Tag: Warri Wolves

Matchday 9 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) produced a cocktail of shocks and milestones as Warri Wolves stunned former champions Enyimba in Aba, Kun Khalifat celebrated their first-ever topflight away win, and league leaders Nasarawa United saw their seven-game unbeaten streak abruptly halted in Lagos yesterday.

Warri Wolves, inconsistent at home but ruthless on the road, once again proved their mettle away from Ozoro with a 2–1 victory over Enyimba in Aba. The Seasiders took the lead in the 18^th  minute when Enyimba’s Hussaini Mohammed turned the ball into his own net. Although Edidiong Ezekiel quickly leveled for the hosts, Tejiri Emonena’s 67^th -minute strike sealed a famous win for Warri Wolves — their third away triumph this season following victories over Barau FC and Katsina United. The result lifted the Seasiders to sixth with 14 points, while Enyimba slipped to eighth on 13.

In Yenagoa, debutants Kun Khalifat achieved a landmark result, edging Bayelsa United 2–1 at the Samson Siasia Stadium. Uche Moses opened the scoring for the visitors before Jawad Mustapha equalised, but Michael Akano’s 77^th -minute winner secured a historic away victory and back-to-back wins for the Imo-based side. The result lifted Kun Khalifat out of the relegation zone into 14^th  with 11 points, while Bayelsa United dropped to 13^th .

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Elsewhere, Nasarawa United’s dominant run came to a halt in Lagos as Ikorodu City inflicted a 2–0 defeat. Goals from Chidera Oparaocha and Joseph Arumala ended the Solid Miners’ unbeaten streak and closed the gap at the top of the table.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars climbed to second after a 2–0 win over Abia Warriors, while Niger Tornadoes demolished Plateau United 4–0 in Minna, with Abdulaziz Dalhatu netting the season’s first hat trick.

Other results saw Kwara United edge Katsina United 1–0, El Kanemi Warriors beat Wikki Tourists 2–1, and Barau FC come from behind to defeat Kano Pillars 2–1 in a dramatic closed-door Kano derby.

NPFL Matchday 9 Results

Ikorodu City 2-0 Nasarawa United

Enyimba 1-2 Wolves

Bayelsa United 1-2 Kun Khalifat

Kwara United 1-0 Katsina United

El-Kanemi 2-1 Wikki

Tornadoes 4-0 Plateau United

3SC 2-0 Abia Warriors

Barau 2-1 Kano Pillars

Warri Wolves Football Club have emerged champions of the 2025 Nigerian National League (NNL), after edging Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 3-2 in a thrilling final match played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, over the weekend.

The Seasiders, as they are fondly called, stunned fans with a dominant first-half performance, racing to a three-goal lead with strikes from Lateef Yusuf, Igbunu Evwierhurhoma, and Efe Yarherhe.

Yusuf opened the scoring early, while Evwierhurhoma and Yarherhe added two more within the first 31 minutes, giving Warri Wolves a strong cushion.

However, Wikki Tourists fought back tenaciously. Mahmood Aliyu pulled one back just before halftime, and Wonderson added a second for the Bauchi-based side early in the second half, setting up a tense finish.

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Despite the pressure, Warri Wolves held on to claim the title and the NNL 2025 championship crown.

The match, which marked the conclusion of the NNL Super 8 tournament held from July 5 to 12, was graced by top dignitaries. Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, took the ceremonial opening kick. Former Minister of Sports Development,  Chief Sunday Dare, was also in attendance.

Other clubs that featured in the Super 8 competition include Doma United FC, Barau FC, Yobe Desert Stars FC, Kun Khalifat FC, Crown FC, and Osun United FC.

With the victory, Warri Wolves clinched a N5 million prize and sealed a promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), returning to the top tier after more than four years in the lower division.

A lot will be at stake as Nigeria National League Super Eight playoff Matchday 2 games are played today at the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

In Group B, Kun Khalifat FC and Osun United began their quest for Nigeria Premier Football League qualification with vital wins over Crown FC and Warri Wolves while all the four teams in Group A are on a point each after two goalless draws in their opening fixtures.

Yobe Desert Stars vs. Doma United

Yobe Desert Stars versus Doma United will kick-start today’s fixtures at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. Both teams were held to a draw in their first games on Saturday against Barau FC and Wikki Tourists in that order.

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Yobe Desert Stars missed begging chances against Barau FC that could have been enough for them to seal all points and against Doma United they cannot afford to be wasteful again today if they are to realise their desire to return to the topflight for the first time since 2019.

Doma United got demoted mysteriously last season and their qualification to the Super 8 showed their determination to return to the elite division at the first time of asking. A win over Yobe Desert Stars will boost their chances.

Barau FC vs. Wikki Tourists 

Barau FC were fortunate to escape with a point against Yobe Desert Stars on Saturday and against Wikki Tourists they will be up against another side that spurned several goal scoring opportunities against Doma United.

The Kano-based side must up their game against a ball playing Wikki Tourists if they had not come to Asaba on a jamboree.

Wikki Tourists on their part with Abdu Maikaba as the head coach must play with more urgency and strive to shoot from outside the 18 yards box more often today against Barau FC if they are to boost their chances of getting closer to NPFL return since their demotion since 2023.

Kun Khalifat Vs. Warri Wolves

Kun Khalifat’s rise to prominence has been amazing from their promotion to the Nigeria Nationwide League, last season and having qualified for the NNL Super 8 at the first time of asking they have a great chance to affirm their NPFL status with a positive result against wounded Warri Wolves.

Chijioke Ahiake’s 7^th  minute goal was enough to scale Crown FC on Saturday but it was not got on a platter of gold. They were ran ragged by Crown FC who were unlucky as Kun Khalifat held to the lone goal.

Warri Wolves are desperate to bounce back after the shock defeat to very tactical and disciplined Osun United side last weekend. Anything other than a win could mean bad news for the Seasiders against Kun Khalifat who would be energised to go all out knowing they have three points at hand already.

Crown FC vs. Osun United 

The South West derby between Crown FC versus Osun United will be the final game of today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

These two teams are seeking a return to the NPFL since 2014 and 2008 respectively and for both teams this is more than a derby fixture it is a battle for supremacy.

Crown FC with Ayodeji Ayeni in the driver’s seat were unlucky to lose to Kun Khalifat but they have themselves to blame in the game having missed several gilt edge chances they created. They are up against Osun United with three points already and under no pressure to go full throttle. It is their final chance to stage a comeback.

Osun United surprised themselves with the three points against Warri Wolves who were the favourites to seal all points last weekend. They can end their 17 years wait for topflight return with the maximum points against the Ajilete Warriors, today.

The four games promise to be exciting  with the most passionate teams favoured to carry the day.

The Technical Adviser of Kwara United, Kabiru Dogo, has urged his players to improve their game ahead of their Round of 32 President  Federation Cup tie with Warri Wolves following their unimpressive performance in their goalless draw at home to Rivers United on Thursday in a rescheduled league tie.

He stated this after Kwara United’s goalless draw with Rivers United in their NPFL Matchday 23 rescheduled game in Ilorin on Thursday.

Dogo explained that Rivers United were fortunate to escape with a point and he blamed his players’ lack of coordination in the final third for the draw.

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The former Lobi Stars and Nasarawa United said he was not happy about their performance before their fans in Ilorin.

“It was a game that we worked on and planned to get three points because of the value and what we have achieved on the road so far.”

Kwara United are 13th on the log with 41 points from 32 games while the team will face Warri Wolves in round 32 of the President Federation Cup in their next game on May 22nd.