Nigerian Football
ENYIMBA TURN ATTENTION TO LOCAL LEAGUE AFTER CONTINENTAL OUSTER
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
After their failed continental campaign which ended last Sunday, defending champions, Enyimba will now have to concentrate on the domestic scene.
Although placed ninth on the log, the People’s Elephant have enough outstanding matches and the experience to navigate the business end of the season.
At the moment, the Aba-based side are 13 points adrift of leaders Plateau United, who have played five matches more.
Enyimba and their guests this evening, Sunshine Stars have had four head-to-head clashes in Aba with the home side winning all but one, which ended goalless on Augusts 3, 2016.
The Akure Gunners prevailed in the first leg this season 1-0, played last November 20.
The last time Enyimba filed out in the NPFL was on February 23 in Lafia and they were smashed 0-2 by Nasarawa United to end a five-match winning streak.
Sunshine Stars won at home last Sunday pipping Abia Warriors 1-0 after crashing 0-3 away to Warri Wolves the previous week.
The five matches have fetched the Stars seven points (2-1-2) to keep them at No 4, nine points short of the leaders.
Nasarawa United, who lost defender, Chineme Martins in avoidable circumstances last Sunday at Lafia Township Stadium as they bashed Katsina United 3-0, travel to nearby Jos to take on table-toppers Plateau United.
Only two teams – Akwa United and Kano Pillars – have left the New Jos Stadium with a point each in 11 matches by Plateau United on that ground this season.
And Nasarawa United have proved to be featherweights against Plateau United in Jos having lost all their previous three games there.
Nasarawa United, in 14th spot but only one point up the relegation zone, are not so impressive away. Apart from shocking Dakkada FC in Uyo 3-0 on Matchday 15, Nasarawa have lost eight times on the road in 11 fixtures.
Second placed Rivers United are in Enugu as guests of Rangers. Seven places and 11 points separate both teams with Rangers however having an outstanding away match against Enyimba.
Both sides won their last fixture by same margin – 1-0 – at home; Rangers against Katsina United and Rivers versus FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
For the Flying Antelope, that result made it three straight wins at The Cathedral since losing on their hallowed ground 1-2 to Akwa United on February 16.
On their part, River United only got broken by Kwara United’s 1-1 in Ilorin in their last five games, which included 2-0 triumph in Okigwe against Heartland.
In 11 head-to-head clashes between Rangers and Rivers United in Enugu, the home side have won nine times and never lost, the last five encounters producing positive results for the hosts.
Lobi Stars are in Okigwe to challenge Heartland for three points. The Ortom Boys from Makurdi made their title ambition difficult having squandered maximum points in their last two home matches – 0-0 against leaders Plateau United, followed by 2-2 while hosting Kano Pillars last Sunday.
That has now kept the 2018 champions in third spot and three points behind the leaders.
Heartland also suffered reverses in recent time. Their 5-0 humiliation of bottom placed Adamawa United in Okigwe could not be sustained as two defeats – including to Rivers United at home – were to follow, in between a goalless result in Lagos against MFM.
Heartland are only two points ahead of the bottom four.
Last time away to Heartland on March 4, 2018, Lobi Stars succeeded 1-0 in Okigwe as they went ahead to win the title while Heartland got relegated being the last team on the log.
Heartland have however won their head-to-head encounters seven other times and drawn two others. Lobi were rampant when both sides last met in Makurdi winning 3-0.
Dakkada FC were sensational in the earlier part of the season. But the promoted side have since returned to normal duty, although they still feature in the elite zone of the table being in fifth place only as a result of fewer goals score compared to Sunshine Stars.
In Nnewi against FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dakkada will be seeking their second away victory to add to the 2-0 defeat of Rangers in Enugu on November 24.
Their lone goal win over Heartland in Uyo last Sunday marked their only triumph in the last seven matches.
FC Ifenanyi Ubah, who will go for revenge having lost 0-1 in the first leg in Uyo, returned from Port Harcourt last time out with no point as Rivers United won 1-0.
They have won two times – 3-1 against Sunshine Stars and 1-0 versus MFM – in their last two home games.
Akwa United missed action a week ago because their opponents Enyimba had international match.
The Promise Keepers are in Katsina this time to hunt for points and improve their sixth position, while Katsina United, who suffered back-to-back defeats to Nasarawa United and Rangers in one week, will be determined to make amends and move up from No 12.
Kano Pillars, No 7 on the log and with a match in hand, will face Jigawa Golden Stars, who have been using the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano this season.
The home crowd will no doubt be massive for Pillars whose last match ended 2-2 in Makurdi against Lobi Stars, on the day the Stars beat Kwara United 2-1 at the same venue of this evening’s derby.
Of the teams involved in the remaining fixtures, only Warri Wolves cannot drop to the relegation zone. Adamawa United, Kwara United and Abia Warriors are already in the red zone, while Wikki Tourists and MFM are potential candidates.
Fixtures…
- Kano Pillars v Jigawa Golden Stars
- Rangers v Rivers United,
- Abia Warriors v Adamawa United
- Warri Wolves v MFM
- Enyimba v Sunshine Stars
- Kwara United v Wikki Tourists
- Plateau United v Nasarawa United
- Katsina United v Akwa United,
- Heartland v Lobi Stars
- FC Ifeanyi Ubah v Dakkada FC
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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