Nigerian Football
Battlegrounds open in five centres as curtain falls on NPFL 2021/22
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The Nigeria Professional Football League for the season 2021/22 comes to a close this Sunday. The champions already emerged so also is the first runners-up.
However battle grounds are open elsewhere where the struggles for third place as well fight against relegation reaches crescendo.
The battle grounds are the hitherto sleepy town of Ikenne, Owerri, Uyo, Gombe, Kano and Aba.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars have everything to play for as they host Niger Tornadoes. A win crowns their efforts this season with a ticket into the CAF Confederation Cup irrespective of result elsewhere, especially in Owerri where fellow third-place contenders, Kwara United are away to relegation prone Heartland.
The Owerri match is potentially explosive and has a tendency to be bloody. Kwara United are aiming for a win that could see them upstage Remo Stars in the third position.
Similarly, Heartland, who had gone down before, will be battling against another possible drop on home ground. Only a win can ensure their survival.
Another battleground is Uyo where relegation-bound Dakkada face Sunshine Stars in a battle against a looming drop. Wikki Tourists at home in Gombe face similar ordeal like Dakkada as they host similarly relegation fighters in Katsina United.
In Kano, relegation candidates, Kano Pillars are hosting Shooting Stars, perennial strugglers against relegation. In Aba, only a win may save Abia Warriors in the battle against relegation as they face Lobi Stars.
In Port Harcourt, it will be more of entertainment as it often happens on coronation days. It will be a coronation ceremony for the new Nigerian football kings – Rivers United. Newly appointed Commissioner for Sports, Chris Green will no doubt be grinning, performing a major function as the flagship sports outfit of his state will be crowned.
Second-placed Plateau United will host Enyimba of Aba in what looks a dead rubber. Both teams have no real battle to fight.
MATCHDAY 38 FIXTURES
SUNDAY 17TH JULY, 2022
• Abia Warriors vs Lobi Stars 4:00PM
• Dakkada vs Sunshine Stars 4:00PM
• Rangers Int’l vs Akwa United 4:00PM
• Heartland vs Kwara United 4:00PM
• Remo Stars vs Niger Tornadoes 4:00PM
• Rivers United vs Gombe United 4:00PM
• MFM vs Nasarawa United 4:00PM
• Kano Pillars vs Shooting Stars 4:00PM
• Wikki Tourists vs Katsina 4:00PM
• Plateau United vs Enyimba Int’l 4:00PM
NPFL STATS AHEAD OF LAST MATCH DAY
No. of Matches Played:370
No. of Matches Won:291
No.of Matches Won at Home: 262
No. of Matches Won Away:29
No. of Matches Drawn:79
Goals
No. of Goals Scored: 759
Average Goals/Match: 2
No. of Goals Scored at Home: 577
No. of Own Goals:12
No. of Goals Scored Away:202
Penalties
No. of Penalties Scored:70
No. of Penalties not Scored: 22
No. of Penalties Awarded: 92
Cards
No. of Yellow Cards:1,365
No. of Red Cards: 48
Top Goals Scorers:
18 Goals
Chijioke Akuneto-(Rivers United)
16 goals:
Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba)
Yusuf Abdullazeez (Gombe Utd)
Best Attacking Team: Rivers United (57 goals Scored)
Worst Defense: MFM (50 goals Conceded)
Rivers United led on 28 Matchdays out of 37 Matchdays
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