Nigerian Football
AS 2ND ROUND KICKS OFF MFM, IFEANYIUBAH, ENYIMBA, AKWA UNITED AIM AT SUPER 6
BY APESIN ADEMOLA
The second phase of the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League, which started on Saturday with Group A leaders MFM losing to Insurance in Benin 0-1, will get into full swing on Sunday with matches in eight centres.
In Group A, Enyimba, who are second on the log, will have the chance to close the gap on leaders MFM. The Lagos side retain a six-point gap at the summit, while FC Ifeanyi Ubah top Group B.
Enyimba have won all but one of their home fixtures this season, the only one being a goalless result against defending champions Lobi Stars on Matchday 3, while their visitors Sunshine Stars have won one game away (versus Wikki Tourists) and drawn another (versus Kwara United) out of five matches on the road. At some point in the season, the Akure Gunners were in second spot but have since dropped three steps down.
Lobi Stars, who were at the foot of the table while accumulating domestic fixtures during their now failed continental campaign, have since been catapulted to No 3. The Pride of Benue have the venues of their back-to-back encounters against bottom placed Niger Tornadoes swapped to avoid too many away matches in their schedule. Therefore, rather than host Tornadoes this Sunday for Matchday 12, they journey to Minna for Matchday 11 game.
Katsina United, in No 4, travel to Ilorin to engage a disappointing Kwara United. The Harmony Boys of Ilorin started the season with purpose and led the group on Matchday 3 but have failed to sustain the tempo, a situation that has now dragged them into the relegation four.
Their opponents Katsina United are among the front runners, and if they maintain their consistency, the Changi Boys may well finish in top three and challenge for the title through the Super 6.
Like Lobi Stars, Rangers too have to concentrate on the domestic scene after crashing out of the CAF Confederation Cup. With six outstanding fixtures, the fans of the Flying Antelope may worry less about their current standing at No 7, and 10 points adrift of top team MFM.
In Group B, four matches are also on offer, while the other two will be played later.
With leaders FC IfeanyiUbah not on duty, the door is open for either Akwa United and El-Kanemi Warriors to take charge of this section, even if temporarily.
For a side that started the season with a home defeat through a last minute blunder by their keeper, Akwa United have done remarkably well to rise above the setback in arriving at second place, only two points behind the top spot. Since that early blip, the Promise Keepers have gone on to win three home matches and shared honours with Plateau United in the other, while also winning two away fixtures.
Akwa United will be up against Heartland, who have gone down the pecking order; a team that had occupied No 1 on three Matchdays now marginally above the relegation zone.
El-Kanemi Warriors will file out at Pantami Stadium, Gombe where the home side have not been delivering results. In five matches on that ground, Gombe United have won only two, drawn the same number and lost one. If the Warriors reenact the form that made them to pip Akwa United in Uyo on the season’s opening day, Gombe United will be in further trouble as they are just one point and one step above Yobe Desert Stars, the last team in the group, who face seventh-placed Go Round.
The fixtures…
Group A (Matchday 12):
- Rivers United v Wikki Tourists
- Rangers v Remo Stars
- Kwara United v Katsina United
- Enyimba v Sunshine Stars
- Lobi Stars v Niger Tornadoes (rescheduled)
Matchday 11:
- Niger Tornadoes v Lobi Stars
Group B (Matchday 12):
- Go Round v Yobe Desert Stars
- Plateau United v Abia Warriors
- Akwa United v Heartland
- Gombe United v El-Kanemi Warriors
- Kano Pillars v FC Ifeanyi Ubah (Wednesday, March 27)
- Nasarawa United v Kada City (Wednesday, April 3)
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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