Nigerian Football

As Projected, Nigeria Swaps Position with Cameroon in FIFA Ranking

Published

7 years ago

September 14, 2017

Just a projected by Sports Village Square in its Wednesday publication, Nigeria merely swap position with Cameroon in the monthly FIFA ranking released this Thursday.

Similarly the ranking, as earlier scooped by Sports Village Square, see most African teams depreciating in points which resulted in all dropping in their global rankings.

For instance Nigeria, with 696 points as projected by Sports Village Square, dropped to 44^th position from its earlier 38^th. As predicted by the Sports Village Square, Nigeria and Cameroon merely exchanged positions continentally and globally.

The continental ranking was just as projected. Egypt, even though dropped globally from 25 to 30, remains number one in Africa just as Tunisia as world number 31 is the number two in Africa.

Globally, current World Cup holders, Germany have returned to the top by upstaging Brazil. The reigning world champions edged ahead of A Seleção following two impressive FIFA World Cup qualifying victories over Czech Republic and Norway, and head a table much changed after the recent Russia 2018 preliminaries.

Belgium, for example, climbed four places to enter the top five on the back of qualifying for next year’s finals. Portugal, for their part, are up three to third and, further down, no fewer than 23 teams jumped ten places or more.

Among the most notable climbers are the Cape Verde Islands (67, up 47), Luxembourg (101, up 35), Bolivia (46, up 22) and Denmark (26, up 20), this on the back of stunning results in qualifying against South Africa, France, Chile and Poland respectively.

Luxembourg is also one of four teams to have reached an all-time high position in the latest Ranking, along with Peru (12, up 3), Northern Ireland (20, up 3) and Syria (75, up 5).

The Bolivians, meanwhile, number among five new entries to the top 50, where they are joined by Montenegro (37, up 15), Bulgaria (38, up 14), Scotland (43, up 15) and Haiti (48, up 7). The next World Ranking will be published on October 16.

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.

The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.

Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.

Nigerian Football

Three away wins mark the opening phase of Nigeria’s Season 2024/25

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.

It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.

Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.

Kwara United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes

Sunshine 3-0 Bayelsa: Saidu Salisu

Bendel Insurance 0-0 Rivers United

Heartland 1-3 Enyimba

Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars

Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United

Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City

Nasarawa United 1-1 Shooting Stars

Nigerian Football

NPFL 2025 Season goes into full swing this Sunday

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian football fields are set agog again as the Nigeria Premier Football League gets underway with the Season 2024/25.

The opening matches are not staggered as in the previous seasons. Rather, all the matches will be played simultaneously at 4 pm.

Sunshine Stars are hosting Bayelsa United. Bendel Insurance will host Rivers United.

Bendel Insurance begin another title race to see if they can be crownd Nigerian champions. They last won the Nigeria topmost league in 1979.

Former Enyimba and Super Eagles’ coach, Finidi George opens his bew adventure in Port Harcourt with a home game of Rivers United against Bendel Insurance.

Crowd-pulling Kano Pillars will clash with new comers, Ikorodu City. Kano Pillars, with a passionate home crowd, are always a formidable opponents.

Kwara United will look to dominate at home as they host Niger Tornadoes.

The Oriental Derby will be in Owerri as Heartland FC, lucky escapee into the top league will host Enyimba FC. Heartland which took the place of Beyon Limit Academy of Ikenne be looking to make a strong start at home after re-invigorating their squad with new signings and trimming old legs.

Their coach, Emmanuel Amuneke will also have to prove his mettle in the club.

Other matches on Sunday include Abia Warriors versus Remo Stars, Nasarawa United versus Shooting Stars, and Plateau United will host Katsina United.

Lobi Stars who are consistent performers will aim to secure an early win against Akwa United on Monday.

Akwa United struggled and escape relegation last season. But the team has re-energised their squad with new signings.