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NPFL 2022/2023 Preview: Plateau United, Enyimba in heavyweight clash, Double header in Jos

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The action continues as the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season promises another round of scintillating football action this weekend with a doubleheader in Jos and a crunchy North East derby in Maiduguri the pick of the encounters.

Nasarawa United and Plateau United are two of eleven teams in search of their first wins this season. Both sides will be involved in the doubleheader scheduled for the Zaria Road Stadium in Jos on Sunday.

Nasarawa United with zero points from their first two games will face an equally winless Akwa United in the day’s first game at 2pm before Stadium landlords Plateau United slug it out with Enyimba at 4pm.

Surprise group leaders Bendel Insurance have a trip to Ibadan to face Kwara United who are gradually coming around as the draw specialists. Having being held 0-0 in Ibadan by Gombe United on Match Day 1, the Harmony Warriors again battled stadium owners Shooting Stars to the same 0-0 score-line on Thursday. They now go in search of their first goal and win of the season against Monday Odigie’s Insurance on Sunday.

Group A’s final game for the weekend is a North Eastern derby which pits El-Kanemi Warriors against Gombe United in Maiduguri. El-Kanemi enjoyed a successful return of NPFL football to Maiduguri on Thursday, seeing off Nasarawa United and they have a chance to make it two home wins on the bounce against Gombe who have neither scored nor won after two matches.

A tantalising South West derby between Remo Stars and Shooting Stars which will see Gbenga Ogunbote return to Ikenne-Remo for the first time since he left the club in the summer has been moved to Wednesday.

Group B

Group’s surprise leaders Abia Warriors have a chance to make it three wins out of three when they host Lobi Stars in Umuahia on Sunday. Warriors head coach Erasmus Onuh has engineered a best possible start for the modest side but their quality will be put to a great test by Lobi who are coming off a win over Rangers in midweek.

The group’s other front runners Rivers United and Niger Tornadoes have a meeting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Tornadoes’ defence is yet to be breached this term but that will come under serious scrutiny when they face defending champions Rivers United who are fiery at home.

Rangers International will be looking for their first point of the season when Sunshine Stars come calling to Awka with Abdu Maikaba already feeling some early pressure as fans of the Flying Antelopes grow unhappy with their disastrous start.

At the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, two winless sides Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists also come toe-to-toe looking for early-season redemption. While United have a point from their first home game, Wikki have none having lost their opening two matches.

Doma United are still grappling with life among the big boys and the newly promoted side will host Dakkada FC at the Pantami Stadium as they go in search of their first win of the season against Dakkada who have four points out of a possible six.

FULL MATCH DAY 3 FIXTURES (All Sunday, 4pm except otherwise stated)

Group A

Nasarawa United vs Akwa United – 2pm
Plateau United vs Enyimba FC
Kwara United vs Bendel Insurance
Remo Stars FC vs Shooting Stars – Wednesday
El-Kanemi Warriors vs Gombe United

Group B

Rangers Int’l vs Sunshine Stars
Abia Warriors vs Lobi Stars
Bayelsa United vs Wikki Tourists
Doma United vs Dakkada FC
Rivers United vs Niger Tornadoes – Tuesday

 

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Alex Iwobi Ends Fulham’s Premier League Winless Run! Super Eagles Star Fires Cottagers Out of Relegation Zone

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Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi emerged as Fulham’s hero after scoring the decisive goal in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City, handing the Cottagers their first Premier League win of the 2026/27 season.

Sports247 reports that the Nigerian international struck in the 33rd minute, converting an opportunity created by Sander Berge to secure three valuable points for the London club.

The victory also marked a significant breakthrough for Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who celebrated his first Premier League triumph in charge in his seventh league match.

With Fulham desperately searching for their first league victory of the campaign, Iwobi stepped forward to provide the decisive moment.

The breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute when Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge supplied the assist for the Nigerian international to put Fulham ahead. Iwobi’s goal proved enough to separate the two teams as Fulham successfully protected their slender advantage.

For the Super Eagles midfielder, the strike represented an important individual contribution at a time when his club urgently needed a positive result. His ability to influence the outcome highlighted his importance to Fulham’s attacking play.

The result brought welcome relief for Álvaro Arbeloa following a difficult start to his managerial tenure at Fulham. Having gone six league matches without recording a victory, the Spanish tactician finally secured his first Premier League win at the seventh attempt.

The triumph will provide encouragement for the manager and his players as they attempt to build confidence and improve their performances. For Fulham, the three points represent more than simply another league result, offering a potential turning point after a frustrating opening period.

The victory against Hull City also carried significant importance for Fulham’s position in the Premier League standings. After enduring a winless start to the campaign, the Cottagers collected their first maximum points of the season and moved out of the relegation zone.

The result provides a timely boost as the club looks to establish greater consistency and move further away from the bottom of the table. While the season remains in its early stages, Fulham will be hoping the victory can serve as a foundation for improved results.

Iwobi’s match-winning contribution represents another encouraging development for Nigerian football, with the midfielder continuing to demonstrate his importance in the English top flight.

The experienced international has established himself as a versatile player capable of contributing in different midfield and attacking roles. His latest goal underlines his ability to deliver decisive moments when his team needs them most.

For Fulham, the wait for a Premier League victory is finally over. For Álvaro Arbeloa, the pressure has eased, and for Alex Iwobi, his 33rd-minute winner has provided another memorable moment in his Premier League career.

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Nigeria’s Ojeleye John Tope Gets Second Futsal AFCON Assignment, to Officiate Mozambique–Tanzania Clash Tonight

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Nigerian FIFA futsal referee Ojeleye John Tope has secured another officiating assignment at the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with the Lagos-based official scheduled to serve as second referee in Saturday’s encounter between Mozambique and Tanzania.

The match, billed for 9pm on October 17, will mark Ojeleye’s second assignment at the continental championship, following his involvement in Tanzania’s 6-0 defeat to Angola in his opening game.

The latest appointment represents another important milestone for the Nigerian official, who continues to gain valuable experience on the African stage.

Ojeleye earned his place among the tournament officials after successfully completing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) pre-tournament physical fitness examinations in Morocco.

He passed the assessments alongside fellow Nigerian referee Bello Al Hassan Zuru, with both officials meeting the required standards following intensive training and rigorous evaluations.

Announcing their achievement earlier, the duo expressed pride in representing Nigeria at the continental tournament.

“This achievement reflects our dedication, discipline, commitment to excellence and determination to represent Nigeria with honour on the continental stage,” they stated.

Ojeleye, who earned his FIFA futsal badge in 2025 and retained it in 2026, has continued to build his international officiating profile through continental assignments.

His appointment as second referee for the Mozambique–Tanzania encounter provides another opportunity to demonstrate his understanding of the game, decision-making ability and professionalism.

The Nigerian officials had earlier pledged to uphold the highest standards throughout the championship.

“We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to contributing to the success of the tournament through professionalism, fairness and excellence in officiating,” they declared.

With his first assignment completed, attention now turns to Ojeleye’s performance in Saturday’s fixture.

The back-to-back appointments underline Ojeleye’s growing involvement in continental futsal officiating and provide another opportunity for Nigerian refereeing to gain recognition at the international level.

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