Nigerian Football
NPFL PLAYOFF: TITLE, CONTINENTAL TICKETS DOWN TO THE LAST GAME
BY FISAYO DAIRO
It is the final MatchDay of the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional
Football League (NPFL) Championship Playoff this Wednesday at the Agege Stadium
and there are still all to play for five of the six clubs with the giant trophy
and two continental slots up for grabs.
The four previous match days of high intensity and top level competition have
left seven-time league champions Enyimba as the only team to have sealed a
continental place for next season while FC Ifeanyiubah are the only team mathematically
out of the running having turned out the “whipping boys” with no
points from four games.
A total of thirty-six goals have been scored in twelve matches, an impressive
average of three goals per game, but in spite of a low scoring Match Day 4 (by
the lofty standards of this season’s playoffs), it does not look like the teams
are tired of banging in the good, great goals.
Enyimba overtook Kano Pillars at the summit of the log after an expected, but
comprehensive 3-1 win over FC Ifeanyiubah on Monday night. All the People’s
Elephant now need to seal a return to CAF Champions League football for the
first time in four seasons is to avoid losing by not more than a one-goal
margin against Akwa United who desperately need a win.
Enyimba’s nine points have guaranteed them a top three spot regardless of
Wednesday’s result but Usman Abd’Allah’s men do have their sights on the trophy
they last won in 2015. Akwa United who remain unbeaten in their first four
games will however pose a capable threat to their aspirations.
Akwa United head coach Rafael Everton is expected to recall former Enyimba star
Mfon Udoh – who came on as substitute in their last two games – to the starting
line up and the Brazilian acknowledges that it will be a difficult game on
Wednesday.
“We will continue to believe. We came here to work and we will continue to
believe that we will win the league. It is (going to be) a difficult game, it
is a derby but we’ve not lost in all the games we have played so we will start
planning to win the last game,” Everton told www.npfl.ng.
Kano Pillars are the only remaining unbeaten side in this Playoffs and they
require just a point from their last game against calculator-wearied Lobi Stars
to seal a return to the continent since 2015. Pillars were denied by a late
minute penalty against Rangers on Monday which made them relinquish their top
spot to Enyimba.
Pillars will continue to rely on forwards Nyima Nwagua and Ebuka David Odenigbo
against a Lobi Stars side who can still finish third with a win should both
Rangers and Akwa United lose their games.
Another side with their destiny not directly in their hands is current Cup
winners Rangers International. Gbenga Ogunbote’s wards are expected to have a
straight forward win on paper over FC Ifeanyiubah but that may not be
sufficient for them if Lobi Stars do not do them the favour of beating Pillars.
Rangers have five points, three less than Pillars but will have to win by at
least a 3-goal margin against the 2016 Federation Cup winners and pray that
Pillars lose, or Akwa United fail to win if they intend to make it a
back-to-back appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Agege Township Stadium remains the stage for the final day of hostilities
and while landing the topmost prize of the NPFL 2018/19 season will be tops on
the wish list of Enyimba, Kano Pillars and Akwa United, an eventual place on
the continent should be good reward for the latter duo.
Surely, a day of celebration, ecstasy, what ifs, if only and had we known is in
the offing with tears of joy and sorrow expected to flow over onto the Agege
waters.
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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