Bendel Insurance and Rangers International played out a 1-1 draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia in Benin City in a Matchday 17 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Saturday. Coming off back-to-back wins, Bendel Insurance were looking to make it three wins on the spin to ensure they stay far above the drop zone. However, it was visiting Rangers International that had the better moments of the early exchanges. Rangers winger Chimobi Igwilo proved a handful for the defence of the home side with his darting and dribbling runs while at the other end, half chances fell to Kayode Oke, Elmer Arunta and Chinedu Nwosu. The first period ended goalless. The second 45 minutes produced end-to-end display and the breakthrough goal did not come until the 81st minute when Promise Anyanwu put the Benin Arsenals in front. Oke anticipated a flicked pass well and peeled off his marker, leaving him one-on-one with Rangers goalkeeper George Abine who blocked his initial attempt. The Bendel Insurance striker was fortunate as the ball bubbled back onto his feet and he centered it to a better-positioned Anyanwu who simply knocked the ball into an empty net. Kennedy Boboye’s side looked like they would run away 1-0 winners and claim a third straight win before Chidozie Iwundu offered a route back into the game for Rangers. In the final moments of added time, Iwundu’s free kick from all of 35 yards was turned into his own net by Henry Onyia and that ensured that Rangers took a point back with them from Benin City. The draw takes Rangers’ total points to 26 and they keep their place in fourth while Bendel Insurance move one place up to 14th on the standings. Matchday 17 continues on Sunday and Monday with nine matches that would involve the top-three Nasarawa United, Rivers United and Ikorodu City.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 17
Here are the match referees for this matchweek that will witness SEVEN live streaming broadcast on NPFL-Live app including one match on radio via the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Saturday, December 13, 2025 BENDEL INSURANCE V RANGERS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Dahiru Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Isyaku Musa Assistant referee 2: Tajudeen Bako Fourth official: Levi Akpera Aondova Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City Sunday, December 14, 2025 BARAU FC V 3SC (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Patrick Egba Assistant referee 1: Tejiri Digbori Assistant referee 2: Mohammed Mahmud Fourth official: Donald Magashi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano KUN KHALIFAT FC V ABIA WARRIORS Referee: Sodiq Kabir Adekunle Assistant referee 1: Samuel Akinlade Assistant referee 2: Joel Otta Fourth official: Akaninyene Udoette Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri BAYELSA UNITED V REMO STARS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Mohammed Chado Assistant referee 1: Julius Taykum Assistant referee 2: Ibrahim Boyi Fourth official: Chibuzor Stanley Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa ENYIMBA V KWARA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Oluwatobi Mojeed Assistant referee 1: Zakari Isah Assistant referee 2: Ojo Ayinde Fourth official: Ubot Lucas Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba WARRI WOLVES V KANO PILLARS Referee: Abdulmalik Abdulganiyu Assistant referee 1: Amber Samuel Amozua Assistant referee 2: Auwal Bashir Fourth official: Bright Nwosu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro NIGER TORNADOES V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS Referee: Abdulmajeed Saidu Assistant referee 1: Ekene Chanumuya Assistant referee 2: Nasiru Iyal Mafara Fourth official: Arewaremi Ebimene Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna PLATEAU UNITED V NASARAWA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Yemisi Akintoye Assistant referee 1: Beauty Terah Kabela Assistant referee 2: Rabiu Mohammed Fourth official: Bagudu Ahmed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos Monday, December 15, 2025 RIVERS UNITED V WIKKI TOURISTS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Quadri Adejumo Assistant referee 1: Emmanuel Ajewole Assistant referee 2: Felix Ogundiran Fourth official: Michael Ibaki Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt IKORODU CITY V KATSINA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live & FRCN) Referee: Kalu Udoh Ezichi Assistant referee 1: Shehu Abdullahi Assistant referee 2: Darlington Nwauzoebilom Fourth official: Felagha Anderson Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos
Ikorodu City stay top, Rangers hit Bayelsa Utd for four
Ikorodu City continued their impressive performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a 0-0 draw at Wikki Tourists on Sunday. The Giant Elephant were looking for their first win in three league matches after taking just a point from their previous two games – a defeat at Bendel Insurance and a draw at home against Bayelsa United. Ikorodu City did enough to hold their lines and stayed organized to ensure that their opponents did not breach them. The draw takes City’s points to 28, one more than second-placed Nasarawa United who play hosts to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Monday. LATE SHOW IN UMUAHIA Breathing down the necks of the top-two are Rivers United in third position on 27 points after a 1-1 draw at Abia Warriors. The Pride of Rivers were just seconds away from claiming their second win on the road after Maclyn Biokpo handed them the lead on 86 minutes. Finidi George and his men looked like heading to a famous away win at the Umuahia Township Stadium before Suraju Lawal denied them the full points in the final moments of added time. RANGERS RAMPANT AT THE CATHEDRAL A first half display from Rangers blew Bayelsa United apart. Four goals in the space of 30 minutes from the Flying Antelopes left Issah Yusuf’s brilliant goal inconsequential. Chidozie Iwundu netted twice in quick succession on 10 and 17 minutes while Kenechukwu Agu and Chimobi Igwilo scored the third and fourth goals on 33 and 38 minutes respectively. Rangers have now moved into fourth place from eighth and are three points behind the leaders. ALI, MBAOMA, IWUNDU SHINE Rabiu Ali made a statement in Kano Pillars’ 2-1 win over Kun Khalifat FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina. The 45-year-old midfielder scored twice on 19 and 38 minutes in which Ebuka Nwokorie’s goal on 27 minutes gave Kun Khalifat some kind of lifeline. The 2-1 win only takes Kano Pillars’ points to double figures to 12 from nine. Victor Mbaoma was in the thick of things for the champions Remo Stars in Abeokuta where they edged past Enyimba 2-1. Mbaoma opened scoring on three minutes before Edidiong Ezekiel levelled the score for Enyimba on 32 minutes. On the stroke of halftime, Mbaoma restored Remo Stars’ lead which turned out to be the winner. Iwundu like Ali and Mbaoma shone in this matchweek as they all scored two goals apiece. BAD BOYS OF THE DAY Just as Ali, Iwundu and Mbaoma were hogging the headlines for the right reasons, Plateau United’s Vincent Temitope and Gift David of Warri Wolves were painting the day red in Jos. Plateau United scraped through with a 1-0 win after Nenrot Silas’ cross was turned in for an own goal. The match ended on a sour note when Temitope and David got into an altercation and the referee, Bashir Adamu, wasted no time in sending both players off in the 86th minute. In Ilorin, Bright Babatunde put Kwara United in front after 15 minutes against Niger Tornadoes before Seun Ogunribide’s long throw-in was turned in for the second eight minutes before the break. Kwara United ran out 2-0 winners. In the day’s early kickoff, El-Kanemi Warriors playing at home against Barau FC shared the points in a 0-0 draw. The matchweek will be rounded off on Monday when Nasarawa United face 3SC and Katsina United play hosts to Bendel Insurance in Ilorin.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 16
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek that will witness six matches broadcast LIVE on NPFL-Live powered by Propel Sports and one game live on the dial of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Sunday, December 7, 2025 EL-KANEMI WARRIORS V BARAU FC Referee: Alfa Sadik Assistant referee 1: Ibrahim Idris Assistant referee 2: Peter Gwamba Fourth official: Jude Tyoapine Kick-off: 3pm Venue: El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri RANGERS V BAYELSA UNITED Referee: Abdulrahman Adeniji Assistant referee 1: Ayodeji Kayode Adebiyi Assistant referee 2: Damilola Oloyede Fourth official: Busayo Ogunyanmodi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu PLATEAU UNITED V WARRI WOLVES (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Bashir Adamu Assistant referee 1: Chinonso Ezeh Assistant referee 2: Mustapha Dahiru Fourth official: Jimoh Abdulrashid Kick-off: 4pm Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos REMO STARS V ENYIMBA (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Andrew Iorykaan Assistant referee 1: Bukar Chiroma Assistant referee 2: Ayuba Yusuf Dauda Fourth official: Suleiman Ibrahim Kick-off: 4pm Venue: MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta ABIA WARRIORS V RIVERS UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Isah Gogo Assistant referee 1: Ridwan Ajao Assistant referee 2: Abdullahu Suleiman Fourth official: Fidelis Onyemaobi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia KWARA UNITED V NIGER TORNADOES (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Nasiru Sani Assistant referee 1: Mudasir Lukman Assistant referee 2: Ikenna Okerulu Fourth official: Toheeb Shittu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin WIKKI TOURIST V IKORODU CITY (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Mustapha Alhassan Assistant referee 1: Sanusi Umar Idris Assistant referee 2: Solomon Hindan Fourth official: Isah Aliyu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi KANO PILLARS V KUN KHALIFAT FC (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Mudasiru Adamu Assistant referee 1: Nalado Abdullahi Assistant referee 2: Sufiyanu Abdullahi Bazza Fourth official: Lamido Ahmed Ibrahim Kick-off: 3:30pm Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina Monday, December 8, 2025 KATSINA UNITED V BENDEL INSURANCE Referee: Tijjani Usman Majidadi Assistant referee 1: Amber Samuel Assistant referee 2: Umar Ibrahim Fourth official: Solomon Maram Aweng Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin NASARAWA UNITED V 3SC (Live on FRCN) Referee: Kingsley Chukwukerem Assistant referee 1: Sunday Uboho Assistant referee 2: Kingsley Madu Nze Fourth official: Okechukwu Ezeogu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia
Ikorodu City go top, Enyimba claim bragging rights in derby
Ikorodu City returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings after edging past Abia Warriors 1-0 on Sunday. Playing in front of their home fans at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos, City knew that a win of any kind could propel them back to the top of the table by superior goals difference provided Nasarawa United dropped all points. It turned out to be cagey contest and the first half ended scoreless. However on 69 minutes, Chidera Oparaoacha benefited from a schoolboy goalkeeping to score the goal that lifted the Oga Boys not just above Abia Warriors but to the top of the table. Nasarawa United who began the matchweek on top of the pile failed to avoid defeat at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro where Warri Wolves won 1-0. Othuke Egbo’s early goal on five minutes was enough for Wolves to claim the full points on the return of their suspended head coach, Napoleon Aluma. BRAGGING RIGHTS GOES TO PEOPLE’S ELEPHANT In the Oriental Derby, two of the country’s most decorated side in the NPFL, Enyimba and Rangers International clashed at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. Both teams have 17 NPFL titles between them with Enyimba eyeing a 10th. It was however Enyimba that came out tops by winning 2-1 after going two goals up through Chidera Michael (42′) and Stanley Dimgba (81′). Rangers left it too late before pulling one back through Kenechukwu Agu who curled in a free kick inside added time of the second half. BATTLE IN THE BOTTOM-FOUR The matchweek was not all about the battle for places in top of the table, as Bendel Insurance, Barau FC, Kun Khalifat FC and Plateau United all aimed to stay above the drop zone. It was new boys Kun Khalifat FC who stunned Plateau United 2-0 to take their place above the bottom-four. Second half goals from Lekan Gabriel and Henry Ezeonye condemned Plateau United to defeat and meant they dropped into the danger zone after starting the matchday above it. On Saturday, Bendel Insurance had temporarily climbed out of the bottom-four following a 3-0 win over Wikki Tourists with goals from Chinedu Nwosu, Emmanuel Dung and Emmanuel Akpan. But all that changed on Sunday after Kun Khalifat’s win. Barau FC also pinned in the bottom-four had to give everything to edge past a determined Kwara United in a thrilling contest at the San Abacha Stadium in Kano. Stanley Oganbor’s late header rendered Kwara United’s fight of little value as Barau FC ran out 3-2 winners. Barau FC had led twice through Usman Maidubji (19′) and Muhammad Umar (43′) while Kwara United fought back with goals from Chibuzor Eze Ogbodo (40’) and Aule Johnmark (49’). OTHER GAMES Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) did enough to get past El-Kanemi Warriors with their low block style. Ismail Ayodele netted on 29 minutes and that proved sufficient for Nurudeen Aweroro’s men to take the full points. The champions, Remo Stars, suffered their seventh of the season when they lost 0-1 at Niger Tornadoes. Clinton Jephta scored the goal. After a lengthy delay in commencement due to heavy rainfall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa United and Katsina United shared points in a 1-1 draw. Both goals were scored in the first half. Ifeanyi Ogba put Bayelsa United in front on seven minutes from the spot before Azeez Falolu levelled the score for Katsina United on 36 minutes. The season continues with two rearranged fixtures this midweek. Shooting Stars play hosts to Remo Stars while Rivers United who have been busy lately in the CAF Champions League face bottom-placed Kano Pillars.
Bendel Insurance hammer Wikki, as Tornadoes claim slim win
Saturday was a good day in the office for home teams in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes defeated their opponents to claim full points. At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance did not hold back the brakes as they came down heavily on visiting Wikki Tourists. The Benin Arsenals posted their biggest win of the campaign by hitting Wikki three-nil. Chinedu Nwosu opened the scoring on 16 minutes to ensure Kennedy Boboye’s side we’re on their way to record a commanding triumph. Two minutes after the break, Emmanuel Dung doubled Insurance’s lead before Emmanuel Akpan added a third on 59 minutes to seal an impressive outing for the Edo club who now temporarily move out of the bottom-four until Sunday’s fixtures. The champions, Remo Stars, suffered their seventh defeat of the season. They lost 0-1 to an early goal at Niger Tornadoes scored by Clinton Jephta on two minutes. The win ensured Tornadoes climb into the top-three of the standings pending the outcome of Sunday’s matches in the NPFL. Seven matches are lined up for Sunday including league-leading Nasarawa United playing on the road at Warri Wolves.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 15
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as there will be six live broadcast via NPFL-Live powered by Propel Sports including one game on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Saturday, November 29, 2025 BENDEL INSURANCE V WIKKI TOURISTS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Nkemka Ugo Chukwu Assistant referee 1: Opeyemi Usman Assistant referee 2: Fisobe Samson Fourth official: Patience Ndidi Madu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City NIGER TORNADOES V REMO STARS Referee: Bawa Buhari Assistant referee 1: Mahmud Mansur Ngaski Assistant referee 2: Yahaya Ikara Fourth official: Bashir Salihu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna Sunday, November 30, 2025 SHOOTING STARS SPORTS CLUB (3SC) V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports & FRCN) Referee: Emmanuel Ocheme Assistant referee 1: Adamu Zakari Assistant referee 2: Auwalu Salmanu Fourth official: Emmanuel Omada Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan BARAU FC V KWARA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Haruna Isah Kalshingi Assistant referee 1: Abdullahi Shuaibu Assistant referee 2: Nura Ali Fourth official: Gaddafi Abubakar Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano ENYIMBA V RANGERS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Chidiebere Onyemezie Assistant referee 1: Emmanuel Igwe Assistant referee 2: Yazid Bashir Fourth official: Joseph Ogabor Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba BAYELSA UNITED V KATSINA UNITED Referee: Yemisi Akintoye Assistant referee 1: Adamu Bako Assistant referee 2: Jimoh Abubakar Fourth official: Banchir Kamga Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa IKORODU CITY V ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Abdulganiyu Bello Assistant referee 1: Anas Ibrahim Assistant referee 2: Amos Onunwor Fourth official: Kuote Sivivie Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos KUN KHALIFAT FC V PLATEAU UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Adeniyi Adewale Assistant referee 1: Sunday Uboho Assistant referee 2: Tomiwa Akinwale Fourth official: Tejiri Digbori Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri WARRI WOLVES V NASARAWA UNITED Referee: Saheed Babayanju Assistant referee 1: Sodik Adejumoh Assistant referee 2: Justice Nwauzobilom Fourth official: Faro Abdulrahman Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro Wednesday, December 3, 2025 RIVERS UNITED V KANO PILLARS Referee: Lamido Ahmed Assistant referee 1: Musa Hussaini Assistant referee 2: Muhammed Sambo Fourth official: Sunday Samuel Azi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt
Warri Wolves recall suspended coach Aluma
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Warri Wolves, has brought back their head coach, Napoleon Aluma, after a two-month suspension. Aluma resumes immediately in his head coach role and is now taxed with taking charge of preparation for Sunday’s meeting with table-topping Nasarawa United at the Southern Delta State University Stadium in Ozoro. ”Warri Wolves have officially reinstated their suspended Technical Adviser, Coach Aluma Napoleon, bringing an end to his two-month absence from the team. The club confirmed that Napoleon has resumed duties immediately and will once again take full leadership of the squad as the NPFL season progresses,” a statement issued by the club on Thursday revealed. Aluma was suspended in late September by the club owing to a poor run of results. Hs place was taken by assistant coach, Johnny Austin. ”This (suspension) decision became necessary following the underperformance of the club which only recently gained promotion to the NPFL,” the club explained then. In the absence of Aluma, Wolves have played eight NPFL matches under Austin as interim head coach and have won three (W3 D3 L2). Warri Wolves currently occupy ninth place on the standings with 19 points from 14 matches and Aluma’s major task will be to steady the ship and keep them in the top division for another season.
NPFL slams 3SC Sporting Director, Tobi of ignorance of club licensing operations
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) Sporting Director, Tobi Adepoju Samuel has been reprimanded by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for making false and disparaging social media posts against the person and office of the NPFL Chairman, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye. In a post on the microblogging platform X, Tobi claimed that Elegbeleye as the NPFL Chairman approved stadiums with poor playing pitches for matches of the top league. He further claimed that the club players have been injured as a result of playing on poor pitches. In a letter of reprimand, Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, chided Tobi for peddling wrong information capable of conveying the wrong perception of the person of the Chairman and the league itself. Owumi wrote, “Our attention has been drawn to a false claim you made on the microblogging platform known as X in which you maliciously accused the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye of approving the use of a stadium which caused injury to players of your club. ”The allegation which has been published by NaijaFooty, an online blog is patently false because Elegbeleye and the NPFL are not responsible for stadium approvals which fall under Infrastructure requirements of the Nigeria Football Federation Club Licensing Regulations”. He accused the club officer of bringing the office of the NPFL Chairman to disrepute and also casting aspersions on the NPFL as a body contrary to Rule A5.5.2 of the NPFL Framework and Rules. The rule provides that “No Club, either by itself, its servants or agents shall by any means whatsoever unfairly criticize, disparage, belittle or discredit the NPFL or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.” Owumi noted that clubs and the NPFL share communication channels through which complaints can always be lodged. He cited a recent case of Abia Warriors that filed a complaint against a referee that officiated their Matchday 14 fixture in Umuahia with a video evidence forwarded. ”They could have gone to the media to criticise the referee and the league, but they did the right thing by sending a petition with evidence, and which has been referred to the Referees Appointment Committee for a review of the referee’s performance”, the league operations chief revealed. The letter of reprimand directed Tobi to publish the correct situation of club licensing, apologise to the chairman and show cause why the NPFL will not impose disciplinary measures on him.
Wikki’s new talent Abubakar Aliyu burst out of the blocks
Abubakar Aliyu is a common name in the Northern parts of Nigeria, and just a few years ago, there was an Abubakar Aliyu in the top division in the country and he also turned heads featuring for Nasarawa United. That Abubakar Aliyu also went ahead to play in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) meant for home-grown talents under Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles head coach. However another Abubakar Aliyu has emerged and this time at Wikki Tourists. The left-back, who joined from Warinji FC after being scouted by Wikki Tourists head coach Abdu Maikaba, chose the big stage to announce his arrival and in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday. Abubakar Aliyu scored the winner to condemn Enyimba to a home defeat and his goal had brilliance written all over it. The wing-back took his time after cushioning the ball and fired from more than 40 yards out to catch Enyimba goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga off his line. It was a moment of pure magic laced with fearlessness, confidence and incredible technique by the Wikki man. He also mixed up his performance with powerful and fearless defensive display against the nine-time NPFL winners in a game in which he was expected to be second best. Surely Wikki have unearth a gem in their left-back and he could go places under the watch of Maikaba known as The Teacher and for his appetite for working with young talents.
