Nigerian Football
Battlegrounds open in five centres as curtain falls on NPFL 2021/22
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The Nigeria Professional Football League for the season 2021/22 comes to a close this Sunday. The champions already emerged so also is the first runners-up.
However battle grounds are open elsewhere where the struggles for third place as well fight against relegation reaches crescendo.
The battle grounds are the hitherto sleepy town of Ikenne, Owerri, Uyo, Gombe, Kano and Aba.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars have everything to play for as they host Niger Tornadoes. A win crowns their efforts this season with a ticket into the CAF Confederation Cup irrespective of result elsewhere, especially in Owerri where fellow third-place contenders, Kwara United are away to relegation prone Heartland.
The Owerri match is potentially explosive and has a tendency to be bloody. Kwara United are aiming for a win that could see them upstage Remo Stars in the third position.
Similarly, Heartland, who had gone down before, will be battling against another possible drop on home ground. Only a win can ensure their survival.
Another battleground is Uyo where relegation-bound Dakkada face Sunshine Stars in a battle against a looming drop. Wikki Tourists at home in Gombe face similar ordeal like Dakkada as they host similarly relegation fighters in Katsina United.
In Kano, relegation candidates, Kano Pillars are hosting Shooting Stars, perennial strugglers against relegation. In Aba, only a win may save Abia Warriors in the battle against relegation as they face Lobi Stars.
In Port Harcourt, it will be more of entertainment as it often happens on coronation days. It will be a coronation ceremony for the new Nigerian football kings – Rivers United. Newly appointed Commissioner for Sports, Chris Green will no doubt be grinning, performing a major function as the flagship sports outfit of his state will be crowned.
Second-placed Plateau United will host Enyimba of Aba in what looks a dead rubber. Both teams have no real battle to fight.
MATCHDAY 38 FIXTURES
SUNDAY 17TH JULY, 2022
• Abia Warriors vs Lobi Stars 4:00PM
• Dakkada vs Sunshine Stars 4:00PM
• Rangers Int’l vs Akwa United 4:00PM
• Heartland vs Kwara United 4:00PM
• Remo Stars vs Niger Tornadoes 4:00PM
• Rivers United vs Gombe United 4:00PM
• MFM vs Nasarawa United 4:00PM
• Kano Pillars vs Shooting Stars 4:00PM
• Wikki Tourists vs Katsina 4:00PM
• Plateau United vs Enyimba Int’l 4:00PM
NPFL STATS AHEAD OF LAST MATCH DAY
No. of Matches Played:370
No. of Matches Won:291
No.of Matches Won at Home: 262
No. of Matches Won Away:29
No. of Matches Drawn:79
Goals
No. of Goals Scored: 759
Average Goals/Match: 2
No. of Goals Scored at Home: 577
No. of Own Goals:12
No. of Goals Scored Away:202
Penalties
No. of Penalties Scored:70
No. of Penalties not Scored: 22
No. of Penalties Awarded: 92
Cards
No. of Yellow Cards:1,365
No. of Red Cards: 48
Top Goals Scorers:
18 Goals
Chijioke Akuneto-(Rivers United)
16 goals:
Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba)
Yusuf Abdullazeez (Gombe Utd)
Best Attacking Team: Rivers United (57 goals Scored)
Worst Defense: MFM (50 goals Conceded)
Rivers United led on 28 Matchdays out of 37 Matchdays
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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