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RIVERS UNITED PIP EL-KANEMI WARRIORS
BY SAMMY WEJINYA.
Guy Kuemian’s well-taken second-half goal proved decisive as Rivers United got their 2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) campaign off to the perfect start.
Rivers United won 1-0 against El-Kanemi Warriors in a wonderfully-open contest Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Kuemian latched onto a perfect through ball from debutant, Samuel Ganda on 67 minutes to smack unerringly past the El-Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper and captain, George Micahel.
El Kanemi Warriors, easy on the eye with possession-based football, had their moments in both halves but profligacy proved the undoing of the “Borno Army” for most parts of a compelling contest.
Mathias Samuel should have broken the deadlock in the 38th minute but inexplicably shot into the orbit when he should, at the very least, have made the Rivers United goal keeper, Robert Cole earn his stripes.
Bello Musa also came close for the visitors shortly after half time but the hosts slowly began to gain a foothold in the game with Samuel Akinbinu planting a tame header straight at goalkeeper, Michael after Chiwendu Ali delivered a pin point cross from the left.
Isiaka Olawale should have equalized for the Warriors on 77 minutes but the veteran badly miscued his effort from close range when he found himself unmarked in the United penalty area.
El Kanemi had a late chance to level matters after Christian Weli uncharacteristically lost the ball in midfield but Sule Mohammed somehow dragged his shot wide after doing the hard work of carving out space and shooting past Cole in the United goal.
Ochowechi ‘Oche’ Salefu had a shot cleared off the line in stoppage time before the referee called a halt to proceedings.
El Kanemi’s captain, Michael cut a disappointed figure at the post match press conference as he told assembled media that failure to convert the numerous chances that came their way cost them dear in the end.
“I think we wasted our chances and that’s how the game of football is.
“They had their chances and converted one so we just have to go back home and work on our finishing,” he said.
Technical manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma also spoke after the contest.
“It wasn’t a bad game; the players tried their best. I am not disappointed in the game because I know it is not easy because El-Kanemi Warriors is also a very good side but I think the (goal) we got made the difference in the end,” he told the Rivers United official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
Rivers United next face on Wednesday in Jos while El Kanemi Warriors face Abia Warriors on the same day, in Maiduguri.
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
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The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
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By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
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