Kwara United goal decision brings indefinite bans for two NPFL referees

The Nigeria Football Federation has suspended referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari indefinitely after a late Kwara United goal was disallowed in Enugu Rangers’ 1-0 win at Awka Township Stadium on Sunday.

The NFF has since ruled that the effort should have stood. Zakari, the second assistant referee, flagged for an alleged foul throw when Kwara United appeared to equalise through Alex Jerry in the 78th minute. PM News reported that the decision led to the goal being chalked off.

Victor Chimezie had put Rangers in front in the 40th minute of the NPFL Matchday 12 fixture, scoring what proved to be the only goal of the match.

The NFF Refereeing Development Committee has ordered that both officials be removed from the NPFL and all other refereeing duties. Their names must also be taken off the list of referees and assistant referees approved for the 2026/27 season.

The NPFL confirmed the suspensions on its X account, describing Kwara United’s disallowed effort as a “validly scored goal”.

The committee said the decision had affected both the final score and the outcome of the match. Rangers would have drawn level with a point if the goal had been awarded, rather than taking all three points.

That result has particular significance at the top of the table. Rangers are leading the league with 24 points from 11 games, four points ahead of Nasarawa United. Barau FC, Kano Pillars and Bendel Insurance are another point behind on 19 points.

The Flying Antelopes, who are the defending champions, had returned to the top of the table last week and remain at the centre of the title race following the controversial decision.

The sanctions represent a strong response from the refereeing authorities, having been imposed within a day of the match. However, they do not alter the result or restore the point Kwara United would have earned had Alex Jerry’s goal been allowed.

A draw would have left Rangers with one point instead of three and reduced their advantage over Nasarawa United to two points. The difference between a two-point and four-point lead could become significant before the end of the season.

According to a Complete Sports review of the first 12 rounds, 57 per cent of NPFL matches so far have ended in home wins. Decisions involving visiting teams are therefore likely to receive close attention, particularly when they influence matches involving sides near the top of the table.

Soccernet’s coverage of Matchday 12 highlighted the importance of every point this season. The next major contest involving a tight refereeing decision will be closely watched, as will the officials appointed to oversee it.