Nigerian Football

Now, Rivers flow seamlessly at the top

Published

3 years ago

February 21, 2022

Rivers United reclaimed the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top spot but Plateau United who will only play their game on Wednesday against Gombe United and regain the position.

Rivers United ended the six game unbeaten away run of Enugu Rangers in Port Harcourt on Sunday while Akwa United and Sunshine Stars returned to winning ways before their fans as the league season entered MatchDay 14.

At the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Sunshine Stars bounced back to winning ways after a slim 1-0 win over Kwara United.

The Owena Whales had lost by a lone goal to Niger Tornadoes on Wednesday by virtually the last kick of the game in Abuja but they showed they were more businesslike when Abdul Taofeek shot them ahead in the second minute of the tie.

It was the only goal of the game and it also ended a run of four games without a victory.

Sunshine Stars are 11th on the table with 17 points from 13 games but Kwara United have slipped to the sixth spot with 21 points.

The Qua Iboe derby produced five goals between Akwa United and Dakkada FC with the home team securing their first win in Uyo after four games since January 16th, 2022 when they beat Katsina United 2-0 in a MatchDay 6 tie.

They had suffered three successive home draws with Sunshine Stars, Kwara United and Heartland with the latter tie leading to the disengagement of former boss, Kennedy Boboye.

The frenetic encounter saw Femi Ajayi scoring the curtain raiser for the Dakkada in the 17th minute after a brilliant pass from Solomon Kantoma but the Promise Keepers equalised 13th minutes later from the spot kick after the goal scorer, Samuel Amadi was upended in the 18 yard box moments earlier.

Akwa United then took the lead through Wisdom Fernando in the 51st minute off a good cross from Ubong Essien and they made it 3-1 in the 75th minute after a wonderful solo effort from Ezekiel Bassey.

Dakkada’s Rivio Ayemwenre reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 79th minute to make it their third consecutive loss.

The win has taken the Promise Keepers to the 5th spot with 23 points from 14 games and it was also the first time this season that the league’s reigning champions would win two straight games but Dakkada continue to court the relegation zone as they are 18th with 12 points.

At the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers United put an end to Enugu Rangers’ unbeaten run in their away matches to assume the leadership of the league table at least for the next 24 hours with 29 points from 14 games after a 1-0 win.

Both teams were placed second and third spots on the league table before the tie but the Rivers United notched the all important goal in the 61st minute through Nyima Nwagua who tapped in from close range after Morice Chukwu’s free kick hit the woodwork and fell to his path.

Rangers remain in top spot with 23 points but the position may change at the conclusion of Monday rescheduled MatchDay 14 games.

Meanwhile at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Shooting Stars failed to make home advantage count after they were held to a goalless draw by Wikki Tourists.

It would be the third time the Oluyole Warrriors will be dropping points at home after Akwa United and Sunshine Stars stopped them from claiming maximum points in Ibadan as well.

Shooting Stars are in the 10th spot with 19 points while Wikki Tourists are in the 8th spot with 20 points.

In the earlier game played on Saturday, MFM became the third team to pick valuable away point in Aba after they snatched a 1-1 draw against Enyimba at the Enyimba International Stadium.

Enyimba were held to another 1-1 draw by Niger Tornadoes at the same stadium seven days earlier and they were hoping to return to winning ways after the 1-0 slip in Ilorin against Kwara United at midweek.

They were in the ascendancy in the 7th minute through Victor Mbaoma but the Olukoya Boys fought back gamely and equalised five minutes later through Chukwudi Ekeocha.
points.

Katsina United will host Heartland FC while Lobi Stars are at home to Remo Stars in Makurdi on Monday.

Also, Kano Pillars will seek a return to winning ways when they slug it out with Abia Warriors at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna while Nasarawa United face Niger Tornadoes in Lafia.

Some of the Results of NPFL Week 14 Games

Enyimba 1-1 MFM
Rivers United 1-0 Enugu Rangers
Akwa United 3-2 Dakkada FC
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Kwara United
Shooting Stars 0-0 Wikki Tourists

Monday

Katsina United vs Heartland FC
Lobi Stars vs Remo Stars
Kano Pillars vs Abia Warriors
Nasarawa United vs Niger Tornadoes

Wednesday

Gombe United vs Plateau United

-NPFL

Nigerian Football

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

Published

6 days 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

1 week 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.”

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

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 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.