Nigerian Football
Now push comes to shove as the NPFL enters home stretch –
BY HARRY IWUALA
All things being equal, save for outstanding matches of Rivers United, there is barely 10 match days to go before this season expires.
A section of followers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) appear overly excited by results of away teams and are given to adjudging the league to have improved when teams win on the road. On the other hand, they hit hard at organisers when all home teams win their games.
To some analysts, wins away from home are indicative of fair and firm officiating, which they conclude is a benchmark for a developed league. And to these, total home wins on a matchday suggests that Referees have been compromised or intimidated.
None of the above scenarios are perfect and absolute as there are exceptions to all. Firstly, it has been argued by some that the major reason for home and away routines of the league is to enable all clubs that advantage of their home ground. It is for this reason that mostly exceptionally strong squads grind out results no matter where they play.
In our unique environment where several factors come to play, strong squads find themselves struggling at away games after travelling long distances on bad roads that leave them knackered.
The human error factor on the part of Referees also contributes to the blips in expectations even as it is not out of place to have manipulated officiating occasioned by home supporters shenanigans.
The stats since the resumption of the second stanza defies popular projections of what usually obtains at this time of the season. Usually, the last lap of the season sees lots of desperate acts by teams to win by all means to either place in the continental ticket bracket or escape relegation.
The most astonishing result has been those of Bayelsa United, Niger Tornadoes, Akwa United and Doma United. So far, there has been 11 away wins from Matchday 20 to 28 with Heartland, Akwa United, Doma United and Niger Tornadoes featuring in at least two defeats at home.
On the other hand, Akwa United and Niger Tornadoes have also popped up on two away wins respectively in the period under review. Plateau United which recorded the biggest away win of 5-1 against Heartland on Matchday 22 would go on to lose at home 1-2 to Akwa United on Matchday 27.
At the bottom of the log, Heartland has been the donor team of the season both in number of defeats at home and goals conceded.
Another interesting perspective to the stats from Matchday 20-28 I’d the number of drawn games which has reduced the home supremacy syndrome. There has been 20 drawn games in 82 fixtures covering Matchday 20-28. This means that home teams have not been able to win in 31 games in nine matchdays.
Chairman of the NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye described the development as evidence that “the NPFL is increasingly evolving into a very competitive league and that the zero tolerance for intimidation of Match officials is yielding expected results.
Elegbeleye commended Referees for their courage in interpreting the rules to the book, remarking that, “While we have called out those that performed below par, it is fair to also commend the rest who have been at their best.
“I am particularly proud of the officials who took charge of Heartland vs Plateau United on Matchday 22 and those in charge of Bendel Insurance vs Niger Tornadoes in Wednesday’s Matchday 28. They showed exceptional courage in the face of home supporters pressure”, declared the NPFL Chairman.
Bamidele Johnson, a follower of Shooting Stars for decades, expressed delight at the competitive direction of the league. Johnson, who played a significant role in the organisation of the hugely acclaimed Naija Super 8 tournament that drew a large crown in Lagos, would go on to praise the NPFL players for defying vociferous home crowds to post good results.
“It is a remarkable feat to travel and win amidst hostile home crowd and I am delighted that the NPFL is now having a good share of such results”, Johnson told NPFL Media.
On a post in his Facebook page, Bimbo Adeola, a core Rangers International supporter celebrated the Enugu side’s 9 games unbeaten run including five on the road. Rangers have won away at Doma United, Niger Tornadoes and Heartland with two draws, one each at home and away.
In a deplay of rare confidence in the organisation of the NPFL, Adeola, a Sports Journalist and Media Entrepreneur wrote, “We are Rangers, we win everywhere we go”.
Away Wins & Draws in 2nd Round
Matchday 20
- Heartland 1-1 Kano Pillars
- Sunshine Stars 1-1 Kwara United
- Abia Warriors 0-0 Remo Stars
Matchday 21
- Doma United 0-1 Rangers
- Kwara United 1-1 Katsina United
- Bendel Insurance 0-0 Enyimba
- Plateau United 0-0 3SC
- Akwa United 0-1 Bayelsa United
Matchday 22
- Heartland 1-5 Plateau United
Matchday 23
- Heartland 1-1 Sunshine Stars
- Niger Tornadoes 0-2 Rangers
- Doma United 0-0 Sporting Lagos
- Kano Pillars 0-1 Abia Warriors
- Gombe United 1-1 3SC
Matchday 24
- Katsina United 1-1 Heartland
- Bayelsa United 0-1 Niger Tornadoes
- Rivers United 1-1 Kano Pillars
- Rangers 0-0 Kwara United
- Abia Warriors 1-1 Lobi Stars
Matchday 25
- Doma United 0-1 3SC
- Kano Pillars 1-1 Rangers
Matchday 26
- Abia Warriors 0-0 Sunshine Stars
- Gombe United 1-1 Akwa United
Matchday 27
- Lobi Stars 1-1 Bayelsa United
- Plateau United 1-2 Akwa United
- Heartland 1-2 Rangers
- Doma United 1-1 Gombe United
Matchday 28
- Bendel Insurance 1-3 Niger Tornadoes
- Sporting Lagos 1-1 Lobi Stars
- Akwa United 0-1 Doma United
- Gombe United 0-0 Remo Stars
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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