Nigerian Football

Bang! Bang! Bang! Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi and Bayelsa United’s Robert Mizo lead race for Nigeria’s Golden Boot

Published

9 months ago

December 4, 2023

With the conclusion of 108 matches of the projected 110 fixtures in the Nigeria Premier League, the golden boot race has been narrowed to a two-horse race.

Remo Stars Sikiru Alimi and Robert Christian Mizode of Bayelsa United are currently the joint top scorers as each has put in nine goals of their respective clubs.

With just two fixtures outstanding, the 108 matches have produced 215 goals. Mizo as he is popularly called by Bayelsa United fans narrowly missed out on the golden boot last season to Enyimba’s Emeka Mbaoma.

In other stats released by the NPFL Competitions Department, 79 wins have been recorded with 73 registered by home sides while six wins were on the road and 29 draws.

The season has so far recorded a total of 215 goals, an average of over 2 goals per match. Of the lot, 151 goals were scored by the home teams and 64 by the traveling teams.

Referees have awarded a total of 16 penalties and while 12 were scored, the rest four were missed. There has been seven own goals out of the 215 scored.

In the course of the 108 fixtures, a total of 407 cautions have been issued by Referees with 11 players expelled from games.

After MatchDay 11 games during which Rivers United missed two due to international club competition fixtures, Remo Stars lead on the log with 22 points, 17 goals for and nine against to have a plus eight goals surplus. The Ikenne side have equally proven to be the most prolific, banging in 17 goals.

With just five goals conceded so far, Doma United and Bendel Insurance parade the best defensive walls. On the other hand, Bayelsa United has the worst defence, shipping in 20 goals.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

11 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.

Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.

“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.

Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.

Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.

He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.

To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”

Nigerian Football

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

Published

3 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

3 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.