Nigerian Football
LOBI STARS’ SIKIRU ALIMI IMPRESSED BY GROWING COMPETITIVENESS OF NIGERIAN LEAGUE
BY CHIBUOGWU NNADIEGBULAM
After his side’s 1-1 draw with Rivers United on Thursday at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Lobi Stars’ striker, Sikiru Alimi hailed the high level of competitiveness that has been on display in this year’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)
The Matchday 20 Group A encounter saw the Makurdi-based side pick up their seventh away point of the season as they extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches to further strengthen their hopes for a Title Playoff place.
Rivers United’s Kunle Odunlami scored a first half own goal to give Lobi the lead before Adebambo Ademola snatched a second half equalizer for the hosts.
With the regular season now on the home stretch, Rivers United had seen the home game as a chance to dislodge Lobi and occupy second place on the table, but the visitors had other ideas with Alimi as Tormentor-in-Chief.
“The game was all about pride and priority,” Alimi, who was voted Man of the Match, told npfl.ng.
“We knew if we didn’t get a point in Port Harcourt, it might dent our continental aspirations, so we came all out for the game and it reflected. It’s a good one for us going forward.”
So far, one interesting fact that has caught the eye of NPFL fans and critics alike is that none of the 24 teams participating in this season’s campaign can boast a perfect home record.
This has effectively put any debate regarding the win-at-home syndrome to bed and has produced impressive unbeaten runs; Rangers executed 13 games, home and away, without defeat, Enyimba did 12, Akwa United did nine while Lobi are on seven with the hope of extending it further.
Out of the ten away games they have played, Coach Solomon Ogbeide’s charges have secured seven draws and just three defeats, picking points from even the Cathedral in Enugu and Enyimba International’s ‘Rolls-Royce’ Stadium.
“The season has been a great one with surprising results week-in, week-out,” Alimi confessed, “some of the dreaded fortresses have been turned to farm houses.
“I hope it continues this way and hopefully we can sell our league to the world,” the former Sunshine Stars player added.
It is the ambition of the club to return to continental football next season but Alimi has stated that they would have to qualify for the NPFL Playoff first.
At this season’s CAF Champions League, Alimi was top scorer for Lobi Stars with five crucial goals as the Ortom Boys failed to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
But he expressed satisfaction at their performance considering they were initially “written off”.
“We just want to take it a step at a time. We want to make the Super 6 first before talking about getting a slot in the continent.
“The continental experience was something to behold. Nothing beats the experience.
“Although I’ve been in a continental setup before with Warri Wolves, but it’s with Lobi that I could make an impact. It’s another level of play on its own. I’m so glad for the opportunity and impact that I made. The NPFL is blessed with talents,” he concluded.
Lobi Stars will host Wikki Tourists at the Aper Aku Stadium on Monday, the penultimate Matchday of the regular season, as they look to grab one of the two playoff tickets left in Group A after leaders Rangers secured their place on Wednesday
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 60th 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 17th 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.
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.
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.”
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