Nigerian Football
IHEANACHO LEADS LEICESTER CITY TO 3-1 WIN OVER ARSENAL
Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho scored his first premier league goal of the season as Leicester City compounds Arsenal woeful 2018 away matches in 3-1 victory at King Power Stadium.
Iheanacho opened the goal feast, before Jamie Vardy and Rihad Mahrez struck in the second-half to ensure Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser earlier in the period counts for nothing.
Leicester coach Claude Puel make three changes to their side for this match, with the returning Simpson joined by goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic and striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
Ben Hamer had been preferred to Schmeichel in the previous games without the Dane, but it is Jakupovic who gets the nod this evening, while Iheanacho will hope to provide an extra goal threat having replaced Vicent Iborra in the starting line-up.
Arsene Wenger makes four changes to the side that gave him such a good send-off against Burnley at the weekend with Hector Bellerin and Jack Wilshere joining Alexandre Lacazette in dropping out of the squad altogether having played on Sunday.
Calum Chambers is also absent from the 18, with Maitland-Niles, Rob Holding, Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck the quartet to come into their side for Wenger’s penultimate Arsenal team selection.
Jakupovic is called into his first serious piece of action tonight as he dives to his left to push an Iwobi effort behind for a corner.
It was a nice move from Arsenal, but Leicester made it far too easy for them once they got into the box.
Leicester threatens for the first time this evening as Welbeck gives the ball away, allowing Adrien Silva to thread the ball through for Jamie Vardy as the England international stands up holding to create space to shoot, but he forces himself a little wide and Petr Cech is able to turn the ball past the near post.
Leicester are 1-0 up after Iheanacho who fires his finish past Cech after receiving a heading from fellow African Diabate in the 14 minutes of the encounter.
Arsenal’s away woes aren’t easing in a hurry as Konstantinos Mavropanos and Iheanacho clash for a 50:50 with Leicester forward comes off the better but his opponent grabs him by the shirt and pulling him down with referee Graham Scott shown the Greek defender his first red card in his Gunners career.
Wenger makes a change after that red card and Welbeck is the man sacrificed as Shkodran Mustafi replaces him and switching to a 4-2-3 formation with Iwobi wide left and Mkhitaryan wide right.
A chance for Arsenal as Xhaka plays a very smart reverse pass to Iwobi in the area. It goes square to Mkhitaryan, who unleashes a snapshot Jakupovic can only block for a corner. That comes to Aubameyang, who can’t quite do more than poke a shot through a mass of bodies.
Leicester are back on the front foot now and Mahrez holds on to the ball for a long time, trying to do it all himself but eventually blazing his effort a long way over the crossbar.
Leicester win a free kick in a really good position and Mahrez leaves it for Silva, who tries to go under the wall and into the far bottom corner. Cech sees it late but gets down well to make a decent save.
Cech again comes to Arsenal’s rescue here as Iheanacho fires a low strike across goal which the keeper parries away with another smart stop.
Ambitious from Iheanacho as he steals the ball just inside his own half and tries to lob Cech from inside the centre circle, but he puts too much on it.
Arsenal have started this half brightly as well, and they almost level things up! A chipped ball to the left channel finds the overlapping Kolasinac, who drills a low strike against the foot of the near post from a tight angle.
Leicester come pouring forward again and find themselves with a two-on-one far too easily as Vardy gives the ball out to an unmarked Diabate the Malian advances into the area before squeezing the ball under Cech, although the Arsenal keeper gets enough on the ball to take the pace off it before Mustafi is there to clear it off the line.
Despite the constant stream of Leicester chances, it’s Arsenal who are back on level terms an attack down the right as Maitland-Niles whipped the ball into the Foxes box as Aubameyang meets it only to see his first save spectacularly saved by Jakupovic, but the Arsenal striker is there to smash home the rebound to make 1-1 in the 53 minutes of the game.
Mkhitaryan brings down a diagonal ball into the box with a lovely touch before looking to hammer a half-volley towards the near top corner, but it flies over the crossbar.
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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