Nigerian Football
Absurdity as 34 minutes of added time offers Katsina United a 3-2 win over Remo Stars
The Nigeria Professional Football League slipped deeper into the abyss following an unusual nearly 45 minutes of added time in a Week 35 fixture of Katsina United and Remo Stars at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Final scores stood at 3-2 for the home team with the winning goal being scored by Emmanuel Matthew after 34 minutes of added time! The home side had gone ahead through a brace by Tosin Omoyele in the 11th minute and a penalty goal in the 26th minute.
The Remo Stars began a remarkable come-back in the 56th minute with a goal from Alimi Sikiru in the 56th minute. At 90+2 minutes, they were back on level terms and seemed to consolidate on their third position placement on the league log.
But it appeared the referee had other intentions giving the match almost a timeless added time until Emmanuel Matthew scored the winner for Katsina United after a whopping 34 minutes of added time.
The winning goal has offered succour for Katsina United who were hitherto swimming in the murky waters of relegation. But for the goal, they would have been in the 17th position of the 20-team league. They have been able to swim upstream to the 15th position.
For Remo Stars, despite the loss, they still retain their third position on the league table.
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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