Rangers International striker Godwin Obaje has disclosed that he wants to win the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the top scorer’s award this season. Obaje is one of the frontrunners in the race for the highest goalscorer award in the NPFL this season as he has scored 11 goals, which is equalled by the duo of Ikorodu City’s Joseph Arumala and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors. DOUBLE TARGET The former Plateau United and Wikki Tourists man did not mince words in making his aspirations known by declaring that he is keen to win the top scorer’s award and the league title in the colours of the Flying Antelopes in this campaign. He explained that he would be particularly happy to win the league title, considering that it would be “a life-changing” experience for his younger teammates at Rangers. ”I believe I can win the highest goalscorer award. I am sure I can win it. But my main target is to see my team win the title at the end of the season because we have many young players who now have the chance to win their first (major) trophy. And this is a life-changing advantage for them. So I will be very happy to see Rangers win the trophy,” he told NPFL.com.ng. SECRETS TO LONGEVITY Obaje, who has made more than 260 verifiable NPFL appearances and scored 96 goals, revealed that he has been able to keep going in the top division due to “God and prayers, hardwork and self-discipline.” He disclosed that he puts staying disciplined as a major trait in his longevity. ”I think what keeps me going this year is God and prayers, hard work, and self-discipline. For anything I am doing, discipline is very important,” he explained. GOALS TARGET When he is prodded on a possible numerical target of goals he aims to achieve at the end of this season, Obaje simply left it open, saying he just wants to “score more goals as possible.” ”My target for the season is for me to score as many goals as is possible to help my team,” the 30-year-old Rangers forward said. Obaje, who admires former Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has scored 11 goals in 28 league appearances this season.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 33
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as just one game is LIVE on AfroSoccer DStv channel 254. Saturday, April 4, 2026 WIKKI TOURISTS V ENYIMBA Referee: Jude Tyoapine Assistant referee 1: Bello Zuru Assistant referee 2: Ismaila Rasheed Fourth official: Kamga Bancir Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia Sunday, April 5, 2026 KWARA UNITED V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS Referee: Olabode Salami Assistant referee 1: Victor Akokoba Assistant referee 2: Darlington Nwauzobilom Fourth official: Osas Alohan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos REMO STARS V 3SC (Live on AfroSoccer DStv channel 254) Referee: Abubakar Abdullahi Assistant referee 1: Samuel Pwadutakam Assistant referee 2: Ahmad Yakubu Mohammed Fourth official: Augustine Christian Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne RANGERS V BARAU FC Referee: Bawa Buhari Assistant referee 1: Abba Dada Assistant referee 2: Jimmy Pam Jerry Fourth official: Joel Otta Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu KATSINA UNITED V NIGER TORNADOES Referee: Kalu Ezichi Assistant referee 1: Isah Shehu Assistant referee 2: Justice Nwauzobilom Fourth official: Umar Ibrahim Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina KANO PILLARS V BENDEL INSURANCE Referee: Ridwan Ayeni Assistant referee 1: Muyiwa Oladoja Assistant referee 2: Mustapha Abdulwahab Fourth official: Solomon Hindan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano WARRI WOLVES V RIVERS UNITED Referee: Salihu Bashir Assistant referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman Assistant referee 2: Fourth official: Ber Simon Terungwa Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro NASARAWA UNITED V KUN KHALIFAT FC Referee: Kabiru Sadiq Assistant referee 1: Ahmad Tijjani Assistant referee 2: Opeyemi Usman Fourth official: Zachi Mohammed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia Monday, April 6, 2026 ABIA WARRIORS V BAYELSA UNITED Referee: Adeniji Abdulrahman Assistant referee 1: Ayinde Ojo Assistant referee 2: Folashade Ekun Fourth official: Gbenga Akomolafe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba PLATEAU UNITED V IKORODU CITY Referee: Nurudeen Abubakar Assistant referee 1: Mohammed Ibrahim Assistant referee 2: I.K. Igbonwonsa Fourth official: Nalado Abdullahi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia
NPFL end time battle for title and survival
It’s the final bend on the home stretch of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier League season and for the first time in many years, nothing is guaranteed for any team. With six match weeks left to play, it is fascinating to note that no team is yet certain to either win the league, claim a continental spot or get relegated after thirty-two weeks of grueling football hostilities. This NPFL season has served followers of the beautiful game in Nigeria a memorable time filled with intrigues, drama, shocks, controversies and pleasurable outcomes in equal doses. Hence, the final lap cannot be less exciting. Like Brymo sang in his 2012 song; we all need something. From Lagos to Enugu and from Kano to Port Harcourt, everyone has something they are praying for and wishing to happen. The fickleness in garnered results over the course of the season has led to uncertainties in the achievement of clubs’ aspirations across all rungs of the league’s ladder. THE SEASON SO FAR… This particular NPFL episode is one for the ages! While some perennial title challengers, like Rangers and Rivers United have kept up the chase, some have found themselves gasping and fighting against generational ignominy – a demotion to the second tier. The season started with Nasarawa United and Abia Warriors unexpectedly setting the pace in what was really the tone-setter for an extra-ordinary league season. Both teams continue to lay claim to a likely continental position at the end of the season. The season also unravelled badly for some of the country’s elites as traditional powerhouses Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC found themselves fighting for dear lives at the very lower rung of the table. That should account for one of the most inexplicable stories of the campaign so far. While Pillars experienced relegation as recently as four years ago, Enyimba have been a mainstay in the league for the past 25 years but have their legs shaking at the moment. The other shocking story is that of league’s defending champions Remo Stars who go from being Champions League group stage hopefuls to being a strong NNL candidate, even though their chances of beating the drop has brightened in the past couple of weeks. WHERE WILL THE TROPHY LAND? Although two former champions Rivers United and Rangers International have been neck and neck for the past four match weeks in the race to winning the title, seeing that only five points separate first from fifth with six matches left portrays that teams in 3rd, 4th and 5th are lurking in case of any catastrophic slip from the top two. Rivers United returned to the top of the table last weekend after ending a dreadful run of four successive losses which had allowed Rangers leapfrog them on the log, but the Flying Antelopes themselves succumbed to a 1-3 loss at Shooting Stars, ending their own unbeaten run of eight games. When Rangers won the league two years ago, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side quietly emerged from behind, embarking on a ten-game unbeaten sequence in the second stanza to sneak in just before the tape. They had practically embarked on another of such run this time but with Finidi George’s Rivers United as their contender, the final six matches will present onlookers with the drama worthy of Hollywood’s prime time viewing. Rivers United have tricky away trips to Warri Wolves, Kano Pillars and Wikki Tourists as well as home games against Plateau United, Abia Warriors and Katsina United. They will hope that playing the last game of the season at home would count as advantage against Rangers who end the season away to continental-ticket chasing Ikorodu City. Before then, Rangers have home games against Barau, Enyimba and Bendel Insurance as well as trips to Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United. HELLO CAF COMPETITIONS… Considering that not much grounds are expected to be lost by the top two sides, it is safe to assume that the worst any of them will drop is to 3rd position. Thus, only one continental place is realistically available to be hustled for by Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United and Shooting Stars – with Abia Warriors in with an outside chance. Ikorodu City have a considerate gap in this last bend as they take a two-point cushion to face Plateau United on a neutral ground on Match Week 33. At least a point from that game can strengthen their hold on that spot for the remaining games considering how the home and away pendulum affects results to come. Nasarawa United and Shooting Stars are lurking in the shadows of Ikorodu, waiting to pounce on any slip ups but the Oluyole Warriors hold an advantage over United in that their final three home games including a Match Day 36 clash with Nasarawa United. No team have a better home win record in the league than Shooting Stars this season, and that should mean something when Nasarawa come to Ibadan. Before then though, Shooting have trips to Ikenne and Maiduguri before ending the season away in Minna against relegation haunted Niger Tornadoes. THE RELEGATION BATTLERS… The number of league’s top dogs involved in this season relegation tussle has turned up the entertainment value for neutrals and it will only get more intriguing as the season winds down. As of now, nobody is safe from 20 to 11th with five points separating Niger Tornadoes from Remo Stars in 17th. Poignantly, Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Remo Stars joined in a fierce demotion battle by reigning Cup champions Kwara United is not what the most knowledgeable of predictors could have called before the season started but this has unfolded in front of our very eyes. If the league were to end today, Remo Stars would be demoted to the second division, thereby breaking a 16-year unwanted record of being the NPFL champions that got relegated the following season. Remo are currently two points adrift of safety and they have some difficult games on their plate; starting from this weekend’s home clash
NPFL’s top finishers go down to the wire
By George Akpayen The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars. However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season and this could see as much as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays. Top contenders on the race for the battle for the golden boot are Rangers International striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece. On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each. THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goals involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs. El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists). Obioma is however the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors. Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far. THE CHASING PACK There is also the chasing pack in the race for the golden boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves. The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goalscorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners. There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali. WORTHY MENTION However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and saw red once. Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspiration this season and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays. No doubt, there will be twists and turns in for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds on to claim the top individual prize.
Matchday officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 32
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek. Seven games will be broadcast live across NPFL Live streaming app powered by Propel Sports, AfroSoccer on DStv channel 254 and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). Saturday, March 28, 2026 BENDEL INSURANCE V PLATEAU UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Chineme Ajibor Assistant referee 1: Damilola Oloyede Assistant referee 2: Elder Tomiwa Akinwale Fourth official: Fatai Yunusa Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City KWARA UNITED V NASARAWA UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Noah Adejoh Assistant referee 1: Iraneus Ezeobele Assistant referee 2: Umar Mohammed Fourth official: Chado Mohammed Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos Sunday, March 29, 2026 EL-KANEMI WARRIORS V REMO STARS Referee: Bashir Saidu Assistant referee 1: Zakari Sani Assistant referee 2: Moses Alaiyemola Fourth official: Daniel Ahmadu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri 3SC V RANGERS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports & AfroSoccer DStv ch 254) Referee: Linus Ibuot Assistant referee 1: Womi Samson Assistant referee 2: Nde Zachariah Fourth official: Ridwan Ajao Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan BARAU FC V KATSINA UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Zakari Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Musa Adamu Bako Assistant referee 2: Friday Francis Fourth official: Ngaski Mahmud Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano NIGER TORNADOES V WIKKI TOURISTS Referee: Abdulmajeed Saidu Assistant referee 1: Moukhtar Usman Assistant referee 2: Iyal Nasiru Mafara Fourth official: Ikenna Okerulu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna ENYIMBA V ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Dahiru Kawu Assistant referee 1: Faith Agbons Assistant referee 2: Sufiyanu Bazza Fourth official: Kingsley Uche Madu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba BAYELSA UNITED V KANO PILLARS Referee: Musibaudeen Ibrahim Assistant referee 1: Chinonso Eze Assistant referee 2: Smart Udeh Fourth official: Joseph Onaleye Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa IKORODU CITY V WARRI WOLVES (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Shina Iranloye Assistant referee 1: Mohammed Ahmed Bagudu Assistant referee 2: Tajudeen Bako Fourth official: Rasheedat Abdulganiyu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos RIVERS UNITED V KUN KHALIFAT FC (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports & FRCN) Referee: Stephen Idowu Assistant referee 1: Abdulmajeed Usman Assistant referee 2: Samuel Akinlade Fourth official: Felix Ogundiran Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt
NPFL condoles NRA on the death of president, Sani Zubairu
Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye has commiserated with the immediate Zubairu family, the Nigeria Referees Assistant (NRA) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the death of the NRA President, Alhaji Sani Zubairu. In extending condolences on behalf of the Board and the NPFL clubs on the passing of the retired FIFA referee, Elegbeleye said the contributions of the former referee to the development of the league is a legacy to active and aspiring referees. He prayed for the repose of his soul and that the Almighty Allah comfort his family, referees’ association, and the football community over his demise. The Bauchi-born retired FIFA referee was elected president of the association during the 2023 delegates conference held at Bovina Hotels in Kwara State on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Nasarawa Utd hit four past title contenders Rivers Utd
Nasarawa United were ruthless, on Monday, when they played hosts to Rivers United in a Matchday 31 fixture at the Lafia City Stadium. They defeated their opponents 4-1. The Solid Miners were out of the blocks faster and inside the opening six minutes, they raced into a two-goal lead. Ngei Oluka-Efor, opened the goalscoring with a left-footed volley into the back of the net in the third minute off Sam Pam’s assist. Three minutes later, right-back, Abubakar Abdullahi, rose highest to nod home Nasarawa United’s second goal of the evening after being picked up by Ifeanyi Okechukwu. Rivers United’s woes grew from bad to worse as Chimezie Victor powered home a ferocious effort after benefiting from a brilliant pass from John Joshua in the 15th minute. In the 24th minute, Rivers United pulled one back through Taiwo Abdulrafiu as the Solid Miners held on to a 3-1 lead into the break Thirteen minutes into the second half, JoFrank Istifanus put the game to bed and beyond Rivers United with a delightful finish. It was the second time this season that Rivers United would concede four goals in a single match in the NPFL after suffering a 1-4 loss at Barau FC in December 2025. The result ensures Nasarawa United climb to third position on the table with 50 points, two points behind Rivers United, and four points behind table-topping Rangers of Enugu. Nasarawa United will proceed to Lagos for their next match with a date against Kwara United in the next matchday while Rivers United will play hosts to new boys Kun Khalifat FC in Port Harcourt.
Abia Warriors edge past Niger Tornadoes
Abia Warriors played themselves back in contention for a top-three finish in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a 2-1 win over Niger Tornadoes at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba on Monday. The match lived up to expectation as it was intriguing, intense, and interesting, giving spectators an edge-of-the-seat spectacle. The visitors, who were beaten at home by Abia Warriors in the first meeting in Minna, were surely on a revenge mission as they clearly demonstrated from the beginning of proceedings, but it was the Warriors who had the final say in a hard-fought victory to quench the Ikon Allah’s determination. Goals from Suraju Lawal and Casmir Azubuike gave Umu Chineke a 2-0 cushion, and a consolation strike by Joseph Godfrey settled a thrilling encounter. Abia Warriors head coach, Imama Amapakabo, made two changes to the squad that played in the last league fixture in Kano, with Somiari Alalibo taking the place of Emmanuel Ogbuagu, while Odah Okiemute replaced Ali Ishaku in between the sticks. Some spectators were still making their way into the arena when Umu Chineke took the lead in the seventh minute. Lawal received a pass from Casmir Azubuike in the midfield area, raced goal-wards before cutting inside to release a curling effort that came off the inside of the woodwork and landed into the net, leaving the visitors stunned and the teeming Warriors’ supporters in ecstasy. The Minna club refused to lie low but went in search of the equalizer as they carved out chances of their own that failed to materialize. The Warriors responded in equal measure as Paul Samson and Kunle Adeleke were unlucky not to get their names on the score sheet, while Lawal could not make it a brace when he failed to tap in Chukwuemeka Obioma’s cross from close range in the 36th minute. The second half commenced with the same intensity as the first; both sides having a go at each other. The hosts were forced to make a substitution in the 52nd minute of play when injured Alalibo was replaced by Ogbuagu, and the latter made the most of his introduction 12 minutes later. The Warriors’ number five received a pass, raced into space and delivered a precise pass to Azubuike, who got himself into the visitors’ box, cut inside of his marker before burying the ball into the bottom right corner of Tornadoes goalkeeper Ifeanyi Nchekwube for the second goal of the game. The visitors fought back and were rewarded in the 80th minute when the unmarked Joseph Godfrey was given time and space to shoot from the edge of the box. Godfrey’s goal reduced the deficit to one for Tornadoes. Amapakabo threw on Chindi Merpring, Osahon Nelson and Omoge Ebenezer for Casmir Azubuike, Paul Samson, and Chukwuemeka Obioma, respectively, in a triple substitution to sustain the lead and secure the maximum points as they cap a thrilling encounter with a well-deserved victory. The win puts Abia Warriors three points closer to the top-three in the NPFL table. Up next, Abia Warriors play on the road against Enyimba at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday, March 29, 2026 in the Abia Derby. Niger Tornadoes will return to their Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna to face Wikki Tourists.
Kwara Utd drop crucial points at Remo Stars in survival battle
Federation Cup champions, Kwara United suffered a disappointing 3–1 defeat to Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars in a Matchday 31 encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Sunday. The Harmony Boys made a bright start and took the lead in the 34th minute through Ibrahim Yahaya, who finished off a swift counter-attack after receiving a well-timed pass from Junior Aimufua. However, the lead lasted just four minutes as Ahmed Akinyele restored parity for the hosts in the 38th minute, ensuring both sides went into the break level. But before the break, Kwara United had a golden opportunity to regain the lead in added time of first half when Aimufua was brought down in the penalty area, earning the visitors a spot-kick. Unfortunately, Ini Emmanuel Okon failed to convert from the penalty, leaving the score at 1–1. Remo Stars returned for the second half with renewed intensity, dominating proceedings and dictating the tempo of the game. Their persistence paid off with two quick goals—Haruna Hadi struck in the 70th minute before Victor Mbaoma extended the lead just three minutes later to seal the victory. Speaking after the match, Kwara United head coach Ashifat Suleiman expressed his disappointment with the result, highlighting the missed penalty as a key turning point. “We were punished for not scoring the penalty, which could have been a turning point for us. It’s disappointing,” he said. Kwara United will now shift focus to their next fixtures, where they are scheduled to play back-to-back home games against Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors as they aim to bounce back from the defeat. The champions, on the other hand, will have to make the long trip to the Northeast to face El-Kanemi on Matchweek 32 before returning to their Remo Stars Stadium to play hosts to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in the Southwest Derby.
Rangers go top after comfortable win over El-Kanemi Warriors
Rangers International climbed to the summit of the NPFL table following a commanding 2–0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors in their Matchday 31 clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Sunday. The Flying Antelopes started brightly, dictating the tempo within the opening exchanges and consistently troubling the El-Kanemi defence with incisive runs. Rangers thought they had taken an early lead in the fifth minute when Wisdom Ebirim tapped home from close range after a long throw-in by Daniel Itodo caused confusion in the box. However, the effort was ruled out for offside. Their persistence paid off in the 36th minute when Itodo rose highest to head home Chibueze Oputa’s corner, giving Rangers a deserved lead. Rangers continued to pile on the pressure. Ebirim came close in the 38th minute, but his effort was well saved by goalkeeper Iddrisu Ibrahim. Moments later, a well-worked move saw Waheed Adebayo square the ball to Ibrahim Yusuf, whose shot was blocked. Ebirim remained a constant threat, missing another opportunity in the 43rd minute before Ibrahim Yusuf was denied in a one-on-one situation just before halftime. Rangers went into the break firmly in control but with only one goal ahead. El-Kanemi Warriors returned from the break with renewed intent and registered their first real attempt in the 49th minute, but Lucky Jimoh was equal to the task. Rangers quickly reasserted control, particularly down the left flank. Their dominance was rewarded in the 56th minute when Godwin Obaje latched onto a precise pass from Chibueze Oputa, beat his marker, and fired past the goalkeeper to double the lead. Obaje took his total for the season to 11 with the goal. With a comfortable advantage, Rangers controlled proceedings and pushed for a third. Ikechukwu Mgbemena came close in the 67th minute, while Kenneth Igboke missed a chance from inside the box in the 79th minute. El-Kanemi managed a late effort through Bashar Musa, whose long-range strike was brilliantly saved by Jimoh, but it proved too little, too late. Rangers now have a two-point advantage at the summit of the NPFL standings ahead of second-placed Rivers United who play on Monday at Nasarawa United.
