Author: Felix Egbomuche
Five weeks into the NPFL season and we still don’t know what direction some teams are going. Ultimatums have been given to some coaches as some teams look to establish dominance, here’s your guide to match day 5 of the Nigeria Premier Football League 2023/2024 season. Akwa Seek First Win Against Home-dominant Insurance After suffering their first defeat at an away ground since their return to the top flight, Bendel Insurance will be eyeing a return to winning ways when they host Akwa United on Saturday. The Benin Arsenal lost 1-0 to Gombe United last week, putting a stop…
It was only twenty minutes into the game when I concluded that the southwest derby was the best game I had seen from a tactical point of view in the NPFL this season. Okay, I have only seen two games live and a couple via streams and that’s probably a small sample size to reach that conclusion, but still, I persist. When the fixture list for the season was released, this game was the first one I marked out. It wasn’t for the reason(social media buzz/rivalry) many other people did though. For me, this was a standout fixture principally because…
Except for the lack of goals, match week four of the NPFL briefing delivered. From the Southwest derby to the clash of former champions, fans across the country were thrilled by the stars. Bendel Insurance and Sporting had their unbeaten streak ended while Doma United got a rest with Enyimba making their debut in the AFL. Here’s our review of the biggest talking points from the game week. Where Have The Goals Gone? Between profligacy and some solid defending, the goals have dried up in the NPFL. From 23 that were scored in the opening weekend, we are down to…
The NPFL returns again this weekend with some exciting fixtures, including the first South-West derby of the season. There’s also a return to ‘home’ for Nyima Nwagua as teams continue to hustle for points early in the season. Here’s our guide on what you look out for at all centres. A Chance To Bounce Back In Kaduna After defeats to Rangers and Remo, Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United have a chance to get back to winning ways. Both teams come into this game in 16th and 13th position respectively with just goal difference separating them. A win for either side…
Another game week have come and gone and we have witnessed another round of excitement in the NPFL. As usual we come with our weekly briefing on the biggest talking points from the game week. Insurance At It Again As was the case last season, Bendel Insurance have won their first two home games of the new NPFL campaign and have now shot to the top of the table despite having a game in hand. The Benin Arsenal defeated Plateau United 1-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to maintain their perfect start to the season. Monday Odigie’s men are one…
Chance To Go Top For Bendel Insurance After a comfortable 2-0 win against Shooting Stars last weekend, Bendel Insurance can go top of the league with a win against Plateau United on Saturday. Monday Odigie’s men host the Peace Boys in Benin in what would be the third-ever meeting between both sides. The Benin Arsenal are undefeated against their visitors and would strive to keep it that way. The chances of that record remaining intact is very high with the 2023 Federation Cup winners unbeaten at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium since September 2021. For United, they need to find their…
After another round of games in the NPFL, we highlight some of the biggest talking points. From the fans’ support to the exciting goals scored, game week two delivered on many fronts. Home teams maintain Dominance As was the case last week, teams continue to make their home advantage count. Nine of the ten games on match day two saw the hosts pick up maximum points, that’s two more than the 7 from the opening week. And if not for Lobi and Sporting who’ve picked up draws on their travels, it would have been 100% home wins so far. At…
Remo Stars head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has talked up the ‘rivalry’ between him and his friend Fidelis Ilechukwu. Ogunmodede and Ilechukwu are close pals off the pitch but on Sunday they will be in opposing dugouts fighting for points and bragging rights. Last season, the Remo Stars coach edged the tactical battle between both men with a win and a draw against Plateau United, the team Ilechukwu managed last season. Fidelis has since moved to Rangers and will be leading his new team to Ikenne where they will be looking to build on their win from the opening match day.…
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…
1. Another Opening Day Goal Fest Last season, games between Shooting Stars and Plateau United produced the most goals over two legs in the league. Gbenga Ogunbote’s side relinquished a two-goal lead in the second half to draw 3-3 in their first game in Jos but they held on despite a late onslaught to win 3-2 in the reverse fixture. The Oluyole Warriors have had a good summer window and will be hoping it reflects on the pitch against a Plateau side that are going through a rebuild after the departure of Fidelis Ilechukwu and the appointment of former Enugu…