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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has indefinitely suspended referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari following their involvement in the controversial disallowance of what the federation described as a validly scored goal by Kwara United in their 1-0 defeat to Enugu Rangers on Sunday.
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The two match officials have also been removed from the 2026/2027 NPFL referees and assistant referees’ list, with the disciplinary action taking immediate effect after the NFF Refereeing Development Committee reviewed the controversial incident involving Alex Jerry’s 78th-minute effort.
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The decision proved costly for Kwara United, who were denied a potential equaliser after Alex Jerry found the back of the net in the 78th minute, allowing Rangers to protect their 1-0 advantage and extend their lead at the top of the NPFL standings to three points over second-placed Bendel Insurance.
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The defeat leaves Kwara United in 16th position on the NPFL table with 12 points from 12 matches, while league leaders Enugu Rangers turn their attention to Sunday’s away fixture against Niger Tornadoes, as the Harmony Boys prepare to welcome Rivers United in their next league assignment.
November 10, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari following the controversial disallowance of a goal scored by Kwara United in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter against Enugu Rangers on Sunday.
The disciplinary action follows the incident during the NPFL clash between both sides, which ended 1-0 in favour of Rangers.
Victor Chimezie had given the Flying Antelopes the lead in the 40th minute, finishing from a tight angle after receiving an assist from Pius Igwe.
Kwara United thought they had rescued a point in the 78th minute when Alex Jerry found the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out after the second assistant referee flagged for an infringement.
Consequently, the NFF Refereeing Development Committee suspended Referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari indefinitely after the controversial disallowance of the Kwara United goal against Enugu Rangers.
The Nigeria Premier Football League confirmed the suspension in a post on X on Tuesday.
NPFL wrote: “Referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh & assistant referee Adamu Zakari have been suspended indefinitely by @thenff refereeing development committee for what it described as the cancellation of a “validly scored goal’ by Kwara Utd against Rangers on Sunday.”
The two officials have also been delisted from the 2026/2027 NPFL referees and assistant referees’ list over their involvement in the controversial incident.
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The suspension takes immediate effect and will remain indefinite.
The NFF has sanctioned several match officials over controversial decisions in the NPFL in recent months.
In September 2026, the federation indefinitely suspended assistant referee Aliyu Yakubu Bana following his decision to disallow what was considered a legitimate Enyimba goal during their 2-0 defeat to Doma United in a Matchday 3 fixture.
Earlier, in December 2025, the NFF suspended Moukhtar Bashir for disallowing a legitimate late goal scored by Rangers International during their 1-0 defeat to Rivers United.
The win extended Enugu Rangers’ lead on top of the NPFL to three points over second-placed Bendel Insurance.
As a result of the defeat, Kwara United have 12 points from 12 matches to occupy the 16th position.
Up next for Enugu Rangers is an away clash against Niger Tornadoes on Sunday, while Kwara United will face Rivers United at home.
