Nigerian Football
Nasarawa escape the drop, compound Kano Pillars’ woes 
It was a battle of survival between Nasarawa United and Kano Pillars in one of the MatchDay 37 encounter of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) games as the season nears end.
Nasarawa desperation for survival was evident in the encounter at the adopted home in Jos with crisp display from the kickoff, dictating the pace from all fronts forcing Pillars defence to committing fouls and conceding no fewer than five corner kicks in the first thirty minutes of the game.
Though the first half was scoreless; it was the hosts that exhibited the hunger for victory with Pillars chasing the ball and waiting for the counter that rarely happened with occasional breakaway that left Nasarawa defence unperturbed.
Joshua Ogbole eventually decided the tide of the game in the 68th as he latched on a pull out from Chinedu Ohanachom who went deep into the flank to supply the cross for Ogbole to tap into the net for the lone goal.
It raised some mild controversy as Pillars players complained that the ball had gone out of play before it was lobbed for Ogbole to score; a complaint that earned keeper Joshua Enahobo a yellow card for confronting the Assistant Referee.
The decision of the referee to allow the goal was criticised by Salisu Yusuf, the Pillars handler who expressed dissatisfaction on the officials that handled the game.
“The officiating is a disappointment and the referees need to improve in handling of matches.”
“There can be improvements from match officials as against what we witnessed this evening and for us to improve in the standard of play; officiating has to improve” the Pillars handler protested.
However, it was jubilation for Bala Nikyu as his team escaped the drop with the victory over Pillars.
“Pillars came to play a spoiler role. We have to dig deep and remain focused in our determination to secure victory which eventually came our way”.
“Though it is a disappointing season, we still have our stars to thank for escaping relegation”, an elated Nasarawa coach stated after the game.
The victory ensured Nasarawa United with 50 points has maintained its position in the elite division.
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.”
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.
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