By George Akpayen After 370 matches played in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season, we look back at the numbers that have made this term thick. Here is a quick recap of which team and individuals have been involved in the highs and lows of the campaign. 5 – Kano Pillars winger Yusuf Abdullahi, at the moment, is the only player to score more than three goals in a single match this season. Abdullahi scored all five goals in his team’s 5-2 win at Gombe United on Matchday 11. 6 – Six players have scored hattricks this season. They are Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United; left to go abroad at some point), Yusuf Abdullahi (Kano Pillars), Albert Hillary (Plateau United), Nyima Nwagua (Rivers United), Silas Nenrot (Plateau United) and Godwin Obaje (Plateau United). 7 – Remo Stars have been issued the most red cards this season. They have been given seven red cards, one more than outgoing champions Enyimba. 8 – Rangers have emerged champions of this season with one matchday to go. It is their eighth title in the history of the NPFL. 9 – Doma United, on the brink of being relegated, enjoyed the longest run of clean sheets, three more than Rangers during the season. 10 – Champions Rangers have the longest undefeated run this season, avoiding defeat in 10 matches, one more than Doma United. 11 – Relegated Heartland hold the longest run without a win this season. They went 11 matches without a win, one more than Doma United and Gombe United with 10 games without a win. 11 – Plateau United’s Silas Nenrot holds the record of scoring the fastest hattrick so far this season. The attacking winger netted three goals in the space of 11 minutes against Gombe United in their 4-0 win over Gombe United on Matchday 25. 16 – Enyimba striker Victor Mbaoma is the leading scorer after Matchday 37. He has scored 16 goals. 17 – The fast goal of this season was scored by Wasiu Alalade as his team, Kwara United edged past Remo Stars 3-2. His goal came in 16:18 seconds after kickoff. 20 – The total number of penalties missed or saved this season. 29 – We have witnessed 29 away win this season from 370 matches played so far. 33 – Matchweek 29 has accounted for the most goals in a single matchday, one more than Matchweek 37. 49 – There have been 49 red cards this season. 55 – Rangers and Niger Tornadoes are the sides with lowest bookings ahead of the final matchday. They both have 55 yellow cards each. 70 – Seventy penalties have been converted so far this season. 76 – Bottom-placed Gombe United, who are already relegated, have conceded the most goals this season. They have shipped in 76 goals in total. 86 – The NPFL have had 86 matches end in draws this season. 92 – Remo Stars racked up the most yellow cards during the season. They have been issued 92 yellow cards at the moment. 822 – After Matchweek 37, this is the number of goals scored so far. 1,409 – This represents the number of yellow cards issued this season with one matchday to go.
Doma Utd go into final matchday in trouble after home loss
By George Akpayen Doma United have played themselves deep into the relegation battle ahead of the final matchweek of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) scheduled for this Sunday. The Gombe club suffered a one-nil defeat at home in a rearranged fixture against Sunshine Stars at the Pantami Stadium on Wednesday which further compounded their chances of remaining in the top division. However, the win for Sunshine Stars means they have spared themselves the trouble of being involved in a final matchday fight for survival. Ibrahim Yusuf’s goal eight minutes before the break helped Sunshine Stars to their second away win and stretched their undefeated run to five. For Doma United, their poor run of form continued as they have now managed just one win in their last five matches and will need a big scoreline to beat the drop when they play hosts to Abia Warriors on Sunday while they hope results elsewhere fall in their favour. Doma United’s collapse after an impressive first round performance in which they were in third position with 32 points after 19 games, ahead of champions Rangers who were in eighth place at the time has come as a result of dip in form in the second round of the campaign. Unfortunately for the Savannah Tigers they have managed just two wins in 18 matches in the second round of the NPFL season (W2 D5 L11). Despite the recruitment of Bala Abubakar as head coach to help save Doma United from the drop, the slide in form continued and now they do not have their fate in their hands any longer with the like of Sporting Lagos, Bayelsa United and Akwa United, who also deep in relegation trouble, aiming for a final matchday win to avoid going down to the second tier. Doma United will need a miraculous 15 goal plus win against Abia Warriors to beat the drop considering their inferior goals difference and at the same time, hope Akwa United, Bayelsa United and Sporting Lagos lose their final matchweek fixtures to stand a chance of staying in the NPFL.
Rangers’ NPFL title triumph leaves others scraping for continent & survival
By George Akpayen Rangers International emerged champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with one matchday to spare after they defeated Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday. The other three contenders for the title, Remo Stars, 3SC and champions Enyimba, all dropped points in their respective matches, paving way for the Flying Antelopes to win their eighth title of Nigeria’s top division. A goal in each from Kenechukwu Agu and Chidiebere Nwobodo secured a 2-0 win over Bendel Insurance for Rangers to become champions. However, the season still has the final matchday to navigate with two continental places up grabs in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE & CONFEDERATION CUP SPOTS Remo Stars despite their 1-2 defeat to Sunshine Stars are in pole position to secure the second Champions League spot alongside Rangers. The Sky Blue Stars will play hosts to Katsina United and need an outright win to lay claim to that Champions League slot. On their tails for the same spot are Enyimba and 3SC who also in the hunt to finish second behind the champions. Jonathan Alukwu’s late goal for Sporting Lagos ended the chance of the People’s Elephant avoiding defeat or stretching the title race into the final matchweek. Gbenga Ogunbote’s 3SC also fell to John Bassey’s late goal in Yenagoa as Bayelsa United gave themselves a fighting chance of beating the drop. Despite their chances of claiming that second spot on the league table, Enyimba, 3SC and Remo Stars are also in the running for the CAF Confederation Cup should they fail to win their final matches irrespective of results elsewhere. One of Plateau United and Lobi Stars have outside chances of crashing the party and claiming the third position should the apple cart be upset on the final day of the campaign. Plateau United, however, would rue failing to defeat Kano Pillars on Saturday when they had the chance to do so. Playing with 10 men after Mustapha Salisu was sent off, Rabiu Ali scored for Pillars and Plateau United laboured to a 1-1 draw at home after Sam Pam Jr levelled the score. On the other hand, Lobi Stars had to shake off a tough-as-nail Kwara United side to win 4-3 thanks to Kumaga Suur’s late goal on 85 minutes. Lobi’s form of late makes them outsiders for a top-three finish as they play on the road at Kano Pillars on the final matchday. SURVIVAL RACE The final matchday will be interesting at the lower end of the table with eight clubs still yet to confirm their status for next season in the NPFL. Already Gombe United and Heartland have been relegated to the second tier, the Nigeria National League (NNL), but Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes are looking over their shoulders with the like of Bayelsa United, Akwa United, Sporting Lagos and Doma United breathing down their necks. Sporting Lagos and Doma United will begin the final matchday in the relegation zone. Doma United suffered a 2-0 defeat at Katsina United, leaving their goal difference looking unhealthy at -15, the worst among the sides battling for survival. Doma United will play hosts to Abia Warriors while Sporting Lagos face 3SC in a tough Southwest Derby at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan on the final day of the season. Akwa United and Bayelsa United sit just above the drop zone after contrasting results on Matchday 37. The Promise Keepers fell to Sunday Megwo’s goals that sealed a 2-0 win for Abia Warriors while Bayelsa United left it late to see off 3SC 2-1 with Bassey scoring twice in the final 15 minutes. Akwa United have to face Rivers United at their Nest of Champions home ground in Uyo on the final day and Bayelsa United will make the trip to Benin City to play against Bendel Insurance who have just the points to play for. Unless the final day throws up outrageous outcomes, the quartet of Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes need a point each from their final day matches to keep their places in the topflight for another season. Kano Pillars and Kwara United play at home against Lobi Stars and Heartland respectively while Tornadoes and Sunshine Stars go head-to-head. As things stand, the outcomes of the penultimate matchweek have definitely shaped a thrilling finale to the NPFL season.
Rivers Utd’s youngster Seiyefa shines in Gombe Utd hammering
By George Akpayen Rivers United wonderkid, Seiyefa Jackson, put up a gem of a performance as the Port Harcourt club saw off relegated Gombe United 6-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Saturday. Seiyefa came off the bench on 63 minutes to replace Nyima Nwagua and needed 19 minutes to get among the goals with Rivers United already four goals up after Shedrack Asiegbu netted twice while Kazie Enyinnaya and Nwagua scored one each. The young striker scored a brilliant individual goal for his first on 82 minutes when he held up play inside the box to shake off two Gombe United defenders and their goalkeeper Abubakar Adamu to make the scoreline 5-0 to Rivers United. Six minutes later, he was on hand to make it 6-0 as he benefited from a sloppy defending by the away side to drill home his second goal of the match. The goals take Seiyefa’s tally to three in five NPFL appearances for Rivers United since he was promoted to the club’s senior side this season. The Lobi Stars versus Kwara United match also produced goals aplenty. Lobi Stars had to come from behind twice to win 4-3 at their adopted Lafia City Stadium home. Kwara United raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 12 minutes through Emmanuel Ogbole and Anthony Omaka. Two goals from Lobi Stars in the space of five minutes through Waheed Adebayo and Francis Odinaka drew both teams level at 2-2 at halftime. Garba Abubakar restored Kwara United’s lead on 58 minutes but two late goals from Alao Danbani and Kumaga Suur earned Lobi the full points. Doma United that began the season on a promising note are now facing relegation after suffering a two-nil defeat at Katsina United. Samson Olasupo and Azeez Falolu scored for Katsina United. Already relegated, Heartland edge past Niger Tornadoes through a solitary strike from Chukwudi Esobe on 18 minutes. Kano Pillars, perhaps, earned themselves a decent point in Jos after going a man down when Mustapha Salisu was sent off three minutes before the break for a dangerous challenge on Plateau United goalkeeper John Amah. Rabiu Ali then stunned the home side giving Kano Pillars the lead on 62 minutes but it lasted just two minutes when Sam Pam Jr levelled the score for Plateau United. The penultimate matchweek continues on Sunday with decisive matches involving title contenders, Rangers, 3SC, Remo Stars and champions Enyimba. At the other end of the standings, Sporting Lagos, Bayelsa United, Sunshine Stars and Akwa United will look to earn themselves decent results ahead of the final day in a bid to escape the drop. MATCHDAY 37 Saturday results Plateau United 1-1 Kano Pillars Lobi Stars 4-3 Kwara United Katsina United 2-0 Doma United Rivers United 6-0 Gombe United Heartland 1-0 Niger Tornadoes Sunday fixtures Sporting Lagos v Enyimba Bayelsa United v 3SC Rangers v Bendel Insurance Abia Warriors v Akwa United Sunshine Stars v Remo Stars
Match officials & TV schedule for Matchday 37
It is the penultimate matchweek of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and it serves up a handful of interesting matchups involving title contenders, continental spot seekers and those in the race for survival. Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 37. There will be six LIVE matches all together for this gameweek on NPFL-Live and StarTimes. Saturday, June 15, 2024 PLATEAU UNITED v KANO PILLARS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Grema Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Abba Dada Assistant referee 2: Emmanuel Ogar Fourth official: Adamu Yakubu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos LOBI STARS v KWARA UNITED Referee: Ovie Ibodor Assistant referee 1: Amos Onuwor Assistant referee 2: Abdulwahab Bakare Fourth official: Musa Talle Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia KATSINA UNITED v DOMA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Levi Akpera Assistant referee 1: Jefferson James Assistant referee 2: Louis Gwatana Fourth official: Maikudi Abdullahi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina RIVERS UNITED v GOMBE UNITED Referee: Bashir Adamu Assistant referee 1: Ayuba Yusuf Assistant referee 2: Gbenga Onilearo Fourth official: Oluwatobi Mojeed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt HEARTLAND v NIGER TORNADOES Referee: Funmi Alaba Assistant referee 1: Victor Akokoba Assistant referee 2: Sodieri Cookey Fourth official: Samson Ikpiwomi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri Sunday, June 16, 2024 SPORTING LAGOS v ENYIMBA (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Saeed AbdulAzeez Assistant referee 1: Moses Alayemola Assistant referee 2: Abibatu Yusuf Fourth official: Morrison Otuwho Kick-off: 4:14pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos BAYELSA UNITED v 3SC (Live on StarTimes) Referee: Buhari Bawa Assistant referee 1: Bashir Yahaya Assistant referee 2: Iraneus Ezobele Fourth official: Musibaudeen Ibrahim Kick-off: 2pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa RANGERS v BENDEL INSURANCE (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Kazim Abdulsalam Assistant referee 1: Sanusi Umar Idris Assistant referee 2: Cletus Adewebi Fourth official: Muntaka Abubakar Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu ABIA WARRIORS v AKWA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Taiwo David Assistant referee 1: Omotoye Oluwasakin Assistant referee 2: Stanley Osunde Fourth official: Sadiq Kabir Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia SUNSHINE STARS v REMO STARS Referee: Igwebikwe Akachukwu Assistant referee 1: Maimuri Habu Assistant referee 2: Akilu Usman Fourth official: Daramola Olalekan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Akure Stadium, Akure
Niger Tornadoes aim to stretch to unbeaten run at relegated Heartland
As the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season enters its penultimate matchday, Niger Tornadoes will, on Saturday, go up against Heartland who have now been relegated from the top-flight. Last matchday, a 1-4 defeat on the road to Remo Stars brought to an end any hope of Heartland beating the drop this season but the Naze Millionaires will now only play for pride when they play hosts to Tornadoes, who themselves are five points above the relegation zone. Tornadoes are unbeaten in their last four matches (W1 D3), but have lost in their last four trips at Heartland. Head coach of the Minna club, Majin Mohammed, knows the task ahead and is keen to ensure that Tornadoes are not dragged into the dogfight ahead of the final matchday. “It is an important game and we want to ensure that we keep our good form going which will have an effect on the league table at the end,” he said. In the reverse fixture this season, Tornadoes saw off Heartland by the odd goal in a 3-2 win. Tornadoes will face Heartland without Chidi Ernest who is suspended following accumulated yellow cards.
Match officials & TV schedule for Matchday 36
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) continues this midweek with nine matches this Wednesday while the Doma United versus Sunshine Stars game has been moved to next week following the former’s involvement in a road accident. Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 36. There will be five LIVE matches all together for this gameweek on NPFL-Live and StarTimes. Wednesday, June 12, 2024 BENDEL INSURANCE v RIVERS UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Saheed Babayanju Assistant referee 1: Olaleke Olawale Assistant referee 2: Gbenga Komolafe Fourth official: Joshua Olabode Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City ENYIMBA v BAYELSA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Abdullahi Abubakar Assistant referee 1: Damilola Oloyede Assistant referee 2: Isyaku Musa Fourth official: Salmanu Auwalu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba 3SC v RANGERS (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Bashiru Saidu Assistant referee 1: Ibrahim Yusuf Assistant referee 2: Bobby Yali Fourth official: Ikpomwonsa Imuentiyan Kick-off: 5:30pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan GOMBE UNITED v ABIA WARRIORS (Live on StarTimes) Referee: Mohammed Zakari Assistant referee 1: Shehu Abdullahi Assistant referee 2: Amber N. Samuel Fourth official: Opeyemi Usman Kick-off: 3:30pm Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe AKWA UNITED v KATSINA UNITED Referee: Faisal Inuwa Assistant referee 1: Hope Igho Assistant referee 2: Aniekwe Arinze Fourth official: Bright Nwosu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo REMO STARS v HEARTLAND Referee: Joseph Ogabor Assistant referee 1: Sodieri Cookey Assistant referee 2: Jonathan Dauda Fourth official: Enize Gwegwe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne NIGER TORNADOES v LOBI STARS Referee: Kazeem Abdulsalam Assistant referee 1: Samuel Pwadutakam Assistant referee 2: Aminu Salihu Fourth official: Alfa Sadiq Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna KWARA UNITED v KANO PILLARS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Promise Amadi Assistant referee 1: Felix Ogundiran Assistant referee 2: Shehu Isah Fourth official: Chidi Igwe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin SPORTING LAGOS v PLATEAU UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Auwalu Rabiu Assistant referee 1: Daniel Mark Assistant referee 2: Austin Onyika Fourth official: Ekene Chanumuya Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos Wednesday, June 19, 2024 DOMA UNITED v SUNSHINE STARS Referee: Ahmad Rabiu Assistant referee 1: Musa Dong Davou Assistant referee 2: Yahaya Ikara Fourth official: Joseph Godem Kick-off: 3pm Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe
Fall-out of Enugu incident, NPFL sanctions Enyimba, Rangers
• Rangers fined N5m, awarded 3points, 3goals • Enyimba fined N10m, ordered to produce disruptive players, club officials Rangers International of Enugu and Enyimba International of Aba have both been charged and fined for several infractions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) rules arising from their respective conducts in the Matchday 35 fixture in Enugu on Sunday, June 9. Enyimba was charged with a slew of breaches and fined a total of N10, 000, 000 (Ten million Naira) including forfeiture of three points and three goals as well as a directive to identify and produce for further investigation and appropriate sanctions players and officials complicit in the disruptive conducts (particularly against the match officials) that led to a discontinuation of the game. Rangers, the host team was cited for breach of Rule B15.24 relating to selling tickets beyond the capacity of the stadium and leading to overcrowding and endangering the safety of players, match officials and fans. Based on the same rule B13.52, Rangers were also charged for failure to provide adequate and effective security before, during and after the match. On a third count, Rangers were charged with a breach of Rule B13.52.1 for failing to implement adequate and effective crowd control measures. On a fourth count, the Enugu side was also charged for failure to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to restricted areas. For the listed breaches, Rangers was fined a total of N5,000,000 (Five million Naira) and ordered to implement a more effective crowd control mechanism in subsequent home games In specific charges brought against Enyimba International, the NPFL listed breaches of Rule C9, B6.23, B13.18, C1.1 and B13.24. On charge B6.23, Enyimba was fined N5,000,000 for disrupting on-going transmission of a live match broadcast. The NPFL Summary Jurisdiction also made “an order for the forfeiture of three points and three goals in favour of your opponents for refusing to allow the penalty awarded in favour of your opponents to be taken, thereby disrupting the match and bringing the game to disrepute”. It further ordered Enyimba to “identify and produce for further investigation and appropriate sanctions, other players and officials complicit in the disruptive conducts (particularly against the match officials) that led to a discontinuation of the game, in addition to the following identified players; Eze Ekwutoziam (Jersey No.6), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Jersey No.27), and Akanni Elijah (Jersey No.10)”. The two clubs are expected to in accordance with Rule C26, required, within 48 hours of the date of the issuance of the notice of the charges and the fines, to either submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions or elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel. They are also required to communicate in writing whichever option they adopted within seven working days.
Elegbeleye sends message of support to Doma Utd after accident
Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye has sent a solidarity message to the Chairman and Management of Doma United over the road accident involving their contingent on their way home from the NPFL Matchday 35 fixture in Owerri. Elegbeleye who put a call through to the Doma United Chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Umar, expressed sympathies on behalf of the NPFL Board and Management, noting that he was happy that there were no fatalities arising from the road crash. The Gombe-based club was on their way back when the bus skidded off the road along Makurdi-Lafia road during heavy rains. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Doma United and the contingent at this very difficult time. “On behalf of the NPFL Board and Management, I wish the injured persons speedy and full recovery with hope that they would return to action soon. We are particularly relieved that there was no loss of lives in the accident and we pray for the safety of all other teams and their fans as we gradually roll up the season”, Elegbeleye stated.
Match officials & TV schedule for Matchday 35
The ‘Final Stretch’ of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) extends into the deep end of the campaign with a top-of-the-table clash in Enugu alongside a pocket of head-to-head fixtures involving the clubs in the danger zone of the standings.. Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 35. There will be six LIVE matches all together for this gameweek on NPFL-Live and StarTimes. Saturday, June 8, 2024 PLATEAU UNITED v KWARA UNITED (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Nurudeen Abubakar Assistant referee 1: Segun Akinsanya Assistant referee 2: Ahmad Tijjani Fourth official: Smart Udeh Kick-off: 4pm Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos KATSINA UNITED v GOMBE UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Ben Onyika Assistant referee 1: Adama Nelson Assistant referee 2: Ben Japhet Fourth official: Olaniyi Oladapo Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina KANO PILLARS v NIGER TORNADOES (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Ridwan Ayeni Assistant referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman Assistant referee 2: Emmanuel Omada Fourth official: Sunday Uboho Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Sunday, June 9, 2024 BAYELSA UNITED v SPORTING LAGOS Referee: Anthony Eze Assistant referee 1: Mahmud Yakubu Assistant referee 2: Blessing Chukwu Fourth official: Stephen Nwaduke Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa RANGERS v ENYIMBA (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: John Ojeleye Assistant referee 1: Busayo Ogunyanmodi Assistant referee 2: Mfon Friday Fourth official: Shina Iranloye Kick-off: 5pm Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu RIVERS UNITED v 3SC Referee: Adama Abdulkadir Assistant referee 1: Adamu Bako Musa Assistant referee 2: Beauty Kabeda Fourth official: Sambo Mohammed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt ABIA WARRIORS v BENDEL INSURANCE (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Bashir Salisu Assistant referee 1: Folashade Ekun Assistant referee 2: Muyiwa Oladoja Fourth official: Jamilu Hamisu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia SUNSHINE STARS v AKWA UNITED Referee: Ephraim Iyorhe Assistant referee 1: Friday Abu Assistant referee 2: Jerry Pam Fourth official: Ugochukwu Nnaemeka Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Akure Stadium, Akure HEARTLAND v DOMA UNITED Referee: Abdulrahman Adeniji Assistant referee 1: Tejiri Digbori Assistant referee 2: Samson Fisobe Fourth official: Idris M. Rabiu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri LOBI STARS v REMO STARS (Live on StarTimes) Referee: Nasiru Suleiman Assistant referee 1: Usman Isah Assistant referee 2: Peter Ogwu Fourth official: Usman Aliyu Kick-off: 3pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia