As nine-time NPFL champions, Enyimba gear up to face Warri Wolves in a classic Matchday 9 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, one of their defenders, Fabian Nworie says the team’s anger from last weekend’s defeat in Owerri has been converted into pure motivation. The Nigerian giants, who saw their unbeaten run halted by Kun Khalifat FC in a narrow 1–0 loss, are determined to make a bold statement in front of their home fans on Sunday. According to Nworie, the mood in camp has been fiery, focused, and full of intent to return to winning ways. “Well, after the loss, the guys were not happy because we prepared for a good outing, but it wasn’t to be,” the former Remo Stars and Rivers United man told Enyimba Media. “Concerning the Sunday’s game, we have intensified our preparations ahead of the Warri Wolves game. We are ready and will go for maximum points to enable us commence another unbeaten run, which we believe is possible.” Nworie, known for his composure and tactical discipline, emphasized that the setback in Owerri has only made the squad hungrier. Training sessions in the buildup to the match have been intense, with the players showing renewed determination to deliver for the fans who have stood solidly behind the team. The tough-tackling defender, who has patiently waited for his chance to shine this season, insists he remains fully prepared to give his all whenever called upon by the technical crew. “Yeah, I’m always ready for action, and whenever the head coach wants me, I’ll always give my best,” Nworie added. “I want to promise the fans to continue to believe and support us like always, and I’m sure we will not disappoint them.” With Enyimba boasting a superior head-to-head record — five wins, eight draws, and only three defeats against Warri Wolves since 2009 — history and home advantage tilt the scales in the People’s Elephant’s favour. But as every NPFL faithful knows, nothing comes easy in the league, and Wolves will not arrive in Aba to make up the numbers. The Elephants are angry, focused, and ready to charge. Expect fireworks in Aba as Nworie and his teammates look to transform their frustration into a statement of victory and begin a new unbeaten journey in their quest for glory.

Kennedy Boboye has been officially unveiled as the new head coach of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Bendel Insurance. Boboye was presented as the club’s new coach on Tuesday in Benin City. He replaces Greg Ikhenoba who was suspended last week by the club management last week for a poor run of results. Earlier this week, the club in a statement revealed that they had reached an agreement in principle with Boboye after discussion had taken place. “‎The appointment follows a mutual agreement between the management of the Benin Arsenals and Coach Boboye for him to assume full responsibility for the club’s technical department with immediate effect.‎“‎After a thorough evaluation, the management found Coach Boboye suitable for the role and has offered him a substantive two-year contract. The decision is based on his proven track record, impressive credentials, and extensive experience in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL),” said Bendel Insurance. Boboye will have to wait for his first official game in charge of the Benin City club with their weekend fixture against Rivers United postponed owing to the latter’s involvement in CAF Champions League football.  However, Boboye is expected to lead Bendel Insurance to Owerri where they face new boys Kun Khalifat FC in a Matchweek 10 game.

•Pillars to pay N9.5m fine •Banished to Katsina •NPFL recommends 5 match officials for downgrade Sani Abacha Stadium has been shut against Kano Pillars and their fans following the pitch invasion occasioning chaotic scenes and attack on match officials and players of Shooting Stars. Some match officials in the Matchday 8 fixture between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars, as well as two of the match officials in the Nasarawa United versus Rangers have all been recommended for a review of performance. The NPFL requested that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reappraise their suitability to handle further NPFL games. While announcing the decisions in letters communicated to the clubs and the NFF, Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of the league, said that the NPFL will continue to maintain the policy of zero tolerance for any form of violence.  “We will invoke the rules wherever and whenever required to keep bad behaviour of fans, players and officials out of the league”, he vowed. In a summary jurisdiction less than 24 hours after the incident, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) announced a deduction of three goals and three points from the already accumulated points and goals of the club.  The points deduction is for breach of Rule C1.1, addressing assault on away team and match officials. The stadium will remain shut for their home games for the rest of the season and Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina will host their home fixtures. A sleuth of financial sanctions was also imposed on Kano Pillars, a club that commands huge but volatile fan base. For failure to provide adequate security which led to access to restricted area to unauthorised persons in breach of Rule B13.52, the club has been fined N1m. Similarly, the club was found to have breached Rule C9 when it failed to ensure proper conduct of its supporters leading to harassment of away team players and match officials. For this, the club was fined another N1m. Pillars supporters were also adjudged to have thrown objects on to the field of play and at the away team players and match officials in breach of Rule B13.18. This attracted a fine of N1m. The NPFL cited Kano Pillars supporters for acts that brought the league to disrepute in breach of Rule C1.1 and was fined N1m. Another N2m was imposed as fine for assault on the away team and match officials. Furthermore, a fine of N2m was also imposed as compensation payment to players of Shooting Stars while N1.5m will be paid as restitution for the beating of match officials. The NPFL in a separate letter to the NFF Match Officials Appointment Committee requested a review of performance and stepping down of centre referee, Mohammed B Tuta of Adamawa State referees council and the assistant referees, Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa). For the match between Nasarawa United and Rangers, the NPFL are also requesting for the review of performance of centre referee Ikechukwu Taiwo of the Rivers State Referees Coucil and his assistant, Usman Opeyemi Edward from Osun State. Kano Pillars reserves the right to appeal these decisions and could attract additional sanctions should the appeal fail.

Just like a story that will always come to an end, Enyimba FC’s unbeaten run in the NPFL this season has been brought to a halt by neighbours, Kun Khalifat FC who won 1-0 on Sunday. The ‘Pride of Imo’ in a tensed NPFL Matchday 8 encounter at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri edged the People’s Elephant who finished the game with 10 players after Henry Ndedi was sent off. Ebuka Nwokorie’s delightful free kick from edge of the box made the difference in the 69th minute of play after Mohammad Hussaini’s foul on a Khalifat striker. Reacting after the game, Enyimba assistant coach Nduka Ndubuisi who stood in for bereaved head coach Stanley Eguma said it wasn’t their expectations from the game blaming the deficiency of the red card to Ndedi (second yellow). “It’s not the result we expected and we feel bad about it. We expected to continue our unbeaten run but in a game of football you can always expect any of the three results, a win, draw or lose. “Although the red card deflated us numerically but we controlled the game until they gave away the free kick. Khalifat’s Ebuka took it well and will go places with such precision from dead-ball situations,” said Ndubuisi. The former Heartland and Plateau United coach meanwhile, said they have put the game behind and must rise up to redeem themselves in their next game against Warriors Wolves at home next Sunday.

Below is a full text of Kano Pillars’ statement following the crowd incident at the end of their NPFL Matchday 8 fixture against Shooting Stars. After the successful completion of the Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 8 between Kano Pillars FC and Shooting Stars SC, Kano Pillars Football Club, wishes to address the unfortunate conduct of some unruly individuals following the NPFL fixture which ended 1-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. Immediately after the final whistle, a few misguided persons attempted to cause disorder within the stadium premises. However, thanks to the swift intervention of our stewards and security agencies, the situation was promptly brought under control. We are pleased to confirm that players of both teams and match officials all left the stadium and its vicinity unhurt and safely escorted by the security operatives. The club also confirms that many of those involved in the unruly act were arrested and handed over to the security agencies for further investigation and prosecution. Kano Pillars FC will fully cooperate with the authorities to ensure that any individual found culpable faces the full wrath of the law. Furthermore, the management of Kano Pillars FC will impose strict sanctions by banning all identified troublemakers from accessing the Sani Abacha Stadium for the next 10 seasons. The club remains committed to maintaining peace, discipline, and a conducive environment for football in line with the rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League and the Nigeria Football Federation. We urge our teeming supporters to continue to show passion and support for the team in a peaceful and orderly manner as true ambassadors of the great Kano Pillars FC.

The management of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) said it monitored and has noted with concern the disturbing reports and viral video clips from this evening’s NPFL Matchday 8 between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars, indicating that fans invaded the pitch shortly after the final whistle. The statement signed by Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer, assured that while the league awaits the official match reports and complete video evidence from the Match Commissioner and Referees, “we condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans.” The League is also assuring all stakeholders and football lovers that this isolated incident is being treated with utmost seriousness, and appropriate actions will follow upon review of the full reports. He further stated that the NPFL has remained in touch with the Match Commissioner, the Referees and officials of Shooting Stars whose safety has been secured. “We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues across the country,” Owumi concluded.

El-Kanemi Warriors head coach, Kabiru Sulaiman Dogo, has expressed optimism about his team’s chances of securing a positive result on the road against Abia Warriors on Sunday. Speaking ahead of the NPFL Matchday 8 encounter in Umuahia, Dogo recalled that the last meetings between the two sides ended with a 3–0 victory for El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri and a 2–1 win for Abia Warriors in the reverse fixture. “We are here in Umuahia to continue with what we are known for whenever we face Abia Warriors. My boys are ready for the clash,” Dogo said. “They were fully motivated by the Borno State Government before leaving Maiduguri.” Assistant coach Hussaini Goni also shared his excitement after seeing the Babagana Umara Zulum Boys respond positively during training sessions. “Our boys are capable of picking something very significant here in Umuahia. I remember when we beat them 2–0 in the President Federation Cup and 3–0 in the NPFL season. I believe we can build on those good results,” Goni said. El-Kanemi captain Zayad Musa assured the technical crew of the players’ total commitment.  “We are going to put smiles on your faces. We have quickly adapted to the techniques and strategies given to us and will remain fully dedicated to delivering a good performance for El-Kanemi Warriors,” Zayad said.

Kwara United held their final training session on Saturday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 8 encounter with Wikki Tourists of Bauchi on Sunday with the resolve to get back on track. Despite suffering back-to-back league defeats, the Harmony Boys remain undeterred in their ambition to challenge for the top spots in the league. The team have continued to show resilience and determination to regain their rhythm and momentum. Kwara United head coach Ashifat Suleiman is expected to make some tactical adjustments to his starting lineup for the clash, while maintaining the core of the squad. Club captain Kabir Mohammed assured fans that the team is focused on returning to winning ways, emphasizing their commitment to working hard until they reach full strength again. Both teams have not met in recent seasons, as Wikki Tourists only recently earned promotion back to the NPFL after a few years in the lower division. Currently, Wikki sit 15th on the log, while Kwara United occupy 13th place. During Saturday’s training session, the Harmony Boys displayed urgency and sharpness, responding effectively to tactical instructions from the technical crew — a clear sign of their readiness to deliver a strong performance on Sunday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi. It will be LIVE on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports.