NPFL: Kwara United’s ruled-out goal at Rangers costs two referees

The NFF has suspended referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari indefinitely after Kwara United had a late goal ruled out in Enugu Rangers' 1-0 win at the Awka Township Stadium on Sunday, a goal the federation now says was valid.

Victor Chimezie scored the only goal for Rangers in the 40th minute of the NPFL Matchday 12 fixture. Kwara United thought they had levelled through Alex Jerry in the 78th minute, but the goal was chalked off after a flag from Zakari, the second assistant referee. PM News reported that the officials ruled it out over an alleged foul throw.

The NFF Refereeing Development Committee directed that both officials be withdrawn from the NPFL and all other refereeing activities, and that their names be removed from the list of referees and assistants approved for the 2026/27 season. The NPFL announced the suspensions on its X account, describing the cancelled effort as a “validly scored goal”.

The decision changed the result, and the table

The committee said the call affected the scoreline and the outcome of the match. That matters at the top: Rangers lead the league on 24 points from 11 games, four clear of Nasarawa United, with Barau FC, Kano Pillars and Bendel Insurance a further point back on 19.

The Flying Antelopes, the defending champions, were already at the centre of the conversation after returning to the top of the table last week.

Analysis: a firm message, but not a remedy for Kwara

An indefinite suspension and removal from the season's list is about as strong a signal as the referees' committee can send, and it came within a day of the match. For a league where 57 per cent of games so far have ended in home wins, according to a Complete Sports review of the first 12 rounds, decisions that go against visiting sides will always draw attention.

For Kwara United, though, the sanction is cold comfort. If the game had finished level, Rangers would have taken one point rather than three and their lead over Nasarawa would be two points, not four. A two-point swing at the top could look much bigger by the end of the season.

The clearest test of the message will be the next tight call in a big game, and whether the officials appointed for it get it right. Soccernet's Matchday 12 coverage showed how much is riding on every point this season, and the round ahead will be watched just as closely.