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NFF Suspends Two Officials After Kwara United's Late Equaliser Is Wrongly Ruled Out

According to a report by Daily Post on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the Nigeria Football Federation has suspended referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari indefinitely over the disallowance of a Kwara United goal during their Nigeria Premier Football League match against Rangers International in Awka.

The NFF Refereeing Development Committee ordered the suspension following the controversial officiating decision in Sunday's Matchday 12 fixture at the Awka Township Stadium in Anambra State.

Rangers, the defending champions and league leaders, won the match 1-0 through Victor Chimezie's 40th-minute strike. Chimezie received a pass from Pius Igwe and scored from a tight angle five minutes before half-time to put the Flying Antelopes ahead.

In the 78th minute, Kwara United thought they had equalised when Alex Jerry found the net. Jerry got away from Rangers defender Philip Clement and poked the ball home after a long throw to spark celebrations from the visitors.

However, the second assistant referee raised his flag for an infringement, reportedly for a foul throw, and the goal was ruled out. The assistant had first raised his flag before lowering it and letting play continue, but once the ball was in the net he called the referee's attention to the incident and the goal was struck off.

The disallowed effort sparked controversy after fan footage circulated online, with many questioning the decision. Kwara United players protested the call, but Rangers held on to their advantage to secure all three points, while Kwara United left Awka empty-handed.

The NPFL confirmed the referees' suspension on its X handle on Tuesday, saying referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari have been suspended indefinitely by the NFF Refereeing Development Committee for what it described as the cancellation of a validly scored goal by Kwara United against Rangers on Sunday.

The committee's decision to suspend the officials indefinitely means they will not receive match appointments until further notice. Both officials have also been stepped down immediately from all league and refereeing activities and removed from the 2026/27 NPFL list of referees and assistant referees.

In a letter dated Monday, November 9, 2026, issued by the NFF Refereeing Development Committee, the federation ruled that the goal was valid and should have been allowed to stand. The committee said the decision affected the scoreline and match outcome while bringing refereeing and the game into disrepute.

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