ABA, Oct. 5, 2025 – Enyimba FC and Rivers United maintained their unbeaten starts to the 2025/2026 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season after playing out a tense 0–0 draw at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, on Sunday evening.

The highly anticipated fixture lived up to its billing as two of Nigeria’s most consistent clubs went head-to-head in a tactical battle that produced few clear chances but plenty of intensity.

Both sides showed flashes of attacking intent in the opening stages, with Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma and Rivers United’s Nyima Nwagua testing the goalkeepers early on. However, neither team could find the cutting edge needed to break the deadlock, as defenses held firm throughout the 90 minutes.

Enyimba, managed by Finidi George, extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with the draw, while Stanley Eguma’s Rivers United also preserved their flawless start to the campaign.

The result means both clubs remain firmly in the top half of the NPFL standings, with title ambitions very much intact.

While fans may have hoped for goals, the encounter showcased the tactical discipline and competitive balance that continue to define the NPFL this season.

Key Match Stats:

• Final Score: Enyimba 0–0 Rivers United
• Venue: Enyimba International Stadium, Aba
• Kick-off: 4 p.m. (Nigerian time)
• Season: 2025/2026 NPFL Matchday 7

Post-Match Quote:

“It was a tough game between two strong sides,” Enyimba coach Finidi George said after the match. “We’ll take the point and focus on our next fixture.”

Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma echoed similar sentiments, noting that his side “showed character and resilience” away from home.

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MIAMI, Oct 5 (BONA Nigeria) – Lionel Messi orchestrated a dominant Inter Miami performance with three assists in a 4-1 victory over the struggling New England Revolution at Chase Stadium on Saturday, sealing the club’s place in the MLS playoffs.

Messi, returning to top form after a subdued outing last week, set up both of Tadeo Allende’s goals before providing another assist for Jordi Alba, who also netted twice. The Argentine’s creativity proved decisive as Miami extended their unbeaten home run and bounced back from their previous defeat.

The result condemned New England to their 10th consecutive loss, leaving them bottom of the Eastern Conference. Messi’s performance also took his Inter Miami tally to 100 goal contributions — a combined total of goals and assists — in just 80 appearances, the fastest in MLS history.

Inter Miami now sit comfortably in the playoff zone and will travel to face Orlando City in their next fixture.

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Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has warned that the club’s defence will face a stern test against Liverpool on Saturday, with Levi Colwill ruled out through injury and Trevor Chalobah suspended.

Mikel, who won multiple honours with the Blues and captained Nigeria’s Super Eagles, said on his Obi One Podcast that Chelsea’s vulnerability at the back has been exposed in recent weeks, particularly in Premier League matches against Manchester United and Brighton, where goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and Chalobah were both sent off.

“Going forward, we can score goals, we can create chances, we’re brilliant, but Colwill’s absence is telling at the back,” Mikel said. “We’re so weak in that position, and now Chalobah is set to miss the game against Liverpool. We’re not in a good place. Strikers win you games, and defenders win you titles.”

Chelsea are eighth in the table with eight points from six games. Liverpool, unbeaten so far this season, visit Stamford Bridge looking to extend their strong start.

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Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has restored defender Tyrell Malacia to the first-team squad, ending the Dutch player’s 18-month absence following injury setbacks and a failed loan spell in Spain.

Malacia, 25, joined United from Feyenoord in 2022 but has not featured since suffering a long-term knee injury. A proposed move to La Liga side Elche collapsed earlier this year, leaving the left back on the fringes of Amorim’s plans.

His return comes as United, who sit 14th in the Premier League, face a shortage of options at left back with Luke Shaw sidelined and summer signing Matai Dorgu under scrutiny after a series of underwhelming displays.

Malacia is the last of United’s so-called “bomb squad” players to be reintegrated under Amorim, who took charge earlier this season. His availability offers depth ahead of United’s home match against Brentford on Oct. 4.

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World football’s governing body, FIFA, has docked South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player during a 2026 World Cup qualifier, a decision that boosts Nigeria’s chances of reaching the tournament.

South Africa, who had topped Group C with 17 points from eight games, drop to second place behind Benin Republic after the ruling.

FIFA said midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to play in South Africa’s match against Lesotho on March 21, 2025. As a result, Lesotho were awarded a 3-0 victory and three points.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena received a warning.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena… Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0,” FIFA said in a statement.

The decision leaves Group C finely poised ahead of the final two rounds of fixtures. Nigeria, who face Lesotho and Benin in October, remain in contention alongside Benin, South Africa, and Rwanda.

South Africa will finish their campaign against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.