Sports
Violence, Poor Officiating Mar NPL… Rangers Lead Table
The Nigeria Premier League Week 11 matches almost turned into a battlefield as the majority of the clubs playing at home used every avenue to win their games, last weekend, even as Rangers still tops the league table after a 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars.
Chikeluba Ofoedu scored for Rangers in the 22nd minute to take his goals haul to four. The Enugu side maintained their top spot on the league table with 22 points.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki started reaping from the decision to suspend coach Erasmus Onuh as his replacement Kabir Dogo led the Ilorin lads to defeat Kaduna United 2-1 at home in his first game.
ABS took the lead in the 17th minute through Ofili Chirstian, while Buhari Jaffar equalised for Kaduna United in the 30th minute. Bashir Rahman found the winning goal for ABS a minute before the end of the first half.
“I told you that we are not going to go on relegation and with this away victory, we are aiming for the top,” said the team manager, Alloy Chukwuemeka.
Wikki Tourists beat Sharks by a lone goal and media officer of the Port-Harcourt side, Confidence Idah, complained that the referee Thomas Tikvor from Benue State gifted Wikki Tourists with a penalty.
Gombe United forced Heartland to a 2-2 draw with two of the Spartans players given their marching orders.
Brendan Ogbu and Daniel Akpeyi were red-carded as Heartland finished the game with nine players.
An official of Heartland, Tonne Chukwu told newsmen that “only God saved our players and officials from the hands of irate fans of Gombe United.
“There was real trouble some minutes before the end of the game and immediately the match ended. The two players that were red carded were harassed by the fans and the match officials had to run for their dear lives after the game.
“Mobile police men escorted us to the boundary of Bauchi and Gombe States before we arrived Bauchi where we slept for the night,” Chukwu fumed.
Shooting Stars Sports Club had to come back from a goal down to snatch a point off Warri Wolves, but their supporters also caused some problems for the match officials before the game.
The game between Kwara United and Sunshine Stars was heading for a 1-1 draw when supporters of Kwara United took the laws into their hands and attacked everybody in sight, including players and officials of the opposing team, supporters and journalists. The referee Sani Mohammed was reportedly rushed to a private hospital after the inconclusive match.
Mannir Ubale scored his fifth this season when his lone strike secured all three points for Kano Pillars against Akwa United.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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