Rangers International emerged champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on the final day of the season after edging past Ikorodu City on Sunday. ‎The club have now equalled Enyimba’s win as the sides with nine league titles to their names. ‎‎The Flying Antelopes were in pole position by a point ahead of second-placed Rivers United setting up a final day drama. ‎The Coal City club needed an outright win to win their ninth league title while Rivers United hoped they stumble at Ikorodu City, a team they have never dropped points against in the top division in all head-to-head meetings. ‎‎Rangers kept their perfect record going against Ikorodu City by winning 2-1 with captain Chidiebere Nwobodo scoring both goals before Moses Ali netted for the home side to render Rivers United’s 3-0 triumph over Katsina United less important in the title race. ‎‎Chijioke Mbaoma (3′, 67′) and Aniekeme Okon (63′) scored for Rivers United. ‎ CONTINENTAL CHASE ‎‎The defeat at home to Rangers meant that Ikorodu City for the second season in a roll missed qualifying for CAF inter-club competition. ‎‎Southwest rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) finished third on the standings despite suffering a 0-1 loss at Niger Tornadoes. Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai scored a first half spot kick to seal the win for the Minna club and ensured they escaped the drop. ‎‎ RELEGATION DRAMA ‎Talking of other clubs who also entered the final day hoping to beat the drop, defending champions Remo Stars got relegated after playing out a 1-1 draw at Bendel Insurance. ‎‎Things looked bright and beautiful for the Sky Blue Stars who led 1-0 into the break through Victor Mbaoma’s goal until they conceded to a Chijioke Akuneto strike at the death. ‎‎The Remo Stars’ camp then had to wait for confirmation of their top flight status after the Kun Khalifat FC versus Wikki Tourists match was delayed due to heavy rainfall in Owerri. ‎‎It looked like things would swing in favour of Remo Stars when Jonathan Mairiga handed already relegated Wikki the lead on nine minutes. The lead lasted only seven minutes before in-form Uchechukwu Onuoha levelled the score for Kun Khalifat. ‎Further goals from Lekan Gabriel (67′) and Onuoha (77′) meant Kun Khalifat FC escaped relegation on the final day while Remo Stars dropped to the second tier, the Nigeria National League (NNL). ‎‎Remo Stars became only the third defending champions to be relegated after Shooting Stars (in 1999) and Bayelsa United (in 2010). ‎‎El-Kanemi Warriors completed the quartet of relegated sides after a three-nil defeat at Enyimba. Stanley Dimgba (27′, 37′) and Uwana Asuquo (87′) scored the goals for Enyimba who also escaped relegation. ‎‎Warri Wolves also beat the drop on the final day after coming from a goal down to defeat Abia Warriors 2-1 at their Southern Delta University Stadium ground in Ozoro. ‎‎Imoh Obot fired Warriors in front in the first minute before Chisom Orji’s brace turned things around for Wolves before the hour mark. ‎ ‎THE OTHER FINAL DAY GAMES ‎‎Relegated Bayelsa United did not take their foot off the pedals as they thumped Kwara United 4-0 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa. The Restoration Boys had four different goalscorers in Peter Ebimobiwei, Saro Loveday, Stephen Wisdom and Nneoyi Ofem. ‎‎Bayelsa United goalkeeper Andy Clinton also kept out Jimoh Gbadamosi’s spot kick on 58 minutes to earn a clean sheet. ‎‎Victor Dawa’s late goal in added time of second ensured Plateau United finished the season with a 1-0 over Kano Pillars while Barau FC hit three past Nasarawa United with Joseph Atule, Sunday Anthony and Adamu Hussein scoring the goals at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. ‎ ‎‎MATCHDAY 38 RESULTS ‎Tornadoes 1-0 3SC ‎Abdulrasheed S. Dabai 41′ (PEN) ‎Enyimba 3-0 El-Kanemi ‎Stanley Dimgba 27′, 37′, Uwana Asuquo 87′ ‎‎Bayelsa Utd 4-0 Kwara Utd ‎Peter Ebimobiwei 47′, Saro Loveday 60′, Stephen Wisdom 65′, Nneoyi Ofem 70′ ‎‎Bendel Insurance 1-1 Remo Stars ‎Chijioke Akuneto 90+’ – Victor Mbaoma 45′ ‎Ikorodu City 1-2 Rangers ‎Moses Ali 58′ – Chidiebere Nwobodo 30′, 52′ ‎‎Rivers Utd 3-0 Katsina Utd ‎Chijioke Mbaoma 3′, 67′, Aniekeme Okon 63′ ‎‎Wolves 2-1 Abia Warriors ‎Chisom Orji 20′, 60′ (PEN) – Imoh Obot 1′ ‎Plateau Utd 1-0 Kano Pillars ‎Victor Dawa 90+3′ ‎‎Barau 3-0 Nasarawa Utd ‎Joseph Atule 43′, Sunday Anthony 77′, Adamu Hussein 84′ ‎Kun Khalifat 3-1 Wikki #KUNWIK #NPFL26 ‎Uchechukwu Onuoha 16′, 77′, Lekan Gabriel 67′ – Jonathan Mairiga 9′

Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as two games are live on AfroSoccer and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): ‎ ‎‎Sunday, May 24, 2026 ‎NIGER TORNADOES V 3SC ‎Referee: Bala Aliyu Kyari ‎Assistant referee 1: Ahmad Tijjani ‎Assistant referee 2: Dahiru Mustapha ‎Fourth official: Yahaya Ikara ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna ‎ ‎ENYIMBA V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS ‎Referee: John Ojeleye ‎Assistant referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman ‎Assistant referee 2: Anu Balogun ‎Fourth official: Guza Shaharani ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba ‎ ‎BAYELSA UNITED V KWARA UNITED ‎Referee: Musibaudeen Ibrahim ‎Assistant referee 1: Abba Aminu Mammaga ‎Assistant referee 2: Smart Udeh ‎Fourth official: Fidelis Onyemobi ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa ‎ ‎BENDEL INSURANCE V REMO STARS ‎Referee: Okechukwu Ezeogwu ‎Assistant referee 1: Peter Bwamba ‎Assistant referee 2: Iraneus Ezeobele ‎Fourth official: Dr Andrew Iorkyaan ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City ‎ ‎IKORODU CITY V RANGERS (Live on AfroSoccer) ‎Referee: Nurah Abubakar ‎Assistant referee 1: Emmanuel Omada ‎Assistant referee 2: Mahmud Yakubu ‎Fourth official: Nagogo Isah ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos ‎ ‎RIVERS UNITED V KATSINA UNITED (Live on FRCN) ‎Referee: Abubakar Abdullahi ‎Assistant referee 1: Samuel Pwadutakam ‎Assistant referee 2: Ridwan Lawal ‎Fourth official: Chidi Desmond ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt ‎ ‎KUN KHALIFAT FC V WIKKI TOURISTS ‎Referee: Tosin Omotoye ‎Assistant referee 1: Cletus Adewebi ‎Assistant referee 2: Alhassan Bello ‎Fourth official: Rasheedat Abdulganiyu ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri ‎ ‎WARRI WOLVES V ABIA WARRIORS ‎Referee: Ridwan Ayeni ‎Assistant referee 1: Adamu Bako ‎Assistant referee 2: Tomiwa Akinwale ‎Fourth official: Aliyu Yusuf ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro ‎ ‎PLATEAU UNITED V KANO PILLARS ‎Referee: Yemisi Akintoye ‎Assistant referee 1: Friday Francis ‎Assistant referee 2: Faith Agbons ‎Fourth official: Mark Daniel ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos ‎ ‎BARAU FC V NASARAWA UNITED ‎Referee: Grema Mohammed ‎Assistant referee 1: Ibrahim Ahmed Lamido ‎Assistant referee 2: Linus Ogar ‎Fourth official: Bulama Mohammed ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano

Ochobi Elias’ journey from Rivers United’s youth ranks to the Super Eagles is a story of talent, hard work, and steady progress. ‎‎He first stood out as a key player in the Rivers United U-17 side that won the 2024 NPFL Youth League, showing early signs of his potential. That form earned him a promotion to the senior team, where he adapted quickly to top-flight football and became a clear example of Rivers United’s commitment to developing homegrown talent. ‎‎In just two years, Elias has gone from NPFL Youth League champion to Rivers United first-team player, and now to a Super Eagles invitee for the Unity Cup in the United Kingdom (UK). ‎‎His rise reflects both his personal determination and the success of Rivers United’s academy pathway – and serves as inspiration for young players dreaming big.

It has been touted as the most competitive league football in Africa, if not in the world. A league that no position (winner or relegated teams) can be safely projected until the final whistle across the ten venues on the last matchday. It’s one matchday to go and the suspense heightened last weekend when results tore form books. Before last weekend, Rangers International went to Yenagoa and secured a stunning result that swung the title race in favour of the Coal City club. That result must have stung Rivers United after they had thrashed Abia Warriors 3-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. While Rangers got the better of Bendel Insurance at the Cathedral, Rivers United in far away Bauchi, clawed back twice to snatch all three points in a 3-2 win. The two results mean there will be trophy presentation preparations in Lagos, where Rangers visit Ikorodu City and in Port Harcourt where Rivers United hosts Katsina United. This scenario, including the struggle to avoid relegation has stirred up excitement and animated conversations among some of the most intelligent segment of the NPFL fandom. They are staking their years of football analysis in making data-based projections to make the call for the title and relegation races. Lagos-based sports journalist, Toyin Ibitoye, Ibadan-based sports lawyer, Jubril Mohammed and Canada-based medical doctor, Nosa Iyagbaye, have told npfl.com.ng how they project the season to end. Iyagbaye, popularly called, The Anchorman hasn’t taken his eyes off the NPFL ever since he left his television sports show at ITV, Benin, Edo State for life overseas. He thinks but didn’t say it with his chest out that Rivers United are more favoured to win the title they surrendered to Remo Stars last season. The Anchorman sees Ikorodu City’s quest for a continental ticket the obstacle to Rangers mounting the podium. “Ikorodu City wants to claim the third position to play in the CAF Confederation Cup by beating Rangers so as to topple Shooting Stars, playing away at Niger Tornadoes”, he argued. On the chances of Rivers United, he was emphatic that “Rivers United would likely slaughter Katsina United to guarantee top finish except Rangers re-enacts the Yenagoa performance.” Ibitoye, a writer and television presenter and founder of Ibitoye TV, sees Rangers getting a win against Ikorodu City in Lagos. His projection is that, “Rangers will get an away win in Lagos against Ikorodu City and will become the NPFL champions for the season. “Rivers United will beat Katsina United in Port Harcourt to seal the second position and their ticket to the CAF Champions League next season.” Ibitoye also gives the third place continental ticket to Shooting Stars as he predicts that, “3SC will finish in third place to pick the CAF Confederation Cup slot available from the league.” Sports lawyer and ardent Shooting Stars fan, Mohammed forecasts that Rivers United would be champions. “I see Rivers United winning the title. There’s no way Rivers United will not win her last match at home. Rangers will find it difficult to defeat Ikorodu City in Lagos because Ikorodu City is desperate to qualify for the CAF competition,” he submitted. At the other business end of the log are over six clubs from which another two are possible candidates to join Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United out of the NPFL. Ibitoye states categorically that Niger Tornadoes are favoured to retain a place in the top flight next season. In addition, he also predicts a win for Warri Wolves over Abia Warriors and a stay in the NPFL. It’s for Remo Stars that he has made a daring forecast, picking them for a win in Benin to stay afloat the drop zone. While he also projects that Kun Khalifat FC would win their last home game in Owerri, he is convinced that either of Enyimba or El-Kanemi Warriors are condemned for relegation. This is not difficult to conjecture as the two endangered clubs are playing each other in Aba. “One of Enyimba and El-Kanemi will go down at the end of Matchday 38….their clash in Aba is a ‘win or bust’ encounter. A winner takes all battle”, Ibitoye declared Barrister Mohammed is not wavering on the faith of El-Kanemi as he rules that, “El-Kanemi will go down with Bayelsa United”. He also disagrees that Rangers will claw a win in Lagos, and predicted that “Ikorodu City will pick the CAF Confederation Cup slot”. A common ground in the projections by the three NPFL keen watchers is that Remo Stars, Enyimba, Kun Khalifat FC, Kwara United, El-Kanemi, Barau FC, Plateau United, Kano Pillars are all endangered from which two must drop. In his summation, The Anchorman said: “In short, it is war that we want to witness on the 24th of May 2026 in the nation’s top football stage as the round leather object will burst across these sensitive venues.” And in rounding up, Ibitoye concluded that “The NPFL25/26 season is one of the most competitive football seasons ever witnessed in world football.” Where will you be on May 24? Just drive or hop on a ride to an NPFL stadium near you.

By George Akpayen Former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists have been relegated to the second tier after suffer defeats on Sunday. ‎Bayelsa United fell 1-2 at the home of champions Remo Stars while Wikki’s brave fight in front of their supporters was insufficient as they lost 2-3 to Rivers United. ‎‎Ofem Nneoyi handed Bayelsa United the lead in the fifth minute at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne when he broke free and scored in a one-on-one situation against goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa. ‎‎Five minutes before the break, Alex Oyowah headed in the equalizer for Remo Stars before Victor Mbaoma popped with the winning goal on 64 minutes to give the champions a lifeline in their battle against the drop. ‎‎It was end-to-end at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi where Wikki Tourists surrendered the lead twice after Jonathan Mairiga (21′) and Imamu Bala (49′) netted for them. ‎‎Handsome Surveyor and Chijioke Mbaoma scored a goal each to ensure Rivers United fought their back into the contest before Taofeek Otaniyi scored the winner on 85 minutes to make sure the title race goes down to the wire. ‎ ‎TITLE RACE GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE ‎‎Rangers hoping for a ninth title will have to wait till the final day despite a 2-1 win over Bendel Insurance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. Godwin Obaje scored twice while Alex Oweilayefa got Insurance’s goal. ‎The title race has been put on ice until the final day when Rangers make the trip to Lagos to face Ikorodu City while Rivers United play hosts to Katsina United. ‎Lucky Emmanuel’s first half strike kept Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in the hunt for a continental place as they saw out their one-goal lead against Barau FC. The win puts 3SC in third place ahead of the final day. ‎One of the chasers for continental places, Ikorodu City suffered a 4-2 loss at Katsina United. Jamilu Yusuf scored twice (6′, 31′) while Azeez Falolu (25′) and Daniel Agara (84′) got among the goals. Abayomi Ayodeji netted City’s goal. ‎Kano Pillars and Federation Cup holders Kwara United gave themselves huge hopes in the battle for survival with wins over Warri Wolves and Enyimba respectively. ‎‎Rabiu Ali scored from the spot to secure a 1-0 win for Kano Pillars while Bright Babatunde’s first half brace ensured Kwara United got the full points but both teams will wait until the final day to confirm their top-flight status. ‎Nasarawa United’s slim win over Plateau United was not enough to keep them in the race for a continental place. JoFrank Istifanus scored the only goal for the Solid Miners. ‎Perhaps the biggest win of the matchday was in Aba where Uchechukwu Onuoha’s double against Abia Warriors might just be sufficient for Kun Khalifat FC to stay in the top division for a second season. Kun Khalifat won 2-0. ‎The match between El-Kanemi Warriors and Niger Tornadoes ended goalless. ‎The final day of the season will take place on May 24. ‎ ‎MATCHDAY 37 RESULTS & GOALSCORERS ‎‎3SC 1-0 Barau FC ‎Lucky Emmanuel 41′ ‎‎El-Kanemi 0-0 Niger Tornadoes ‎Kwara Utd 2-0 Enyimba ‎Bright Babatunde 4′, 29′ ‎Remo Stars 2-1 Bayelsa Utd ‎Alex Oyowah 40′, Victor Mbaoma 64′ – Ofem Nneoyi 5′ ‎Rangers 2-1 Bendel Insurance ‎Godwin Obaje 16′, 65′ (PEN) – Alex Oweilayefa 39′ ‎Katsina Utd 4-1 Ikorodu City ‎Jamilu Yusuf 6, 31, Azeez Falolu 25′ (PEN), Daniel Agara 84′ – Abayomi Ayodeji ‎‎Wikki 2-3 Rivers Utd ‎Jonathan Mairiga 21′, Imamu Bala 49′ – Handsome Surveyor 34′, Chijioke Mbaoma 64′, Taofeek Otaniyi 85′ ‎‎Abia Warriors 0-2 Kun Khalifat ‎Uchechukwu Onuoha 3′, 40′ ‎Kano Pillars 1-0 Warri Wolves ‎Rabiu Ali 45+’ (PEN) ‎Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Plateau Utd ‎Jofrank Istifanus 72′

Here are the referees appointed for this season’s penultimate matchday in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as there will be four live broadcast across AfroSoccer and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): ‎ ‎Sunday, May 10, 2026 ‎3SC V BARAU FC (Live on AfroSoccer) ‎Referee: Lamido Ahmed ‎Assistant referee 1: Felagha Johnbull ‎Assistant referee 2: Stephen Nwadike ‎Fourth official: Yahaya Abubakar ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan ‎EL-KANEMI WARRIORS V NIGER TORNADOES ‎Referee: Bashir Saidu ‎Assistant referee 1: Anas Ibrahim ‎Assistant referee 2: Mudasiru Lukman ‎Fourth official: Auwalu Rabiu ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri ‎‎KWARA UNITED V ENYIMBA ‎Referee: Chima Anyanwu ‎Assistant referee 1: Zachi Mohammed ‎Assistant referee 2: Dahiru Muazu ‎Fourth official: Fatai Yunusa ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos ‎REMO STARS V BAYELSA UNITED ‎Referee: Jahlove Chukwuka ‎Assistant referee 1: Julius Takyum ‎Assistant referee 2: Ikenna Okerulu ‎Fourth official: Chibuko Stanley ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne ‎RANGERS V BENDEL INSURANCE (Live on AfroSoccer & FRCN) ‎Referee: Yakubu Adamu ‎Assistant referee 1: Yusuf Indabawa ‎Assistant referee 2: Muyiwa Oladoja ‎Fourth official: Donald Magashi ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu ‎‎KATSINA UNITED V IKORODU CITY (Live on AfroSoccer) ‎Referee: Hannah Elaigwu ‎Assistant referee 1: Edema Nelson ‎Assistant referee 2: Rasheed Ismaila ‎Fourth official: Haruna Kalshingi ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina ‎‎WIKKI TOURISTS V RIVERS UNITED (Live on AfroSoccer) ‎Referee: Adamu Bashir Liman ‎Assistant referee 1: Solomon Hindan ‎Assistant referee 2: Umar Mohammed ‎Fourth official: Saheed Abdulazeez ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi ‎‎ABIA WARRIORS V KUN KHALIFAT FC ‎Referee: Zubairu Abubakar ‎Assistant referee 1: Emmanuel Atu ‎Assistant referee 2: Emmanuel Igwe ‎Fourth official: Fidelis Onyemobi ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba ‎‎KANO PILLARS V WARRI WOLVES ‎Referee: Grema Mohammed ‎Assistant referee 1: Samuel Pwadutakam ‎Assistant referee 2: Abba Dada ‎Fourth official: Ahmed Bagudu ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano ‎‎NASARAWA UNITED V PLATEAU UNITED ‎Referee: Dahiru Kawu ‎Assistant referee 1: Usman Abdullahi ‎Assistant referee 2: Austin Onyika ‎Fourth official: Bright Nwosu ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia

With two matchdays to conclude the 2025/26 season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), clubs have been warned on the consequences of deviating from the scheduled dates and kick-off time for Matchday 37 and 38.‎‎In a practice directive issued by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the clubs were reminded that all remaining fixtures must be played simultaneously to ensure sporting fairness and to protect the integrity of results.‎‎”It has also become imperative to remind all clubs that the remaining games of Matchday 37 and 38 have been scheduled to be played simultaneously on the same date and kick-off time of 4 pm”‎‎”This decision is to ensure sporting fairness and to protect the integrity of our matches and results”, Owumi wrote.‎‎The clubs were told not to seek change of date or time should they have challenges of availability of their accredited home grounds.‎‎”Should any club have issues of unavailability of regular venue, such club must choose and communicate an alternative NPFL accredited venue before close of business on May 7, 2026.‎‎”Should any club fail to do so, the NPFL will choose a venue for the fixture”, the memo stated.‎‎In conclusion, NPFL invoked the rules to inform the Clubs that they stand to forfeit three points and three goals should they breach the directive.

Enyimba head coach and technical adviser, Emmanuel Deutsch, has credited his players for showing resilience in their 2-1 win over Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars on Sunday. ‎‎The People’s Elephant had to come from a goal down to win the contest after Stanley Dimgba and Chidera Michael scored to cancel Victor Mbaoma’s 12th strike of the season for Remo Stars. ‎The Cameroonian coach heaped praises on his players for showing strength to rebound from going behind in the match to claim the full points. ‎‎“It’s football and I give it to the players for their good character and confidence, especially after going one goal down. Since after the FA Cup win against Ahudiyannem FC, you can see the confidence is coming back,” he said. ‎‎Deutsch said he was hopeful of a win from the outset and is glad that they got the points in the bag. ‎‎“It was a game everyone was looking forward to the result and I’m happy, not just me but every Abian. It’s a good gift for them,” Deutsch said. ‎‎The win puts Enyimba in 11th place on 46 points, three above the drop zone where Remo Stars are holed up in 18th position with two matchweeks to end the season. ‎‎Enyimba will face Kwara United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos while Remo Stars play hosts to Bayelsa United in a relegation scrap in the penultimate matchday.

By George Akpayen Katsina United captain, Usman Barau, has told NPFL.com.ng that he and his teammates are heading into Sunday’s showdown with Bendel Insurance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with the aim of winning. ‎‎Barau and his teammates suffered a 0-1 defeat in the first meeting in December 2025 when Elmer Arunta came off the bench to score the winning goal for Bendel Insurance to take the full points. ‎”We are in Benin to make sure we get a good result and possibly win. Remember when we played them at our home they got all three points and now we have the chance to do better,” Barau said to NPFL.com.ng. ‎Barau disclosed that players and officials of the club had a meeting before the trip to Benin City ahead of Sunday’s match during which they vowed to come out tops against Bendel Insurance. ‎‎He is also confident that Katsina United have the quality in their playing personnel to win at Bendel Insurance. ‎‎”We have a good team that can win anywhere. The team met and spoke about how important this match is, and we want to make our fans and club proud. We can pull off a win because this season has been unpredictable and anyone can win anywhere. ‎‎”Katsina United is ready for this match and our target is to revenge that defeat earlier in the season,” the midfielder said. ‎Barau is in line to make his 30th league appearance of the season for Katsina United when they face Bendel Insurance this Sunday.

Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as there are four matches LIVE across AfroSoccer and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): ‎ ‎‎Sunday, May 3, 2026 ‎BARAU FC V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS ‎Referee: Abubakar Abdullahi ‎Assistant referee 1: Amber Samuel ‎Assistant referee 2: Zubairu Yusuf Kana ‎Fourth official: Andrew Iorkyaan ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano ‎‎NIGER TORNADOES V KWARA UNITED ‎Referee: Noah Adejoh ‎Assistant referee 1: Ayodeji Adebiyi ‎Assistant referee 2: Abibatu Yusuf ‎Fourth official: Mohammed Dahiru Kawu ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna ‎‎ENYIMBA V REMO STARS ‎Referee: Alohan Osakpamwan ‎Assistant referee 1: Maimuri Habu ‎Assistant referee 2: Igbonwonsa Imuentinyen ‎Fourth official: Emmanuel Adie ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba ‎‎BAYELSA UNITED V RANGERS (Live on AfroSoccer) ‎Referee: Mohammed Chado ‎Assistant referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman ‎Assistant referee 2: Sodiq Adejumo ‎Fourth official: Adamu Liman Bashir ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa ‎BENDEL INSURANCE V KATSINA UNITED ‎Referee: Chidiebere Onyemezie ‎Assistant referee 1: Ayodele Vincent Giwa ‎Assistant referee 2: Musa Adamu Bako ‎Fourth official: Musibaudeen Ibrahim ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City ‎RIVERS UNITED V ABIA WARRIORS (Live on AfroSoccer) ‎Referee: Nurudeen Abubakar ‎Assistant referee 1: Mahmud Mohammed ‎Assistant referee 2: Musa Hussaini Talle ‎Fourth official: Yahaya Abubakar ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt ‎‎KUN KHALIFAT FC V KANO PILLARS ‎Referee: John Ojeleye ‎Assistant referee 1: Mfon Friday Akpan ‎Assistant referee 2: Blessing Arasonwa ‎Fourth official: Edwin Chima Anyanwu ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri ‎WARRI WOLVES V PLATEAU UNITED ‎Referee: Oluwatosin Omotoye ‎Assistant referee 1: Usman Akilu ‎Assistant referee 2: Chinonso Eze ‎Fourth official: Funmilayo Alaba ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro ‎‎3SC V NASARAWA UNITED (Live on AfroSoccer & FRCN) ‎Referee: Kassim Abdulsalam ‎Assistant referee 1: Emmanuel Omada ‎Assistant referee 2: Nasiru Iyal Mafara ‎Fourth official: Felagha Anderson ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan ‎ Tuesday, May 5, 2026 ‎IKORODU CITY V WIKKI TOURISTS (Live on AfroSoccer) ‎Referee: Joseph Ogabor ‎Assistant referee 1: Emmanuel Ogar ‎Assistant referee 2: Bello Zuru ‎Fourth official: Yusuf Indabawa ‎Kick-off: 4pm ‎Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos