By George Akpayen Ikorodu City attacking winger Joseph Arumala has played himself into pole position as the leading scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after scoring in his side’s 3-0 win over Kano Pillars on Sunday. Arumala opened scoring for City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos to take his tally to 12 goals for the season, one more than the chasing pack of Rangers striker Godwin Obaje and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors. Tosin Oyedokun (70′) and Abayomi Ayodeji (88′) got the other goals for the Oga Boys who are still in the race for the title and a top-three finish. City now have 55 points, three behind leaders Rivers United. Rivers United were made to work hard for the full points by an organized Plateau United. Wisdom Samuel’s first half goal proved sufficient enough for Finidi George’s men to return to the top of the summit after 34 rounds of matches ahead of second-placed Rangers who played out a goalless draw at Niger Tornadoes. MAIRIGA LIFTS WIKKI IN YENAGOA At the other end of the table, Jonathan Mairiga was the hero in a tight contest between Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa. Mairiga netted the winner for Wikki with 23 minutes left to play though the points were not enough to take them out of the relegation zone but sucked Bayelsa United into it. Federation Cup holders, Kwara United, played themselves out of the bottom-four after grinding out a 0-0 draw at Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) The story was different for the champions Remo Stars who surrendered a goal lead to lose 2-1 at Barau FC. A goal each in the last 20 minutes from Joseph Atule and Joseph Kemin cancelled out Haruna Hadi’s 63rd minute goal for Remo Stars to leave them in danger of being relegated with four matchweeks to end the season. BIG WINS FOR SOUTHEAST DUO Enyimba and Kun Khalifat FC cruised to emphatic victories over Katsina United and Warri Wolves respectively in a bid to put life in their battles for escape. Stanley Dimgba (23′), Chidera Michael (31′) and Wonah Williams (79′) scored for Enyimba in their 3-0 win over Katsina United at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. Kun Khalifat FC made light work of Wolves with a 3-0 win. Uchechukwu Onuoha netted a second half brace after Mmesoma Nnorom had opened scoring on 19 minutes. The win still leaves Kun Khalifat FC bottom of the standings but moves them within a point of safety.
Nwosu propels Bendel Insurance to slim win over Abia Warriors
Chinedu Nwosu was the hero for Bendel Insurance in Saturday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture with Abia Warriors at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. The winger scored the winner on 62 minutes to help the Benin Arsenals to a 1-0 win over Abia Warriors. Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo stuck to the side that started in their previous fixture against Bayelsa United while Bendel Insurance’s starters had in-form Kayode Oke and Alex Oweilayefa. The first half ended without a goalless in the game played behind closed doors. Seventeen minutes into the restart, former Sunshine Stars man benefited from a loose-ball to score the winning goal after the Warriors failed to clear their lines from a free kick. Amapakabo in a bid to salvage something out of the match sent on the trio of Fatai Abdullahi, Shedrack Asiegbu and Chindi Merpring for Suraj Lawal, Valentine Ugwu and Casmir Azubuike respectively. The Warriors in the final moments threw everything at their hosts but failed to level the score thereby losing four points to Bendel Insurance over two meetings in the league this season. Amapakabo’s team stay in fourth place with 52 points until Sunday’s fixtures while Bendel Insurance also remain in seventh position with 49 points.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 34
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as two games are live on AfroSoccer and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). Saturday, April 11, 2026 BENDEL INSURANCE V ABIA WARRIORS Referee: Malik Madaki Assistant referee 1: Zango Mohammed Assistant referee 2: Samuel Sunday Azi Fourth official: Abubakar Zubairu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City Sunday, April 12, 2026 3SC V KWARA UNITED (Live on FRCN) Referee: Grema Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Ahmad Tijjani Assistant referee 2: Bukar Ciroma Fourth official: Arewaremi Ebineme Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan BARAU FC V REMO STARS Referee: Abdulmalik Abdulganiyu Assistant referee 1: Stanley Idowu Assistant referee 2: Shuaibu Abdullahi Fourth official: Friday Francis Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano NIGER TORNADOES V RANGERS Referee: Tobi Majeed Assistant referee 1: Ekene Chanumuy Assistant referee 2: Rabiu Mohammed Idris Fourth official: Olatunde Abdulmajid Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna ENYIMBA V KATSINA UNITED Referee: Joseph Ogabor Assistant referee 1: Lewis Gwatana Assistant referee 2: Segun Akinsanya Fourth official: Emmanuel Igwe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba BAYELSA UNITED V WIKKI TOURISTS Referee: Musibaudeen Ibrahim Assistant referee 1: Joseph Onaleye Assistant referee 2: Scholastica Ikeobi Fourth official: Uche Ndukwere Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa IKORODU CITY V KANO PILLARS (Live on AfroSoccer DStv Channel 254) Referee: Eric Kwanga Assistant referee 1: Samson Fisobe Assistant referee 2: Adama Nelson Fourth official: Emmanuel Ajewole Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos RIVERS UNITED V PLATEAU UNITED Referee: Abdulrasheed Jimoh Assistant referee 1: Habibu Salisu Assistant referee 2: Haruna Mohammed Fourth official: Justice Nwauzobilom Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt KUN KHALIFAT FC V WARRI WOLVES Referee: Abdulrahman Faro Assistant referee 1: Mohammed Yusuf Mawashi Assistant referee 2: Isiaka Musa Fourth official: Elder Tomiwa Akinwale Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri Monday, April 13, 2026 EL-KANEMI WARRIORS V NASARAWA UNITED Referee: Kassim Abdulsalam Assistant referee 1: Abubakar Sada Assistant referee 2: Abba Mammaga Fourth official: Nasiru Sani Kick-off: 4pm Venue: El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri
Abia Warriors, Bendel Insurance clash in race for continental spots
Continental-chasing Abia Warriors have are in Benin City ahead of Saturday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) against Bendel Insurance in a high-stakes encounter that is billed to give football followers value for their money. Fresh from a gritty and hard-earned triumph over Bayelsa United, Abia Warriors now turn their focus towards this crucial test in a decisive Matchday 34 fixture of the NPFL. Like a ship that has weathered the storm, and confidence steaming in their veins, the Warriors will deploy their defence systems and activate air-to-surface missiles to ward off Insurance attacks and initiate forays of their own, knowing that any indemnity from Bendel Insurance is as good as surrendering all three points at stake, which is tantamount to throwing in the towel on their continental aspirations. But the task ahead is anything but simple. The Benin Arsenals have proven to be a resilient and disciplined side, especially when playing on home soil, and they can equally be a hard nut to crack at away games, as they demonstrated in the reverse league fixture by holding Umu Chineke to a goalless draw at the Umuahia Township Stadium. The tide may have turned, but the winds of change are blowing, and the Warriors are ready to harness that energy to keep their dreams alive. As the season reaches its crescendo, the stakes have risen significantly. Abia Warriors sit fourth on the league table with 52 points and three points behind the table-toppers, while Bendel Insurance occupy the seventh position with 46 points. Recent meetings between the two sides paint a picture of a closely contested rivalry. In their last five encounters, Abia Warriors have claimed victory twice, Bendel Insurance triumphed once, while two ended in a barren draw. As the Warriors step onto the pitch in Benin, they will give it their all to leave Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with a positive result. Every pass, every tackle, every shot will echo with intent, as they are determined to sustain the momentum and chase Continental slots. INJURY UPDATE The Abia Warriors duo of Maxwell Kangeshima and Ayodele Ezekiel are doubtful for the trip to Benin City. © Abia Warriors Media
Big match feature: Ikorodu City v Kano Pillars
This is the fourth ever NPFL meeting between both teams and it is going to be a high-stakes match as both clubs are in the race for different aspirations in the run-in of the season. Ikorodu City since making their debut in the top division last season have been consistent on the standings at this time of the season – staying in the top-six position. For Kano Pillars, it has been a season of battling for survival following a poor start despite being one of the division’s heavyweights. This match surely would have big implications in the title race, chase for continental places and survival battles when the season eventually draws to a close. Kano Pillars have been inconsistent on the road considering they have taken only six points in 16 away matches all season and will have to contend against a City side that have made their Mobolaji Johnson Arena a fortress. Mohammed Baba Ganaru’s Kano Pillars would also face a City that loves to press high and dominate possession and use pace in attack when they play at home and one man who is like to cause them problems is one of the frontrunners in the top scorers race, Joseph Arumala who has scored 11 goals so far this season. Kano Pillars have an experienced squad that includes former Super Eagles winger Ahmed Musa and NPFL legend, Rabiu Ali who is the top-scoring player for the Kano club this season with seven goals. This game definitely has pitched a high pressing Ikorodu City team against a more cautious Kano Pillars side that will bank on counter-attacks. Both clubs have not disappointed in scoring goals in their previous three meetings and it is expected that Ikorodu City’s strong home form and Kano Pillars’ poor run on the road will define the outcome of this fixture. HEAD-TO-HEAD Sept 8, 2024: Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City Jan 29, 2025: Ikorodu City 4-1 Kano Pillars Nov 24: 2025: Kano Pillars 2-1 Ikorodu City NEXT 5 GAMES IKORODU CITY MD34: Kano Pillars (H) MD35: Abia Warriors (A) MD36: Wikki (H) MD37: Katsina Utd (A) MD38: Rangers (H) KANO PILLARS MD34: Ikorodu City (A) MD35: Rivers Utd (H) MD36: Kun Khalifat (A) MD37: Warri Wolves (H) MD38: Plateau Utd (A)
Mangut ready for run-in with Nasarawa Utd
Nasarawa United head coach/technical adviser, Mbwas Mangut, has said his team are ready for the final five matchweeks of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. Mangut’s men are currently placed fifth on the table with 50 points, five behind leaders Rangers and will head to the Northeast to face El-Kanemi Warriors this Sunday. In a meeting with the club’s management following a shock 0-1 defeat last weekend to bottom-placed Kun Khalifat FC, Mangut assured that they are focused on either a continental place or the title race. ”As we enter the final five games of the season, I wish to assure you that we have summoned the resilience that has defined our club’s storied history. ”The time for reckoning is upon us; we will rise to the occasion and ensure that the remaining part of our campaign concludes on a note of dignity and competitiveness. ”Let me assure our dedicated and loyal supporters and fans across the globe that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to address the issues that have led to our recent predicament. ”No doubt, your support remains our greatest strength, and we ask that you continue to stand by us as we navigate these challenging times. ”From our general resolve, we are regrouping, reassessing and recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of a continental ticket, and possibly lay our hands on the NPFL trophy,” he said. Mangut further assured that they have put the home defeat to Kun Khalifat FC behind and “have resolved to rise and fight” till the end of the season. ”How we end the season shouldn’t be defined by a single result because we have resolved to rise and fight, and emerge stronger from the ashes of previous defeats,” he said.
Bendel Insurance apologises to NPFL, NRA as Boboye gets cautioned
Rangers International striker Godwin Obaje has disclosed that he wants to win the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the top scorer’s award this season. Obaje is one of the frontrunners in the race for the highest goalscorer award in the NPFL this season as he has scored 11 goals, which is equalled by the duo of Ikorodu City’s Joseph Arumala and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors. DOUBLE TARGET The former Plateau United and Wikki Tourists man did not mince words in making his aspirations known by declaring that he is keen to win the top scorer’s award and the league title in the colours of the Flying Antelopes in this campaign. He explained that he would be particularly happy to win the league title, considering that it would be “a life-changing” experience for his younger teammates at Rangers. ”I believe I can win the highest goalscorer award. I am sure I can win it. But my main target is to see my team win the title at the end of the season because we have many young players who now have the chance to win their first (major) trophy. And this is a life-changing advantage for them. So I will be very happy to see Rangers win the trophy,” he told NPFL.com.ng. SECRETS TO LONGEVITY Obaje, who has made more than 260 verifiable NPFL appearances and scored 96 goals, revealed that he has been able to keep going in the top division due to “God and prayers, hardwork and self-discipline.” He disclosed that he puts staying disciplined as a major trait in his longevity. ”I think what keeps me going this year is God and prayers, hard work, and self-discipline. For anything I am doing, discipline is very important,” he explained. GOALS TARGET When he is prodded on a possible numerical target of goals he aims to achieve at the end of this season, Obaje simply left it open, saying he just wants to “score more goals as possible.” ”My target for the season is for me to score as many goals as is possible to help my team,” the 30-year-old Rangers forward said. Obaje, who admires former Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has scored 11 goals in 28 league appearances this season.
Obaje eyes double NPFL honours
Rangers International striker Godwin Obaje has disclosed that he wants to win the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the top scorer’s award this season. Obaje is one of the frontrunners in the race for the highest goalscorer award in the NPFL this season as he has scored 11 goals, which is equalled by the duo of Ikorodu City’s Joseph Arumala and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors. DOUBLE TARGET The former Plateau United and Wikki Tourists man did not mince words in making his aspirations known by declaring that he is keen to win the top scorer’s award and the league title in the colours of the Flying Antelopes in this campaign. He explained that he would be particularly happy to win the league title, considering that it would be “a life-changing” experience for his younger teammates at Rangers. ”I believe I can win the highest goalscorer award. I am sure I can win it. But my main target is to see my team win the title at the end of the season because we have many young players who now have the chance to win their first (major) trophy. And this is a life-changing advantage for them. So I will be very happy to see Rangers win the trophy,” he told NPFL.com.ng. SECRETS TO LONGEVITY Obaje, who has made more than 260 verifiable NPFL appearances and scored 96 goals, revealed that he has been able to keep going in the top division due to “God and prayers, hardwork and self-discipline.” He disclosed that he puts staying disciplined as a major trait in his longevity. ”I think what keeps me going this year is God and prayers, hard work, and self-discipline. For anything I am doing, discipline is very important,” he explained. GOALS TARGET When he is prodded on a possible numerical target of goals he aims to achieve at the end of this season, Obaje simply left it open, saying he just wants to “score more goals as possible.” ”My target for the season is for me to score as many goals as is possible to help my team,” the 30-year-old Rangers forward said. Obaje, who admires former Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has scored 11 goals in 28 league appearances this season.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 33
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as just one game is LIVE on AfroSoccer DStv channel 254. Saturday, April 4, 2026 WIKKI TOURISTS V ENYIMBA Referee: Jude Tyoapine Assistant referee 1: Bello Zuru Assistant referee 2: Ismaila Rasheed Fourth official: Kamga Bancir Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia Sunday, April 5, 2026 KWARA UNITED V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS Referee: Olabode Salami Assistant referee 1: Victor Akokoba Assistant referee 2: Darlington Nwauzobilom Fourth official: Osas Alohan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos REMO STARS V 3SC (Live on AfroSoccer DStv channel 254) Referee: Abubakar Abdullahi Assistant referee 1: Samuel Pwadutakam Assistant referee 2: Ahmad Yakubu Mohammed Fourth official: Augustine Christian Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne RANGERS V BARAU FC Referee: Bawa Buhari Assistant referee 1: Abba Dada Assistant referee 2: Jimmy Pam Jerry Fourth official: Joel Otta Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu KATSINA UNITED V NIGER TORNADOES Referee: Kalu Ezichi Assistant referee 1: Isah Shehu Assistant referee 2: Justice Nwauzobilom Fourth official: Umar Ibrahim Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina KANO PILLARS V BENDEL INSURANCE Referee: Ridwan Ayeni Assistant referee 1: Muyiwa Oladoja Assistant referee 2: Mustapha Abdulwahab Fourth official: Solomon Hindan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano WARRI WOLVES V RIVERS UNITED Referee: Salihu Bashir Assistant referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman Assistant referee 2: Fourth official: Ber Simon Terungwa Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro NASARAWA UNITED V KUN KHALIFAT FC Referee: Kabiru Sadiq Assistant referee 1: Ahmad Tijjani Assistant referee 2: Opeyemi Usman Fourth official: Zachi Mohammed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia Monday, April 6, 2026 ABIA WARRIORS V BAYELSA UNITED Referee: Adeniji Abdulrahman Assistant referee 1: Ayinde Ojo Assistant referee 2: Folashade Ekun Fourth official: Gbenga Akomolafe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba PLATEAU UNITED V IKORODU CITY Referee: Nurudeen Abubakar Assistant referee 1: Mohammed Ibrahim Assistant referee 2: I.K. Igbonwonsa Fourth official: Nalado Abdullahi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia
NPFL end time battle for title and survival
It’s the final bend on the home stretch of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier League season and for the first time in many years, nothing is guaranteed for any team. With six match weeks left to play, it is fascinating to note that no team is yet certain to either win the league, claim a continental spot or get relegated after thirty-two weeks of grueling football hostilities. This NPFL season has served followers of the beautiful game in Nigeria a memorable time filled with intrigues, drama, shocks, controversies and pleasurable outcomes in equal doses. Hence, the final lap cannot be less exciting. Like Brymo sang in his 2012 song; we all need something. From Lagos to Enugu and from Kano to Port Harcourt, everyone has something they are praying for and wishing to happen. The fickleness in garnered results over the course of the season has led to uncertainties in the achievement of clubs’ aspirations across all rungs of the league’s ladder. THE SEASON SO FAR… This particular NPFL episode is one for the ages! While some perennial title challengers, like Rangers and Rivers United have kept up the chase, some have found themselves gasping and fighting against generational ignominy – a demotion to the second tier. The season started with Nasarawa United and Abia Warriors unexpectedly setting the pace in what was really the tone-setter for an extra-ordinary league season. Both teams continue to lay claim to a likely continental position at the end of the season. The season also unravelled badly for some of the country’s elites as traditional powerhouses Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC found themselves fighting for dear lives at the very lower rung of the table. That should account for one of the most inexplicable stories of the campaign so far. While Pillars experienced relegation as recently as four years ago, Enyimba have been a mainstay in the league for the past 25 years but have their legs shaking at the moment. The other shocking story is that of league’s defending champions Remo Stars who go from being Champions League group stage hopefuls to being a strong NNL candidate, even though their chances of beating the drop has brightened in the past couple of weeks. WHERE WILL THE TROPHY LAND? Although two former champions Rivers United and Rangers International have been neck and neck for the past four match weeks in the race to winning the title, seeing that only five points separate first from fifth with six matches left portrays that teams in 3rd, 4th and 5th are lurking in case of any catastrophic slip from the top two. Rivers United returned to the top of the table last weekend after ending a dreadful run of four successive losses which had allowed Rangers leapfrog them on the log, but the Flying Antelopes themselves succumbed to a 1-3 loss at Shooting Stars, ending their own unbeaten run of eight games. When Rangers won the league two years ago, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side quietly emerged from behind, embarking on a ten-game unbeaten sequence in the second stanza to sneak in just before the tape. They had practically embarked on another of such run this time but with Finidi George’s Rivers United as their contender, the final six matches will present onlookers with the drama worthy of Hollywood’s prime time viewing. Rivers United have tricky away trips to Warri Wolves, Kano Pillars and Wikki Tourists as well as home games against Plateau United, Abia Warriors and Katsina United. They will hope that playing the last game of the season at home would count as advantage against Rangers who end the season away to continental-ticket chasing Ikorodu City. Before then, Rangers have home games against Barau, Enyimba and Bendel Insurance as well as trips to Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United. HELLO CAF COMPETITIONS… Considering that not much grounds are expected to be lost by the top two sides, it is safe to assume that the worst any of them will drop is to 3rd position. Thus, only one continental place is realistically available to be hustled for by Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United and Shooting Stars – with Abia Warriors in with an outside chance. Ikorodu City have a considerate gap in this last bend as they take a two-point cushion to face Plateau United on a neutral ground on Match Week 33. At least a point from that game can strengthen their hold on that spot for the remaining games considering how the home and away pendulum affects results to come. Nasarawa United and Shooting Stars are lurking in the shadows of Ikorodu, waiting to pounce on any slip ups but the Oluyole Warriors hold an advantage over United in that their final three home games including a Match Day 36 clash with Nasarawa United. No team have a better home win record in the league than Shooting Stars this season, and that should mean something when Nasarawa come to Ibadan. Before then though, Shooting have trips to Ikenne and Maiduguri before ending the season away in Minna against relegation haunted Niger Tornadoes. THE RELEGATION BATTLERS… The number of league’s top dogs involved in this season relegation tussle has turned up the entertainment value for neutrals and it will only get more intriguing as the season winds down. As of now, nobody is safe from 20 to 11th with five points separating Niger Tornadoes from Remo Stars in 17th. Poignantly, Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Remo Stars joined in a fierce demotion battle by reigning Cup champions Kwara United is not what the most knowledgeable of predictors could have called before the season started but this has unfolded in front of our very eyes. If the league were to end today, Remo Stars would be demoted to the second division, thereby breaking a 16-year unwanted record of being the NPFL champions that got relegated the following season. Remo are currently two points adrift of safety and they have some difficult games on their plate; starting from this weekend’s home clash
