Niger Tornadoes head coach, Majin Mohammed, has blamed his side’s share of the points with Kun Khalifat FC in Sunday’s 1-1 draw in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to fatigue and underrating their opponents. Majin stated that he had warned his players before the game to disregard Kun Khalifat’s position on the table. He added that fatigue also played a part in their underwhelming performance against the new boys following their long trip back to Minna from Port Harcourt. “Well, there was nothing wrong with our approach to the game, especially when playing at home, the plan was the same, which was to win, but in football, three things are involved, either you win, draw or lose, irrespective of wherever you are playing. But, the bottomline was, the players judged Kun Khalifat FC based on the position they are occupying on the league table and I warned of such, they clearly underrated the opponents. “Secondly, fatigue equally had a telling effect. We travelled to Port Harcourt, played on Wednesday came back on Thursday and arrived at night so we couldn’t do anything on Friday, we only had a shakeup with almost the same players we travelled with. “And lastly, I think we didn’t play badly like some people would think, but we didn’t take our chances but that’s football for you. I appeal to our people to be calm, whatever we lose here we can equally get it back elsewhere. Others even lost at home, so we should thank God for the point gained. Majin’s side looked to be on the way to clinching the full points at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna where Abba Khalid has put them in front on 42 minutes. Eight minutes to time, Ugochukwu Akuta levelled the score for Kun Khalifat to secure only their second point on the road.

Abia Warriors secured their first away victory in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, overcoming hosts, Kwara United 1-0 at the George Innih Stadium, Ilorin. A 48th-minute penalty converted by Emeka Obioma after a Kwara United player handled the ball inside his box secured the maximum points for Umu Chineke. The Warriors head coach, Imama Amapakabo, made two changes to the side that beat league champions, Remo Stars, at the Umuahia Township Stadium, last Thursday, with Sunday Megwo and Paul Samson making way for Casmir Azubuike and Yakub Hammed. It was a slow start to the game from both sides, but it was the Warriors who had more of the possession. The possession nearly paid off in the 19th minute as left wing back, Faiz Jubrin’s delivery was met by Obioma, but the hosts’ keeper, Nurudeen Badmus, made a brilliant save to deny him. The effort seemed to startle the Harmony Boys as they tried to conjure attacks of their own, but the Warriors’ defence, marshalled by Innocent Gabriel, Jubrin Faiz, Adekunle Adeleke, and Somiari Alalibo, as well as goalkeeper, Okiemute Odah, remained resolute. There was nothing to separate the two sides as Lagos State-based centre referee, Tope John Ojeleye, brought the first half to a close. But the second half was a different ball game entirely as both sides unleashed whatever they had in their arsenal to gain an advantage. Within two minutes of restart, the Warriors pressed for a goal, and were deservedly awarded a penalty as a United player, under pressure, handled the ball inside his box, and the centre referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Obioma sent Kwara United goalkeeper, Nurudeen Badmus, the wrong way to score his second successive league goal for Umu Chineke. Kwara United head coach, Tunde Sanni, made changes in an attempt to salvage the situation, but it was the Warriors who showed calmness, resilience and character to stay up with Fatai Abdullahi bossing the midfield. Nonetheless, the Warriors’ bench responded with a wholesale substitution of their own as pressure began to mount, introducing Maxwell Kangeshima, Innocent Godwin, Israel Joseph and Chindi Merpring to steady the ship. On two separate occasions, Odah was called to duty, and he demonstrated why the Warriors’ gaffer reposed confidence in him by pulling off incredible saves, to the disbelief of the home supporters, as the Warriors held on for a well-deserved victory. Up next for Abia Warriors is an Oriental Derby against Rangers International in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Rivers United head coach/technical manager Finidi George guided his side to earn a point at his former employers, Enyimba in one of Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures. The ended goalless as neither side was able to convert the goal-scoring opportunities in a draw that keeps the situation at the top of the table very close. Ubong Friday and Taiwo AbdulRafiu had half chances in the first half, and Okon Aniekeme was denied late on, before Enyimba FC finished the game strongly. In the end, Rivers United held on for their first point away to the People’s Elephant since 2023 and stopped the hosts from scoring at home for the second time this season. CAGEY FIRST HALF The hosts started quickly and looked to pin us back in the opening exchanges, but it was Ubong Friday who had the first half chance. AbdulRafiu’s long throw-in fell for Friday inside the box, but he scuffed his shot just wide of the near post. Enyimba had a close-range header from a corner cleared on the line by Stephen Manyo, and they continued to dominate possession. AbdulRafiu, who made a return to the left-back position, had Rivers United’s next chance. Wasiu Falolu was able to orchestrate in the middle of the pitch, and the ball fell to AbdulRafiu, who shifted past the defender but shot wide. At the other end, Chidera Michael got his head to a dangerous-looking cross late in the half, but could only direct it wide under pressure from Manyo and Ogechukwu Ogbu. But overall, it was a fairly cautious first 45 minutes from both sides, and whereas Rivers United dominated the opening 25 minutes, it was Enyimba FC who enjoyed more possession in the latter stages, and in terms of chances, there was nothing between the sides. NO BREAKTHROUGH Finidi was forced to bring on Noble John at the break following an injury to Osagie Onisodumeya, but it was the hosts who sent a long-range effort wide early after the restart before they looked to raise the tempo. Wasiu Falolu was leading the way and released Wisdom Samuel just outside the area. His low cross went all the way through the six-yard box and just ahead of the sliding Biokpo, who would have had a tap-in at the far post. Stanley Eguma introduced Nzube Bruno and Joseph Abiodun for the last half hour, and Finidi George responded by bringing on both Omaka Anthony and Okon Aniekeme. Rivers United had to defend in numbers inside their own box, with Noble John making two crucial saves. As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Rivers United made a succession of blocks, and it was all hands to the pump. Timothy Zachariah came on to provide a fresh leg in front, but it was the hosts who finished strongly. In the end, both teams took a point each that ensured they are unbeaten in the league so far this season.

Garba Mohammed came off the bench to help Nasarawa United to a 1-0 win at Bendel Insurance on Saturday in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The win ensured that the Solid Miners extended their lead at the top of the standings by four points pending when other matches take place on Sunday. Garba Mohammed was thrown in action on the hour mark by Nasarawa United head coach Mbwas Mangut and he needed 33 minutes to make his impact felt. The attacking winger pounced on a crossed ball into box after peeling off his marker and calmly cushioned the ball with his first touch past the advancing Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Bamidele Adeniyi before passing the ball into the net for the winner. It was the winger’s second goal of the season, and second consecutive win for the Solid Miners on the road this campaign, after winning against Bayelsa United in Yenagoa, a fortnight ago. Nasarawa United remain unbeaten in six out of seven games, winning five, drawing one, and losing once, solidifying their first place position on the league table with 16 points, four more points ahead of second-placed and nine-time league winners, Enyimba FC, who have played a game lesser. Nasarawa United will return to Lafia, where they will host former champions, Rangers International on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Lafia City Stadium, from 4pm, before being hosted by Ikorodu City, in Lagos, a week after.