Ikorodu City returned to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings after edging past Abia Warriors 1-0 on Sunday. Playing in front of their home fans at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos, City knew that a win of any kind could propel them back to the top of the table by superior goals difference provided Nasarawa United dropped all points. It turned out to be cagey contest and the first half ended scoreless. However on 69 minutes, Chidera Oparaoacha benefited from a schoolboy goalkeeping to score the goal that lifted the Oga Boys not just above Abia Warriors but to the top of the table. Nasarawa United who began the matchweek on top of the pile failed to avoid defeat at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro where Warri Wolves won 1-0. Othuke Egbo’s early goal on five minutes was enough for Wolves to claim the full points on the return of their suspended head coach, Napoleon Aluma. BRAGGING RIGHTS GOES TO PEOPLE’S ELEPHANT In the Oriental Derby, two of the country’s most decorated side in the NPFL, Enyimba and Rangers International clashed at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. Both teams have 17 NPFL titles between them with Enyimba eyeing a 10th. It was however Enyimba that came out tops by winning 2-1 after going two goals up through Chidera Michael (42′) and Stanley Dimgba (81′). Rangers left it too late before pulling one back through Kenechukwu Agu who curled in a free kick inside added time of the second half. BATTLE IN THE BOTTOM-FOUR The matchweek was not all about the battle for places in top of the table, as Bendel Insurance, Barau FC, Kun Khalifat FC and Plateau United all aimed to stay above the drop zone. It was new boys Kun Khalifat FC who stunned Plateau United 2-0 to take their place above the bottom-four. Second half goals from Lekan Gabriel and Henry Ezeonye condemned Plateau United to defeat and meant they dropped into the danger zone after starting the matchday above it. On Saturday, Bendel Insurance had temporarily climbed out of the bottom-four following a 3-0 win over Wikki Tourists with goals from Chinedu Nwosu, Emmanuel Dung and Emmanuel Akpan. But all that changed on Sunday after Kun Khalifat’s win. Barau FC also pinned in the bottom-four had to give everything to edge past a determined Kwara United in a thrilling contest at the San Abacha Stadium in Kano. Stanley Oganbor’s late header rendered Kwara United’s fight of little value as Barau FC ran out 3-2 winners. Barau FC had led twice through Usman Maidubji (19′) and Muhammad Umar (43′) while Kwara United fought back with goals from Chibuzor Eze Ogbodo (40’) and Aule Johnmark (49’). OTHER GAMES Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) did enough to get past El-Kanemi Warriors with their low block style. Ismail Ayodele netted on 29 minutes and that proved sufficient for Nurudeen Aweroro’s men to take the full points. The champions, Remo Stars, suffered their seventh of the season when they lost 0-1 at Niger Tornadoes. Clinton Jephta scored the goal. After a lengthy delay in commencement due to heavy rainfall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa United and Katsina United shared points in a 1-1 draw. Both goals were scored in the first half. Ifeanyi Ogba put Bayelsa United in front on seven minutes from the spot before Azeez Falolu levelled the score for Katsina United on 36 minutes. The season continues with two rearranged fixtures this midweek. Shooting Stars play hosts to Remo Stars while Rivers United who have been busy lately in the CAF Champions League face bottom-placed Kano Pillars.
Bendel Insurance hammer Wikki, as Tornadoes claim slim win
Saturday was a good day in the office for home teams in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes defeated their opponents to claim full points. At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance did not hold back the brakes as they came down heavily on visiting Wikki Tourists. The Benin Arsenals posted their biggest win of the campaign by hitting Wikki three-nil. Chinedu Nwosu opened the scoring on 16 minutes to ensure Kennedy Boboye’s side we’re on their way to record a commanding triumph. Two minutes after the break, Emmanuel Dung doubled Insurance’s lead before Emmanuel Akpan added a third on 59 minutes to seal an impressive outing for the Edo club who now temporarily move out of the bottom-four until Sunday’s fixtures. The champions, Remo Stars, suffered their seventh defeat of the season. They lost 0-1 to an early goal at Niger Tornadoes scored by Clinton Jephta on two minutes. The win ensured Tornadoes climb into the top-three of the standings pending the outcome of Sunday’s matches in the NPFL. Seven matches are lined up for Sunday including league-leading Nasarawa United playing on the road at Warri Wolves.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 15
Here are the referees appointed for this matchweek as there will be six live broadcast via NPFL-Live powered by Propel Sports including one game on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN): Saturday, November 29, 2025 BENDEL INSURANCE V WIKKI TOURISTS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Nkemka Ugo Chukwu Assistant referee 1: Opeyemi Usman Assistant referee 2: Fisobe Samson Fourth official: Patience Ndidi Madu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City NIGER TORNADOES V REMO STARS Referee: Bawa Buhari Assistant referee 1: Mahmud Mansur Ngaski Assistant referee 2: Yahaya Ikara Fourth official: Bashir Salihu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna Sunday, November 30, 2025 SHOOTING STARS SPORTS CLUB (3SC) V EL-KANEMI WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports & FRCN) Referee: Emmanuel Ocheme Assistant referee 1: Adamu Zakari Assistant referee 2: Auwalu Salmanu Fourth official: Emmanuel Omada Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan BARAU FC V KWARA UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Haruna Isah Kalshingi Assistant referee 1: Abdullahi Shuaibu Assistant referee 2: Nura Ali Fourth official: Gaddafi Abubakar Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano ENYIMBA V RANGERS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Chidiebere Onyemezie Assistant referee 1: Emmanuel Igwe Assistant referee 2: Yazid Bashir Fourth official: Joseph Ogabor Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba BAYELSA UNITED V KATSINA UNITED Referee: Yemisi Akintoye Assistant referee 1: Adamu Bako Assistant referee 2: Jimoh Abubakar Fourth official: Banchir Kamga Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa IKORODU CITY V ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Abdulganiyu Bello Assistant referee 1: Anas Ibrahim Assistant referee 2: Amos Onunwor Fourth official: Kuote Sivivie Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos KUN KHALIFAT FC V PLATEAU UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Adeniyi Adewale Assistant referee 1: Sunday Uboho Assistant referee 2: Tomiwa Akinwale Fourth official: Tejiri Digbori Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri WARRI WOLVES V NASARAWA UNITED Referee: Saheed Babayanju Assistant referee 1: Sodik Adejumoh Assistant referee 2: Justice Nwauzobilom Fourth official: Faro Abdulrahman Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Southern Delta University Stadium, Ozoro Wednesday, December 3, 2025 RIVERS UNITED V KANO PILLARS Referee: Lamido Ahmed Assistant referee 1: Musa Hussaini Assistant referee 2: Muhammed Sambo Fourth official: Sunday Samuel Azi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt
Warri Wolves recall suspended coach Aluma
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Warri Wolves, has brought back their head coach, Napoleon Aluma, after a two-month suspension. Aluma resumes immediately in his head coach role and is now taxed with taking charge of preparation for Sunday’s meeting with table-topping Nasarawa United at the Southern Delta State University Stadium in Ozoro. ”Warri Wolves have officially reinstated their suspended Technical Adviser, Coach Aluma Napoleon, bringing an end to his two-month absence from the team. The club confirmed that Napoleon has resumed duties immediately and will once again take full leadership of the squad as the NPFL season progresses,” a statement issued by the club on Thursday revealed. Aluma was suspended in late September by the club owing to a poor run of results. Hs place was taken by assistant coach, Johnny Austin. ”This (suspension) decision became necessary following the underperformance of the club which only recently gained promotion to the NPFL,” the club explained then. In the absence of Aluma, Wolves have played eight NPFL matches under Austin as interim head coach and have won three (W3 D3 L2). Warri Wolves currently occupy ninth place on the standings with 19 points from 14 matches and Aluma’s major task will be to steady the ship and keep them in the top division for another season.
NPFL slams 3SC Sporting Director, Tobi of ignorance of club licensing operations
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) Sporting Director, Tobi Adepoju Samuel has been reprimanded by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for making false and disparaging social media posts against the person and office of the NPFL Chairman, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye. In a post on the microblogging platform X, Tobi claimed that Elegbeleye as the NPFL Chairman approved stadiums with poor playing pitches for matches of the top league. He further claimed that the club players have been injured as a result of playing on poor pitches. In a letter of reprimand, Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, chided Tobi for peddling wrong information capable of conveying the wrong perception of the person of the Chairman and the league itself. Owumi wrote, “Our attention has been drawn to a false claim you made on the microblogging platform known as X in which you maliciously accused the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye of approving the use of a stadium which caused injury to players of your club. ”The allegation which has been published by NaijaFooty, an online blog is patently false because Elegbeleye and the NPFL are not responsible for stadium approvals which fall under Infrastructure requirements of the Nigeria Football Federation Club Licensing Regulations”. He accused the club officer of bringing the office of the NPFL Chairman to disrepute and also casting aspersions on the NPFL as a body contrary to Rule A5.5.2 of the NPFL Framework and Rules. The rule provides that “No Club, either by itself, its servants or agents shall by any means whatsoever unfairly criticize, disparage, belittle or discredit the NPFL or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.” Owumi noted that clubs and the NPFL share communication channels through which complaints can always be lodged. He cited a recent case of Abia Warriors that filed a complaint against a referee that officiated their Matchday 14 fixture in Umuahia with a video evidence forwarded. ”They could have gone to the media to criticise the referee and the league, but they did the right thing by sending a petition with evidence, and which has been referred to the Referees Appointment Committee for a review of the referee’s performance”, the league operations chief revealed. The letter of reprimand directed Tobi to publish the correct situation of club licensing, apologise to the chairman and show cause why the NPFL will not impose disciplinary measures on him.
Wikki’s new talent Abubakar Aliyu burst out of the blocks
Abubakar Aliyu is a common name in the Northern parts of Nigeria, and just a few years ago, there was an Abubakar Aliyu in the top division in the country and he also turned heads featuring for Nasarawa United. That Abubakar Aliyu also went ahead to play in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) meant for home-grown talents under Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles head coach. However another Abubakar Aliyu has emerged and this time at Wikki Tourists. The left-back, who joined from Warinji FC after being scouted by Wikki Tourists head coach Abdu Maikaba, chose the big stage to announce his arrival and in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday. Abubakar Aliyu scored the winner to condemn Enyimba to a home defeat and his goal had brilliance written all over it. The wing-back took his time after cushioning the ball and fired from more than 40 yards out to catch Enyimba goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga off his line. It was a moment of pure magic laced with fearlessness, confidence and incredible technique by the Wikki man. He also mixed up his performance with powerful and fearless defensive display against the nine-time NPFL winners in a game in which he was expected to be second best. Surely Wikki have unearth a gem in their left-back and he could go places under the watch of Maikaba known as The Teacher and for his appetite for working with young talents.
Matchday 13 wrap: Ikorodu City go top, Wikki win at Enyimba
Ikorodu City are now top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) standings after their 2-1 win over Plateau United in one of Sunday’s fixtures but the result of the matchweek was Wikki Tourists edging Enyimba 1-0 in Aba. City began the matchweek as the club with the best form guide with seven games undefeated and 515 matches without conceding, more than five straight clean sheets. As expected the Oga Boys got their noses in front through Joseph Arumala’s header off Folarin Temitope’s cross from a free kick on 47 minutes. Arumala’s goal set the tone for the in-form side and within six minute substitute Alade Balogun doubled the after benefiting off a defensive mix-up by Plateau United to score his first of the campaign for Ikorodu City. However, Ikorodu City lost their clean sheet streak when Wisdom Ndon headed in Tarabina Biweribo’s long throw-in past goalkeeper Michael Atata, whose run without conceding ended at 587 minutes – over six league games. The win lifted Ikorodu City to the top of the pile ahead of Nasarawa United who dropped to second due to inferior goals. Ikorodu City and Nasarawa United have 24 points apiece. Anas Yusuf handed Nasarawa United an early lead at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri against Kun Khalifat FC and it looked like the Solid Miners were en route to staying top for another matchday until Stanley Otu popped to level the score for the new boys on 65 minutes. SHOCK RESULT OF MATCHWEEK Despite a run of poor results in their last seven league matches (W1 D3 L3) prior to Sunday’s match, Enyimba were favourites to win against Wikki whom they are undefeated against in their last six NPFL head-to-head (W4 D2). It was Abubakar Aliyu’s goal from almost the centre of the pitch on 33 minutes that settled the contest at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba leaving eggs on the face of goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga who was caught off the line by the Wikki youngster. The 1-0 win ensured Wikki claimed their first league win over Enyimba in six years. SATURDAY THRILLER IN BENIN CITY & COMEBACKS The matchweek began in Benin City, home of Bendel Insurance who had to dig deep to see off Kano Pillars. Both clubs started the gameweek as the bottom-two and with miserable form guides. Insurance got themselves well on the way through Kayode Oke’s 17th-minute goal before Rabiu Ali equalized for Kano Pillars on 34 minutes and then Chiedozie Okorie produced a sumptuous finish four minutes later for the Kano ensuring they led 2-1 at the break. Kennedy Boboye, like his Kano Pillars counterpart, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, still seeking their first win since taking charge of their sides in October, galvanized his men to a 3-2 comeback win. Emmanuel Dung levelled the score to 2-2 on 75 minutes before Emmanuel Akpan’s cross-cum-shot was turned in for an own goal to give Boboye a relief. Talk of comebacks, Rivers United turned things around at their Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium ground after Adebambo Ademola gave Warri Wolves the lead on 25 minutes. Five minutes later, Emmanuel drew them level and 13 minutes into the second half, Samson Obi’s goal sealed the points for Finidi George’s men who are now third on the table with an outstanding game. NEW BOYS BARAU FC LEAP OUT OF DANGER Newcomers Barau FC, on Monday, stunned Rangers International 2-0 in a closed door game at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. A goal in each half from Muhammed Umar and substitute Joseph Kemin ensured that the Maliya Boys move out of the bottom-four for the first time in weeks. El-Kanemi Warriors and Niger Tornadoes posted 2-0 wins over Kwara United and Katsina United. Mukhtar Ismail and Daddy Abdulrahman scored for El-Kanemi while Ismail Sarki and Abdulrasheed Dabai got the goals for Tornadoes. Bayelsa United won back-to-back home matches for the first time this season when they defeated Abia Warriors 2-1. Chinedu Sunday and Chinedu Emmanuel’s goals were sandwiched by Sunday Megwo’s strike for Warriors at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa. The NPFL continues this midweek with outstanding matches.
NPFL mourns Okolie, Rangers Media Director
By George Akpayen The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has described the recent death of Mr Norbert Okolie as unfortunate and a loss to the sports industry as a whole. The late Okolie served as the Media Director of NPFL side, Rangers International until his death over the weekend. He was also a former Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and a member of the national council. In a statement, Harry Iwuala, the NPFL Media Director described the late Okolie as one of the most resourceful club Media Directors. “I have worked and is still working with the NPFL Clubs Media Directors and Norbert was one of the few that stood in the way he engaged on behalf of the club with the public, especially the sporting media”, Iwuala said. “As a Photo Journalist, he deployed his skills to accentuate his role as a media content provider to the NPFL, the media and the general public”, he added. Iwuala extended condolences to his immediate family, the club, Sports Writers and NPFL Media Directors Association.
Boboye’s Bendel Insurance era off the mark in thriller against Kano Pillars
By George Akpayen Kennedy Boboye needed 33 calendar days and five matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to finally claim his first win since taking charge at Bendel Insurance on October 21 this year. Boboye however had to watch in animated mood on the sidelines as his men dug deep to earn him his first full points with the Benin Arsenals in a nervy 3-2 win over bottom-placed Kano Pillars in Saturday’s only fixture in Nigeria’s top division at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. The former Plateau United manager and his Kano Pillars counterpart, Mohammed Baba Ganaru began the matchweek in bottom-two places and interesting both of them prior to Saturday’s meeting were yet to win any game since taking up appointments as head coach of their respective clubs. Boboye was on a run of four winless matches (D3 L1) while Baba Ganaru, brought in to help Kano Pillars out of danger in late October, had managed to take a point out of nine (D1 L2). It all began on a good note for Boboye’s team when Kayode Oke handed them the lead on 17 minutes in this early relegation six-pointer in the season and it was all looking like a familiar story for the Sai Masu Gida who have struggled to make any sort of impact in the early stages of this campaign. But in five crazy minutes before halftime, Kano Pillars found themselves in front despite the soggy condition of the Benin City stadium following heavy rain. Rabiu Ali levelled the score from the spot on 34 minutes before Chiedozie Okorie’s brilliant strike handed Kano Pillars the lead four minutes to the shock of the home side’s bench and supporters. At the break, Boboye and his men trailed and it looked like the game had slipped out of their hands. At the start of the second half, the rain had subsided and Bendel Insurance swung into the action and pinned Kano Pillars in their half for most of the early parts of the restart. The pressure paid off 15 minutes to time when Emmanuel Dung fired Bendel Insurance back into the contest from inside the box to draw them level at 2-2. Kano Pillars at this point were sixes and sevens after Baba Ganaru had made changes in a bid to protect his side’s one-goal lead including yanking off Rabiu Ali for a more defensive Habibu Yakubu in one of his substitutions. Two minutes to time, Bendel Insurance regained the lead. Emmanuel Akpan waltzed his way past his marker on the left channel and his cross-cum-shot was turned into the net by a Kano Pillars player for an own goal. The subdued reaction of the Kano Pillars players and their bench captured the story of another bad day in the office for Sai Masu Gida who remain rooted to the bottom of the NPFL standings. Bendel Insurance, on the other hand, climb out of the bottom-two but remain within danger of the last four on the table. Matchday 13 of the NPFL continues on Sunday and Monday with eight more matches as the clash between Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Remo Stars has been postponed owing to the former’s ground being used for the PDP convention.
Match officials & broadcast schedule for Matchday 13
There will be nine matches on offer this matchweek as the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) versus Remo Stars game is postponed as the venue is scheduled to play host to another event on Saturday. Six of the nine games are live on NPFL-Live powered by Propel Sports including one game on Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). Here are also the match officials appointed for this gameweek: Saturday, November 15, 2025 BENDEL INSURANCE V KANO PILLARS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Chineme Ajibo Assistant referee 1: Smart Udeh Assistant referee 2: Folashade Ekun Fourth official: Babatunde C. Adewebi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City Sunday, November 16, 2025 EL-KANEMI WARRIORS V KWARA UNITED Referee: Noah Adejoh Assistant referee 1: Mukhtari Usman Assistant referee 2: Jamilu Hamisu Fourth official: Bala Aliyu Kyari Kick-off: 4pm Venue: El-Kanemi Warriors Stadium, Maiduguri SHOOTING STARS SPORTS CLUB (3SC) V REMO STARS (Postponed; Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Mohammed Kawu Dahiru Assistant referee 1: Kehinde Joseph Onaleye Assistant referee 2: Muazu Dahiru Fourth official: Damilola Oloyede Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan NIGER TORNADOES V KATSINA UNITED Referee: Abdulganiyu Abdulmalik Assistant referee 1: Abba Dada Baba Assistant referee 2: Stanley Osunde Fourth official: Usman Abdullahi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna ENYIMBA V WIKKI TOURISTS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Ridwan Ayeni Assistant referee 1: Alhassan Z. Bello Assistant referee 2: Gbenga Akomolafe Fourth official: Friday Abu Emeje Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba BAYELSA UNITED V ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Adeniji Abdulrahman Assistant referee 1: Ahmed Mohammed Bagudu Assistant referee 2: Kayode Ayodeji Adeniyi Fourth official: Oluwatosin Omotoye Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa IKORODU CITY V PLATEAU UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Alohan Osakpamwan Assistant referee 1: Ota Joel Onoh Assistant referee 2: Samson Ikpi Womi Fourth official: Uchenna Enyadike Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos RIVERS UNITED V WARRI WOLVES (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports & FRCN) Referee: Ahmad Rabiu Assistant referee 1: Salihu Aminu Assistant referee 2: Indabawa Yusuf Fourth official: Bright Nwosu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt KUN KHALIFAT FC V NASARAWA UNITED Referee: Abdulrasheed Jimoh Assistant referee 1: Imuetinyan Ikpowonsa Assistant referee 2: Victor Akokoba Fourth official: Felagha Johnbull Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri Monday, November 17, 2025 BARAU FC V RANGERS (Live on NPFL-Live/Propel Sports) Referee: Salam Olabode Idris Assistant referee 1: Abdulwahab Bakare Assistant referee 2: Ridwan Lawal Fourth official: Rashidat Abdulganiyu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano
