Nigerian Football
LOBI STARS, PILLARS, ENYIMBA CHASE SUPER-6 QUALIFICATION; NPFL SEASON APPROACHES FINISH LINE
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
The regular season of the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League features its penultimate round of matches on Monday evening with Rangers in Group A and Akwa United (Group B) the only sides assured of the Super Six title playoff. The top three teams in each group will challenge for the crown at a later date using a format yet to be announced.
In Group A, defending champions Lobi Stars, Enyimba and MFM – in that order – are among the teams queueing behind leaders Rangers, while Kano Pillars, El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Ifeanyi Ubah trail Akwa United in Group B.
Lobi Stars will all but seal their top three finish if they beat visiting Wikki Tourists. The first leg in Bauchi ended 1-1.
Wikki Tourists themselves have not given up hope of being one of the number when the Super Six is constituted. If Bauchi side win their final two matches of the season – the last being at home to Rangers – they may well be in the mix for the title battle.
Enyimba, in third place in the group, welcome to Aba Niger Tornadoes with whom they played goalless in the first leg. If they triumph, the People’s Elephant will also boost their aspiration of contesting for the title they last won in 2015.
Tornadoes will be relegated if they lose in Aba.
In Lagos, fourth placed MFM welcome Katsina United; both had played 1-1 in Katsina earlier in the season. The Olukoya Boys’ inconsistency have caused them troubles. From leading the group up till midway in the season, MFM have now fallen out of the top three and require favours from other teams to bounce back, even if they win their last two matches.
Katsina United themselves remain in contention for the top three but that hope will be extinguished if they don’t pick maximum points in Lagos.
Sunshine Stars may be a step above the bottom four but have three teams on their heels, including their hosts this evening Bendel Insurance, who will leap out of the relegation zone if they pull their sixth victory of the season. Too many draws (10 in all, like Lobi Stars) have landed Insurance in troubled waters. Both sides played 1-1 in Akure in the first leg.
Kwara United are condemned to beat Remo Stars if they are not to go down like their visitors. Remo Stars, who are playing their last matches in the topflight, triumphed 2-1 in the first leg.
In Group B, Kano Pillars and El-Kanemi Warriors complete the present top three together with Akwa United. And all three have home advantage this Matchday.
Pillars welcome to Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano Delta Force who got defeated in the first leg 0-2. Victory for Pillars will make their last match away to Abia Warriors not so important as they would have qualified for the Super Six, which victory over Delta Force will ensure.
But with Asaba-based side needing all six points in their remaining fixtures and determined to pay Pillars back in their own coins, the battle is expected to be fierce in Kano.
El-Kanemi Warriors, in third spot, engage fourth placed FC Ifeanyi Ubah in a game that may determine which of these big teams will drop out of the top three. The Nnewi side managed a lone goal victory the first time they both met this season.
While Nasarawa United, Heartland and Abia Warriors have all not given up trying to make the top three, their realistic focus should be on not slipping down into the bottom four. For instance, three points separate sixth placed Nasarawa United from Plateau United, who lead the relegation squad, with two matches remaining.
The other teams in the drop zone are Go Round FC, Gombe United and Yobe Desert Stars, who already know their fate. While Plateau United are expected to take advantage of Yobe Desert Stars’ low spirit to win and wriggle out of trouble, Nasarawa United and Go Round FC as well as Gombe United and Heartland will be engaged in relegation dogfights.
MATCHDAY 21 FIXTURES…
GROUP A
- Rangers v Rivers United
- Kwara United v Remo Stars
- Enyimba v Niger Tornadoes
- MFM v Katsina United,
- Bendel Insurance v Sunshine Stars
- Lobi Stars v Wikki Tourists (all 4pm)
GROUP B:
- Plateau United v Yobe Desert Stars
- Nasarawa United v Go Round FC
- Kano Pillars v Delta Force
- El-Kanemi Warriors v FC IfeanyiUbah
- Gombe United v Heartland
- Akwa United v Abia Warriors (all 4pm)
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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