Sports

NPFL Slams Kwara United With Stadium Ban, ₦9 Million Fine, Three-Point Deduction

Published

6 months ago

February 20, 2026

Kwara United have been hit hard by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following the ugly scenes that trailed their rescheduled Matchday 22 clash with Rivers United in Ilorin.

The league confirmed on Thursday that the Harmony Boys will serve a stadium ban, pay a total of ₦9 million in fines and forfeit three points and three goals from their tally after crowd disorder disrupted Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at the Kwara State Stadium.

Tempers boiled over at the end of the match after Rivers United grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser through Boluwaji Sholumade. What had been a fiercely contested fixture quickly descended into chaos, with footage circulating on social media showing enraged supporters chasing match officials and confronting members of the visiting team.

In its official communication, the NPFL said the Ilorin club breached several provisions of its regulatory framework. The league ruled that Kwara United failed to provide adequate security, allowing unauthorised individuals access to restricted areas.

It also held the club responsible for failing to control supporters whose actions led to the harassment and assault of match officials and Rivers United personnel, some of whom were injured.

The league described the conduct as one that brought the game into disrepute.

Financial sanctions were issued across multiple counts. Kwara United were fined ₦2 million for inadequate security and ₦1 million for failing to control their supporters.

A further ₦2 million was imposed for assaults on officials, ₦1 million for unsporting behaviour, ₦1 million for holding match officials and Rivers United officials hostage after the match, and ₦2 million to cover medical treatment and related damages.

Beyond the financial penalties, the sporting consequences are severe. The three-point and three-goal deduction has pushed Kwara United down to 19th position on 26 points from 26 matches, leaving them in serious relegation danger with 12 fixtures left to play.

The club must also take their remaining home matches away from Ilorin, with the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta approved as their temporary base for the rest of the season. They have been directed to identify those involved in the disturbances for arrest and prosecution and were given 48 hours to appeal the decision.

The trouble came after Kwara had taken a first-half lead through Shamsudeen Muhammed, only to concede deep into added time. In the aftermath, Rivers United General Manager Okey Kpalukwu was attacked and reportedly revived after fainting, while players and officials of the visiting side remained inside their dressing room for more than 45 minutes for safety.

Kwara United later condemned the violence and distanced themselves from the actions of the supporters. In a statement, the club said it viewed the development with “serious concern and regret” and “unequivocally denounces every act of violence recorded.”

“We are deeply disturbed by the events that occurred after the match and unequivocally denounce every act of violence recorded,” the club said, apologising to Rivers United, match officials and other affected parties, and pledging cooperation with investigations.

Sports

Man City’s Nico O’Reilly Wins PFA Young Player Of The Year

Published

16 hours ago

August 25, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season.

The 21-year-old was announced as the winner at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Tuesday.

O’Reilly emerged ahead of five other nominees after players voted for their preferred candidate in the category.

The other nominees were Manchester City teammate Rayan Cherki, Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.

The PFA Young Player of the Year award is determined by votes from professional footballers, with players recognising the outstanding young performers from the season.

O’Reilly enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with City, featuring in 53 matches across competitions and contributing directly to 15 goals. He impressed in both midfield and at left-back during the season.

His performances had already earned him the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, with the league describing the England international as one of the standout young players of the 2025/26 campaign.

O’Reilly was also instrumental in Manchester City’s domestic campaign, including scoring both goals in the club’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.

His latest recognition makes him one of the young players to have enjoyed the biggest breakthrough seasons in English football, having established himself as an important member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

O’Reilly’s victory also means Manchester City continue their strong record in the PFA Young Player of the Year category, with the club having produced previous winners including Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

Sports

Chukwueze Wins Man Of The Match In Milan’s Win At Torino

Published

2 days ago

August 24, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze was named Man of the Match as AC Milan opened the 2026/27 Serie A season with a 2-1 away win over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday, completesports.com reports.

Chukwueze’s Five-Star Performance

Playing as a converted right wing-back, Chukwueze was a constant threat down the right flank and crowned his display with a brilliant assist for Milan’s second goal stabbed home by France international Adrien Rabiot.

Apart from his assist for the second goal, Chukwueze created four chances—the most of any player in the match and had high numbers in touches in the opposition box and possession won

The display provided an encouraging start to Chukwueze’s campaign under new head coach Ruben Amorim after spending last season on loan at Premier League club Fulham.

Also, it vindicated aspects of the new coach’s selection and tactical approach in a solid, if not fully fluent, opening-day away win.

Chukwueze would hope to replicate the same performance when Milan welcome Akor Adams’ Venezia in their next league campaign at San Siro.

It was not the best start to life in the Italian topflight for Adams as Venezia lost 2-0 at home to Lecce with Adams featuring for 90 minutes.

Adams joined Venezia from Sevilla during this summer transfer window.

Milan’s High Expectations For The New Season
Meanwhile, Milan enter the new Campaign under major change, with realistic hopes of a top-four finish and a push toward Champions League qualification, while a title challenge remains a stretch against dominant Inter.

After finishing outside the Champions League places last season, the club overhauled its hierarchy. Owner Gerry Cardinale drove a reset, appointing Amorim (fresh from a difficult spell at Manchester United) as head coach. The former Sporting Lisbon head coach favours a dynamic 3-4-2-1 system that should suit parts of the existing squad while demanding adaptation.

Sports

Terem Moffi Joins Hamburg In Permanent Move From OGC Nice

Published

2 days ago

August 24, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has completed a permanent transfer to Bundesliga club Hamburg from Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.

The Nigeria international joins Die Rothosen as their seventh signing of the summer transfer window as the German club continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

Moffi, 27, has been handed the number nine shirt and will look to hit the ground running in the Bundesliga after embarking on a new chapter in his career.

“The coach was really convincing in our discussions. The location, with its fantastic fans, and the club’s overall direction also played a role in my decision,” Moffi told Hamburg’s official website.

“Even though HSV played in the second division for a few years, the club is still a big name, all over the world. When I told my father about the interest, he immediately knew which club I meant and was thrilled. For me, it was positively crazy. I’m all the happier now to be a part of the club’s history.”

Moffi, who has played club football in six different countries, arrives at Hamburg with vast experience and an impressive scoring record of 88 goals and 13 assists in 228 competitive appearances.

The striker said he looks forward to contributing more than goals to his new team.

“As a striker, I naturally love scoring goals, but I also love working for the team and keeping the whole group together. I’m the new guy in the team right now, which is always a bit strange at first, but I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting started together soon,” he added.

Hamburg board member Kathleen Krüger believes the Nigerian forward will give the club greater depth and quality in attack.

“Terem is an excellent fit for our approach. His signing gives us even more depth and versatility in the center-forward position, thereby increasing our overall quality. His career path so far brings extensive experience at a high international level, which he can also pass on to our young talents. We are delighted to have Terem at HSV and extend a warm welcome to him,” Krüger said.