Nigerian Football
LOBI STARS RESUME DOMESTIC LEAGUE ACTION
BY APESIN ADEMOLA
In between the national and state elections, the Nigerian Professional Football League will witness some rescheduled matches this Sunday.
Defending champions, Lobi Stars find themselves only a step from the bottom of the Group A table.
As a result of their CAF Champions League engagement, which is now in the group stage, the Pride of Benue have played four times in the 10-week season and acquired just seven points, same with Niger Tornadoes, who however have inferior goal difference to be confined to the rear.
Lobi look good to beat visiting Katsina United, which may lift them to No 5, if results in other centres go in their favour.
The home team have won their two matches at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi this season (3-0 versus Kwara United and 2-1 against Rangers), while Katsina United are poor travellers having lost all away fixtures by the same 0-2 scoreline to Remo Stars, Sunshine Stars and Enyimba.
Enyimba are away to Bendel Insurance, who have been at the receiving end of unfair officiating, which provoked Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu to threaten pulling out of the league.
The People’s Elephants are second on the log in this section and will be seeking to close the gap on MFM, who have a four-point cushion and have played a match less.
Enyimba have managed just a point in four away fixtures, while Insurance have won, drawn and lost their three home games to head the bottom four. Victory will see the promoted the Benin Arsenal at least two steps up the ladder from No 9.
Remo Stars, who are placed 10th with eight points from nine matches, return to their base – Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu – after serving banishment to Osogbo since Matchday 3. The Sky Blue Stars have won two of their four home matches, including the one played in Osogbo, and lost 0-1 to MFM.
Wikki Tourists have suffered defeat in all four away matches.
Both sides last met in the NPFL in 2017, winning at home.
In Group B, Akwa United have found their bearing since their home defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors on the opening day of the season.
Except for the 2-2 outcome of their Matchday 4 fixture against Plateau United, the Promise Keepers have won three home matches and another on the road (versus Yobe Desert Stars), plus two points in two other away games to be on the heels of the top two.
Separated from the frontrunners – FC Ifeanyi Ubah and El-Kanemi Warriors – by just three points, Akwa United will usurp the prime position if they win in Gombe given their superior goal difference.
Gombe however have every reason to go all out for maximum points after their nine points from the same number of matches have placed them second from the bottom of the table.
In their last match on the same ground, Gombe lost to their guests, Go Round by a lone goal but have won two matches (against Kano Pillars and Nasarawa United) and drawn the other game in front of their fans.
Bottom-placed Yobe Desert Stars have lost all four away matches and will not like to add another in Kaduna as they face Kada Stars, who themselves had suffered defeat when FC Ifeanyi Ubah visited Kaduda on Matchday 5.
The promoted side has garnered 10 points from eight matches to occupy No 10 in a 12-team group.
Fixtures…
Matchday 1 rescheduled:
Group A:
- Lobi Stars v Katsina United (4pm)
Matchday 2 rescheduled
Group A:
- Remo Stars v Wikki Tourists
- Bendel Insurance v Enyimba (both 4pm)
Group B:
- Gombe United v Akwa United,
- Kada Stars v Yobe Desert Stars (both 4pm)
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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