Nigerian Football
Gombe United end Remo Stars’ unbeaten run
Remo Stars have slipped into the third position following their 1-0 loss to Gombe United on Sunday. It was the team’s first loss as the Nigeria Professional Football League gets into matchday 12.
Ibrahim Yahaya’s goal in the 15th minute changed the order on the league table as Rivers United regained the top position following their 3-0 defeat of Wikki Tourists on Saturday while Plateau United also moved to the second position with 24 points after an away 1-0 defeat of Kano Pillars.
Sunday Anthony’s 85th minute goal proved highly profitable for Plateau United.
On Saturday, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes shared the spoils, 1-1 at Aba Stadium. On the same day, Katsina United got the better of Kwara. Nafiu Ibrahim’s 65th minute goal was the difference between the Changi boys and Kwara at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
In Uyo, reigning champions Akwa United are still struggling to find their rhythm as they failed to beat Heartland, ending the tie at 0-0 after failing to convert two penalty kick awards.
Nasarawa United and Sunshine Stars also shared points at the Lafia stadium. Visiting Sunshing Stars had gone up in the first half with a Leonard Ugochukwu strike. Lawal Shehu levelled up in the 40th minute.
Shooting Stars who recently returned to winning way had to wait till the 80th minute before Sunday Faleye scored the goal in the 1-0 defeat of Dakkada.
In Markurdi, the road to relegation appeared to being well paved for MFM as they were defeated 2-1 by Lobi Stars.
Rangers defeated Abia Warriors 2-1 to take all three points at stake. Christian Nnaji got the Flying Antelopes ahead from the spot before Valentine Odoh leveled up for the visitors in the 66th minute. Chidiebere Nwobodo, however, netted for the home side to ensure that Rangers edge out the Imama Amapakabo boys.
Matchday 12 Results
- Akwa United 0-0 Heartland
- Nasarawa United 1-1 Sunshine Stars
- Gombe 1-0 Remo Stars
- Shooting Stars 1-0 Dakkada
- Lobi Stars 2-1 MFM
- Rangers 2-1 Abia Warriors
- Kano Pillars 0-1 Plateau United
- Katsina 1-0 Kwara United
- Enyimba 1-1 Niger Tornadoes
- Rivers 3-0 Wikki Tourists
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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