The Nigeria Football Federation has suspended referee Abdulrasheed Jimoh and assistant referee Adamu Zakari indefinitely over the decision to disallow a Kwara United goal in Sunday’s 1–0 defeat to Rangers International in Awka, Bold Sports reports.
The NFF Refereeing Development Committee sanctioned the officials after determining that Kwara had been denied a valid goal during the Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 12 encounter. The league announced the suspensions on Tuesday.
The officials have also been removed from the list of referees and assistant referees for the 2026–27 NPFL season. The committee’s communication, dated November 9 and signed by its secretary Mohammed Ameen, said the decision had affected the scoreline and outcome of the match.
Kwara thought they had drawn level in the 78th minute when Alex Jerry put the ball in the net. The effort was cancelled following a decision concerning an alleged foul throw in the build-up, leaving the visitors still searching for an equaliser.
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Rangers had taken the lead through Victor Chimezie in the 40th minute and held that advantage until the final whistle. The committee’s subsequent assessment of the cancelled goal has resulted in disciplinary action against the two officials.
The league’s published appointments for the match listed Jimoh as the referee and Zakari Adamu as the first assistant. Sada Abubakar was the second assistant, with Justin Onyika appointed as the fourth official for the fixture at the Awka Township Stadium.
The published league table continues to record Rangers with 24 points from 11 matches following the win. They lead second-placed Bendel Insurance by three points and have a game in hand, while Nasarawa United are third on 20 points from 12 matches.
Kwara remain 15th with 12 points from 12 games. Their record stands at three wins, three draws and six defeats, putting them one point above Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Abia Warriors, who each have 11.
Sunday’s defeat followed a 2–1 home loss to Bendel Insurance on November 1. Kwara had also lost 2–0 at Ikorodu City in October and will now look to improve their position against Rivers United.
Rangers, meanwhile, had beaten Bendel Insurance 1–0 in their rescheduled Matchday 9 game on November 4. That victory came after a 1–1 draw away to Rivers United, giving the league leaders seven points from their last three matches.
Both clubs return to league action on Sunday, November 15. Rangers visit Niger Tornadoes, while Kwara United host Rivers United in their next home fixture.
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