The first weekend of the NPFL 2023/2024 season saw mouth-watering clashes as teams looked to get off to flying starts. 23 goals were scored from 8 match centers and we also saw the first hattrick of the season. Here, this writer takes a look at the biggest talking points across the grounds.
Super-sub Rescue For Home Sides
On a weekend when points were crucial to try and make a good start to the season, everyone had to be on their game, including players coming off the bench. And that was the case with 7 substitutes scoring vital goals to help their teams win points. Anayo Ogbonna scored what proved to be the winner for 3SC three minutes after he came on against Plateau United. Also, John Peter won it off the bench for Abia Warriors with fellow substitute Obi Samson providing the assist.
At the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Christian Obi brought on Nwogbaga Patrick and Ezekiel Bassey after 49 minutes. Both players scored in the 81st and 88th minute to help Heartland get a point from 2-goal down. Lukman Bello was the star off the bench for Katsina as his 74th-minute strike gave his team maximum points. And, although Eyong Ofem and Naantaum Clement didn’t score winners or equalizers, their goals were important in securing wins for Bayelsa United and Sporting Lagos. Altogether, 30.43% of the goals came off the bench. It seems strength-in-depth could be vital this season.
A Weekend Of Goalkeeping Clangers
While it is not out of place to see some level of rustiness at this stage of the season(especially for players who have not competed for four months) you still sort of expect better from top professionals. There were nearly as many goals scored by substitutes as there were dodgy goalkeeping on match week one.
Owerri was the epitome of these errors with three of the four goals scored there goalkeeping mistakes. Chisom Chiagha let two shots from distance slip under him in the first half, while Lucky Jimoh’s weak attempt to parry a header laid it on a plate for Heartland’s equalizer late on. In Ibadan, John Amah(Plateau United) was beaten in his near post despite getting a good hand to Ogbonna’s header. Katsina United have Saliu Suleiman to thank for gifting them a goal in their home game against Kwara United. It was a day to forget for these guys whose mistakes cost their teams. I expect that the goalkeeping will improve as players get in tune with the season.
Mizo Reannounces Himself With First Hattrick Of The Season
After Obioma and Imade’s departures from the league, many have pointed to Robert Mizo to lead the scorers’ chart. The young forward was Bayelsa United’s top scorer last season and was expected to move before the start of this season, however, the Prosperity Boys fought hard to keep their man. It’s only the first week of the season but that might just be the best decision they make all season. Hattrick on the opening day of an NPFL season isn’t a feat many forwards enjoy throughout their careers. And it is more special when you consider how he did it and against whom. The 23-year-old showed his poacher instinct to level the game twice before rising highest to head in the winner against Akwa-United.
?️ Robert Mizo’s hat-trick
⚽️ 45’
⚽️ 81’
⚽️ 89’#NPFL24
— BROADCASTER FOR NPFL ?️⚽️??? (@NINO_Rollanoda1) October 1, 2023
He looked very fit and could have had more if the service had been better. Bayelsa United did well to keep him for the start of the season but they will have to fight even harder now to retain him for the rest of the season.
Game Changer Gets Poor Ratings On Opening Day
For both the right and wrong reasons, all eyes were on Propel Sports Africa on Saturday to see how they do with their first broadcast of games since their 5-year agreement with the NPFL and their strategic partners, GTI. The broadcaster had five games on their platform and the reviews after matchday one were both positive and ugly. For the most optimistic of fans, it was a good starting point. A foundation to build something better going forward. For them; “it’s better to have games streamed from one angle camera than no broadcast at all”.
All of that would be true for the critics if the playoffs and Naija Super 8 had not been broadcast on TV. People who watched those events expected that standard or something close to it but what they got was majorly ‘drone-like shots’ with no replays. There were lengthy conversations on the X app and WhatsApp groups and there’s been a bit of reassurance from Propel that it will get better, I doubt that but I would love to be proven wrong.
How Will The ‘New Boys’ Fair In The NPFL?
Two wins, a draw, and a defeat for the newly promoted sides. Katsina United and Sporting Lagos picked up maximum points at home while Heartland maintained their League unbeaten run in 2023. The Naze Millionaires went through the whole of last season(NNL) unbeaten and they showed determination to fight back from two goals down to draw against Lobi Stars. Kano Pillars didn’t have the same fortune in Akure as they lost to an early goal despite their best efforts. Of the four teams, Sporting Lagos looked the most assured, winning comfortably against Gombe United in their first-ever top-flight game. It’s still early days though, and we are yet to see plenty of these teams to compare with the others. We might have to give it some time to answer this question.
Brewing Bromance In The South-West
Last month, Shooting Stars put out a press release announcing an agreement between their fans and Remo Stars fans to squash their age-long toxic rivalry. The move was hailed as a step in the right direction, especially by those who have seen firsthand the chaotic scenes that have erupted when these teams have met in recent years. On Saturday, with Remo Stars not in action fans of the Sky Blue Star made the short trip to Ibadan. Blasting their vuvuzelas and singing in loud voices, they merged with 3SC fans to support their team to victory.
They were at the Lekan Salami Stadium to cheer their South West brothers to victory over @plateau_united
Thank you Remo Stars Supporters .
Oluyole Warriors?Sky Blue Stars
God bless the union.
One love? pic.twitter.com/zj6f98Vkzx
— Shooting Stars SC (@ShootingSc) October 1, 2023
It was a good sight to see and we hope this love and light will be on display when both teams meet later this month in the NPFL.
Bendel Fall Short, Rivers Pull Through On The Continent
Hope, that’s what Rivers United have given to Nigeria as the battle to retain the country’s CAF slots continues. Had the pride of Rivers failed to qualify for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, Nigeria’s allocation for the continent’s club competitions would have automatically been reduced from four to two. And despite the 2022 NPFL champions qualification, they still have to ensure a deep run in the tournament to earn valuable points on CAF’s club’s coefficient. Bendel Insurance could have aided this push but they couldn’t get past RS Berkane in Morocco. Both sides will return to league action next week after missing the opening weekend due to continental engagement.