The NFF Refereeing Development Committee has acted over a goal that Kwara United were denied in Sunday’s NPFL game against Rangers.
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The Nigeria Football Federation has suspended referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari indefinitely over a decision in Sunday’s NPFL game between Rangers International and Kwara United, as FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports. The NFF Refereeing Development Committee said the pair wrongly cancelled a “validly scored goal” by Kwara United.
Rangers won the match 1-0 in Awka. Victor Chimezie scored the only goal in the 40th minute.
Reports so far do not say when the Kwara United goal was disallowed or which offence was flagged. Readers following the title race can see the Bet9ja bonus details before the next round.
The suspension shows how seriously the NFF is treating officiating this season. In May, it suspended referee Yakubu Adamu indefinitely over a penalty decision in Rangers’ game against Bendel Insurance. In January, two more referees were suspended after a matchday that included Rangers’ loss to Rivers United.
This is not the first time officials with these names have been sanctioned. In March 2024, the NFF removed centre referee Jimoh Abdulrasheed and assistant Zakari Adamu from the NPFL for the rest of that season. Reports at the time linked the decision to a disputed call over a Rivers United goal against Kano Pillars.
Rangers’ win kept them at the top of the table, with Nasarawa United third on 20 points and Barau FC and Kano Pillars on 19. Fans who enjoy forecasting results can test your NPFL picks on Super9ja.
Both clubs are back in action on Sunday, November 15. Rangers host Niger Tornadoes, while Kwara United face Rivers United the same afternoon.
Suspensions send a message, but they do not fix everything. Clubs will want to see better preparation for officials as well as punishment. Can the committee show that sanctions lead to better decisions?
Kwara United will want the focus to return to the pitch. Their next test against Rivers United will not be easy. New Bet9ja users can get Bet9ja’s YOHAIG offer before the weekend’s NPFL action.
An indefinite suspension has no set end date, so the return of Jimoh and Zakari depends on a further NFF decision.
📌 Did You Know?
- Rangers are the defending NPFL champions after winning the 2025/26 title.
- The January suspensions followed Rivers United’s 1-0 win over Rangers on December 29, 2025, when a Rangers goal from Chidozie Iwundu was ruled out.
- The NFF said Yakubu Adamu’s penalty decision in May was not in line with the Laws of the Game and affected the result of the Rangers and Bendel match.
- Bendel Insurance beat Niger Tornadoes 2-1 on Sunday with a 90+5th minute goal from John Taiwo after Jonathan Mairiga’s 45+8th minute equaliser.
- Niger Tornadoes defender Sunday Akinmoladun was sent off in added time for a professional foul in that game.
- Ikorodu City and Inter Lagos drew 2-2 in the Lagos derby, with Ayodeji Abayomi scoring two penalties and Akinwale Oriyomi rescuing a point for Inter Lagos in the 90+2nd minute.
