Nigerian Football
Nigeria’s NNL gathers momentum at Match Day 17 –
BY PATRICK NGWAOGU
The jungle rumbles In Lafia, as Nasarawa United hosts Elkanemi Warriors. The Matchday 16 Midweek matches were interesting in all ramifications with 29 goals in 18 matches, though with only one away win.
However, as the league gradually gets to an end, teams will endeavor to continue to cover their home front in Matchday 17
CONFERENCE A
Coal City vs Edel
Coal city is hosting their next door neighbors Edel FC. The visitors would be all out to grab the points to improve their chances of going into the Super 8 playoff. But, the home team will also be out to consolidate on their position. But, the end will justify the means.
Abia Comets vs Stomers
An interesting encounter will play out at the Umuahia Township Stadium this weekend. Abia Comets 11 matches unbeaten runs started against the Stomers in Abeokuta in Week 6. Since then, the Umuahia side has remained unbeaten till date. Stomers will try to put a stop to that record, but it will be very difficult for them as Coach Kelvin Ejeh and his boys are going all out to grab the maximum points.
Madiba vs 1472
Madiba will extend their leadership in Group A after this encounter. The guest are not in the right frames of mind, if what happened during the midweek is anything to go by. Though, the match is a local derby one, but the Surulere boys will get more than they bargained for.
Beyond Limit Vs Smart City
This is a match to watch. It will be an end- to -end encounter involving two ball playing teams. Beyond Limit who are on the verge of getting a play off slot will be all out tp out smart the Lagos boys who can pull a surprise any time, any day.
Ekiti Utd vs Dakkada
Ekiti Utd may not have an easy run over Dakkada FC in Ado Ekiti this weekend. The visitors who are experienced enough, having played in the Premiership last season, will be a hard nut for their host to crack. But, at the end, the home team will smile.
CONFERENCE B
FC One Rocket vs Gateway
Gateway takes their unbeaten runs to Uyo. Against FC One Rocket, there is every possibility that the record maybe smashed this weekend.
Ikorodu city vs Tradesafe
Ikorodu city will not spare their visitors at the Mobolaji Johnson stadium this weekend, as their dream of playing in the super eight lies much in this match. The visitors will not go down without a fight, but the home team will smile at last.
Giant Brillars vs Warri Wolves
The seasiders are taking a short trip to Enugu to meet the Giant Brillar boys. The outcome of the match may not have any impact on the group standing, but it would increase the fortunes of both sides.
Crown Vs Solution
Can Solution from Soludo’s home state find solution to their problems in Ibadan, that is the million naira question that will be answered at the end of the ninty minutes at the Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Ijebu Utd vs Osun Utd
Coach Festus Allen experience will come to play this weekend in his new job, as his team Ijebu Utd confront high riding Osun United. The Ataoja boys are not ready to drop their guards, unless the unexpected happens in Ijebu ode. A positive result will be a moral booster for Coach Allen on his new job.
CONFERENCE C
ABS vs EFCC
This is a match for two teams that are on the drop zone. Too bad for both teams, as they once played in the Premiership. With few matches to the end of their regular season, both teams can pull a surprise against each other.
NAF vs Mighty Jets
NAF is one of the FCT teams that are relegation bound, unless the unexpected happens. The Air Force boys has alot to play for, but the Jet team is on a familiar terrain in Abuja, and many will not be surprised if the away team run away with a positive result.
Nasarawa Utd vs Elkanemi Warriors
This is the star match of the group. The two top contenders, and the result of the match may likely decides who tops the group. The solid miners will want to remain solid at home, while the visitors will be a hard nut to crack. Lafia City Stadium is the best place to be this weekend.
Wikki Tourists vs Yobe Stars
The home team verge of going for the playoff lies very much in this match. Wikki will be all out to pick the maximum point, while waiting for the results of others.
CONFERENCE D
Mailantariki vs City
A local derby by every standard. Both teams play their matches at the Area 3 playing pitch in Abuja, and more agonizing is that both of them are in the drop zone. So, a positive result for any of the sides may improve their fortune at the end of the day.
Jigawa Golden stars vs Sporting Supreme
Sporting Supreme has a herculean task to accomplish against Jigawa Golden Stars.
The home team are in the red zone, and they will want to escape the drop zone, and this is a match they will want to use in proving that. However, the Sporting Boys from Abuja are respecter of nobody. and I doubt if Jigawa will survive them
Adamawa Utd vs Sokoto Utd
Sokoto United is expected to solidify their play off space this weekend in Gombe. Any slip may see them delaying their celebration till the last day. Adamawa United, will want to use the match to consolidate their position in the league.
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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