Nigerian Football
Enugu Rangers Ends Akwa Utd’s Unbeaten Run
BY MFON PATRICK.
Akwa United’s five matches unbeaten run came to an end in Enugu when a 12th minute goal by Bright Silas helped champions Enugu Rangers to a 1-0 win at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium on match day 24 of the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL on Sunday.
A swift linkup play by Chiemaka Madu and Godwin Aguda put Bright Silas through on goal and the midfielder slide the ball beyond Ojo Olorunleke into the back of the net to give the champions an early lead.
The match which was played behind closed doors was Rangers’ first win in four matches and Akwa United’s first defeat in six matches.
The host were motivated by their early lead and followed it up with series of attacking moves in quick succession but they were constantly frustrated by Akwa United’s defence.
The Promise Keepers had three excellent goal scoring chances in the first half but Harmony Ikande, Ubong Friday and Cyril Olisema all failed to effectively utilize the opportunities as the host ended the first half with a 1-0 lead.
The second half resumed with both teams engaging each other in a midfield battle. However, it was Akwa United that settled in quickly with series of attacking moves which were well checked by Okey Odita and Pape Ousmane in Rangers defence.
Coach Abdu Maikaba introduced Moses Ebiye, Gabriel Okechukwu and Edem Akakatang into the game in search of an equaliser but it was debutant Akakatang that troubled Seidu Mutawakilu in Rangers’ goal with three excellent attempts in the space of 12 minutes.
Akwa United’s pressure nearly paid off when Aremu Afeez blasted a thunderous shot from 25 yards but his effort was saved by Rangers goalkeeper as the champions held on to the narrow win.
The defeat leaves Akwa United on 33 points from 22 matches. The Uyo based side with two outstanding matches will next face Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in one of the rescheduled games on Wednesday in Uyo.
Nigerian Football
Ikenne’s Beyond Limit Football Academy top goal chart as NNL releases vital statistics
The secretariat of the Nigeria National League has released the match statistics of the four conferences of the 2024 season.
With 198 matches so far played in Conferences A and B, 426 goals were scored, with 125 home wins and 26 away wins, representing 63.1%, & 26% respectively. There were 47 draw matches, representing 23.7% of matches. 299 home goals were scored, and 127 home goals.
Beyond Limit FC scored the highest goals of 33 goals, with Stormers FC and Ekiti United conceeding the least goals of 28 goals. Tradesafe and Solution FC scored the least numbers of goals of 11 goals and Osun conceded the least numbers of goals of 8.
In group C & D, 209 goals have been scored in the 106 so far played, with 70 home wins and 14 won away representing 66. 3% and 13.1% respectively.
Teams drew 31 matches representing 29.2% of the matches played. Wikki Tourists scored the highest numbers of goals, with 23 goals, while EFCC FC conceded the least numbers of goals. They conceded 18 goals. Nasarawa United’s 8 goals conceded made them the team that conceded the lowest numbers of goals, while ABS scored the least number of goals of 5 goals.
BY TOSIN OMOJOLA, OWERRI
The uncertainty surrounding our Matchday 31 encounter against Heartland FC of Owerri, has been cleared with the game eventually slated to hold at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the home ground of the host team
The Nigeria Premier League has given the approval to the stadium after an inspection was carried out on Wednesday afternoon.
The Oluyole Warriors have since arrived the Imo State capital and have settled down ahead of Friday’s clash which will be be shown live on cable television.
Meanwhile, the Technical Adviser of the Ibadan soccer lords, Gbenga Ogunbote, while addressing the players on arrival at their hotel, urged them not to be distracted by the development.
“I want to apologise to you on the change of venue. We got to know about it some hours ago, but be that as it may, I want us to remain focused as and get the desired results we needed”.
In the same vein, the players of the Ibadan soccer lords, said they are not in any way moved by the change of venue, expressing their readiness to get the maximum points, not minding the venue.
Added time-goal specialists, Remo Stars pulled off one of their now familiar traits, chalking up a valuable point as Skipper Nduka Junior scored in the 90+4 minute to scuttle an impending victory by Doma United on Wednesday evening.
When all-hope seemed over, Remo Stars had scored hope-reviving goals as they did against Lobi Stars, Insurance and a host of others in the Nigeria Premier League.
Getting a valuable point take them from fifth position to fourth their haul to 50, just a point below that of second and third placed Enyimba and Lobi Stars respectively.
The 1-1 scoreline also changed the complexion of the league table as their South West rivals were pushed down from their initial fourth position.
As it is, the struggle for the title is taking regional colouration as the top two- Enugu Rangers and Enyimba are from the South East while fourth and fifth – Remo Stars and Shooting Stars are from the South West.
Lobi Stars from the middle belt, stand in-between the South East and South West in the power struggle.
Remo Stars at the fourth position however still have an outstanding home game against Rivers United and that could still change the positions of the top six teams when the match is played.
Attention will now shift to match-day 31 as the league embarks on its home stretch.
On Friday, relegation-bound Heartland will be hosting rejuvenated Shooting Stars who have suddenly discovered they could return to continental competition next seasons after 25 years.
They have lately been having unbeaten runs. On Saturday, Kwara United will host desperate Akwa United who are struggling to avoid dropping into the lower league.
On the same day, Abia Warriors will be at home against Bayelsa United.
On Sunday seven matches are on the card. They are:
Kano Pillars v. Gombe United
Katsina United v. Sporting Lagos
Lobi Stars v. Bendel Insurance
Niger Tornadoes v Doma United
Plateau United v. Remo Stars
Rivers United v. Enugu Rangers
Sunshine Stars v. Enyimba
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