Nigerian Football

Eguma Eyes First Away Win

Published

7 years ago

June 14, 2017

BY SAMMY WEJINYA

Rivers United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma, is worried by his side’s failure to win away from home, in all competitions, this season.

United have played five games in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, 23 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and four in the CAF Champions League.

In these 32 fixtures navigated across three competitions, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ have yet to win on the road and the situation, predictably, have not gone down well with Eguma who is eager to buck the trend this week!

“The first thing is to apologize to the fans because (failing to win away so far) is unfortunate.

“We will do our best. I think we need to sit up and win our next game (against Lobi Stars).

“Every game is important whether it is at home or away; what we need to do now is to correct our mistakes and come out stronger in the next game.

“It is important for us to do that,” Eguma told the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.

The experienced trainer concluded by discussing, in detail, the club’s next opposition in the NPFL – Lobi Stars.

“Lobi Stars is a very good side. I still remember the two games we played against them where we could only score one goal.

“This season, we could not beat them at home and even though they have a new coach following the departure of Godwin Uwua, they are also a very strong side.

“They have a good strike force led by Tony Okpotu and are very difficult to beat at home but we will be well-prepared,” he said.

Rivers United have amassed 30 out of a possible 69 points in the NPFL this season.

The ‘Pride of Rivers’ also sit bottom of Group A in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup but will swap positions with at least one of the other three sides in the group with a handsome victory over Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) on June 20 in Port Harcourt when the competition enters match day four.

Nigerian Football

Ikenne’s Beyond Limit Football Academy top goal chart as NNL releases vital statistics

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.

Nigerian Football

Heartland back to their homeland as they host Shooting Stars

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.

Nigerian Football

Remo Stars add fuel to the fire as title chase turns East – West battle

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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