninth placed FC Ifeanyi Ubah to Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt with a mission to repay the Nnewi-based side in their own coins.
The reverse fixture four months ago had the Anambra Warriors scoring the only goal of the match.
In four previous visits to Port Harcourt, FC Ifeanyi Ubah had managed two draws losing the others.
Rivers United returned from their last match victorious in Okigwe against Heartland to preserve their second spot. They had beaten their last two guests, Kano Pillars 2-1 and Kwara United 1-0.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah, on their part, lost their last two away games to bottom placed Adamawa United 1-2 and Sunshine Stars 0-2.
Lobi Stars v Kano Pillars
For Lobi Stars, the focus is on achieving a season’s double over their visitors, who suffered a lone goal setback at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano last November 17.
That result was payback for the Ortom Boys who were beaten by the same scoreline in Makurdi five months earlier at the closing stages of last season.
Like Rivers United, Lobi Stars also triumphed in their trip last Sunday by pipping Kwara United 1-0 in Ilorin.
At home however, it has been only one victory in their last three outings – 2-1 over Wikki Tourists in between goalless (versus Plateau United) and 1-1 against Rangers.
Last Sunday, Pillars defeated Dakkada FC 2-0 in Kano to make up for three away losses on the bounce.
Sunshine Stars v Abia Warriors
While Akwa United in fourth spot will rest today as their opponents Enyimba engage in continental assignment in Guinea, the team next on the log Sunshine Stars receive Abia Warriors in Akure.
June 2, 2017 was the last time the Stars played host to the Warriors, and the home team picked maximum points via the only goal.
Sunshine Stars were dimmed 0-3 at Warri Township Stadium by Warri Wolves last Sunday and played goalless with Rangers in their last home game after beating FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 two Matchdays earlier.
Abia Warriors meanwhile lost their last six away matches.
MFM v Rangers
Both teams only two points above the bottom four, although the Flying Antelopes have two games in hand.
Inconsistency at home has been the undoing of the Olukoya Boys this season, their last outing at Agege Township Stadium ending barren against struggling Heartland.
That was after they fought back from a goal down to beat Kano Pillars 3-1 and make up for their lone goal setback against Enyimba.
MFM appear to have Rangers’ number though going by their lone goal victory in the first leg in Enugu last November.
Rangers, 2-0 victors over Adamawa United last Sunday in Enugu, recently lost 1-2 away to Nasarawa United and played goalless with Sunshine Stars in Akure.
Rangers had also been defeated in their two visits to MFM in the top flight.
Bottom Four
In a relegation faceoff, Jigawa Golden Stars host Kwara United; the latter just two points and a step ahead.
Jigawa are themselves three points and a spot better than Adamawa United, who occupy the last place on the table.
Nasarawa United, who have visiting Katsina United to contend with, complete the bottom four.
Matchday 23 fixtures:
- Wikki Tourists v Plateau United
- Jigawa Golden Stars v Kwara United
- Lobi Stars v Kano Pillars
- Dakkada FC v Heartland
- Rivers United v FC Ifeanyi Ubah
- MFM v Rangers
- Adamawa United v Warri Wolves
- Sunshine Stars v Abia Warriors
- Nasarawa United v Katsina United
- Akwa United v Enyimba (rescheduled)
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers