Nigerian Football
At ‘half-time’ Remo Stars set to top Nigeria league into 2025
After a hard-fought 2-1 win over Akwa United, Remo Stars remain atop the Nigeria Premier Football League. They could have their leadership position rolled into 2025 if Rivers United fail to make mincemeat of visiting Plateau United in the last Match Day 19 duel scheduled for this Monday in Port Harcourt.
Remo Stars have 36 points. If they beat Plateau United in the last NPFL match of the year, Rivers United can also score 36 points.
But to upstage Remo Stars at the summit, Rivers United will need a heavy goal margin against Plateau United owing to the goal-difference advantage currently in favour of Remo Stars.
In their match with struggling Akwa United in Ikenne on Sunday, Remo Stars had a dream start. After just three minutes, they were already a goal ahead. Opening the game with a ferocious attack, they earned a penalty kick when a defender of Akwa United handled the ball in the penalty box.
Shuaibu Ibrahim made no mistake in converting the spot kick. They continued to pile pressure but could not double the lead.
Late into the first half, Akwa United fought back with a fantastically taken free kick that could go on television exhibition.
A little outside Remo Stars’ penalty box, a player feigned, before Kabir Osoba curved the ball past the defensive wall and beat outstretched goalkeeper Serge Obassa in goal.
Remo Stars had to dig deep before it could secure a 2-1 win against Akwa United through Raymond Tochukwu.
Defending Champions, Enugu Rangers are on the front foot after last week’s defeat at home as they nicked in a lone goal win away at Niger Tornadoes in Minna on Sunday.
After enduring its second home defeat in the ongoing season against eternal rival, Shooting Stars of Ibadan last week, it was Bashiru Usman’s lone strike in the 34th minute that erased the memories of his penalty miss in Enugu and put the team back in front line for the title with 31 points from 19 matches.
In Ibadan Shooting Stars extended their fifth-match winning run with a lone goal win against visiting Kwara United of Ilorin.
The only goal of the match came off the boot of Adam Mustapha on the dot of half-time.
In Lagos, Ikorodu City played its first of the two mandatory matches without fans, which they had to endure until late in the match. Nevertheless, they secured a 2-1 win against Sunshine Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
It was Shola Adelani who opened the score for the home side in the 39th minute but the lead was cancelled in the 45th minute. However, with time running out, the home side won a penalty deep into injury time which was converted again by Adelani.
El-Kanemi Warriors returned to winning ways with a lone-goal win over Kano Pillars. Umar Al Amin scored the only goal of the match in the 38th minute and the win thus pushed the side to fifth position with 29 points.
Azeez Faolu’s late goal in the 79th minute assured Katsina United the maximum points against Nasarawa United. Lobi Stars had to endure a goalless draw at home against Heartland FC and the result of the match did not have any meaningful impact on their respective position on the log.
Earlier on Saturday, Bayelsa United missed the opportunity to improve their position on the log as they were beaten by a lone goal by visiting Abia Warriors of Aba.
Kennedy Sheddy’s 35th-minute goal gave the side their first away win of the season.
This evening, former champions, Rivers United will attempt a catch-up at the top as they welcome Plateau United to Port Harcourt home ground.
Enyimba FC has announced that it has parted ways with head coach Yemi Olarenwaju. The club has been winless in eight consecutive matches in all competitions. It is their longest winless streak in 20 years.
The club thanked Coach Olarenwaju for his services and wishes him the best in his future endeavours.
Olanrewaju who took over from Finidi George when the latter moved to the Super Eagles had his last match on Boxing Day when Enyimba played a goalless draw with Plateau United.
Almost immediately, after his departure, Enyimba announced former Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma as the latest man on the saddle.
Nigerian Football
Nkechi Obi Shares Inspiring Christmas Message of Gratitude and Hope for Women’s Football
Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Nkechi Obi, has delivered an inspiring Christmas message, celebrating the board’s achievements in 2024 while expressing hope and determination for the future of women’s football in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the milestones of the past year, Obi extended heartfelt gratitude to players, coaches, fans, and stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to the league’s growth and success.
The experienced sports administrator described 2024 as a year of breaking barriers, strengthening structures, and laying the groundwork for even greater accomplishments.
“As we celebrate Christmas and reflect on another remarkable year, I want to express my profound gratitude to everyone who has been part of the NWFL’s journey,” Obi said.
“To our players, your passion, talent, and resilience are the heart of this league, inspiring us to aim higher. To the coaches, officials, sponsors, and supporters, your commitment to advancing women’s football in Nigeria has been invaluable.”
Obi emphasized the values of love, unity, and hope that Christmas embodies, drawing parallels to the collaborative spirit driving the league forward. She encouraged stakeholders to celebrate the progress made and remain optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.
“The 2024/2025 season promises to be one of growth, excitement, and greater inclusivity,” she added.
“Together, we will continue to push boundaries and ensure women’s football reaches its full potential in Nigeria. I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May the season bring peace, love, and renewed inspiration for us all.”
Her message not only celebrates the successes of the past year but also sets a tone of optimism and collaboration for 2025, reaffirming the NWFL board’s commitment to excellence and progress.
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Nigerian Football
Day of the stars as Remo Stars go into Christmas as NPL leaders and Shooting Stars end Enugu Rangers’ 10-match unbeaten run
The stars have the day in the Nigeria Premier Football League. Tough for them, but they prevailed. Just as it happened last year, Remo Stars are leading the log at Christmas after a late 2-0 win just as it occurred last year.
Last year, they went into Christmas as NPFL champions after prevailing in a table-top contest with Lobi Stars in which they won 2-0
The Ikenne side won 2-0 late into the game as Sikiru Alimiput in the first goal almost on the dot of regulation time after both sides had had close misses.
At about the same time this year, late goals saw them beat Bayelsa United 2-0 after Jabbar Malik’s brace in the 84th and 88th minutes.
It turned a table-topping outing for Remo Stars as initial leaders, Rivers United played 1-1 with Nasarawa United.
Visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan came out top in the much-anticipated match against their age-long arch-rivals, Enugu Rangers at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu.
It was Ikouwem Utin’s 27th-minute goal that ended Rangers’ 10-match unbeaten run.
To cap the unlucky day, Rangers failed to convert a penalty awarded to the side in the 88th minute.
Interestingly, it was another home loss to Kano Pillars in mid-October the last time the defending champion was on the losing side.
For Shooting Stars, a resurgent team led by Ogunbote have won their last four matches gaining 12 points maximum points to lift the side into the third position with 30 points from 18 matches.
In Aba, Abia Warriors deflated high-ridding Ikorodu City with a 2-0 win. Ijoma Desouza put the home side in the lead in the 10th minute and doubled the lead on the dot of halftime with another goal.
Earlier on Saturday, Bendel Insurance pipped fellow struggling side, Lobi Stars by a lone goal scored by Isaac Annor in the 83rd minute.
Kano Pillars won 2-1 against visiting Niger Tornadoes. Played before a massive crowd at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Rashid Alhasan put the host in front in the 30th minute but the visitors levelled up in the 60th minute through Mohammed Aliyu before Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa scored the winner in the added time.
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