Nasarawa United consolidated their position at the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table with a commanding victory over El-Kanemi Warriors, while Kun Khalifat FC secured an important draw against Warri Wolves in their Matchday 14 fixtures, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Solid Miners produced a dominant performance at the Lafia City Stadium, defeating El-Kanemi Warriors 3–0 to extend their lead at the summit. Anas Yusuf opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute and doubled the advantage just a minute into the second half to complete his brace. Garba Mohammed added a third in the 48th minute, sealing a comfortable win for the hosts.

In Asaba, Adebambo Ademola gave Warri Wolves an early lead with a 7th-minute strike, but Kun Khalifat’s Lekan Gabriel equalised in the 38th minute to ensure both sides shared the spoils at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

Elsewhere, Remo Stars recorded a second consecutive victory with a 2–0 win over Barau FC at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena. Ahmed Akinyele struck after 15 minutes, while Victor Mbaoma doubled the tally in the 32nd minute.

Rangers International secured a narrow 1–0 win against Niger Tornadoes at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, courtesy of a 70th-minute effort from Kenechukwu Agu.

The encounters between Kwara United and Shooting Stars Sports Club, as well as Abia Warriors and Bendel Insurance, ended goalless.

Uche Dozie

Warri Wolves have been charged for breaching the Framework and Rules of the NPFL during the course of their match against Rangers on Sunday.

Wolves failed to provide prompt, adequate and effective security for their home match leading to the delay of the 4pm kickoff.

The Warri club have been fined N1 million for failing to provide prompt, adequate and effective security for the Matchday 2 fixture.

The club have been directed to put in place an effective matchday security arrangement & also submit its details to the NPFL26 board within 7 working days from the date of notice.

Warri Wolves have 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal this sanction.

NPFL media

The Seasiders edged Wikki Tourist in a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Super 8 final at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

After finishing top of group B with six points, edging Kun Khalifat FC on goal difference, the Delta State side that lost just once in the regular season started the encounter firing in all cylinders.

Yusuf Abdullateef opened score for the Wolves after 7 minutes of action before the lead was doubled through Igbunu Evwierhurhoma 9 minutes later Mahmood courtesy of an assist from Abdullateef.

In the 25th minutes, Efe Yarhere scored the third to put the game far from the reach of Wikki Tourist.

Mahmood Aliyu reduced the deficit for Wikki Tourists to make it 3-1 in the 35th minutes to end the first half that way.

Wonderson Baba pulled another one back for Wikki Tourist in the 55th minutes, but the goal only proved a consolation as Warri Wolves held on to win.

They join Wikki Tourists, Barau FC, and Kun Khalifat in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League, which kicks off on August 22.

Uche Dozie 

In group A, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi and Barau FC of Kano Pillars both made it out of the group with five points each as first and second after Wikki Tourist edged it with superior goal difference.

Yobe Desert Stars finished third with 4 points while Doma United finished bottom with a point after three matches.

Group B saw Warri Wolves take charge with six points followed by Kun Khalifat FC finishing second with the same points as Osun United and Crown FC ended third (4 points) and fourth respectively with 1 point.

The final between Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourist will take place today at the 2025 Super Eight Championship centre at the Stephen Keshi Stadium , Asaba, Delta State.

Uche Dozie

Warri Wolves have secured their place in the Nigeria National League Super 8 after a matchday 20 win over Igbajo United on Saturday, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.

The Seasiders defeated the Osun State-based side away from home 1-3 at the Lanre-Leke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo, Osun State, to go six points more than Crown FC with a game to spare.

Oham Godwin opened the score for the hosts following an assist by Michael Favour Maye on 37 minutes before Ezekiel Oroh scored the second three minutes into the second half after an assist by Miracle Collins.

Jude Ebhohon solidified the lead after the one-hour mark through an assist by Miracle Collins to end the match 1-3 and give the Delta State side a double win over the Western side after a 1-0 win in the first leg.

Warri Wolves, who are yet to lose, have won 10 matches and drawn 6 matches to amass 36 points in Conference A and play Dakkada FC at home next.

Uche Dozie

Atune Jolomi has been unveiled as Warri Wolves FC’s new head coach, Nigeria soccernet.com has gathered.

The former assistant Coach at Akwa United in the 2021/2022 NPFL season was part of the Technical crew that master minded the Promise Keepers 2020/2021 NPFL title winning campaign.

[caption id="attachment_728033" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jolomi unveiled[/caption]

Coach Jolomi makes a return to the club after previously working as Assistant Coach at the seasiders under the Late Solomon Ogbeide.

He was unveiled in Warri today, October 15, 2022 and task ahead is to make sure the Wolves from Delta return topflight football narrowly missing out on promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League last term.

Warri Wolves finished second behind Bayelsa United FC who will play in the NPFL this season.

Newly appointed chairman of the club, Neville Ambekederemo, Delta State football Association Chairman, Ken Nwamucha, and the special adviser on sports to the Delta state governor, former international Sam Sodje were all present at the unveiling ceremony.

Warri Wolves defeated Crown FC in their round 25 match in the Nigeria National League (NNL) on Saturday.

The Seasiders beat their opponents Ogbomosho by two goals to one to better their chance of promotion to top tier football.

The win took them to the top with a point ahead of previous table toppers, Bayelsa United.

The "Prosperity Boys" played a goaless draw away against Nnewi United to take the points garnered to 42 points.

While Warri Wolves with their win now have 43 points.

Warri Wolves duo, Goodluck Onomado and Solomon Okpako are close to securing a move to FC IfeanyiUbah.

The duo were key members of the Warri Wolves side that suffered relegation from the Nigeria Professional Football League last season.

They are however not keen on playing in the Nigeria National League and are looking to join the Federation Cup winners.

Their talents have not gone unnoticed with the Anambra Warriors ready to secure their services.

 FC IfeanyiUbah will play in the CAF Confederation Cup  for the first time next season and are looking to fortify their squad ahead of the campaign.

Warri Wolves striker, Sikiru Alimi, has told npfl.ng how heartbroken he is since the relegation of his team from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after an underwhelming season.

Alimi has attributed the poor season of the Warri club to two factors - the changes in coaching and playing personnel and then the management of the team.

The former First Bank FC and Union Bank FC forward is bitterly disappointed to have found himself at a club where they are relegated at the end of a league campaign and revealed that it is his first experience as a professional footballer being involved in such an incident.

The 20-year-old remains upset that Warri Wolves could not build on their impressive performance of the 2014/15 season when they finished second behind Enyimba, and feels letting some of the big and influential players leave before the start of the just-concluded season proved costly for the club.

"I have never found myself in this kind of situation (of being relegated with a club) because it is either I am on top or I am trying to be among the top with my club. This is a big setback for me as an individual and at the same time, it is a big loss for the club and the fans. I am pained because my name goes with this relegation. If they want to call the names of players for played for the club this season, I will also be mentioned and that is very painful. But Heaven knows why we were relegated this season.

"For me, I think we had too many ups and downs in the season. On the management side, the club had issues. That is one of the reasons but I will prefer not to talk about that. At the same time, most of my teammates who helped the club to second place the previous season all left for different reasons, and that meant that the club had to build an almost new team. We also had coaches come and go and that affected the team because every coach will come with his own playing style and we had to start adjusting. Unfortunately this is where we have found ourselves - relegated," Alimi told npfl.ng of his pain.

Despite finishing as the club's top scorer in the season with six goals, Alimi said without mincing words: "It was a very disappointing season for us all. My goals didn't matter at the end."

Alimi scored Warri Wolves' last goal of the season as they managed a 1-0 win over Ikorodu United on the final day, but it proved inadequate for his team to escape the drop.

credit: npfl

The 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has finally come to an end with all its thrills and frills.Rangers International of Enugu were duly crowned champions after a scintillating 4-0 bashing of El-Kanemi Warriors on the final day while Rivers United and Wikki Tourists secured tickets for the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively. Here are five things we learnt from the last day of NPFL.

Right Mentality Attitude Win Matches and Titles

A lot has been said about Rangers’ beautiful football played this season and rightly so. A lot has also been said about coach Imama Amapakabo’s tactical savvy and I am pretty certain, very few people can deny that too. But, the mentality of the manager, I think, was the difference between Rangers International and the chasing pack. From the get go in February, Imama was ready to defy the odds and go against the convention as NPFL players and teams usually have this defeatist mentality about playing away from home. But, from the very first game of the season between his side and Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, Rangers set the tone. Rangers totally outplayed the home side before a late goal from Prince Aggreh turned the table around for Pillars. That game could have knocked the mental fragility of the Enugu-based side as it has done for the better part of the last few years when they start well and cannot sustain it but it did not.

On the eve of the final game, I had a chat with Imama about his preparations for the game and that conversation was quite revealing. The Rangers manager told me point-blank he was not interested in all the celebratory plans being put together by the club’s management. According to him, he was more concerned with the “90 minutes still left of the season” as he knew the “title was not yet won.” He also noted that he had stopped going to pubs and joints because almost everyone in Enugu felt his team had already won the crown weeks ago. “Everywhere I go, people were always shaking my hands congratulating me on a job well done,” he said. “I don’t want my players to get complacent until we finish the job against El-Kanemi,” he had remarked. And Rangers did finish the job in style ending 32 years of hurt majorly because they had a manager who never took his eyes off the ball for a second. Hats off to him.

Rivers United Finished Well but...

Second-placed Rivers United finished on a high, winning their first game on the road for about four months which ultimately gave the club a berth into the lucrative CAF Champions League. I have to admit I did think Rivers United were going be in and around the middle table position. So, to be in a position to be within touching distance of winning the title on the final day of the season, was in itself very remarkable. For a manager who was under fire very early in the season, Stanley Eguma and his team capped off a remarkable season in style and deserve all the encomium he has been getting.

However, you do sometimes get the feeling that having gotten close, Rivers United could have actually done better. That line about being a new club usually trotted does not hold much waters as far as I am concerned. Yes, in terms of names, Rivers United is new, but it was basically a combination of two former clubs, Sharks and Dolphins. Plus, with the addition of a few important players, the quality of the players combined, the team boast one of the best in the land. Maybe, like someone suggested to me recently, the team did not see the big picture early enough as they seemed quite content

The Fans are Back For Good...

Watching the final game between Rangers International and El-Kanemi Warriors on TV, it felt really cool to see the mammoth crowd at 'The Cathedral.' Now, that has been the hallmark of many centres all across Nigeria. From the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, Agege Stadium in Lagos to Aper Aku Stadium in Markudi, the influx of fans at match venues is indeed commendable. More still needs to be done in some centres concerning pockets of unruly fans but overall, it is pleasing to see the league attract this much attention. On the flip side, clubs need to find a way to maximise these influx.

Social Media as an Effective Engagement Tool...

The use of social media has greatly impacted the growth of the NPFL followership and this was rightly seen on the final day with the hashtag #NPFLFinalDay. It went as high as number two on the top trends in Nigeria which was really impressive. Also, a recent survey showed that matches every weekend had an average of 500 posts and as much as 4 million impressions. With this kind of showing, it is no wonder brands like STAR are willing to partner with the league. At this rate, it can only get better.

Referees as Spoilers...

On the final day of the league, the issue of refereeing in some centres still left a lot to be desired. The game between Plateau United and Heartland which was abandoned in Jos was the highlight of some of the ills of refereeing that we saw this season. I must however add that the unprofessional conduct of some clubs in abandoning games need to change. Whatever decision taken by a Referee remains final whether it was right or wrong. As a club, it is the height of unprofessionalism to walk away from a game because of refereeing decision.

Referees world over have issues. It is not a Nigerian problem alone. However, one can’t help but think that some of the refereeing decisions just have a feel like they were a bit premeditated. Or how can you explain the referee’s decision to rule out Heartland’s second goal? Or the penalty decision against MFM a few weeks ago in their game against Niger Tornadoes? While I can understand the offside call against Godwin Obaje in Wikki Tourists’ game versus Enyimba weeks ago as just a refereeing error, the Heartland and Tornadoes decisions can’t be excused as errors.

It is worthy to note that the Nigeria Football Federation has noted these shortcomings. According to President Amaju Pinnick, “Now, the NFF leadership has identified the shortcomings and will initiate positive reforms of the refereeing management process to ensure more effectiveness and improved professional delivery.”

Armed robbers attacked officials of the Warri Wolves Football Club owned by the Delta State government carting away N3.5m said to be meant for players winning bonuses and other outstanding allowances.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the incident occurred last week Friday when the officials of the club were returning from a new generation bank where they had gone to withdraw money.

They were however waylaid by a three-man armed gang around Enerhen Motel in Uvwie Council Area of the state while returning to Peabody Hotels where the players are lodged.

No casualty was recorded during the attack.

The club which finished among the top four in the Nigerian Premier League last season has been struggling to win matches in the current season.

Sources who pleaded for anonymity told our correspondent that the officials of the club opted to keep the information from journalists. There is also an allegation they contacted some unnamed sports writers in the state pleading that they don’t publish anything concerning incident because of the manner the attack occurred.

The club’s media officer, Azuka Chiamaka and the team manager (Gordons) narrowly escaped being shot by the AK47 riffles wielding men.

One of our sources said, “It happened close to Enerhen Motel, after Azuka and Gordons had left the bank opposite Urhobo College. The three-man gang were putting on military fez caps

“Warri Wolves officials collected N6m and N3.5m was kept in one bag, the other bag had N2.5m which was kept inside Azuka’s tyre space in his car booth. The robbers only collected the N3.5m they saw thinking that was all.”

A source at the Delta Football Association in Asaba who drew the attentionof  our correspondent to the incident said, “The money was meant for the players winning bonuses for some outstanding games they won this season.  The players had also been paid their two months’ salaries that same day.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the club, Azuka, who was part of the team that had gone to the bank to withdraw the money said he was in a meeting and could not speak on the issue.

The spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, SP Celestina Kalu confirmed the incident when contacted on Thursday.

credit: punchng

Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Warri Wolves will host Akwa United, Enyimba and FC Ifeanyiubah behind closed doors as punishment for crowd trouble when they played Wikki Tourists at the Warri City Stadium.

The Seasiders will also tackle FC Ifeanyiubah in a match day 32 clash without their vociferous home supporters.

This is as a result of a three-match closed door sanction handed out to the club by the League Management Company, LMC, in the aftermath of the crowd incident that overshadowed their match day 26 home game against leaders, Wikki Tourists.

The three match-closed door sanction starts with the match day 28 clash against Akwa United which was moved to Sunday morning following rainfall that rendered the Warri City Stadium water-logged on Saturday.

Officials of the club confirmed that they would host two of the league’s toughest teams without their home fans.

“LMC wrote to us informing that we’ve been slammed with N3m sanction over the incident that happened when we hosted Wikki Tourists,” Azuka Chiamaka, spokesman of the club told completesports.

“They also told us that our next three home matches will be played behind closed doors.

“It started with our match against Akwa United on Saturday but unfortunately, the game was not concluded because of rainfall.

Chiamaka Said:

“The closed door matches will also include our games against Enyimba and Ifeanyiubah and you know these are top teams”.

Credit: Completesportsnigeria.com.

Dutchman Ard Slius has claimed he is being sabotaged at Nigeria league club Warri Wolves amid serious speculations regarding his future.

According to competent sources, Slius has already tabled his resignation even as the club insist he has not quit.

Yet another source said the Dutchman will take charge of the team’s weekend game after which he will be replaced by another foreign coach.

The club's former media officer Timi Ebikagboro said the coach tendered his letter of resignation to the management of the club on Friday.

The beginning of the end of his sojourn with the team was in Makurdi where he complained of been sabotaged.

"Warri Wolves Dutch coach Ard Slius has tendered his letter of resignation to the management of the club, according to information available,” disclosed Ebikagboro.

"Game in Makurdi was the turning point where he complained of being sabotaged and decided to travel in the players’ bus instead of his official car, and when the team got to Warri, he refused joining the team's training on Friday, rather he went to Asaba to drop his letter.

"Letter of resignation to the chairman DSSC, and as such this is the end of his journey with the team."

Nigeria forward Oghenekaro Etebo, who will feature at next month’s Rio Olympics, scored twice to help his Portuguese side Feirense thrash Tourizense 6-0 in a pre-season friendly today.

The former Warri Wolves star opened the scoring in the 18th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead.

He completed a brace in the 33rd minute for a 3-0 lead.

He scored a goal in four league games last season as Feirense won promotion to the Portuguese top flight.

Nigeria Professional Football League side, Warri Wolves have spoken to Completesportsnigeria.com, denying reports that their Dutch gaffer, Ard Sluis, has stepped down, stressing there was no iota of truth in the report being speculated in the social media.

Timi Ebikagboro, Media Officer of the Nigeria U-23 men's football team who are currently in the USA in final preparation for the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil next month, tweeted Saturday morning that Sluis has stepped down, citing sabotage in his resignation letter handed to Delta State Sports Commission, DSSC, chairman on Friday.

But Azuka Chiamaka, spokesman of Warri Wolves was furious when Completesportsnigeria.com called him on phone concerning the issue.

"There's nothing like that," he snapped in a most furious expression of anger.

"Why should people speculate? Why should someone in Atlanta, USA be spreading falsehood here?

"If Sluis is stepping down, is it not the management of the club that are his employers that he should write to?

"We just came back from Makurdi yesteday (Friday) and are looking forward to our league match on Sunday and somebody is somewhere spreading falsehood that can distabilise the club," Chiamaka narrated to Completesportsnigeria.com angrily.

Nigeria Professional Football League club Warri Wolves have parted ways with Dutchman Ard Sluis following a poor run of results.

Recently appointed Chief Coach Mansur Abdullahi will take over the helms of affairs as head of the technical department.

Abdullahi has been mandated to turn around the fortunes of the club and take them to the top of the NPFL where the club belong.

Ard Sluis lasted less than four months on the job following his appointment in March.

The Seasiders are guests to Abia Warriors in their next fixture in the Nigerian topflight.

Credit: Allnigeriasoccer.com

FC IfeanyiUbah was cited for contravening Rules B8.21 and B13.52 of the Framework and Rules for their failure to provide adequate security for match officials when the Referee was assaulted at his hotel room after the match against Sunshine Stars on Match Day 25. The Referee also lost some of his personal belongings in the process.

The LMC decision however took cognizance of the prompt action of officials of FC IfeanyiUbah in compensating the Referee for the lost items and fined the club N750, 000. The club has 48 hours within which to submit in writing to the summary jurisdiction or elect for a hearing.

Warri Wolves were cited for multiple breaches which include Rules B13.18, B8.21, B13.52 and C1.

Under Rules B.13.18, Warri Wolves was charged for the encroachment on to the field of play by their stewards and supporters immediately after the match and fined N1, 000, 000. The club was further fined N750, 000 for breach of Rules B8.21 and B13.52.

Warri Wolves was cited for breach of Rules C1 in that the club stewards and supporters severally assaulted the match officials after the match against Wikki Tourists on Match Day 26 including at their hotel rooms thereby failing to show sportsmanship and conducting themselves in a manner capable of bringing the league to disrepute.

Consequently, the club was fined N1, 250, 000 representing N250, 000 each as compensation for the assault on the Match Commissioner and the four Referees. The club was also directed to pay another N250, 000 being the value of the items lost by the match officials in the course of the assault.

The next three home games of Warri Wolves have been ordered to be played behind closed doors with the execution of the last two suspended subject to good conduct for the remainder of the season.

The LMC also noted that in consideration of the gravity of the offence, including the assault perpetrated by the Stewards of the club and several incidents of assault, including at the hotel rooms, a suspended two-points deduction has been ordered on Wolves subject to good conduct for the remainder of the season. Warri Wolves have 48 hours within which to submit in writing to the summary jurisdiction or elect for a hearing.

Former assistant coach at Plateau United Football Club of Jos, Mansur Abdulahi, has been appointed the chief coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Warri Wolves.

Abdulahi has not been coaching actively since he was relieved of his job at Plateau United at the end of the Nigeria National League last season.

Abdulahi who is also a part time journalist and a member of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has however been writing actively for an online portal, the gongnews.

He had played a very important role at helping Plateau United gain promotion to the NPFL last season.

He is highly regarded on the area technical and tactical analysis as well as match reading and he is a CAF Licensed Coach who has also handled Bayelsa Queens in the past.

The Management of Warri Wolves has mandated him to bring his experiences to bear and ensure the team maintain her place in the NPFL as well as work hard towards creating a better playing style for the side.

Abdulahi would however work under a Technical head at the club.

Warri Wolves are battling to avoid the drop zone and are on 15th position on the log of the NPFL with 31points after 25 games, a far cry from their position last season when they finished second in the league.

Nigeria Professional Football League side Warri Wolves have appointed Mansur Abdullahi as their new chief coach.

The former Bayelsa Queens coach will work with technical adviser Ard Sluis to move the Seasiders forward in their quest for success in the 2016 campaign.

“We want to assure the fans that this is the best decision we have taken for the team,” an insider at the club told our reporter.

“The management has promised to continue to back and support the technical crew to achieve their targets."

Mansur has managed Olga Queens, Bayelsa Queens and NIMC FC in addition to assistant coaching positions in the Nigeria women senior national team and the Flamingoes.

He holds a CAF B License Certificate.

Warri Wolves have threatened to drag Kano Pillars before the LeagueManagement Company (LMC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for holding onto their player King Osanga in Kano without their knowledge.

The Seasiders have told the player to report back to Warri since the mid-season transfer is over and that they are willing to welcome him back like the prodigal son.

The General Manager of the club, Moses Etu in a chat with SportingLifenoted that Osanga had turned deaf ears to their pleas and has been with Pillars  for the past one month.

He said the club is prepared to report the matter to the LMC and the NFF if Osanga fails to return to Warri before this weekend.

“Pillars have kept Osanga away for over one month and nobody from the club has called us to inform us about their mission for the player. This is unprofessional and we are ready to take the matter before the LMC and the NFF if he doesn’t return to us by the weekend. We are willing to take him back like the prodigal son if he comes back to us since the mid season transfer is over,” a miffed Etu told SportingLife.

SportingLife tried to speak with officials of Pillars on the matter but it wasn’t possible.