For the first time in the league this season, we have a matchday that all twenty teams in the league will feature, and what an interesting week NPFL MD4 Matchday four was with some interesting results, post-match brouhaha, friends battles, and some brotherly affairs witnessed in some centers.
Here, I look at five things I observed during this weekend’s NPFL actions.
NPFL MD4: BABY OF THE LEAGUE GETTING “AMBUSHED”.
What a baptism of fire it has been for Ikorodu City’s first-ever campaign in the Nigeria topflight. The Oga Boys are still waiting for the first win after losing another home game, this time against Nasarawa United.
Ikorodu City has just one point to show after four games played (3 losses) and last weekend’s loss to Nasarawa United would have been the worst of all because losing to Kano Pillars (away) and Rangers International (home) is not bad for a club of their status but a home game against fellow promoted team was a signal others can come haunting the team in Lagos.
Lagos, a free place for all?
NPFL MD4: A MASTER AT WORK
Two years ago, Finidi George brought Yemi Olanrewaju into his coaching crew after a year of taking charge of Enyimba. The duo won Enyimba’s ninth NPFL title, and up to a few months ago, they both were plotting a way to defend their title until Finidi George was appointed Super Eagles coach putting an end to that working relationship.
On Sunday, Finidi George faced his former assistant as Rivers United squared up against Enyimba managed by Yemi Olanrewaju in what was dubbed “Master vs Apprentice” and it was the Master who prevailed over the Apprentice with a comfortable two-nil victory in Port-Harcourt.
Rivers United’s win means they are two points off table-toppers Remo Stars and remain unbeaten after four matches while the loss was Enyimba’s first of the new campaign.
Yema’s graduation is still ahead.
Remo Stars Vs Rangers: FROM BROMANCE TO WAR
Rarely do you see two coaches battling for the same goal share a bromance like the one you see between Remo Stars Coach Daniel Ogunmodede and his Rangers International counterpart Fidelis Ilechukwu.
The outcome of Remo Stars’ victory against the League Champions (2-1) put the brotherhood to the test as Fidelis Ilechukwu was not happy with the lack of Sportsmanship from Daniel Ogunmodede. Ogunmodede on the other hand has no problem with the outburst from his “good friend”.
The pair meet up next week but this time as a colleague when Super Eagles come calling.
Home Away From Home: TORNADOES RATHER BE AWAY
Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave but not our heart” but it seems Niger Tornadoes’ feet are still at home and their heart has left the Bako Kontagaro Stadium, Minna after failing to win another home game this season.
Niger Tornadoes have taken more points on the road (6) than the two points they have garnered at their home ground. The Ikon Allah Boys have had more success on the road than home with four goals scored on the road than one at home.
For a team that twelve of their fourteen away league wins came at their home ground, the Tornadoes need to get their feet back at their base because the away form might not be sustainable.
FACT OR FICTION: AWAY WINS EULOGY? WE HAVE SEEN MORE BEFORE
One of the sticks critics of the league used to shade the league is “A league where home teams always win” and this has led to celebration or “over celebration” of away league victories in the NPFL. Home wins are not a “Nigerian thing” like some have tried to portray it as even in “saner climes”, every team wants to build a fortress in their backyard.
This season, NPFL has witnessed 10 away league games after matchday four but this is not even the highest we have had in the last five seasons as that honour belongs to the 2022/2023 season where we had 13 away league wins at the same stage of that season.
We know you find it strange that away league wins happen here but we relax, we have moved past that.
