Katsina United head coach, Mohammed Azeez Audu, has declared that his team is fully prepared and under “no pressure whatsoever” as they face Enyimba FC in an NPFL showdown on Monday in Ilorin.

The match, originally slated for Katsina, will hold in the Kwara State capital following the NPFL’s decision to banish the team after a recent incident of fans’ unruly behaviour.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, the former Kwara United gaffer exuded confidence, insisting his side is primed for maximum points.

“I am not under any pressure whatsoever and I have spoken to my boys to make them prepared for the game,” he said. “Yes, we respect Enyimba. But we don’t fear them.”

Audu, who will be coaching on familiar turf, believes his connection to Ilorin gives his team an emotional edge.

“Ilorin is my second home. I have coached Kwara United before, so I know the

The Solid Miners returned to the summit of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League table with a comfortable 3-0 thrashing of hapless El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri on match-day fourteen decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday evening.

Last season’s top goalscorer, Anas Yusuf, opened the goals’ account from the spot in the 38th minute, as Nasarawa United led 1-0 going into the break.

A minute after resumption, Anas pounced on a defensive error to strike home United’s second goal, his sixth goal in the current campaign for the Lafia-based side.

Teenage sensation, Garba Mohammed, brought matters to rest with a sumptuous finish, his third goal of the season, as the game ended 3-0 in favour of the hosts who majestically moved up to the summit of the league table with twenty-seven points from 14 games, three points ahead of 2nd-placed Ikorodu City FC of Lagos who have a game at hand.

Nasarawa United will be on the road next weekend as they will be hosted by 8th-placed Warri Wolves in Ozoro, Delta State.

Kun Khalifat secured a crucial away point in Ozoro against Warri Wolves. The game ended 1-1 in a breathtaking encounter while Remo Stars best Barau FC 2-0 in Abeokuta. Kwara United and Shooting Stars played out a goalless draw in Ilorin.

Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes lost to Rangers in Enugu through Kenechukwu Agu’s free kick goal in the 70th minute which won the match for the Flying Antelopes in the NPFL MatchDay 14 encounter held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Rangers’ substitution proved pivotal as Kenechukwu Agu, coming off the bench, scored the decisive goal in the 70th minute with a well-taken free kick that beat the Tornadoes defense. The goal turned out to be the only one of the encounter, securing the win for Rangers.

Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United shared the spoils one apiece while Abia Warriors were held to a goalless draw by visiting Bendel Insurance.

By Silvernews

Heartland FC bounced back in style on Sunday, securing their first three points of the Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign with a 2–1 triumph over Edel FC of Awka. The win comes as a timely response to their opening-day setback against Crown FC.

The Naze Millionaires wasted no time announcing their intent, stunning the visitors with a goal inside the first minute. Murphy Ndukwu sliced through Edel’s backline with a brilliant solo run before coolly burying his effort past goalkeeper Ede David—an electric start that sent the home fans into early celebration.

Buoyed by the opener, Heartland pressed high and carved out several chances but failed to extend their lead due to poor finishing. Edel eventually settled into their rhythm and tested the hosts’ defence with a handful of threatening moves.
Heartland, however, restored control before the break when Joel Okoro’s ambitious long-range strike took a wicked deflection, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and nestling comfortably into the net.

The Owerri side returned for the second half with renewed energy but once again let multiple chances slip away. Their profligacy proved costly in the 57th minute as Edel FC launched a swift counter-attack finished stylishly by Obi Emmanuel, who chipped goalkeeper Ebuka Nwokoecha to halve the deficit.

Edel pushed hard for a leveller, but Heartland’s defence showed grit, absorbing the pressure and protecting their narrow lead until the final whistle.

With the win secured, the Naze Millionaires now turn attention to a crucial away fixture next Saturday against Gateway FC at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
Assistant Coach Taiwo Enegwea commended his players’ character while stressing the need for greater precision in front of goal.

“We created so many chances but failed to convert them. That’s something we’ll be working on immediately. The important thing is that the boys fought for the win. We could have even cancelled out the three goals we conceded in Ogbomosho if we finished better. Still, getting these three points is a big relief.

With Coach Emmanuel Amuneke leading this project, we’re confident the improvements will keep coming. The goal we conceded was simply a lapse in recovery during their counter-attack.”

Match-winner Joel Okoro admitted the team had to adapt quickly after an early injury setback but praised the group’s resilience.

“Losing our defensive midfielder so early affected our balance, but we regrouped. They’re young players, and they gave everything. Their goal came from a very fast transition—we were a bit caught out.
We were also under pressure to respond after the loss in Ogbomosho. Scoring early was intentional; we wanted to show our fans that we’re ready to fight this season. We just let anxiety affect our finishing.

We promise more improvement. With God on our side, we’ll keep pushing and won’t let our standards drop.”

Ahmed Atef with a hattrick for Pyramids ensured that his side defeated Nigeria’s only remaining representatives in the CAF Champions League, Rivers United.

The defending champions Pyramids of Egypt began their CAF Champions League campaign with a solid win over Rivers United of Nigeria.

Despite going into the halftime break at nil-nil, the Pride of Rivers succumbed to a second half brilliance by the Egyptian giants.

Up next for Rivers United is the home tie on Friday November 28 against RS Berkane of Morocco at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

By Silvernews

A fresh wave of optimism is sweeping through Heartland Football Club as Technical Manager Emmanuel Amuneke (MFR) kick-starts a new reform agenda with the arrival of highly experienced Dutch consultant and football agent, Tom Sanders. The collaboration is expected to reshape the pathways for the club’s rising talents and push the Naze Millionaires back toward continental relevance.
Sanders, who has spent more than two decades working across African football, arrived in Owerri earlier in the week and immediately set to work. His first stop was Thursday’s training session, where he began a detailed assessment of the squad—a move that officially opened a new chapter in Heartland’s developmental strategy.
After observing the session, the Dutchman voiced strong confidence in the young crop of players.
“My first impression today is very positive,” Sanders said. “There is a lot of talent here—players who can grow into top professionals with the right support. It will take patience, but the quality is clear. Working with them daily gives me belief that something special can be achieved.”
Amuneke, who has long championed structural reform and youth development, hailed the partnership as a vital ingredient in Heartland’s revival plan. He reiterated that the club’s heritage demands ambition and strategic investment.
“Tom brings invaluable experience, and his involvement is crucial for our growth,” Amuneke said. “Heartland is not a small club. This is a team that once contested the 2009 CAF Champions League final—it should be standing shoulder to shoulder with clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek. We’ve had internal issues, yes, but many of them are being addressed. This partnership is another step in the right direction.”
The Chairman of the Imo State Football Association, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike, also endorsed the initiative, calling it a progressive move reminiscent of successful African–European football collaborations of the past.
“When I listened to Tom, I remembered the kind of partnerships that once existed between clubs here and in Europe—alliances that produced both development and financial gains,” Dike said. “For him to commit to linking Heartland with clubs in Europe and even the United States shows that we are serious about rebuilding.”
With this renewed energy and international backing, Heartland FC appears to be aligning itself for a long-term resurgence—one grounded in talent development, technical innovation, and modern football management. Supporters and stakeholders alike believe the journey that began this week could be the spark that drives the Naze Millionaires back into Africa’s elite football conversation.

By silvernews

Imo State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, has congratulated Nigerian international, Chiamaka Nnadozie, on winning the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year (2025) award, her third consecutive honour on the continent.
In a statement on Wednesday, Onyeocha described Nnadozie’s achievement as “remarkable and inspiring,” noting that the feat has once again projected Imo State positively on the global sporting stage.
He said the administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is excited that such a historic accomplishment is happening during his tenure, adding that the state government has always regarded Nnadozie and other Imo-born athletes as worthy ambassadors. He recalled that the governor hosted her and other members of the Super Falcons earlier in the year following their triumph at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Onyeocha expressed confidence that Nnadozie’s continued exploits will serve as a major motivation to Heartland Queens FC, Imo State’s women’s team, as they prepare for the kickoff of the new Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) season.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening sports development and providing platforms for young talents to excel.

By Silvernews

Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has clinched the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for 2025, extending her dominance with a third consecutive win.

The Super Falcons’ safe pair of hands was honoured on Wednesday at the 2025 CAF Awards held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Rabat, Morocco.
Nnadozie saw off strong competition from Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini to retain the crown, further cementing her status as the continent’s most outstanding goalkeeper.

The 24-year-old enjoyed an exceptional year for club and country. At Paris FC, she played a key role in the club’s historic Coupe de France Féminine triumph, boosting her profile across Europe.
She replicated her stellar form with the national team, keeping four clean sheets as the Super Falcons powered to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title. Her performances earned her the Best Goalkeeper award at the tournament.

After a brilliant WAFCON outing, Nnadozie secured a move to Women’s Super League side Brighton & Hove Albion, where she immediately made her mark, winning Player of the Match on her debut. She has continued to impress, earning nominations for the October WSL Save of the Month and the PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Month awards.

With her latest CAF triumph, Nnadozie continues her steady rise as one of the most exciting talents in world women’s football, reinforcing her position as a key figure for both club and country.