Nigerian Football
Remo Stars back on top, win Star War in Ikenne
Remo Stars are back on the top of the ladder in the Nigeria Professional Football League after their 1-0 defeat of Shooting Stars in Ikenne on Sunday.
The win did not just shoot the team back to the top, Remo Stars remain the only undefeated team in the NPFL after 11 matchdays.
While Remo Stars won the ‘Star War’ in Ikenne, the ‘United Battle’ at the New Jos Stadium did not go the way of Rivers United as they unexpectedly slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Plateau United.
The goal that tumbled Rivers United from the summit was scored by Akila Jesse Jidima in the 32nd minute.
Remo Stars at the time of Plateau United’s goal had found themselves in the third position as the Jos side had moved to number two on the log.
Great thanks to Junior Nduka whos scored from a 61st minute free kick.
In Uyo, Dakkada found comfort in returning to their home ground as Musa Bashiru’s late goal helped the team to a lone goal victory against visiting Kano Pillars.
The striker who came on as a second half substitute had latched onto a rebound after Pillars goalkeeper Joshua Enahalo failed to parry Unwana Asuquo’s pile driver off a free kick from 25 yards to safety, in the 85th minute.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars could not glitter as they were dimmed 1-0 by visiting Enyimba Victor Mbaoma’s 46th goal was all the invading Elephants needed to trampled on the Sunshine Stars.
MFM continued their unimpressive run this season as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Akwa United. In Ilorin, Kwara United defeated Lobi Stars 1- 0 to place fifth on the log. Samad Kadiri scored the goal in the 72nd minute.
Niger Tornadoes beat Katsina United 2-1. Ahmad Liman shot the home side ahead in the 20th minute before Shamusideen Hashim doubled the lead five minutes lated. Just before half time, Sani Faisal pulled a goal back for the visiting Katsina United.
Enugu Rangers salvaged a point as they held host team, Wikki Tourists to a goalless draw.
All the Results
- Kwara United 1-0 Lobi Stars
- MFM 0-0 Akwa United
- Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Katsina United
- Plateau United 1-0 Rivers United
- Remo Stars 1-0 Shooting Stars
- Sunshine Stars 0-1 Enyimba
- Wikki Tourists 0-0 Enugu Rangers
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.”
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 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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
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