Nigerian Football

HURRAH! NIGERIA’S PREMIER FOOTBALL LEAGUE IS BACK!

Published

6 years ago

January 13, 2019

BY APESIN ADEMOLA.

The Nigerian football fields are again set agog. First it went on break shortly before Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup last June. Then it got enmeshed in the protracted legal dispute over the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.

To meet CAF deadline for the submission of teams for its club competitions, a “Doctrine of Necessity” canvassed by Sports Village Square had to be adopted.

https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2018/08/31/lmc-adopts-doctrine-of-necessity-crown-league-leaders-lobi-as-champions/

When that was over, the protest by sections of the top-flight league and the immediate lower cadre about the promotion and relegation processes bedevilled the start of a new season for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). Gladly however, all is now finally settled and the 2018/19 NPFL get off the ground on Sunday.

Now divided into two groups of 12 teams each, the top two teams in each group of the regular 22-match season will fight for the title in the round-robin championship phase, while the bottom four in each section will battle to determine which four teams will stay up.

On the opening day, Lobi Stars and Rangers, both in Group A, will be excused from duty because of their continental fixtures. Their league matches (Lobi Stars v Katsina United, Rangers v Niger Tornadoes) will be rearranged.

Also, since the Nigerian National League Super 8, was concluded only last Thursday, the Matchday 1 fixtures of the newly promoted teams will be rescheduled.

Kaduna-based Kada Stars, which won the NNL Super 8, would have been in Port Harcourt on Sunday to face Go Round FC, while Insurance of Benin, runners-up of the Super 8, would have played away to Wikki Tourists.

Also postponed are the matches involving Gombe United and Remo Stars, the other teams just elevated. Gombe United would have had a date in Damaturu with Yobe Desert Stars, while Remo Stars were to be hosted by Rivers United.

Also in Group A with title holders Lobi Stars are Enyimba, Nigeria’s most successful club with two CAF Champions League and as many CAF Super Cup titles in their trophy shelf but who have not won the domestic league title since 2015, their seventh win.

Enyimba will start the campaign at home against Lagos team MFM, who almost won the league in the 2016/17 season dropping out to eventual champions Plateau United in the last two rounds of matches.

The other match in Group A pairs Kwara United against Sunshine Stars in Ilorin, while four matches are to be played another day. These are the earlier mentioned Lobi Stars v Katsina United, Rangers v Niger Tornadoes, Wikki Tourists v Insurance, and Rivers United v Remo Stars.

Last season’s runners-up Akwa United and 2016/17 winners Plateau United headline Group B that also include former champions Kano Pillars.

Akwa United will host El-Kanemi Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, while Plateau United welcome FC Ifeanyi Ubah to Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos as Kano Pillars engage Heartland at the Sani Abacha Stadium and Nasarawa United v Abia Warriors.

Yobe Desert Stars v Gombe United, Go Round FC v Kada Stars are to be rearranged.

Insurance of Benin, one of the country’s legacy club sides, last played in the top flight 10 years ago, while Gombe Stars and Remo Stars are making a return to the topflight.

Matchday 1 fixtures…

Group A:

Kwara United v Sunshine Stars (4pm)
Enyimba v MFM (4pm)
Wikki Tourists v Insurance (4pm)
Rivers United v Remo Stars (4pm)
Rangers v Niger Tornadoes * postponed
Lobi Stars v Katsina United * postponed

Group B:

Nasarawa United v Abia Warriors (4pm)
Plateau United v FC Ifeanyi Ubah (4pm)
Kano Pillars v Heartland (4pm)
Akwa United v El-Kanemi Warriors (4pm)
Yobe Desert Stars v Gombe United *postponed
Go Round FC v Kada Stars *postponed

Nigerian Football

Away two-goal specialists, Remo Stars win in Kano to stay atop

Published

3 hours ago

September 22, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Remo Stars continued their good form in the Nigeria domestic league as they snatched another 2-0 away win against one of the traditional strong sides, Kano Pillars on Sunday.

They had earlier had another 2-0 away win when they defeated Abia Warriors in Umuahia two weeks ago. With Sunday’s win, they remain on top of the log with their nine points and five goals.

They are yet to concede any goal this season. On Sunday, Sodiq Ismail put Remo Stars in front after 26 minutes. Togolese import, Franck Mawuena doubled the lead in the 60^th minute.

In another encounter, Niger Tornadoes pulled a major upset, winning 2-1 away from home as they beat former Nigerian champions, Plateau United. Ifeanyi Okechukwu put the visitors ahead in the 17^th minute. They doubled theit lead in the fourth minute of added time of the second half through Kufre Ebong.

A minute later, Pam Samuel scored a consolatory goal for Plateau United. Hearrtland of Owerri continued their winless run as they played a goalless draw at home with visiting Katsina United.

Sunshine Stars also played 0-0 with Abia Warriors.

Nigerian Football

Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead

Published

1 week ago

September 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.

On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.

The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.

They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.

The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.

On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.

Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

2 weeks ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.

Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.

“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.

Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.

Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.

He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.

To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”