Tag: NPFL

Reigning champions Remo Stars slipped deeper into relegation  zone after a damaging 2–1 defeat to Plateau United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, in one of the concluding fixtures of NPFL Matchday 24 yesterday.

Jonathan Okechukwu had shoot the Peace Boys ahead in the 29^th  minute before the Sky Blue Stars’ equaliser in the 63rd minute through former Rivers United attacker, Albert Korvah.

The game ended in a dramatic twist through Harrison Ebah long range shot in stoppage time which sealed Plateau United’s first away victory of the campaign.

The result saw Remo Stars drop to 18^th  on the table with 26 points, firmly in the relegation zone.

Plateau United, rejuvenated under new head coach Gbenga Ogunbote, extended their unbeaten run to six matches. The Peace Boys climbed to 14^th  position with 30 points, moving clear of relegation danger and underlining their resurgence.

In Ilorin, Kwara United snapped their winless run with a 2–1 victory over Warri Wolves at the George Innih Sports Complex. Saheed Olaniyi opened the scoring in the 17^th  minute before converting from the penalty spot early in the second half (48′). Warri Wolves responded through Peter Ita in the 75^th  minute, but it proved insufficient to deny the hosts maximum points.

Read Also: FULL LIST: Top 15 Premier League most expensive signings since 2010

Despite the win, Kwara United remain in the drop zone, sitting 17^th  with 27 points, while Warri Wolves stay ninth on 33 points, missing the chance to close in on the continental places.

Over in Kano, Barau FC edged Ikorodu City 1–0, thanks to a first-half strike from Uche Moses in the 28th minute. The narrow victory pushed the Maliya Boys up to 13^th  place with 30 points, strengthening their mid-table position.

Ikorodu City, however, maintained their impressive campaign despite the setback and remain fourth with 38 points, keeping them firmly in the title and continental qualification conversation.

Meanwhile, the fixture involving El Kanemi Warriors and Kun Khalifat in Maiduguri was not played after Kun Khalifat reportedly failed to honour the tie due to a vehicle breakdown. The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is expected to make a ruling on the matter, with El Kanemi hopeful of being awarded all three points and goals.

NPFL Matchday 24 Results

Remo Stars 1–2 Plateau United

Kwara United 2–1 Warri Wolves

Barau FC 1–0 Ikorodu City

Ikorodu City climbed back into third place on the Nigeria Premier Football League table after edging Shooting Stars 1–0 in a fiercely contested South-West derby concluded yesterday.

The Oga Boys struck as early as the second minute through Joseph Arumala, a goal that proved decisive and earned them maximum three points, pushing their tally to 38 points.

The win saw Ikorodu City leapfrog Abia Warriors into third place, although both sides are level on points. Shooting Stars, despite the narrow defeat, remain sixth with 35 points, having earned no points from the encounter.

In Owerri, Kun Khalifat finally snapped a seven-game winless run with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Kwara United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. Chikamso Amaefula’s 52^nd -minute strike sealed the much-needed three points for the Pride of Imo, their first home win since November 30 when they beat Plateau United 2–1.

Despite the victory, Kun Khalifat remain bottom of the table on 22 points, while Kwara United dropped to 19th place with 24 points after failing to pick up any points from the clash.

At the Southern University Stadium in Ozoro, Warri Wolves pulled off one of the results of the round by defeating reigning champions Remo Stars 1–0. Chisom Orji’s 52nd-minute goal earned the Seasiders three points, lifting them to ninth place on 33 points. The defeat leaves Remo Stars deep in trouble, sitting 17^th  with 26 points, firmly in the relegation battle.

Read Also; FULL LIST: Clubs with direct qualifications for Champions League Round of 16

Earlier at the same venue, Bayelsa United were held to a goalless draw by Niger Tornadoes. Both sides settled for one point apiece, leaving the Prosperity Boys 13th on 28 points, while Tornadoes stayed seventh with 33 points.

In Benin City, Bendel Insurance extended their winless run to two games after playing out a 0–0 draw with Barau FC at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. The result earned both teams one point each, with Insurance now eighth on 33 points, while Barau FC sit 16th with 26 points.

Matchday 23:  Results

Kun Khalifat 1–0 Kwara United

Ikorodu City 1–0 Shooting Stars

Warri Wolves 1–0 Remo Stars

Bendel Insurance 0–0 Barau FC

Bayelsa United 0–0 Niger Tornadoes

Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 23 rolls out across today and tomorrow in what promises to be a defining midweek chapter of the season. With leaders Rivers United inactive due to CAF Champions League commitments, the door is ajar for ambitious chasers, desperate strugglers and derby rivals to reshape the narrative at both ends of the table, writes TUNDE LIADI.

With Rivers United temporarily absent, the race to unseat the Pride of Rivers intensifies, and Nasarawa United stand as the only side capable of drawing level on points—provided they secure a convincing two-goal home victory over Enyimba in Lafia.

Elsewhere, Abia Warriors, Ikorodu City, Bendel Insurance and Warri Wolves will be desperate to rediscover winning momentum to maintain their strong league positions.

The midweek action opens with a fiery North West derby at the Sani Abacha Stadium today as Kano Pillars welcome Katsina United. Pillars will be eager to reassure their supporters that last weekend’s defeat to Wikki Tourists was merely a blip. For Katsina United, who dropped points at home against Plateau United, a positive result is crucial as they continue their battle to escape danger after losing their last two matches.

In Lafia, Nasarawa United host Enyimba in a fixture that once defined elite NPFL rivalry. The Solid Miners know a handsome victory could temporarily lift them to the summit, though Rivers United would still have games in hand.

Enyimba, meanwhile, find themselves just three points above the drop zone, and another setback could deepen unrest among supporters and the Abia State Government, owners of the club.

Read Also: Man City vs. Galatasaray: Osimhen’s Turkish giants chase historic 250th  UCL goal

The People’s Elephant are navigating a turbulent coaching transition, with Emmanuel Deutsch stepping in while reportedly working alongside newly announced coach Ayodeji Ayeni.

At the New Jos Stadium, Plateau United face Rangers International in what marks Gbenga Ogunbote’s fourth match since returning to the dugout. The Peace Boys remain in the relegation zone and cannot afford to slip, but Rangers—fourth on the table and comfortable—arrive with confidence. For Ogunbote, fondly called The Oracle, victory against a former club would be priceless.

In Umuahia, Abia Warriors seek redemption in another home fixture against Wikki Tourists after seeing their six-game unbeaten run snapped by Nasarawa United. The Umuchineke Boys still harbour top-three ambitions, but Wikki, buoyed by their win over Kano Pillars, are fighting for survival with just two points separating them from the drop zone.

Bayelsa United return to Ozoro hoping to string together back-to-back home wins when they face Niger Tornadoes. The Prosperity Boys are edging toward mid-table security, but Tornadoes arrive confident after bouncing back from defeat to Nasarawa United with a win over Enyimba. It’s a clash that could swing either way.

Tomorrow’s action sees Kun Khalifat hosting Kwara United in Owerri. Fresh from a gritty draw away to Remo Stars, the Pride of Imo need maximum points to keep survival hopes alive. However, Kwara United boast an impressive recent record in Owerri, remaining unbeaten there over the past two seasons.

Lagos plays host to a South West derby as Ikorodu City take on Shooting Stars. Their first-round meeting ended in a draw, but with both sides level on 35 points in fifth and sixth respectively, bragging rights and league position are at stake. Ikorodu City, the Oga Boys, are under greater pressure to win with the loss in Maiduguri , while the Oluyole Warriors look slightly more settled.

In another Ozoro’s  showdown, Warri Wolves battle reigning champions Remo Stars. Wolves are eager to bounce back from a heavy loss to Rangers, while Remo—surprisingly hovering close to the relegation zone—cannot afford another defeat as pressure mounts.

In Benin City, Bendel Insurance aim to respond after their nine-game unbeaten run was halted by Shooting Stars. The Edo Arsenal remain formidable, boasting seven wins in their last ten outings, but Barau FC have shown a knack for springing surprises.

Meanwhile, the Rivers United versus El-Kanemi Warriors fixture has been postponed due to Rivers United’s CAF Champions League engagement against Zambia’s Power Dynamos.

NPFL MATCHDAY 23 FIXTURES:

Ikorodu City vs. Shooting Stars

Warri Wolves vs. Remo Stars

Nasarawa United vs. Enyimba FC

Abia Warriors vs. Wikki Tourists

Kano Pillars vs. Katsina United

Plateau United vs. Rangers

Kun Khalifat FC vs. Kwara United

Rivers United vs. El-Kanemi Warriors (Postponed)

Insurance vs. Barau FC

Bayelsa United vs. Niger Tornadoes

As the race for continental places and survival intensifies, Matchday 22 of the Nigeria Premier Football League arrives with defining fixtures that could recharge the title race . From Ibadan to Umuahia and Enugu, traditional heavyweights and ambitious contenders collide in a weekend that promises drama, writes TUNDE LIADI…

With the second stanza of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League now firmly underway, Matchday 22 takes centre stage with mouth-watering fixtures across the country. The standout attraction is the clash in Ibadan where Shooting Stars face an in-form Bendel Insurance side riding a nine-game unbeaten run. Elsewhere, Abia Warriors host Nasarawa United in a top-four showdown, while Rangers International welcome a resurgent Warri Wolves in Enugu.

At the Lekan Salami Stadium, Shooting Stars have plenty to ponder as they attempt to halt Bendel Insurance’s relentless surge. The Oluyole Warriors have struggled for consistency in recent weeks and slipped to seventh place with 32 points following a 2–0 defeat to Bayelsa United last weekend. That result saw them drop from fourth, highlighting their uneven form.

In contrast, Kennedy Boboye’s Bendel Insurance are gathering momentum at just the right time. The Benin Arsenal sit sixth on the same 32 points but boast three consecutive away victories and seven wins from their last nine matches. Avoiding defeat in Ibadan would further underline their ambition of breaking into the top three and sustaining their remarkable run.

Read Also: African Futsal body unveils ambitious plans for 2026

In Umuahia, Abia Warriors and Nasarawa United square off in one of the weekend’s most consequential encounters. Second-placed Abia Warriors (37 points) host fourth-placed Nasarawa United (35 points) in a fixture loaded with recent history. The Solid Miners earned a draw in Umuahia last season and edged the Umuchineke Boys earlier in the campaign, but Abia Warriors come into this clash unbeaten in their last six games.

With league leaders Rivers United absent from domestic action due to their CAF Champions League engagement in Zambia, Abia Warriors know victory could cut the gap at the summit to a single point. Nasarawa United, meanwhile, arrive buoyed by a morale-boosting 2–1 home win over Niger Tornadoes that snapped a four-game winless streak, and will be eager to test their credentials on the road.

Enugu also promises fireworks as Rangers International host Warri Wolves at the Cathedral. The Flying Antelopes are unbeaten in their last two games and claimed a vital away win against Kun Khalifat in their most recent outing. Fifth on the log with 33 points, Rangers could climb as high as third depending on results elsewhere, with both Ikorodu City and Nasarawa United facing tricky away fixtures.

Warri Wolves, however, are no pushovers. Eighth on the table with 30 points, the Seasiders have shown clear signs of revival, going unbeaten in their last three matches, including back-to-back wins over Wikki Tourists and Katsina United. With four away victories already this season, they will fancy their chances of springing a surprise in Enugu.

In Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors host Ikorodu City in a fixture with contrasting motivations. El Kanemi are keen to bounce back from a narrow 1–0 loss to Plateau United, while Ikorodu City arrive full of confidence after edging Kwara United to maintain third place with 35 points.

Elsewhere, Remo Stars begin life at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan as they welcome Kun Khalifat, while Wikki Tourists take on Kano Pillars in Bauchi. Katsina United host Plateau United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Niger Tornadoes battle Enyimba in Minna, and Barau FC will test their resurgence against Bayelsa United.

NPFL MATCHDAY 22 FIXTURES

El-Kanemi vs. Ikorodu City

Remo Stars vs. Khalifat FC

Shooting Stars vs.  Insurance

Wikki  vs.  Kano Pillars

Rangers vs. Warri Wolves

Katsina Utd vs. Plateau Utd

Kwara Utd vs. Rivers United

Abia Warriors vs. Nasarawa

Tornadoes vs. Enyimba

Barau FC vs. Bayelsa United

The Nigeria Premier Football League resumes with renewed intensity as Matchday 20 ushers in the second stanza of the 2025/26 season. Coming immediately after the dramatic halfway point, this round is defined by familiar foes meeting again—only this time with venues switched, stakes heightened and fresh narratives to pursue writes TUNDE LIADI…

Matchday 20 marks the official start of the second stanza, with clubs now armed with first-hand knowledge of their opponents. Leaders Rivers United will look to consolidate their grip on the summit when they travel to Enugu to face Rangers International today, a fixture that already carries the aura of a title-defining duel. The Pride of Rivers edged the Flying Antelopes 1–0 in Port Harcourt at the end of the first stanza, and Rangers will be eager to respond in front of their fans as they attempt to reassert themselves in the title conversation.

Hot on Rivers United’s heels, second placed Abia Warriors welcome Plateau United to Umuahia with confidence soaring. The Umuchineke Boys claimed a gritty away win in Jos last time out and will fancy their chances of completing the double. For Plateau United, however, this fixture is about far more than revenge having brought in experienced tactician, Gbenga Ogunbote and some quality recruitments. Sitting deep in the relegation zone the Peace Boys must find resilience and results quickly if they are to spark a turnaround in the second half of the campaign.

In Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors host Bayelsa United buoyed by the morale-boosting win they secured in Yenagoa. Having climbed out of the drop zone by virtue of the win in Bayelsa, the Borno Army will aim to turn their home ground into a fortress as they chase consistency under head coach, Kabiru Dogo. Bayelsa United, on the other hand, know that points away from home are crucial if they are to avoid being dragged into relegation trouble again.

Read Also: FULL LIST: What to know ahead of Super Eagles Clash against Morocco

One of the standout fixtures of the round comes in Katsina, where Katsina United welcome relegation haunted Kun Khalifat after stunning them away in Owerri. The Chanji Boys’ second away win of the season injected belief into their campaign, and a home victory would further strengthen their push for a top-half finish. The revered Pride of Imo, still searching for stability, will be desperate to reverse the outcome and climb away from the danger zone.

In Lafia Nasarawa United face a stern test as they seek revenge against Kano Pillars following their heavy 3–0 defeat in the first meeting in Kano. The Solid Miners, once early pace-setters, slipped down the standings to the fourth spot at halfway and now need a strong restart to remain relevant in the title race. Pillars, revitalised by that emphatic win, will rely on their new acquisitions to continue their resurgence and distance themselves from relegation worries.

Elsewhere, Shooting Stars host Enyimba in Ibadan hoping to respond after being humbled in Aba 3-0, while Remo Stars welcome Ikorodu City in Ikenne looking to avenge their narrow loss in Lagos.

Bendel Insurance will travel to Ilorin to take on Kwara United, aiming to complete a season double, just as Niger Tornadoes will make the trip to face Barau FC in Kano after their comfortable home win in Minna.

In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists entertain Wolves following an entertaining draw in the reverse fixture, with both sides eyeing maximum points to steady their campaigns.

NPFL Matchday 20 Fixtures

Rangers vs. Rivers United

Warri Wolves vs. Wikki Tourists

Kwara United vs. Insurance

Shooting Stars vs. Enyimba

Remo Stars vs. Ikorodu City

Nasarawa United vs. Kano Pillars

Katsina United vs. Kun Khalifat

El Kanemi Warriors vs. Bayelsa United

Abia Warriors vs. Plateau United

Barau vs. Niger Tornadoes

Nigeria Premier Football League side Barau FC have directed head coach Ladan Bosso to step aside following a disappointing run of results this season.

The decision was taken by the club’s management after the Maliya Boys slipped into relegation danger. Barau FC currently sit 17^th  on the NPFL table with 21 points from 19 matches.

Read Also: NSBMB :NFF welcomes scientific body to boost national  teams

In a statement released by the club, Bosso was instructed to hand over duties to his assistant, who will assume responsibility on an interim basis while management reviews the situation.

Barau FC also assured that all outstanding entitlements owed to the experienced tactician will be fully settled, stressing that the move was made in the best interest of the club as they battle to preserve their top-flight status.

Nasarawa United Football Club has announced a change in the date of its Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 18 fixture against Barau FC.

According to a statement issued by the club’s Director of Media, Eche Amos the league organisers have rescheduled the 2025/26 NPFL encounter from Sunday, December 21, 2025, to Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Read Also: JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

The statement clarified that the venue and kickoff time for the match remain unchanged, with the game still set to take place at the Lafia City Stadium by 4:00 pm.

Nasarawa United urged its supporters, fans and the general public to take note of the new date and help in disseminating the information across various platforms to ensure wider awareness ahead of the fixture.

Ikorodu City ascended to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table for the first time in their history after defeating Plateau United 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena yesterday, while Wikki Tourists shocked nine-time champions Enyimba with a stunning 1-0 away win in Aba.

Beginning Matchday 13 in third place, Ikorodu City capitalised on dropped points by Nasarawa United and Abia Warriors to leapfrog both sides. After a tight first half, Joseph Arumala opened scoring two minutes into the second period, and Alade Balogun doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute. Plateau United’s Wisdom Ndon reduced the deficit, but the Oga Boys held on for a memorable victory.

The win takes Ikorodu City to 24 points from 13 games—six wins, six draws, and just one defeat—placing them above Nasarawa United on goal difference.

Nasarawa slipped to second following a 1-1 draw away to Kun Khalifat in Owerri, a match in which Anas Yusuf gave them an early lead before Stanley Otu equalised in the second half. The loss points at home in recent games had forced the CEO of Kun Khalifat to dissolve the Management and technical crew of the club in a sweeping changes announced shortly after the game.

Read Also: Super Eagles’ pay dispute : Height of peculiar mess in NFF  

The shock of the day came at the Enyimba Stadium as Wikki Tourists claimed their first away win of the season courtesy of an Abubakar Aliyu strike in the 33^rd  minute. Despite heavy pressure from the hosts, Wikki’s resolute defending ensured a famous victory that lifted them to seventh place with 19 points.

Elsewhere, Rivers United edged Warri Wolves 2-1 to climb to third with a game in hand; Niger Tornadoes beat Katsina United 2-0; El Kanemi Warriors defeated Kwara United 2-0; and Bayelsa United recorded a 2-1 home win over Abia Warriors.

NPFL Results

Ikorodu City 2-1 Plateau United

Rivers United 2-1 Warri Wolves

Tornadoes 2-0 Katsina United

Kun Khalifat 1-1 Nasarawa United

Enyimba 0-1 Wikki Tourists

El-Kanemi 2-0 Kwara United

El Kanemi 2-0 Kwara United

Insurance 3-2 Kano Pillars