Nigerian Football
Now, Rivers flow seamlessly at the top
Rivers United reclaimed the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top spot but Plateau United who will only play their game on Wednesday against Gombe United and regain the position.
Rivers United ended the six game unbeaten away run of Enugu Rangers in Port Harcourt on Sunday while Akwa United and Sunshine Stars returned to winning ways before their fans as the league season entered MatchDay 14.
At the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Sunshine Stars bounced back to winning ways after a slim 1-0 win over Kwara United.
The Owena Whales had lost by a lone goal to Niger Tornadoes on Wednesday by virtually the last kick of the game in Abuja but they showed they were more businesslike when Abdul Taofeek shot them ahead in the second minute of the tie.
It was the only goal of the game and it also ended a run of four games without a victory.
Sunshine Stars are 11th on the table with 17 points from 13 games but Kwara United have slipped to the sixth spot with 21 points.
The Qua Iboe derby produced five goals between Akwa United and Dakkada FC with the home team securing their first win in Uyo after four games since January 16th, 2022 when they beat Katsina United 2-0 in a MatchDay 6 tie.
They had suffered three successive home draws with Sunshine Stars, Kwara United and Heartland with the latter tie leading to the disengagement of former boss, Kennedy Boboye.
The frenetic encounter saw Femi Ajayi scoring the curtain raiser for the Dakkada in the 17th minute after a brilliant pass from Solomon Kantoma but the Promise Keepers equalised 13th minutes later from the spot kick after the goal scorer, Samuel Amadi was upended in the 18 yard box moments earlier.
Akwa United then took the lead through Wisdom Fernando in the 51st minute off a good cross from Ubong Essien and they made it 3-1 in the 75th minute after a wonderful solo effort from Ezekiel Bassey.
Dakkada’s Rivio Ayemwenre reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 79th minute to make it their third consecutive loss.
The win has taken the Promise Keepers to the 5th spot with 23 points from 14 games and it was also the first time this season that the league’s reigning champions would win two straight games but Dakkada continue to court the relegation zone as they are 18th with 12 points.
At the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers United put an end to Enugu Rangers’ unbeaten run in their away matches to assume the leadership of the league table at least for the next 24 hours with 29 points from 14 games after a 1-0 win.
Both teams were placed second and third spots on the league table before the tie but the Rivers United notched the all important goal in the 61st minute through Nyima Nwagua who tapped in from close range after Morice Chukwu’s free kick hit the woodwork and fell to his path.
Rangers remain in top spot with 23 points but the position may change at the conclusion of Monday rescheduled MatchDay 14 games.
Meanwhile at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Shooting Stars failed to make home advantage count after they were held to a goalless draw by Wikki Tourists.
It would be the third time the Oluyole Warrriors will be dropping points at home after Akwa United and Sunshine Stars stopped them from claiming maximum points in Ibadan as well.
Shooting Stars are in the 10th spot with 19 points while Wikki Tourists are in the 8th spot with 20 points.
In the earlier game played on Saturday, MFM became the third team to pick valuable away point in Aba after they snatched a 1-1 draw against Enyimba at the Enyimba International Stadium.
Enyimba were held to another 1-1 draw by Niger Tornadoes at the same stadium seven days earlier and they were hoping to return to winning ways after the 1-0 slip in Ilorin against Kwara United at midweek.
They were in the ascendancy in the 7th minute through Victor Mbaoma but the Olukoya Boys fought back gamely and equalised five minutes later through Chukwudi Ekeocha.
points.
Katsina United will host Heartland FC while Lobi Stars are at home to Remo Stars in Makurdi on Monday.
Also, Kano Pillars will seek a return to winning ways when they slug it out with Abia Warriors at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna while Nasarawa United face Niger Tornadoes in Lafia.
Some of the Results of NPFL Week 14 Games
- Enyimba 1-1 MFM
- Rivers United 1-0 Enugu Rangers
- Akwa United 3-2 Dakkada FC
- Sunshine Stars 1-0 Kwara United
- Shooting Stars 0-0 Wikki Tourists
Monday
- Katsina United vs Heartland FC
- Lobi Stars vs Remo Stars
- Kano Pillars vs Abia Warriors
- Nasarawa United vs Niger Tornadoes
Wednesday
- Gombe United vs Plateau United
-NPFL
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed Kano Pillars with a ₦9.5 million fine, a three-point deduction, and an indefinite ban from their home ground, Sani Abacha Stadium, following violent scenes during their Matchday 8 clash with Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
The latest punishment adds to Pillars’ growing record of disciplinary infractions. Since 2019, the club has paid over ₦36 million in fines related to crowd disturbances and violent conduct: ₦8m (June 2019), ₦2.5m (March 2022), ₦9m (April 2022), ₦2.25m (June 2022), ₦1m (October 2023), ₦12m (January 2024), and ₦2m (October 2024).
The disciplinary action, announced less than 24 hours after the incident, follows a pitch invasion in Kano that led to attacks on match officials and players of Shooting Stars, causing widespread condemnation.
Under the NPFL’s summary jurisdiction, the league deducted three points and three goals from Pillars’ accumulated tally for breaching Rule C1.1, which prohibits assault on match officials and opposing teams. The club will now play its home games at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina for the rest of the season.
In addition, the NPFL imposed a ₦9.5 million cumulative fine on the club for multiple breaches of league regulations:
- ₦1 million for failure to provide adequate security (Rule B13.52)
- ₦1 million for failing to control supporters who harassed the away team and officials (Rule C9)
- ₦1 million for objects thrown onto the pitch (Rule B13.18)
- ₦1 million for bringing the league into disrepute (Rule C1.1)
- ₦2 million for assault on the away team and officials
- ₦2 million as compensation to Shooting Stars players
- ₦1.5 million as restitution to assaulted match officials
In addition to the sanctions on Kano Pillars, the NPFL has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Match Officials Appointment Committee recommending a review and possible downgrade of five referees.
The affected officials include centre referee Mohammed B. Tuta (Adamawa), assistant referees Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa) from the Pillars vs. Shooting Stars match, and centre referee Ikechukwu Taiwo (Rivers) along with assistant referee Usman Opeyemi Edward (Osun) from the Nasarawa United vs. Rangers fixture.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, reaffirmed the league’s zero-tolerance policy for violence.
“We will invoke the rules wherever and whenever required to keep bad behaviour of fans, players, and officials out of the league,” he declared.
Kano Pillars have been given the right to appeal the sanctions, although failure to overturn the decision could lead to additional penalties.
The Sani Abacha Stadium will remain closed to fans for the remainder of the 2025 season.
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The management of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has condemned the violent scenes that followed Sunday’s Matchday 8 encounter between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
In a statement signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the NPFL said it had noted with concern the reports and viral video clips showing fans invading the pitch at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, shortly after the final whistle.
“We condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans,” the statement read.
Owumi assured that the NPFL had already reached out to the Match Commissioner, Referees, and officials of Shooting Stars, confirming that their safety had been secured.
The league body stated that it is awaiting the official match reports and full video evidence from the Match Commissioner and Referees before taking disciplinary action but stressed that the incident would be treated with “utmost seriousness.”
“The NPFL is assuring all stakeholders and football lovers that this isolated incident is being handled decisively, and appropriate actions will follow upon review of the full reports,” Owumi said.
He reaffirmed the NPFL’s commitment to discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues nationwide, warning that violence of any kind will not be tolerated in the domestic league.
“We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues across the country,” the statement concluded.
The Sunday incident in Kano has since sparked outrage among fans and officials, with many calling for stricter sanctions to deter future acts of hooliganism in Nigerian football.
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Former Super Eagles’ skipper and now Kano Pillars General Manager, Ahmed Musa, has tendered a public apology following the violent scenes that marred his club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening.
In a heartfelt statement posted on his official X handle, the Super Eagles captain described the incident as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable,” stressing that it does not reflect the true values or proud history of Kano Pillars.
The scene after the Kano Pillars versus Shooting Stars match.
“What transpired against Shooting Stars is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the true values, identity, or proud history of Kano Pillars,” Musa wrote.
He expressed deep regret to Shooting Stars players, coaches, officials, match referees, NPFL board members, GTI partners, and football fans across the country who witnessed the ugly scenes, promising that those responsible would be brought to book.
“Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for. Football is meant to unite, to inspire, to bring joy. When it turns into scenes of chaos and harm, we must not pretend it away — we must confront it head-on,” he stated.
Musa assured that Kano Pillars would work closely with relevant authorities to identify and punish those behind the riot, adding that the club would take firm internal measures to prevent a recurrence.
“We understand that apologies alone are not enough. Words must be followed by action. We will take huge steps internally to ensure that something like this never happens again,” he said.
Addressing the club’s supporters directly, Musa urged them to show their passion through respect and discipline rather than violence.
“True support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline. This must be a turning point for us,” he appealed.
The former Leicester City and Al Nassr forward concluded by taking full responsibility on behalf of the club and promising to restore trust and respect for Kano Pillars and Nigerian football.
“We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria,” he said.
The NPFL and its partners are expected to launch an investigation into the incident, with potential sanctions looming for Kano Pillars, whose fans were reportedly involved in violent conduct following the match against the Ibadan-based Shooting Stars.
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