El-Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper, Hakeem Otuyiga, has returned to training after spending more than a month on the sidelines owing to injury. The former Akwa United man joined his teammates this week in training but only did light work. Otuyiga’s return is a boost for El-Kanemi Warriors ahead of the final run-in of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The goalkeeper is happy to be back and is ready to get into the thick of things. ”I am back to training but not fully back. I’ve started rehabilitation. I promise I will be back and better,” Otuyiga told the club’s media. Otuyiga suffered a fractured arm during a tune-up game in early January before the start of the second round and had to undergo a surgery immediately. He has since been out of the El-Kanemi Warriors squad. The goalkeeper has made 16 appearances for El-Kanemi Warriors this season and kept eight clean sheets.
3SC hit four past Wolves, Ikorodu City stun Enyimba
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) did not hold down the brakes on Sunday when they defeated Warri Wolves 4-2 in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. The match did not start exactly the way Nurudeen Aweroro wanted it when they conceded in the seventh minute to Peter Ita’s strike. Wolves’ lead would only last for four minutes before Sodiq Ibrahim levelled the score. Lucky Emmanuel put 3SC ahead on 29 minutes off an absolute brilliant team goal before Desmond Ojietefian made sure the home side took a two-goal lead into the break with a headed finish off Ayobami Junior’s corner kick on 38 minutes. Twenty-four minutes into the restart, Stephen Amos scored the fourth goal for 3SC with a worldie of a strike to make the scoreline 4-1. Four minutes to time, Othuke Egbo made the scoreline a little respectable for Wolves by curling in a free kick to trim 3SC’s lead to two. League leaders, Ikorodu City, kept their place at the top of the standings with an organized performance at Enyimba. The Oga Boys defeated Enyimba 1-0 through Joseph Arumala’s goal on 29 minutes and held on till the end to claim a first win over the People’s Elephant in the NPFL. The defeat now leaves Enyimba just two points overlooking the drop zone. ARUMALA IN GOOD FORM The man whose goal inflicted a painful defeat on Enyimba has now scored four goals in his last four league appearances for Ikorodu City which puts him up as the player with red-hot form at the moment. Arumala’s goals have earned City nine points in wins over 3SC, Niger Tornadoes and now Enyimba. RANGERS NOW IN THE TITLE RACE Hot on the tails of Arumala and his teammates on the standings are Rangers International. They defeated Wikki Tourists 2-0 with first half goals from Wisdom Ebirim and Godwin Obaje. Rangers have now won four of their last six league games which has put them in second place with 43 points, one behind Ikorodu City. HAT-TRICK OF ASSISTS Worthy of mention in the past matchweek is 3SC midfielder Ayobami Junior. He caused Warri Wolves all sorts of trouble with his movements on and off the ball and through his pin-point passing. He contributed three assists to the four goals scored in his club’s 4-2 win over Wolves. THE CHAMPIONS IN TROUBLE The story is different for last season’s winners, Remo Stars who are now in danger of being relegated. The Sky Blue Stars sit in 19th place and have stretched their winless run to six (D2 L4) after a 1-1 draw with Abia Warriors at their adopted Akure Stadium home. The champions needed a late Samson Olasupo goal to cancel out Chukwuemeka Obioma’s 54th minute strike to earn a point. KANO PILLARS CONTINUE ESCAPE CLIMB For former champions, Kano Pillars, it appears they are gradually finding their way out of the bottom-four after closing the gap on the team above them to just goals difference after a 1-1 draw at Kwara United. Luis Dadong rescued a point for Kano Pillars with a 79th minute goal after Johnmark Aule had given Kwara United the lead on 10 minutes. Kano Pillars are in 17th place but level on 29 points with Wikki Tourists in 16th position. Sunday’s early kickoffs produced one-goal wins for El-Kanemi Warriors and Katsina United over Plateau United and Nasarawa United respectively. Usman Bulama scored an 82nd minute goal for El-Kanemi Warriors while Boubacar Massaly netted for Katsina United on 81 minutes. The match between Bayelsa United and Bendel Insurance was the only one that produced no goals. Earlier on Saturday, Barau FC edged past Kun Khalifat FC 1-0 through Joseph Atule’s winner.
Atule’s strike secures double for Barau over Kun Khalifat
Joseph Atule was the hero for Barau FC in the clash of newcomers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as his goal denied Kun Khalifat FC the chance of taking a point in a Matchday 26 fixture on Saturday. Atule, who surprisingly joined Barau FC in the mid-season transfer window, started on the bench but the pair of former Kun Khalifat players, Uche Moses and Henry Ezeonye, were named among the starters by their head coach Eugene Agagbe. Kun Khalifat head coach, Obinna Uzoho, stuck with the side that saw off Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) last matchday that included new-signings, James Ekebuike and Blessed Iyamu. The early moments of the contest at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano was balanced until Ezeonye had an opening on 20 minutes to open scoring but fired his attempt off target. The remaining part of the first 45 minutes was a tight affair except for when Atule came off the bench to Uche Moses who could no longer continue with five minutes to the break. The Maliya Boys approached the second half differently and often times Sagau Aliu became the tormentor of Kun Khalifat with his mazy run on the right channel. On 75 minutes, Sagau’s industry on the wings paid off as his cross was met at the near post by Atule who directed his header past Kun Khalifat goalkeeper Nsikakabong Akpan for the winning goal. It was the first goal for Atule in the green colour of Barau FC and also an important one that helped the Kano club move five points away from relegation spots until Sunday’s matches are determined. On the other hand, Kun Khalifat’s woes deepen as they remain in bottom place with 25 points and three below safety.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 26
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as there will be six matches broadcast across NPFL Live/Propel Sports, AfroSport TV and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Saturday, February 14, 2026 BARAU FC V KUN KHALIFAT FC (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Solomon Aweng Assistant referee 1: Aliu Usman Assistant referee 2: Justin Takyum Fourth official: Tijani Majidadi Kick-off: 3:30pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Sunday, February 15, 2026 RANGERS V WIKKI TOURISTS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Faro Abdulrahman Assistant referee 1: Abubakar Sada Assistant referee 2: Shade Ekun Fourth official: Johnbull Felagha Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu REMO STARS V ABIA WARRIORS Referee: Chado Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Simon T. Ber Assistant referee 2: Ibraheem Boyi Fourth official: Adema Nelson Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Akure Stadium, Akure KWARA UNITED V KANO PILLARS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Abdulmajid Saidu Assistant referee 1: Samuel Olufemi Akinlade Assistant referee 2: Nasiru Iyal Mafara Fourth official: Kabiru Sodiq Adekunle Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Kwara State Stadium Ilorin EL-KANEMI WARRIORS V PLATEAU UNITED Referee: Kenneth Benjamin Assistant referee 1: Ikenna Okerulu Assistant referee 2: Michael Ubah Fourth official: Auwalu Rabiu Kick-off: 3pm Venue: El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri 3SC V WARRI WOLVES (Live on NPFL Live Propel Sports, AfroSport & FRCN) Referee: Jahlove Chukwuka Assistant referee 1: Nura Ali Assistant referee 2: Scholastica Ikeobi Fourth official: Emmanuel Ajewole Kick-off: 4pm Venue: MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta ENYIMBA V IKORODU CITY (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Anderson T. Felagha Assistant referee 1: Elisha Clifford Assistant referee 2: Mohammed Abubakar Fourth official: Taiwo Ikechukwu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba BAYELSA UNITED V BENDEL INSURANCE Referee: Zakari Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Tajudeen Bako Assistant referee 2: Idris Ibrahim Fourth official: Nde Zachariah Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa KATSINA UNITED V NASARAWA UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Joseph Ogabor Assistant referee 1: Iraneus Ezeobele Assistant referee 2: Smart Udeh Fourth official: Nalado Abdullahi Kick-off: 3:30pm Venue: Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina Thursday, March 19, 2026 NIGER TORNADOES V RIVERS UNITED Referee: Grema Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Mudashiru Lukman Assistant referee 2: Bukka Ciroma Fourth official: Uzairu Haruna Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia
Match preview: Barau FC v Kun Khalifat FC
This is a contest of two newcomers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and on paper it looks like a mismatch considering the recent form guides of both teams. They play each other this Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Kun Khalifat were the toast of fans at the early moments of the season before their stock fell. On the other hand, Barau FC have seen their stocks improved after investing in bringing new playing personnel in the mid-season transfer window including signing three of Kun Khalifat’s top stars, Ebuka Nwokorie, Uche Moses and Henry Ezeonye. Already, Moses has hit the ground running, scoring twice in five matches since switching from Kun Khalifat to Barau FC and could prove to be an X factor against his former team when they meet this Sunday. On their part, Kun Khalifat have brought replacements in Blessed Iyamu, Oghenetega Ebetomame and James Ekebuike who have proven their worth by contributing a goal each so far. Barau FC go into this match with so much confidence as they are now three places above the drop zone and unbeaten in their last five matches, meaning they are undefeated in 2026 so far. Eugene Agagbe’s men will be looking to do a double over their opponents having won the first meeting 3-1 in late September 2025. Things are not looking good for Kun Khalifat as they sit in bottom place and four points below safety. The only plus for Obinna Uzoho and his team will be drawing strength from seeing off Shooting Stars 2-0 in the last matchday.
Match preview: Kwara United vs Kano Pillars
Kwara United will on Sunday host Kano Pillars in a Matchday 26 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as the Harmony Boys aim to bounce back from their narrow 1–0 defeat away to Plateau United. Following the disappointing outing in Jos, the players have put the setback behind them and shifted focus to Sunday’s crucial encounter. Kwara United’s training sessions during the week reflected renewed determination and commitment as the team intensify preparations for the fixture. Kwara United have been boosted by the return of Adeshina Gata, Shola Abdulraheem, and Ini Emmanuel, who are back in training after recovering from injuries. However, Babatunde Bright, Alao Mohammed, and Abdulsalam Abdulsalam are currently sidelined due to injuries. Kwara United head coach Ashifat Suleiman, after supervising Friday’s final training session, described the game as a must-win encounter. He charged his players to remain focused, committed, and resolute as they strive to move completely away from the dropped zone. In a major morale booster, APC chieftain and TETFUND board member, Engr Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, has bought out all match tickets to grant supporters and stakeholders free access to the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl of the George Innih Stadium. The gesture is expected to attract a large turnout of fans, creating a vibrant atmosphere to rally the team throughout the 90 minutes. It would be recalled that Kano Pillars edged Kwara United by a lone goal in the first stanza of the season. The Harmony Boys will now look to claim maximum points in front of their home supporters when action kicks off at 4pm on Sunday.
Match preview: Remo Stars vs Abia Warriors
Abia Warriors are set to confront Nigerian champions, Remo Stars in one of the Matchday 26 fixtures of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) scheduled across the country this weekend. This is coming just a week after Abia Warriors were involved in a blockbuster Oriental Derby against Rangers International FC that had spectators at the edge of their seats at the Enyimba Stadium, in Aba. Despite drawing the game goalless, a result that extended the Warriors’ winless streak to four games, the Umuahia club are determined to get back to winning ways as they go hunting in Akure against Remo Stars. The reverse fixture saw the Warriors beat the Ikenne club 2-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium, an outcome the visitors will want to replicate as they hope to keep their continental aspirations alive. The league champions, on the other hand, will surely go all out for a win, having also been winless in their last five games and the realization that they are now swimming in the relegation waters set the tone for an interesting and intriguing spectacle that will be filled with suspense. Umu Chineke have averaged 0.8 goals (scored) per game and 0.68 goals conceded, whereas the Remo Stars have averaged 0.88 goals (scored) and 1.24 goals conceded. After 25 NPFL games played, Abia Warriors are in fifth position on the league table with 39 points, while Remo Stars find themselves in the 19th position with 26 points. Abia Warriors will take on league champions, at the Akure Stadium, this Sunday, from 4pm. INJURY UPDATE OUT Augustine Njoku, Wilson Elu, Ayodele Ezekiel, Imo Obot and Paul Samson are out. IN Yakub Hammed, Innocent Godwin and Israel Joseph are back. HEAD TO HEAD: LAST 5 GAMES 02/10/25 AWFC 2-0 RSFC 29/01/25 RSFC 3-2 AWFC 08/09/24 AWFC 0-2 RSFC 18/02/24 AWFC 0-0 RSFC 21/01/24 RSFC 2-1 AWFC
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 25
Here are the referees lined up for this matchweek as seven games are scheduled for broadcast on NPFL Live powered by Propel Sports Africa and one game on the dial of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Saturday, February 7, 2026 BENDEL INSURANCE V ENYIMBA (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Saheed Babayanju Assistant referee 1: Aanuoluwapo Balogun Assistant referee 2: Sadiq Adejumo Fourth official: Christian Augustine Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City Sunday, February 8, 2026 KANO PILLARS V REMO STARS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Alhassan Mustapha Assistant referee 1: Jerry Jimmy Pam Assistant referee 2: Peter Bwamba Fourth official: Abdulganiyu Abdulmalik Kick-off: 3:30pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano RIVERS UNITED V BARAU FC (Postponed) Referee: Isah Gogo Assistant referee 1: Muyiwa Ladoja Assistant referee 2: Ibrahim Ahmed Fourth official: Nkemka Ugochukwu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt ABIA WARRIORS V RANGERS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Alohan Osakpamwan Assistant referee 1: Koute Sivivie Assistant referee 2: Jimmy Aimuagbonrie Fourth official: Nde Zachariah Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba PLATEAU UNITED V KWARA UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Kingsley Uche Chukwukerem Assistant referee 1: Moses Alaiyemola Assistant referee 2: Kingsley Nze Madu Fourth official: Muazu Dahiru Kick-off: 4pm Venue: New Jos Stadium, Jos IKORODU CITY V NIGER TORNADOES (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports & FRCN) Referee: Emmanuel Adie Assistant referee 1: Gwegwe Enize Assistant referee 2: Austin Onyika Fourth official: Arewaremi Ebineme Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos WIKKI TOURISTS V KATSINA UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Chidiebere Desmond Onyemezie Assistant referee 1: Gerald Anyam Assistant referee 2: Fizobe Samson Fourth official: Muntaka Abubakar Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi WARRI WOLVES V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS Referee: Adeniji Abdulrahman Assistant referee 1: Stephen Nwadukwe Assistant referee 2: Cletus Adewebi Fourth official: Ajibo Chineme Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro KUN KHALIFAT V 3SC (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Yusuf Garba Assistant referee 1: Joel Ota Assistant referee 2: Maimuri Abu Fourth official: Lewis Gwatana Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri NASARAWA UNITED V BAYELSA UNITED Referee: Jeremiah Osunde Assistant referee 1: Ibrahim Anas Assistant referee 2: Yakubu Aliyu Fourth official: Adamu Bashir Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 24
Here are the referees for this matchweek as seven matches will be live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports including one match on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Sunday, February 1, 2026 3SC v RIVERS UNITED (Postponed) Referee: Nurudeen Abubakar Assistant referee 1: Bobby Yalle Assistant referee 2: Aliyu Usman Fourth official: Abdulmajid Suleiman Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan ENYIMBA v BAYELSA UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Jude Tyopine Assistant referee 1: Opeyemi Usman Assistant referee 2: Yusuf Kana Zubairu Fourth official: Cletus Adewebi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba KATSINA UNITED v ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Andrew Iorkyaan Assistant referee 1: Mohammed Sambo Assistant referee 2: Amber Samuel Fourth official: James Jefferson Kick-off: 3:30pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano RANGERS v KANO PILLARS (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Shina Iranloye Assistant referee 1: Morrison Otuwho Assistant referee 2: Ismaila Rasheed Fourth official: Jimmy Aimuagbonrie Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu NIGER TORNADOES v BENDEL INSURANCE Referee: Adewale Adeniyi Assistant referee 1: Fatai Yunusa Assistant referee 2: Akinsanya Akinwale Fourth official: Gbenga Akomolafe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna WIKKI TOURISTS v NASARAWA UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Nasiru Sani Assistant referee 1: Adamu Zakari Assistant referee 2: Auwal Usman Fourth official: Mohammad Ubah Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi Monday, February 2, 2026 EL-KANEMI WARRIORS v KUN KHALIFAT Referee: Rasheedat Abdulganiyu Assistant referee 1: Azi Sunday Samuel Assistant referee 2: Yusuf Dauda Ayuba Fourth official: Rabiu Mohammed Kick-off: 3pm Venue: El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri BARAU FC v IKORODU CITY (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Adamu Yakubu Assistant referee 1: Abba Dada Assistant referee 2: Stanley Idowu Fourth official: Musa Adamu Bako Kick-off: 3:30pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano KWARA UNITED v WARRI WOLVES (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Grema Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Abdulwahab Bakare Assistant referee 2: Bukar Chiroma Fourth official: Joseph Onayemi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin REMO STARS v PLATEAU UNITED (Live on NPFL Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Justin C. Egwom Assistant referee 1: Amos Onunwor Assistant referee 2: Ifeanyi Ibeneme Fourth official: Ridwan Ajao Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City
Amapakabo galvanizes Abia Warriors troops for Katsina trip
Imama Amapakabo has shifted his focus on his side’s next Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) game to this Sunday’s trip to the Northwest town of Katsina. Amapakabo’s men have dropped points in two back-to-back home matches from winning positions and they now play two games on the road on the spin starting with Katsina United before travelling to face the champions Remo Stars. Despite their taking just a point in their last two matches, Amapakabo is confident of taking a result out of Sunday’s clash with Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. ”We have a very long journey to Katsina, so it’s all about staying calm. ”We’ll travel to Katsina, rest and, like every other league game, we’ll play it and try to get something there,” he told the club’s media just before they departed Umuahia for Katsina. Abia Warriors were in second position before their double home fixtures, but a 2-1 defeat to Nasarawa United followed by a 1-1 draw with Wikki Tourists have seen them slip to fourth place on the standings. Now they have to claw back those dropped points in back-to-back aways fixtures at Katsina United and Remo Stars. They also have to play both matches without Augustine Njoku, Yakub Hammed, Wilson Elu, Innocent Godwin, Ayodele Ezekiel and Israel Joseph who are ruled out owing to injuries and illnesses.
