1 week ago
39
The Nigeria Premier Football League is back for another, and the razzmatazz of match-day one has set the tone for what to expect this season. ABIODUN ADEWALE takes a look at the top moments that defined the first 10 games
Three away wins
Is there a better way to start the season than seeing three solid wins on the road with two of them coming in derbies?
Nine-time champions Enyimba made a statement in Owerri, beating South-East rivals Heartland 3-1 in an Oriental derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. In nearby Umuahia, Abia Warriors also fell 2-0 against Remo Stars, while Niger Tornadoes also stunned Kwara United 2-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium.
Enyimba’s win on their rival’s territory shows the intent of the team led by Yemi Olanrewaju to regain the league title. At the same time, it was not a pleasant welcome for Emmanuel Amuneke to the NPFL dugout.
New season, same old Odigie
There seems to be no separating Bendel Insurance coach, Monday Odigie, and anger. After their goalless draw at home against 10-man Rivers United in Benin-City, Odigie was quizzed by journalists on how his team failed to utilise the numerical advantage against their opponents. After fielding the question, the gaffer couldn’t help getting into his furious element and requested to be excused from the presser because of the ‘kind of questions he was getting’.
Nasarawa United penalty call
What’s a matchday in the NPFL without a debate on referees’ decisions? During their 1-1 draw against 3SC in Lafia, hosts Nasarawa United were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute, which was converted by Anas Yusuf. But in hindsight, the 3SC defender simply got the ball during the tackle, but the referee adjudged the incident to be a foul. If only the NPFL had VAR, the referee would have had the benefit of a replay and avoided controversy.
First goal of the season, the goal of the season contender
After the opening game of the season between reigning champions Enugu Ranger and El-Kanemi Warriors failed to produce a goal on Saturday, August 31, the spotlight was back on the remaining nine games on Sunday, and that moment was taken by Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni, who scored the first goal of the season with a 24th-minute penalty that earned his team a win over Katsina United in Jos.
Meanwhile, the first goal of the season might be a penalty, but there was another superb goal by Sabiu Ibrahim of Niger Tornadoes, which could easily pass for goal of the week and one of the top goals of the season contender. Ibrahim found space and time from yards out, and he fired a long-range screamer, which beat Kwara goalkeeper Suraj Ayeloso.
Another beauty of the goal was also hitting the inside of the crossbar before bouncing over the goal line.
Young Promise, old Ali
In terms of individual performance, several players turned up on Sunday, and two of them struck even better because of their contrasting ages: 19-year-old Promise Awosanmi of Sunshine Stars and 43-year-old Kano Pillars captain Rabiu Ali.
In Ijebu-Ode, the adopted home ground of Sunshine Stars, Awosanmi was the central figure, providing an assist and scoring a free kick to help Kennedy Boboye’s side to a 3-0 win over Bayelsa United. Similarly, the ageless Ali also scored two goals, including a free kick, as Kano Pillars welcomed newcomers Ikorodu City to the NPFL with a 3-0 thrashing in Katsina.
English (US) ·