Nigerian Football
Against invading Abia Warriors, Remo Stars optimistic of another win
Remo Stars of Ikenne square off against Abia Warriors this Thursday evening hoping to regain the Nigeria Professional Football League top spot which Rivers United are currently occupying.
The newcomers to the elite league have remained unbeaten so far.While they head into the contest at the Remo Stars Stadium to contest for the top position, Abia Warriors with eight points are currently eighth on the log.
Their last match away from home against Wikki Tourists has shown the quality of the side jostling to go continental next season.
Mercurial midfielder, Dayo Ojo put the Sky Blue Stars ahead with a beautiful strike after he connected well to a pass from Andy Okpe, before Abdullahi Oyedele doubled the lead from close range to give Remo Stars a chance in that encounter but Salisu Adama pushed to reduce the deficit for the Giant Elephants.
Having picked maximum points on the road against Wikki Tourists over the weekend, the Remo Stars will hope to continue their unbeaten record.
Abia Warriors on the other hand got their maximum points through Innocent Gabriel who put them ahead in the ninth minute of the encounter against Heartland FC.
Both sides last meeting was in 2017 when the Sky Blue Stars put a stop to their the Warriors’ eight matches unbeaten record through Victor Mbaoma from the penalty spot in the 90th minute at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, Ogun State.
In the reverse fixture, Remo Stars stood their ground at the Umuahia Township Stadium in Umuahia to share the spoils and the ended 0-0 between both sides.
The visitors will hope to keep faith in some of their veterans like Anthony Okemiri who assisted Innocent Gabriel in their last game, experienced players such as Odah Okemute, Cletus Emotan and Godwin Obaje are also expected to be handful for the hosts.
Remo Stars’ Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote will continue to keep faith in Dayo Ojo, Stanley Okorom, Abdullahi Oyedele, Andy Okpe and safe hands Kayode Bankole as they hope to hold firm to top spot.
Morgan Agbeko is still the only injured player for Remo Stars, and he is hopeful to reunite with the squad in few weeks.
A win for host will extend the unbeaten streak to seven matches in a row, the first of its kind for the Sky Blue Stars in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole has indicated his side will not be complacent and carried away with their bright start to the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
He was instrumental to Remo Stars as they claimed total match points on the road against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in matchday six of the NPFL.
“I think it feels good, we did well in our last game against Wikki Tourists, nobody ever gave us a chance to defeat them in Bauchi, we did it, and we are so proud of the moment.”
“We will continue to keep our heads high above waters and won’t be distracted with our current performance, it is not easy topping the NPFL and every team’s target now is to stop our unbeaten streak, but we will remain focused and face each game as they come.”
“Abia Warriors are no push over in the league, they are also a good team. They have picked point on the road, but we will try our best to get our maximum points against them.”
“We will remain focused as a team to ensure we continue to win our games and permit me to use this opportunity to appreciate our fans for them support both at home and away, we happy, and we will not disappoint you because you all are our driving force.”
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed Kano Pillars with a ₦9.5 million fine, a three-point deduction, and an indefinite ban from their home ground, Sani Abacha Stadium, following violent scenes during their Matchday 8 clash with Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
The latest punishment adds to Pillars’ growing record of disciplinary infractions. Since 2019, the club has paid over ₦36 million in fines related to crowd disturbances and violent conduct: ₦8m (June 2019), ₦2.5m (March 2022), ₦9m (April 2022), ₦2.25m (June 2022), ₦1m (October 2023), ₦12m (January 2024), and ₦2m (October 2024).
The disciplinary action, announced less than 24 hours after the incident, follows a pitch invasion in Kano that led to attacks on match officials and players of Shooting Stars, causing widespread condemnation.
Under the NPFL’s summary jurisdiction, the league deducted three points and three goals from Pillars’ accumulated tally for breaching Rule C1.1, which prohibits assault on match officials and opposing teams. The club will now play its home games at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina for the rest of the season.
In addition, the NPFL imposed a ₦9.5 million cumulative fine on the club for multiple breaches of league regulations:
- ₦1 million for failure to provide adequate security (Rule B13.52)
- ₦1 million for failing to control supporters who harassed the away team and officials (Rule C9)
- ₦1 million for objects thrown onto the pitch (Rule B13.18)
- ₦1 million for bringing the league into disrepute (Rule C1.1)
- ₦2 million for assault on the away team and officials
- ₦2 million as compensation to Shooting Stars players
- ₦1.5 million as restitution to assaulted match officials
In addition to the sanctions on Kano Pillars, the NPFL has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Match Officials Appointment Committee recommending a review and possible downgrade of five referees.
The affected officials include centre referee Mohammed B. Tuta (Adamawa), assistant referees Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa) from the Pillars vs. Shooting Stars match, and centre referee Ikechukwu Taiwo (Rivers) along with assistant referee Usman Opeyemi Edward (Osun) from the Nasarawa United vs. Rangers fixture.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, reaffirmed the league’s zero-tolerance policy for violence.
“We will invoke the rules wherever and whenever required to keep bad behaviour of fans, players, and officials out of the league,” he declared.
Kano Pillars have been given the right to appeal the sanctions, although failure to overturn the decision could lead to additional penalties.
The Sani Abacha Stadium will remain closed to fans for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The management of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has condemned the violent scenes that followed Sunday’s Matchday 8 encounter between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
In a statement signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the NPFL said it had noted with concern the reports and viral video clips showing fans invading the pitch at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, shortly after the final whistle.
“We condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans,” the statement read.
Owumi assured that the NPFL had already reached out to the Match Commissioner, Referees, and officials of Shooting Stars, confirming that their safety had been secured.
The league body stated that it is awaiting the official match reports and full video evidence from the Match Commissioner and Referees before taking disciplinary action but stressed that the incident would be treated with “utmost seriousness.”
“The NPFL is assuring all stakeholders and football lovers that this isolated incident is being handled decisively, and appropriate actions will follow upon review of the full reports,” Owumi said.
He reaffirmed the NPFL’s commitment to discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues nationwide, warning that violence of any kind will not be tolerated in the domestic league.
“We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues across the country,” the statement concluded.
The Sunday incident in Kano has since sparked outrage among fans and officials, with many calling for stricter sanctions to deter future acts of hooliganism in Nigerian football.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Former Super Eagles’ skipper and now Kano Pillars General Manager, Ahmed Musa, has tendered a public apology following the violent scenes that marred his club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening.
In a heartfelt statement posted on his official X handle, the Super Eagles captain described the incident as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable,” stressing that it does not reflect the true values or proud history of Kano Pillars.
The scene after the Kano Pillars versus Shooting Stars match.
“What transpired against Shooting Stars is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the true values, identity, or proud history of Kano Pillars,” Musa wrote.
He expressed deep regret to Shooting Stars players, coaches, officials, match referees, NPFL board members, GTI partners, and football fans across the country who witnessed the ugly scenes, promising that those responsible would be brought to book.
“Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for. Football is meant to unite, to inspire, to bring joy. When it turns into scenes of chaos and harm, we must not pretend it away — we must confront it head-on,” he stated.
Musa assured that Kano Pillars would work closely with relevant authorities to identify and punish those behind the riot, adding that the club would take firm internal measures to prevent a recurrence.
“We understand that apologies alone are not enough. Words must be followed by action. We will take huge steps internally to ensure that something like this never happens again,” he said.
Addressing the club’s supporters directly, Musa urged them to show their passion through respect and discipline rather than violence.
“True support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline. This must be a turning point for us,” he appealed.
The former Leicester City and Al Nassr forward concluded by taking full responsibility on behalf of the club and promising to restore trust and respect for Kano Pillars and Nigerian football.
“We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria,” he said.
The NPFL and its partners are expected to launch an investigation into the incident, with potential sanctions looming for Kano Pillars, whose fans were reportedly involved in violent conduct following the match against the Ibadan-based Shooting Stars.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Two Decades After Their Defeat, Mamelodi Sundowns Return to Abeokuta
Major Injury Concerns for Mamelodi Sundowns Ahead of Abeokuta Clash
Ribeiro’s Shock Exit Forces Tactical Reset at Mamelodi Sundowns Ahead of Clash with Remo Stars
- World Cup1 week ago
CAF Rule Change May Boost Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Hopes
- World Cup4 days ago
Victor Osimhen qualifies South Africa for World Cup as Super Eagles go for Play-Off
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING! Lookman Suspended for Crucial Benin Clash
- World Cup1 week ago
Judgment Day Beckons in Group C: Only One Ticket, Three Contenders, Infinite Drama
- FIFA RANKING23 hours ago
Nigeria Jumps Four Places in New FIFA Rankings; Stirs Optimism in Local Football Circles
- World Cup7 days ago
Super Eagles Stranded in Angola After Aircraft Suffers Cracked Windscreen
- World Cup7 days ago
Akor Adams Becomes Nigeria’s 61st Scoring Debutant
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
GTI Assets Champions Football Investment as Catalyst for National Development