Nigerian Football
Star War in Ibadan!
By JUBRIL AROWOLO
It is the battle of stars just as it is also battle against relegation. It is also a South West war as all attention will be on Ibadan this Sunday as the Week 22 NPFL match between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Sunshine Stars of Akure takes centre stage.
Interestingly, they are both fighting to avoid the drop; perhaps it will be a good way to redemption for the home team that has conceded eight goals in the last three matches and scoring just one!
Notably, this is about the first time in recent seasons that the build up to a similar fixture between two teams wouldn’t bring tension and apprehension beforehand.
A peaceful meeting was brokered by stakeholders earlier in the pre-season to address the often imbroglio and brouhaha that always attend the Shooting versus Sunshine Stars’ fixtures in the past.
The two teams are seen as ‘brothers’ from the Southwest but on the pitch they employ different tactics of excelling in their match situations.
Shooting Stars lost to Lobi Stars last week at the Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi by 3-0 so there’s no excuse for the Amoo Boys not to rise to the occasion this time around if they are serious about surviving the drop.
Sunshine Stars in turn won against Enyimba at the Akure Township Stadium amidst no spectatorship due to crowd troubles.
However, the latest addition to the Shooting Stars’ fold – the beach soccer Abu Azeez who joined the camp recently is expected to bring his experience to bear on the Week 22 fixture.
“We announced Abu’s singing on our twitter handle @official3SC after getting the final clearance and waiver to sign the player from the LMC” , a message from Shooting Stars’ management read.
Similar fixtures last season ended 2-1 apiece at both Akure and Ibadan, and this season, Shooting Stars lost 0-1 in Akure.
“Our old players Adesina Thomas and Otegbeye Ajibola will be filling out for the Owena Boys so we expect a warm welcome from the fans”, a message from Shooting Stars read.
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.
The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.
It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.
Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.
- Kwara United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes
- Sunshine 3-0 Bayelsa: Saidu Salisu
- Bendel Insurance 0-0 Rivers United
- Heartland 1-3 Enyimba
- Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars
- Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United
- Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City
- Nasarawa United 1-1 Shooting Stars
The Nigerian football fields are set agog again as the Nigeria Premier Football League gets underway with the Season 2024/25.
The opening matches are not staggered as in the previous seasons. Rather, all the matches will be played simultaneously at 4 pm.
Sunshine Stars are hosting Bayelsa United. Bendel Insurance will host Rivers United.
Bendel Insurance begin another title race to see if they can be crownd Nigerian champions. They last won the Nigeria topmost league in 1979.
Former Enyimba and Super Eagles’ coach, Finidi George opens his bew adventure in Port Harcourt with a home game of Rivers United against Bendel Insurance.
Crowd-pulling Kano Pillars will clash with new comers, Ikorodu City. Kano Pillars, with a passionate home crowd, are always a formidable opponents.
Kwara United will look to dominate at home as they host Niger Tornadoes.
The Oriental Derby will be in Owerri as Heartland FC, lucky escapee into the top league will host Enyimba FC. Heartland which took the place of Beyon Limit Academy of Ikenne be looking to make a strong start at home after re-invigorating their squad with new signings and trimming old legs.
Their coach, Emmanuel Amuneke will also have to prove his mettle in the club.
Other matches on Sunday include Abia Warriors versus Remo Stars, Nasarawa United versus Shooting Stars, and Plateau United will host Katsina United.
Lobi Stars who are consistent performers will aim to secure an early win against Akwa United on Monday.
Akwa United struggled and escape relegation last season. But the team has re-energised their squad with new signings.
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