Nigerian Football
VIDEO: Soname calls for an overhaul of referees’ body, decries officiating crisis in NPFL
Kunle Soname, chairman of Remo Stars FC, on Wednesday raised the alarm over what he described as a deep-rooted crisis in match officiating in Nigeria, calling for an urgent and total overhaul of the Referees’ Appointment Committee to restore credibility to Nigerian domestic football.
Addressing a press conference, Soname said he was speaking not merely as a club owner but as a stakeholder concerned about the future and integrity of the game in the country.
He lamented that no Nigerian referee has been selected for the Africa Cup of Nations in the last 17 years, attributing the drought to compromised standards in the domestic league.
According to him, poor officiating—often appearing “fraudulent or grossly incompetent”—has systematically eroded the credibility required for Nigerian referees to earn international appointments.
He stressed that the problem goes beyond isolated mistakes and represents a dangerous pattern threatening the integrity of the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Soname presented video evidence of at least five recent incidents that underline the severity of the problem.
Among them, he cited two clear penalties denied to Remo Stars in a single match, a blatant foul ignored against his team that directly resulted in an opposition goal, and a wrongly disallowed legitimate goal scored by Rangers International against Rivers United, which he noted to show that the crisis is league-wide and not club-specific.
There was also a foul against a Shooting Stars defender before an attacking player of Barau went on to score a goal.
“These are not 50–50 calls,” Soname said. “They are blatant errors captured on video—decisions that directly change match outcomes and contradict all available evidence.”
He revealed that he had sent the video clips to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and that the chairperson of the Referee Appointment Committee, Faith Irabor.
The video clips have also been analysed by match officials in Europe, and the conclusion was the same – the referees in question all erred.
He placed responsibility for oversight on the Referees’ Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, accusing the body of enabling the crisis by failing to sanction poor performances and by offering implausible justifications for obvious errors.
As an example, Soname referenced a controversial decision involving Insurance FC of Benin, where a clear foul leading to a goal went unpunished.
According to Soname, the committee, chaired by Mrs Faith Irabor, issued a baffling justification, stating, “The attacker was in a hot chase… It is not tripping, and no other offence was committed.” This demands scrutiny, especially given that Mrs Irabor was previously a Director in the Edo State Sports Commission, and the officiating team for that match was changed just two days prior.
He questioned the committee’s defence of the decision and raised concerns about transparency after changes were reportedly made to the officiating team just days before the match.
Soname argued that citing issues such as the absence of pre-season seminars to excuse incorrect decisions amounted to an admission of systemic failure rather than a valid defence.
He called on the NFF, NPFL management and the Referees’ Committee to urgently review the cited incidents, enforce accountability and rebuild confidence in the league. More critically, he insisted that the Referees’ Appointment Committee must be comprehensively restructured.
“Football thrives on fairness,” Soname said. “Our players deserve fairness, our fans deserve honesty, and our league deserves integrity. Nigerian football deserves better.”
He concluded by inviting questions from the media, signalling his readiness to pursue the matter in the interest of reforming Nigerian football.
Video clips of some matches where officiating raises grave concern
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By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
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Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
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The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
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