Nigerian Football

VAT Wonder Goal 9: Abu Azeez, Abbani and Abiodun are Contenders

Published

7 years ago

July 26, 2017

Sand Eagles veteran, Abu Azeez made it to the shortlist for Matchday 28 VAT Wonder Goal award with his inside the box blast of the ball that earned the Ibadan side a 1-1 draw in Enugu against Rangers International.
Other contenders for the VAT Wonder Goal award are Sani Abbani of Gombe United and Sunshine Stars’ Joseph Abiodun.
Azeez, who returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) mid-season to play for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) following the amicable resolution of his issues with Enyimba International benefited from a well laid pass by Najeem Olukokun to blast home a right-footed shot amidst a cluster of legs of Rangers defenders.
Abbani was at the end of a three-man passing orchestra that saw him shoot from outside the box in Gombe United’s 2-0 defeat of North East neighbours, El-Kanemi Warriors.

The beauty of the goal is seen in the move that began from the half line with Abbani and swung to the right wing before a pass by Mannir Ubale was laid for Abbani who set up properly and took aim.
In Ilorin, where Sunshine Stars began their revival to remain in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 4-2 defeat of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC, Abiodun turned his marker inside and out to have a clear sight at goal to score with a calculated left-footed shot.
The video of the goals are now on the NPFL website www.npfl.ng and the Twitter handle, @LMCNPFL for fans to vote their favourite of the goals. Voting will end at 11.59pm on Friday, July 28.
The VAT Wonder Goal award is corporate social investment of the League Management Company (LMC) and is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), using the league platform to promote its tax education campaign.
Winners of the award get a prize of N150,000 half of which is donated to a charity to be nominated by the player and situated within the state where the club is based.

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

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 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.

Nigerian Football

Three away wins mark the opening phase of Nigeria’s Season 2024/25

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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

Nigerian Football

NPFL 2025 Season goes into full swing this Sunday

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.