Ahead the Cathedral showdown in Enugu, Enyimba head coach, Yemi Daniel Olanrewaju popularly known as Yema, has warned that though he respects Rangers Fidelis Ilechukwu as a senior colleague, the match is about defending the club’s colours. He would be leading Enyimba to Enugu where the two top teams face off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium with swashbuckling Ilechukwu in the opposite dug-out. After hailing Ilechukwu as his senior and who would have been his boss at the defunct MFM, Yemi warned, “but everyone has to defend his club and try to get the job done”. “He is a great guy I have a lot of respect for and nothing will change no matter the results in Enugu”. “Ilechukwu is a senior and more like a big brother to me. He left MFM when I got there and we have a good relationship”. Still on the Matchday 35 winner-takes-all fixture, Yemi described it as going to be “a tough game, league decider if you ask me. Rangers look like the favorites but we’ll fight till the end” He admitted to not having much scouting of the opponents saying, “I don’t think I know them much. The way they started the season is not the way they are playing now and the formation is also different with personnels”. This lack of deep knowledge of the Enyimba team coupled with their inability to defeat the Flying Antelopes in Aba is not something the Coach is worried about as Accord to him, “if our two points had not been unfortunately deducted, we should be on the same points now”. Yemi could be described as one of the new generation coaches in the Nigeria football ecosystem. He is a young Turk in the football management business with ship sized ambitions and you only have to watch his animated gesticulations on the side lines during matches to agree with this tag. Promoted to the position of Head Coach in the wake of Finidi George’s appointment as Super Eagles manager, Yema as his fans call him is unfazed by the king-size task thrown on his young shoulders in coaching. He is barely five years into the business after starting off with Magate in 2019. Asked if this was going to be his season of big statement as a coach, Yema played it down but insisted that he is not being boastful in claiming some credit for Enyimba’s performance so far. “I don’t think it is a season of a big statement for me, I don’t want to praise myself but I have done well with the club even before being appointed after my big ‘bro’ Finidi left for eagles. I have handled the team for two months while he was away at AFCON and many qualifiers matches and everything was going on smoothly” It is not a light task to work as Coach of a club in a city where the club is hugely loved and expected to return laurels every season. The demands are not lost on him but he would rather dwell on the positives. “I feel good to be the head coach of a big club like Enyimba. I really want to say thank you to the management led by ‘King’ Nwankwo Kanu for the trust and believe. I also wish to say thank you to Aba fans for the massive love and support I get from them always. It has been fun and interesting with support of everyone out there”. Enyimba are two points behind Rangers as both teams go into the first of the last four games to end the season.
Rivers Utd confirm sacking of NPFL longest-serving coach Eguma
After 16 years in the saddle as Rivers United head coach, Stanley Eguma, has officially been cut loose by the Port Harcourt club. The confirmation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club comes more than three weeks since Eguma, whose role is often referred to as technical manager, has been excused from coaching duties in the run-up to ‘The Final Stretch’ of this season. Eguma’s assistant, Evans Ogenyi, stepped in since the absence of NPFL’s longest-serving coach in early May. However, what appears to be the worst kept secret has now been revealed official in a statement Rivers United released on Saturday morning before the commencement of Matchday 34. “The Management of Rivers United FC officially announces the termination of Coach Stanley Eguma’s appointment as Technical Manager of the Club,” the opening part of the statement revealed. Ogenyi has now been officially confirmed as interim head coach until the end of this season. Eguma has worked as coach at Enyimba and Heartland as well as defunct clubs Gabros and Sharks. He joined Dolphins (later merged with Sharks to become Rivers United) in 2008 and has been the head coach of Rivers United since 2016 before the termination of his contract on June 1. Eguma earned his first coaching licence at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in 1999.
Match officials & TV schedule for Matchday 34
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) continues this weekend into Monday as the season enters into the deep end of ‘The Final Stretch.’ Here are the match officials appointed for Matchweek 34. There will be seven LIVE matches all together for this gameweek on NPFL-Live and StarTimes. Saturday, June 1, 2024 DOMA UNITED v LOBI STARS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Jonathan Zakariya Assistant referee 1: Haruna Abdullahi Assistant referee 2: Abdulmajeed O. Usman Fourth official: Isah Aliyu Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe BENDEL INSURANCE v KATSINA UNITED (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Hannah Eliagwu Assistant referee 1: Taofik Alalade Assistant referee 2: Abubakar Jimoh Fourth official: Zakari Mohammed Kick-off: 5:45pm Venue: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City REMO STARS v KANO PILLARS (Live on StarTimes) Referee: Osas Eboigbodin Assistant referee 1: Wisdom Nwokocha Assistant referee 2: Emmanuel Atu Fourth official: Shehu Abdullahi Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne Sunday, June 2, 2024 SPORTING LAGOS v RANGERS (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Referee: Chilaka Igwe Assistant referee 1: Bashiru Yahaya Assistant referee 2: Nasiru Iyan Mafara Fourth official: Joel Onoh Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos ENYIMBA v RIVERS UNITED (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Grema Mohammed Assistant referee 1: Wasiu Ayinla Assistant referee 2: Tajudeen Bako Fourth official: Abdulkadir Adama Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba 3SC v ABIA WARRIORS (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Arewaremi Ebimene Assistant referee 1: Maikudi Abdullahi Assistant referee 2: Anas Ibrahim Fourth official: Ridwan Ajao Kick-off: 5:30pm Venue: Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan GOMBE UNITED v SUNSHINE STARS Referee: Rasheedah Abdulganiyu Assistant referee 1: Seun Olarenwaju Assistant referee 2: Nurah Rabiu Fourth official: Solomon Aweng Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Pantami Stadium, Gombe NIGER TORNADOES v KWARA UNITED Referee: Mamu Umar Assistant referee 1: Cletus Adewebi Assistant referee 2: Linus Ogar Fourth official: Solomon Hindan Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna BAYELSA UNITED v PLATEAU UNITED Referee: Yomi Olabiyi Assistant referee 1: Sodiq Sonibare Assistant referee 2: Sani Abdullahi Fourth official: Nonye R. Ibe Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa Monday, June 3, 2024 AKWA UNITED v HEARTLAND (Live on NPFL-Live) Referee: Idris Olabode Assistant referee 1: Sani Baba Assistant referee 2: Blessing Aransonwa Fourth official: Akpera Aondofa Kick-off: 4pm Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
Elegbeleye insists StarTimes was only broadcast offer for NPFL
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has reiterated that the broadcast rights deal signed with StarTimes was not just the only offer it received at the time but the best negotiated partnership that came after over six years of the league not shown on television. Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye made this submission in response to a publication that suggested that the NPFL snubbed an offer of $11million proposed by a shadowy character. “When the Interim Management Committee (IMC) which I headed came on board, there was not a single sponsorship for the league but we later got an investment partner in GTI that guaranteed N1billion for the season”, Elegbeleye stated. He recalled that amongst several other terms of reference, the IMC was mandated to secure television broadcast for the league. “It is on record that the last effective broadcast partnership the NPFL had was with SuperSport and it was terminated in 2016. Thereafter the league went on without proper broadcast partner until we signed Propel Sports Africa for streaming and shortly after, StarTimes for Direct to Home Satellite broadcast. “These deals were not signed overnight but took painstaking negotiations that lasted for months because we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do”, explained Elegbeleye. He said that the NPFL had at the outset insisted that it was open to offers and actually knocked on the doors of several corporate organisations pitching sponsorship of the league. “We spent time and personal resources travelling to court Corporate Nigeria to sponsor the league with our investment partners, GTI and we invested in efforts to rebrand the league. A consultant was hired for venue branding which offers in-stadium exposure to our potential sponsors and a website was also built for viral exposure. So, where was this phantom $11m dollar briefcase offer all the time”, queried the NPFL Chairman. He added that the IMC wooed SuperSport with a view to bringing the South African broadcast outfit back to the NPFL. “We couldn’t have rejected any offer when we were practically seeking to entice SuperSport back to the extent that we succeeded in bringing them to broadcast the 2022/23 Super 6 Playoff”, continued Elegbeleye. He urged the public to be wary of parasitic characters that thrive on controversy to stay relevant. “The NPFL is still very much open to listen to offers of partnership in other areas from well-meaning and credible Sports Marketing companies”, Elegbeleye said. GTI, as the League Investment Partner guarantees to provide funding of N10billion over ten years which ensures fund for the cost of organising the league including match officials payment and winning prize money.
NPFL scorers net 708 goals in 330 matches
Data released by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Competitions Unit indicate an average of +2 goals per match after Matchday 33 as a total of 708 goals were recorded in the 330 games so far played by the 20 clubs. The data has Remo Stars striker Sikiru Alimi as the leading scorer with 14 goals and Rangers International as the team with the best attack with 49 goals. Bendel Insurance are listed as the side with the least conceded goals having let in 25 in 33 games while Gombe United have conceded the most goals at 61. A total of 1,268 yellow cards have been issued with 43 players sent off. A further analysis of the records show that teams have won 251 games at home with 25 winning away from home and 79 fixtures ending in a draw. In the home wins, 512 goals were scored while teams have scored 196 goals on the road. Of these, there were 13 own goals. The season has recorded a total of 85 penalties awarded with 65 successfully converted and 20 missed. THE STATS Total No. of Matches Played: 330 Total No. Of Wins: 251 Total No. of Home wins: 226 Total No. of Away Wins: 25 Total No. of Draws: 79 Total No. of Goals Scored: 708 Average Goals/Match: 2 Total No. of Home Goals: 512 Total No. of Away Goals:196 Total No. of Penalty Awarded: 85 Total No. of Penalties Scored: 65 Total No. of Penalties Missed: 20 Total No. of Own Goals: 13 Highest Goal Scorer: Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars with 14 goals. Total No. of Yellow Cards:1268 Total No. of Red Cards: 43 Top of the Log: Rangers Int’l 60pts, 49 goals for, 31 against Best Attacking Team: Rangers Int’l 49 goals. Best Defensive Team: Bendel Insurance 25 goals conceded. Worst Defense: Gombe United with 61 goals against.
Pitch Awards: Henry Nwosu pitches for Elegbeleye
A former Super Eagles player, Henry Nwosu has endorsed the nomination of the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye for the annual Pitch Awards Sportsmanship category for the year 2023. In a touching testimony, Nwosu who has coached a number of professional league sides including Union Bank of Lagos and Gateway of Abeokuta, described the former National Assembly member as embodying the traits that are needed for leadership in the country. “When I was the Coach of the U-17 team back in 2008, Elegbeleye saw me in Abuja and showed interest in how I was getting on with the job. I didn’t have any official car and was moving around in taxis. “Three days afterwards, he called me to take delivery of a car. I didn’t ask for it and it was not as if we had a relationship beyond saying hello”, Nwosu recalled of his encounter with the then House of Representatives member. On the Pitch Award, Nwosu who remains one of the best Super Eagles midfielders insisted that Elegbeleye merits the nomination and in his words, “he deserves to win this award and any award meant to recognise selfless contribution to sports by an individual”. He said the selfless contributions of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) second vice president is such that “unlike some other people who would assist a Coach the way he did for me, Elegbeleye never for once called to send any player or players to me. He didn’t even make a public show of the gift but was always ensuring that I had a free hand and was comfortable to carry out the task assigned to me by the NFF” Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, Remo Stars Chairman, Hon. Kunle Soname are the other two nominees for the Sportsmanship Award category. Elegbeleye was in April crowned the Sports Administrator Of the Year, 2023 at the Sportsville Awards.
Obaje nets double as Rangers see off Bayelsa Utd
Godwin Obaje made a telling contribution when he scored twice to help Rangers defeat Bayelsa United 3-0 on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu in their quest for a ninth Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title. Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men played from the front and practically pinned their opponents in their half for larger spells of the match. Despite dominating play, the Enugu side met stiff resistance from the backline of Bayelsa United with goalkeeper Godgift Elkanah making some brilliant saves to deny the home side some goalscoring opportunities. With the first half looking to end without a goal, Obaje tapped in the opener on 41 minutes off an Chiedozie Okorie assist after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Isaac Saviour before outrunning two defenders to provide an inch-perfect cross for the former league top scorer to score his 10th goal of the season. In the second stanza, two quick goals on 66 and 68 minutes of play through Obaje and Okorie ensured that it was a complete demolition job and any hope of a fight-back from the visitors was extinguished. Saviour was again the architect of the second goal as his cross-field pass found Obaje near the opponents’ goal area. He did well to power his way through some tackles to bury beyond Elkanah for his 11th of the season while substitute, Chidiebere Nwobodo provided the assist that Okorie finished to the delight of the home fans and supporters that included top Nigerian singer, Chinedu Okoli popular known by his stage name, Flavor N’abania. With the victory, Rangers keep top spot and now hold a four-point lead over second-placed Enyimba who have 56 points. Rangers’ next opponents will be Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on June 2.
NPFL Youth League star Seiyefa scores in senior debut for Rivers Utd
By George Akpayen Top scorer of the last edition of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Youth League, Seiyefa Jackson got his senior career off to a flyer when he came off the bench to score in Rivers United’s 4-1 win over Sporting Lagos on Sunday. Seiyefa was named in Rivers United’s matchday squad by Rivers United head coach Evans Ogenyi after he impressed during the buildup to the Matchday 33 fixture against Sporting Lagos. The youngster started from the bench and at some point, it looked like his senior debut would be put on hold after Sporting Lagos held Rivers United to a 1-1 draw at the break after Tochukwu Michael scored from the spot to cancel Samuel Antwi’s strike for United. However, two goals from in-form striker Andy Okpe before the final 20 minutes handed Rivers United a two-goal cushion and Ogenyi decided to throw Seiyefa into the mix. Five minutes after coming off the bench to replace his captain Nyima Nwagua, the youngster scored his first NPFL goal on his debut to make the scoreline 4-1 to Rivers United. Seiyefa showed why he finished the NPFL Youth League in March this year as top scorer with four goals that helped play a major part in ensuring Rivers United won the youth league championship. Rivers United’s number 38 is likened to former Nigerian international Obafemi Martins for his pace and power.
Rangers open four-point lead, Doma Utd drop into bottom-four
By George Akpayen Rangers took advantage of the slip by Remo Stars who were in second place before the start of Matchday 33 in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to go four points at the top of the standings on Sunday. The Flying Antelopes saw off Bayelsa United 3-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu but Remo Stars despite their late rally to salvage a result at Kwara United fell short 2-3 on the day. Godwin Obaje helped himself to a double when he scored on 41 and 66 minutes before Chiedozie Okorie netted in the 68th minute to complete the rout over Bayelsa United. Rangers now have 60 points, four ahead of the chasing pack. It was not a good day in the office for Remo Stars as they saw their ambition of a first-ever league title suffer a setback. Daniel Ogunmodede’s men trailed to two goals off Wasiu Alalade and Isaiah Ejeh at the break. Things got worse for Remo Stars five minutes to full-time when Ahmed Akinyele scored an own goal to make it three-nil to Kwara United before late goals from Franck Mawuena and Dayo Ojo only offered the Sky Blue Stars a respectable 3-2 scoreline. Titleholders Enyimba jumped into second place after edging past Abia Warriors 1-0 in the Abia Derby. Bernard Ovoke came off the bench to score the winner inside the final 20 minutes of the game at the Umuahia Township Stadium. Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) remained in fourth place after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Katsina United. Gbenga Ogunbote’s team were seconds away from a third win on the road before Michael Egbe scored late in added time to deny them the full points. Moses Effiong opened scoring on 15 minutes for Katsina United before 3SC turn things around through Daddy Abdulrahman and Mustapha Agba’a on 32 and 61 minutes respectively. At the Lafia City Stadium, Akwa United put up a brilliant performance to inflict a first home loss on Lobi Stars this season. Akwa United won 2-1 through Sani Suleiman’s brace of goals on 20 and 68 minutes before Abubakar Aliyu scored for Lobi 15 minutes to the end of the game. The win moves the Promise Keepers out of the drop zone. The other game of the matchweek that produced five goals saw Rivers United thrash Sporting Lagos 4-1. Andy Okpe scored twice while Ghanaian Samuel Antwi and NPFL Youth League star Seiyefa Jackson got among the goals. Tochukwu Michael scored for Sporting Lagos. In the bottom-two fixture, Heartland overcame Gombe United 3-0. Promise Anyanwu scored twice and Chukwudi Esobe completed the scoring. Mustapha Ibrahim Yuga, Ibrahim Babawo and Suleiman Idris scored in the Kano Pillars’ 3-1 win over Doma United, who have now fallen into the bottom end of the table after their impressive start to this season. Usman Musa scored for Doma United. Two games ended goalless. Sunshine Stars and Bendel Insurance played out a scoreless draw in Akure while Sunday Anthony will rue his penalty miss for Plateau United who could not breach the backline of Niger Tornadoes.
NPFL returns for the final stretch amid battles for title & survival
By George Akpayen The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) returns with a full cast of fixtures this Sunday and it comes with mouthwatering matches involving clubs in the race for survival, title and continental places. Table-toppers Rangers are the only top-four sides that will play at home this matchweek when they play hosts to Bayelsa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men hold the best form guide in the last six matches alongside Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) going into this matchday (W4 L2). In the reverse fixture Bayelsa United wo 2-0 through goals from Kehinde Malik Lawal and Ekeson Okorie but the Yenagoa club have failed to avoid defeat in their last three visits to Enugu though have scored on all three occasions. Fourth-placed 3SC dropped points against Katsina United the last time out in Ibadan when they played out a 1-1 draw. Gbenga Ogunbote will however lead 3SC to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium without their influential captain Taofeek Malomo who is suspended for this fixture. Andrew Idoko is the man to watch in this contest as he has scored in all of Katsina United’s last four home matches in which they have won. Chasing a first title, Remo Stars will make a trip to Ilorin to face Kwara United, who are undefeated in their last five matches (W2 D3). The Sky Blue Stars who currently sit in second place with 56 points, one behind leaders Rangers, will be relieved that they will go head-to-head with Kwara United without their top scorer this season, Emmanuel Ogbole who is suspended. Last time out, Olamilekan Adedayo and Samad Kadiri scored to ensure Remo Stars won 2-0. Titleholders Enyimba start the matchday in third place and four points behind the leaders. The People’s Elephant will begin life without Finidi George in the saddle after he got appointed as Nigeria’s head coach by the country’s football federation. His assistant, Yemi Olanrewaju Daniel steps in as head coach till the end of this campaign. They make the short trip to city rivals, Abia Warriors for the Abia Derby. Enyimba have dominated the head-to-head of this derby, losing just once in their last 10 league meetings (W8 D1 L1). When both teams met this season, Abia Warriors lost 1-2 after Chimezie Njoku managed a late goal for them after their more decorated opponents took a two-goal lead through Eze Ekwutoziam and Chidiebere Nnachi. At the other end of the standings, the bottom-two sides, Heartland and Gombe United go head-to-head at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Already NPFL pundits have written off both clubs’ chances of beating the drop. Heartland are 10 points below safety while Gombe United are 14 points adrift. In the first meeting this season, Gombe United defeated Heartland 2-0 with Umar Abba and Chijioke Alaekwe scoring the goals. The Savannah Scorpions will head to Owerri undefeated in their last five league meetings with Heartland (W3 D2) including drawing in their last two visits. It will be another wonder of the World if both teams survive relegation in the competitive NPFL. Champions in 2021, Akwa United, find themselves below the red line and in trouble of being relegated. They play on the road at Lobi Stars where they have failed to avoid defeat in their last 12 trips. The Promise Keepers have a Herculean task at hand but will draw inspiration from the fact that Lobi have struggled in their last seven NPFL games, winning just once (W1 D3 L3). Akwa United head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, who worked with Lobi last season before leaving, is confident of helping the Uyo club avoid the drop. “We are confident going to face them (Lobi Stars),” began Baba Ganaru. “I have worked with Lobi so I know them and about Akwa (United) going on relegation that won’t happen. We will play in the NPFL next season, I can assure the fans that.” Four other matches will also take place on Sunday in the NPFL including an early kickoff in Jos where Plateau United play hosts to Niger Tornadoes. MATCHDAY 33 FIXTURES Rangers v Bayelsa United Rivers United v Sporting Lagos Abia Warriors v Enyimba (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live) Katsina United v 3SC (Live on NPFL-Live) Sunshine Stars v Bendel Insurance Heartland v Gombe United (Live on NPFL-Live) Lobi Stars v Akwa United Kano Pillars v Doma United (Live on NPFL-Live) Kwara United v Remo Stars (Live on NPFL-Live) Plateau United v Niger Tornadoes (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live)
