Nigerian Football
RELEGATION BATTLES HIGHLIGHTS FINAL MATCH DAY OF NIGERIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
BY PROMISE ETIM
The final round of matches in the regular
Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season holds on Sunday, with two
teams expected to join Niger Tornadoes and Remo Stars to the lower division
from Group A, while three others are expected to drop alongside Yobe Desert
Stars from Group B.
www.npfl.ng previews
what could be an intriguing day of action across 12 different venues in the
country.
Group
A
Aside from Rangers International, Lobi
Stars, Enyimba International and playoff chasing MFM of Lagos, six teams
(Bendel Insurance, Rivers United, Katsina United, Wikki Tourists, Sunshine
Stars and Kwara United) are faced with difficult task of beating the drop, as
only two of these six teams play themselves (Rivers United v Bendel Insurance).
Rivers United as at Matchday 17 were
relishing the prospects of a playoff spot, but that dream went up in smoke on
Matchday 21 when they were beaten 1-0 by Rangers International in Enugu.
They face Bendel Insurance, who got promoted to the top flight in the previous campaign.
A
draw for both sides could be enough to keep them in the premier division, but
the outcome of Rivers United and Bendel Insurance’s clash in Port Harcourt,
will also be dependent on what transpires between Sunshine Stars and MFM FC at
the Akure Township Stadium. Rivers United and Bendel Insurance are on 28 points
apiece, a win with two goals advantage for Sunshine Stars and draw in Port
Harcourt could turn the tide, as all three teams could end up on 29 points,
with Rivers United going into the matchday with a zero goal difference.
Katsina United could also avoid the drop
if they beat seven-time champions Enyimba at home.
A
win for Abdullahi Biffo’s men could take them to 30 points, but the task seems a
difficult challenge as the visitors Enyimba FC are aware if they slip in
Katsina, MFM FC could leapfrog them to the third playoff spot, if the Lagos
side win in Akure, away to Sunshine Stars.
Wikki Tourists host leader Rangers
International, who have already qualified for the playoff.
A win for Aliyu Zubairu’s men in their adopted home ground (the Pantami Stadium in Gombe), could see them take their points haul to 30 and that should guaranteed their safety.
Kwara United also are with a slight chance of beating the drop, as they travel to already-relegated Niger Tornadoes.
Kwara
United’s chances will solely be dependent on matches from other venues. While
Rivers United host Insurance in Port Harcourt, Kwara United could drop neither
of them to the relegation zone if they secure a win in Minna.
While others will be hoping to survive on
Sunday, Lobi Stars will be hoping to cement their place in the playoff, when
the visit Remo Stars at Sagamu, with the latter already planning for life in
the lower division.
Group
B
Akwa United, Kano Pillars and FC
Ifeanyiubah are the only teams that are safe. With Akwa and Pillars having
secured their places in the playoff on Matchdays 20 and 21 respectively, FC
Ifeanyiubah will be hoping to do so on Matchday 22, when the host Akwa.
FC Ifeanyiubah need only a draw against
the Uyo-based side to book their place in the Super-6.
Defeat
for them, could mean Nasarawa United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Delta Force could
leapfrog them to third spot, if they secure wins in their respectively games.
If such scenario emerges, Nasarawa United
can pick the final playoff spot, by securing a win away to already-relegated
Yobe Stars, while El-Kanemi will need to win with two goals advantage at the
Okigwe Township Stadium, against Heartland FC. However, given the same scenario
of FC Ifeanyiubah slipping at home, Delta Force might need to get an eight-goal
haul to improve their goals difference when they host relegation-threatened
Plateau United.
Also banking on a positive result on
Sunday to qualify for the playoff, any of Nasarawa United, El-Kanemi and Delta
Force could also be relegated if Plateau United, Abia Warriors, Heartland,
Gombe United and Go Round secure wins in their respectively games.
Maikaba’s Plateau United could be relegated
if they fail to secure at least a point in Asaba away to Delta Force depending
on results elsewhere.
A
draw for the 2017 champions might just not be enough to keep them in the top
division if Heartland FC get a win at home to El-Kanemi Warriors in Okigwe.
Abia Warriors’ 2-2 draw in Uyo on Matchday
21, may not be enough to guarantee their safety, as they need to finish the job
against Kano Pillars at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Abia
Warriors are level on 28 points with Heartland, with a better goals difference
than their neighbours and may need to score more goals to avert danger,
assuming the Owerri side improve on their goals difference with a big margin
win (against El-Kanemi), and the rest of the teams threatened by relegation win
their respective games.
Gombe United and Go Round have outside
chances of beating the drop, but one of them will have to experience life in
the lower league as both teams clash in Omoku on Sunday.
A draw could still see both teams relegated, but a win could salvage one of them. Go Round are however disadvantaged, with a negative goals difference of six, meaning they need to win with a margin of at least five or six goals, to stand a chance, depending on results from other venues.
All games are billed to kickoff by 4pm this Sunday at the 12 different venues.
The
fixtures
Group A
Wikki Tourists v Rangers
Rivers United v Bendel
Insurance
Remo Stars v Lobi Stars
Niger Tornadoes v Kwara United
Katsina United v Enyimba
Sunshine Stars v MFM
Group
B
Yobe Stars v Nasarawa United
Go Round v Gombe United
Delta Force v Plateau United
Abia Warriors v Kano Pillars
FC Ifeanyiubah v Akwa United
Heartland FC v El-Kanemi
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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