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
Oriental Derby: Yema says respect for Ilechukwu won’t stop Enyimba
Ahead the Cathedral showdown in Enugu, Enyimba head coach, Yemi Daniel Olanrewaju popularly known as Yema, has warned that though he respects Rangers Fidelis Ilechukwu as a senior colleague, the match is about defending the club’s colours. He would be leading Enyimba to Enugu where the two top teams face off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium with swashbuckling Ilechukwu in the opposite dug-out. After hailing Ilechukwu as his senior and who would have been his boss at the defunct MFM, Yemi warned, “but everyone has to defend his club and try to get the job done”. “He is a great guy I have a lot of respect for and nothing will change no matter the results in Enugu”. “Ilechukwu is a senior and more like a big brother to me. He left MFM when I got there and we have a good relationship”. Still on the Matchday 35 winner-takes-all fixture, Yemi described it as going to be “a tough game, league decider if you ask me. Rangers look like the favorites but we’ll fight till the end” He admitted to not having much scouting of the opponents saying, “I don’t think I know them much. The way they started the season is not the way they are playing now and the formation is also different with personnels”. This lack of deep knowledge of the Enyimba team coupled with their inability to defeat the Flying Antelopes in Aba is not something the Coach is worried about as Accord to him, “if our two points had not been unfortunately deducted, we should be on the same points now”. Yemi could be described as one of the new generation coaches in the Nigeria football ecosystem. He is a young Turk in the football management business with ship sized ambitions and you only have to watch his animated gesticulations on the side lines during matches to agree with this tag. Promoted to the position of Head Coach in the wake of Finidi George’s appointment as Super Eagles manager, Yema as his fans call him is unfazed by the king-size task thrown on his young shoulders in coaching. He is barely five years into the business after starting off with Magate in 2019. Asked if this was going to be his season of big statement as a coach, Yema played it down but insisted that he is not being boastful in claiming some credit for Enyimba’s performance so far. “I don’t think it is a season of a big statement for me, I don’t want to praise myself but I have done well with the club even before being appointed after my big ‘bro’ Finidi left for eagles. I have handled the team for two months while he was away at AFCON and many qualifiers matches and everything was going on smoothly” It is not a light task to work as Coach of a club in a city where the club is hugely loved and expected to return laurels every season. The demands are not lost on him but he would rather dwell on the positives. “I feel good to be the head coach of a big club like Enyimba. I really want to say thank you to the management led by ‘King’ Nwankwo Kanu for the trust and believe. I also wish to say thank you to Aba fans for the massive love and support I get from them always. It has been fun and interesting with support of everyone out there”. Enyimba are two points behind Rangers as both teams go into the first of the last four games to end the season.
Rivers Utd confirm sacking of NPFL longest-serving coach Eguma
After 16 years in the saddle as Rivers United head coach, Stanley Eguma, has officially been cut loose by the Port Harcourt club. The confirmation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club comes more than three weeks since Eguma, whose role is often referred to as technical manager, has been excused from coaching duties in the run-up to ‘The Final Stretch’ of this season. Eguma’s assistant, Evans Ogenyi, stepped in since the absence of NPFL’s longest-serving coach in early May. However, what appears to be the worst kept secret has now been revealed official in a statement Rivers United released on Saturday morning before the commencement of Matchday 34. “The Management of Rivers United FC officially announces the termination of Coach Stanley Eguma’s appointment as Technical Manager of the Club,” the opening part of the statement revealed. Ogenyi has now been officially confirmed as interim head coach until the end of this season. Eguma has worked as coach at Enyimba and Heartland as well as defunct clubs Gabros and Sharks. He joined Dolphins (later merged with Sharks to become Rivers United) in 2008 and has been the head coach of Rivers United since 2016 before the termination of his contract on June 1. Eguma earned his first coaching licence at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in 1999.
Match officials & TV schedule for Matchday 34
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) continues this weekend into Monday as the season enters into the deep end of ‘The Final Stretch.’ Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 34. There will be seven LIVE matches all together for this gameweek on NPFL-Live and StarTimes. Saturday, June 1, 2024 DOMA UNITED v LOBI STARS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Jonathan Zakariya Assistant referee 1: Haruna Abdullahi Assistant referee 2: Abdulmajeed O. Usman Fourth official: Isah Aliyu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe BENDEL INSURANCE v KATSINA UNITED (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Hannah Eliagwu Assistant referee 1: Taofik Alalade Assistant referee 2: Abubakar Jimoh Fourth official: Zakari Mohammed Kick-off: 5:45pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City REMO STARS v KANO PILLARS (Live on StarTimes) Referee: Osas Eboigbodin Assistant referee 1: Wisdom Nwokocha Assistant referee 2: Emmanuel Atu Fourth official: Shehu Abdullahi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne Sunday, June 2, 2024 SPORTING LAGOS v RANGERS (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Chilaka Igwe Assistant referee 1: Bashiru Yahaya Assistant referee 2: Nasiru Iyan Mafara Fourth official: Joel Onoh Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos ENYIMBA v RIVERS UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Grema Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Wasiu Ayinla Assistant referee 2: Tajudeen Bako Fourth official: Abdulkadir Adama Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba 3SC v ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Arewaremi Ebimene Assistant referee 1: Maikudi Abdullahi Assistant referee 2: Anas Ibrahim Fourth official: Ridwan Ajao Kick-off: 5:30pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan GOMBE UNITED v SUNSHINE STARS Referee: Rasheedah Abdulganiyu Assistant referee 1: Seun Olarenwaju Assistant referee 2: Nurah Rabiu Fourth official: Solomon Aweng Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe NIGER TORNADOES v KWARA UNITED Referee: Mamu Umar Assistant referee 1: Cletus Adewebi Assistant referee 2: Linus Ogar Fourth official: Solomon Hindan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna BAYELSA UNITED v PLATEAU UNITED Referee: Yomi Olabiyi Assistant referee 1: Sodiq Sonibare Assistant referee 2: Sani Abdullahi Fourth official: Nonye R. Ibe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa Monday, June 3, 2024 AKWA UNITED v HEARTLAND (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Idris Olabode Assistant referee 1: Sani Baba Assistant referee 2: Blessing Aransonwa Fourth official: Akpera Aondofa Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
