Tag: NPFL

At 21, Kayode Bankole has established himself as one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

 The Remo Stars of Ikenne safe hands has proved himself after  twice being  adjudged the best goalkeeper in the NPFL and regarded as one of the most consistent since he joined the Ogun State-based team from 3SC Shooting Stars of Ibadan in 2020, OLALEKAN OKUSAN writes

Kayode Bankole clinched the best goalkeeper award for the cleanest sheets in the NPFL 2022/2023 season as the Remo Stars goalie made 17 appearances during the course of the season .

He  kept nine clean sheets to aid his club’s qualification for the NPFL Super Six but Bankole admitted that his heroic performance was spurred by his passion for goalkeeping.

“I chose goalkeeping because it is what I love doing very well and I love being a goalkeeper,” Bankole said.“ Apart from the dressing that attracted me to goalkeeper, he is the only footballer on the field that can play with his hands, and this is one of the uniqueness of goalkeeping.” 

Bankole’s journey in the NPFL started with 3SC of Ibadan, while describing his experience with the Oluyole Warriors enhanced his exploits at Remo Stars. “Playing with 3SC and Remo Stars are good experiences for me but both experiences were different and the reason for that is I didn’t play any matches at 3SC and when you are not playing, it feels somehow. 

“Coming to Remo stars, I started playing and when I started playing, I was able to express myself on what I know how to do best. The experience at 3SC was good but I enjoyed myself more in Remo Stars.”

Despite making one appearance for the Super Eagles, Bankole still believes he still has what it takes to be in goal for the national team while hoping to move abroad. 

Read Also: NPFL: Lobi Stars overtake Rangers

He continued:“Football has given me almost everything I want in life, even if I have not gotten it all but at least, I think everything I have achieved so far came from football. 

“Football has not really taken away anything from me, but it has really taken a lot of time. It will be my time if I have to think of anything football has taken away from me. 

“My dream is to play at the higher level in Europe as well as the national team.”

Bankole, who idolizes Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, said he would have opted for law if he had not embraced football, while describing the NPFL award as a great motivation for him in life. 

“Winning the best goalkeeper of the season has given me a lot of motivation which tells me I can actually do more, and I can actually achieve whatever I have in my mind. It has been a great motivation to do more and believe more that I can achieve more.”

On his experience with the national team, he said: “Becoming a part of the Super Eagles means a lot and that’s the dream of every player. Of course, it means a lot to me and that’s a dream come true for me and also every other player.”

However, Bankole said the NPFL still needs a lot of changes, especially players’ welfare. 

“A lot of things have changed since I started playing in the NPFL as I have gained more experience and popularity playing with some of the best players in the league. 

“If I would like to change anything in the NPFL, it will be players’ welfare as well as officiating which I think is getting better now,” he added.

Bankole canvassed for the inclusion of NPFL players in the AFCON team. 

“Players playing in the NPFL could actually make it to AFCON. It is just based on the likes of the coach; if the coach feels he wants to, definitely why not? This will not be the first time a player from the league has made it to the national team and is playing in AFCON. During Stephen Keshi’s tenure as national coach, the likes of Godfrey Oboboana and others were from the local league, and they played and delivered the team just like Sunday Mbah who scored Nigeria’s winning goal at AFCON 2013 in South Africa.”

The  Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sanctioned 14 Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL)  referees for their poor  officiating in the ongoing season.

Imamu Maliki Umar of Kano  who was the centre referee of the disputed Bendel Insurance versus  Remo Stars on Sunday has been sanctioned alongside the assistant referee Sunday Azi from Plateau State.

Both are among the 14 referees that are being disciplined in the current Nigeria Premier Football League.

Last year, the NFF banned the same referee for two years, but surprisingly has made a return before the expiration of the ban.

On July 8, 2022, in a matter between Niger Tornadoes FC Vs. Lobi Stars FC  the NFF  Committee ruled that Imam Malik Umar was  banned from all football related activities for two  years.

On Sunday in Benin, back-in-action  Imamu Maliki  ruled a foul throw that preceded the goal by Remo Stars after his assistant referee Sunday Azi from Plateau State raised his flag after almost five passes of the ball that eventually resulted into the controversially disallowed goal.

Their poor performances ruled the media space and apparently prompted the Referee Development Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to act.

In aftermath, the axe has fallen on 14 referees. Incidentally, matches involving Niger Tornadoes had the most recurring controversial refereeing.

In seven matches in which referees were sanctioned,  three involved Niger Tornadoes.

In their Matchday 2 home match with Rivers United, Referee Bawa Buhari of Gombe has been sanctioned. So also are referee Chukuka Jahlove of Anambra State and Assistant Referee Akinwale Tomiwa of Oyo State, both officials in Niger Tornadoes home game against Bayelsa United on Matchday 4.

Their Matchday 5 duel with Sporting Lagos also had controversial officiating leading to the sanctioning of Assistant Referee II, Zechariah Nde of Delta State.

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Also withdrawn are Referee Saeed Abdulaziz of Katsina State and Assistant Referee Jimmy Aimugbonrie of Edo State who handled the Gombe United versus Plateau United Matchday 5 match.

Perhaps the most controversial officiating decision was in the Kwara United home game with Sporting Lagos when a penalty kick was awarded even when the ‘offending’ player had his hands at his back while the ball hit him just above his torso.

The officials sanctioned  in this regard are Referee Brown Ebenezer of Abia State and Assistant Referee Atuwho Morrison of Delta State.

In the Matchday 6 of the Sunshine Stars versus Abia Warriors, all unnamed four match officials are sanctioned.

Promoters of new Nigeria National League (NNL) side, 1472 FC, have expressed a determination to see the club playing in the elite Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) next season.

Dr. Segun Sanni, the club’s CEO made the declaration at the elaborate unveiling of the club to fans and Surulere area personalities that included popular Nollywood faces Segun Arinze, actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot and Chairman of Surulere LGA, Bamidele Yusuf amongst others.

“We are setting up a model club which will set the pace in club football management and players welfare with a target to play in the NPFL next season, “, Sanni announced at a pool side event inside the Stable, a private sports ground run by Union Bank.

Read Also: Former NPFL champs do battle in Eket

As part of their build-up to the NNL season, Sanni revealed plans of a participation in Italy starting tomorrow and added: “we have been deliberate in our recruitment of the players you see on parade here. We may be based in Surulere but our team represents the geographical expression called Nigeria and they are all here by merit.”

1472 FC was founded by FINTECH billionaire, Dozy Mmobuosi who sits atop some other businesses including agro firm, Tingo Foods and Tingo Media.

His Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation is a medical outreach organisation that offers free tests and treatment for prostate cancer.

Rangers International returned to the pinnacle of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table following their 2-0 home win over Heartland FC in their latest Oriental derby played at the Awka City Stadium.

Similarly, Shooting Stars, Enyimba, Doma United, Bendel Insurance and Abia Warriors all got maximum points at home as eight of Matchday 7 games were decided yesterday.

Rangers who were decimated 2-1 by Lobi Stars on Thursday in Lafia , recovered well on time to beat their South East neighbours, Heartland FC for a third successive win in as many matches between the two teams.

Kazeem Ogunleye put the Flying Antelopes in front after two minutes from a well taken free kick for his third goal of the season while Kenneth Igboke doubled the lead in the 57th minute from a penalty kick rebound.

Rangers now top the league table with 13 points from seven games while Heartland who are the only team yet to get a win this term, prod the table with four points.

At the Enyimba International Stadium, Enyimba extended their unbeaten streak to three games following a 1-0 home win over Kwara United courtesy Mbaoma Chijioke’s 45th minute spot kick.

Meanwhile, Shooting Stars moved to the second spot with 13 points after they demolished Niger Tornadoes 4-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Ayobami Adekunle’s 17th minute opener for the Oluyole Warriors was equalised by Ernest Chidi for the Ikon Allah Boys in the 35th minute but the visitors were made to pay for that impudence with three more goals from the home team.

Ayodeji Bamidele put the home team back in the lead a minute after the start of the second half before further goals from Gbolagade Adelowo and Kareem Ayinde in the 60th and 87th minutes made it an emphatic finish.

Read Also: Former NPFL champs do battle in Eket

At the Pantami Stadium, the first local derby of the season between Gombe United and Doma United ended in a three goal fest in favour of Doma United who are only in their second season in the topflight. Emma Ekpeyong’s opener and a brace off Emmanuel Jesam in the 52nd and 83rd minute drew huge shock from football purists as the Savannah Scorpions were put to the sword by the Savannah Tigers.

Bendel Insurance secured all points against visiting Remo Stars for the second straight season as Ismael Sarki’s long range effort in the 25th minute handed crucial three points to the Benin Arsenal at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

The win shoots Insurance to the sixth spot with 10 points despite having two games at hand.

A first half brace by Ibrahim Dehinde in the 11th and 21st minutes helped Abia Warriors to a 2-1 win in Umuahia against Katsina United.

At the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Rivers United failed to beat Sunshine Stars for third straight season after the Owena Whales secured a 1-1 draw.

Duke Osimaga scored against the run of play to put the visiting Sunshine Stars in the lead but Alex Oyowah’s stoppage time equaliser delivered a share of the spoils.

Akwa United stretched their unbeaten run to four games but they could not secure consecutive wins after they were held to a goalless draw by Plateau United.

It was the Peace Boys’ first away point of the season. The Promise Keepers had beaten Gombe United 1-0 at midweek to record their first win of the season but they were unable to make it two despite playing in front of their fans in Eket.

The remaining two fixtures of Matchday Seven come up today in Yenagoa where Bayelsa United will be up against Lobi Stars while Sporting Lagos welcome Kano Pillars to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan, Lagos.

2021 NPFL winners, Akwa United will be gunning for their second straight win of the season in Eket when they host 2017 Champions, Plateau United. TUNDE LIADI writes on the chances of both teams ahead of this weekend’s tie.

Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) 2021  champions, will hope to make it back-to-back home wins for the first time this season when they host 2017 league winners, Plateau United at the Eket Sports Stadium in  Eket in one of the Matchday Seven fixtures.

Akwa United head coach, Fatai Osho, would be relieved on Wednesday following his team’s first win of the season after a 1-0 victory over stubborn Gombe United. He will have another chance to build on that home win when they face Plateau United on Sunday in Eket in a second consecutive home game.

Pressure was already piled up for the Promise Keepers after their failure to beat Sporting Lagos and Shooting Stars before their fans in their two opening home games but the win against the Savannah Scorpions has assuage  their feelings  and another positive result against  the Peace Boys will undoubtedly  stabilize the under-fire Osho-led  technical crew.

Akwa United started their revival with the heartwarming goalless draw in Benin City against Bendel Insurance last weekend. It was their first away point of the season since they lost to Bayelsa United (5-3) and Enyimba in their opening two games.

Plateau United on their part, have not been consistent despite winning three home  games against Heartland FC, Sunshine Stars and Katsina United  as well as winning  away to Shooting Stars, Bendel Insurance and Gombe United. They were close to securing a point at Gombe United’s Pantami Stadium but a 94th  minute spot kick prevented that.

The Peace Boys under new coach, Mbwas Mangut will hope Chris Nwaeze, Wale Doyeni, Albert Hilary, Suraj Ayeleso, and Izuchukwu Chimezie all produce their best in Eket to ensure Plateau United end their barren spell away.

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While Osho will expect nothing more than another impressive outing from David Philip, Ubong Essien, Edidiong Ezekiel, Kufre Ebong, Uche Collins and Dare Ojo as they go for their second win of the season.

This fixture has produced victory for the home teams in the last four encounters with a close margin save for the 27th  February 2022 when Plateau United pummelled Akwa United 3-0 in Jos while  other three games had produced a goal margin difference.

Akwa United bagged a draw in Jos against the Peace Boys in the 2020-21 season when they won their historic NPFL title hence the die is cast in Eket on Sunday.

NPFL Matchday Seven Fixtures:

Abia Warriors vs Katsina United

Rivers United vs Sunshine Stars

Rangers vs Heartland FC

Bayelsa United vs Lobi Stars

Sporting Lagos vs Kano Pillars

Enyimba vs Kwara United

Shooting Stars vs Niger Tornadoes

Bendel Insurance vs Remo Stars

Gombe United vs Doma United

Akwa United vs Plateau United

All the five home teams won their games before their fans with Katsina United and Shooting Stars needing great comeback to emerge victorious while Bayelsa United, Abia Warriors and Rivers United also coasted to victory as NPFL Matchday Five games were concluded yesterday.

The game played at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina produced five goals between Katsina United and Sunshine Stars but it was the Chanji Boys that had the last laugh in front of capacity seated fans.

 Michael Olalusi twice put the Owena Whales in the ascendancy in the first half but the homers fought back gamely to equalise through Michael Ibe and Lukman Bello.

The Tope Bolus led -Chanji Boys got the winner  through Bello again in the 62nd  minute as Katsina United moved  to the seventh spot with eight points from five games.

There was mild drama in Ibadan when Doma United’s Nelson Abiam put the visitors in the lead just after eight minutes against Shooting Stars but Gbolagade Adelowo ensured that both teams went 1-1 at half time when be equalised in the 45th  minute from the penalty spot.

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The Oluyole Warriors were ahead in the game for the first time in the 60th   minute through Ademola Ayinde before a stoppage time third goal through Gideon Monday.

Abia Warriors  won the latest Oriental derby against Heartland FC as Meme Okike’s eighth minute strike was enough for the three points.

Bayelsa United returned to winning ways at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa following a 2-1 win over Kwara United.

Robert Mizo scored twice in the 10th   and 32nd  minute  for his fifth goal of the season while Samuel Ayanrinde got the Harmony Boys’ solitary strike in the 19th   minute.

At the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers United ended the unbeaten streak of Lobi Stars. Alex Oyowah’s 42nd   minute goal was enough for the three points.

Rangers International of Enugu   and Kano Pillars have both  shared 11 league  titles s between themselves  hence there would   yet be a battle for supremacy  when they trade tackles this weekend  in Awka in one of the NPFL Matchday Five games. TUNDE LIADI writes on what  should be a titanic tie given the pedigree of both sides on the domestic  scene.

The 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)  season enters Matchday Five this weekend with some interesting  fixtures across  the 10 centres.

There will be Oriental derby in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and Heartland FC while unbeaten Lobi Stars travel  to Port Harcourt to lock horns with Rivers United among other games. Yet,  the most tantalizing prospect  is the tie between Enugu Rangers and Kano Pillars in Awka.

Boasting  of  11 league titles between themselves, fans at the  Awka Township Stadium await  this  clash between the Flying Antelopes and Sai Masu Gida with bathed breath.

Kano Pillars picked a precious away draw in Awka when this fixture was played two seasons ago on  26^th February 2022 but Rangers  are now enjoying new lease of life under youthful General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku whose desire for positive change from the old order has been rubbing off positively on the club. They also have former MFM, Heartland FC and Plateau United coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu as head coach and the club has transited seamlessly since the start of the season.

Despite resistance from away teams, Rangers have managed to win their two home games against Doma United and Niger Tornadoes while picking their first away point of the season at Ilorin against Kwara United last weekend. The only blot thus far was the 2-1 loss to Remo Stars in Ikenne in their second game of the season.

But Kano Pillars on their part have not been the same since their demotion two seasons ago as they returned  to the NPFL at the beginning of the current campaign.

Read Also: NPFL fines Kano Pillars ₦1m, warns Heartland supporters

 They still have the command of their massive fan base but something seems to be wrong with Sai Masu Gida set up this season as they are  convincing despite  home wins over Katsina United and Rivers United.

In fact, it was a 92^nd  minute goal scored by club legend, Rabiu Ali that handed them the points in Kano two weeks ago against the Pride of Rivers while they have also lost their two away fixtures against Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors

On current form, the game may be termed a mismatch because of the resurgence at  Rangers but football is unpredictable and Abdu Maikaba and his players may draw inspiration from their last trip to Awka which ended goalless two seasons ago.

Rangers boast of array of talents in Japhet Opubo, Chidiebere Nwobodo, and Kazeem Ogunleye whose two goals have been crucial. Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Kalu Nweke, Godwin. Obaje and Chukwudi Nwaodu are other exciting players that can wreck Kano Pillars.

Pillars will rely on ageless Rabiu Ali who remains the skipper of the side for inspiration  with adequate  support from  Mohammed Galadima, Fahad Usman, Habibu Yakubu, Ibrahim Mustapha and  Saidu Adamu.

NPFL Matchday Five Fixtures  

Bendel Insurance vs Akwa United

Katsina United vs Sunshine Stars

Abia Warriors vs Heartland FC

Rivers United vs Lobi Stars

Enugu Rangers vs Kano Pillars

Bayelsa United vs Kwara United

Sporting Lagos vs Niger Tornadoes

Enyimba vs Remo Stars

Shooting Stars vs Doma United

Gombe United vs Plateau United

Kano Pillars was on Monday fined ₦1m for their supporters’ encroachment onto the field of play during the MatchDay 4 fixture against Rivers United. 

In another development, Heartland of Owerri were issued a stern warning to curb restive acts of their supporters and advised to organise reorientation for the supporters to inculcate in them the spirit of fair play.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) reached the respective decisions conveyed in separate summary jurisdiction notices announced on Monday.

Kano Pillars supporters were found to have jumped the barriers onto the field of play to celebrate their 93rd minute goal in the encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

Read Also: NPFL: Lobi maintain unbeaten run as Remo Stars shine in south-west derby

After reviewing reports from the match officials, the NPFL charged the club with a breach of Rule B13.18. The club was consequently ordered to pay the fine within 14 days and warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time would be considered a continuous breach of the NPFL Framework and Rules.

For Heartland, the NPFL in the memo with the heading: MatchDay 4 Disturbances, expressed reservations over the behaviour of the fans in holding back the players and Officials at the stadium after the match.

“It has come to our attention that some irate Supporters of your club held players and Officials hostage after the match, making it difficult for them to exit the stadium premises until a detachment of security operatives arrived as reinforcement.

“Such behaviour is unacceptable and tarnishes the reputation of both Heartland and the NPFL”, read the memo signed by Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer.

The Owerri-based club was admonished to curb such behaviour by organising orientation workshops for the supporters in the spirit of fair play best practices.

Lobi Stars continued  their impressive start to the season with a routine home win over Abia Warriors even as  Shooting Stars, Katsina United and Enugu Rangers secured first away points of the season.

Elsewhere,  Remo Stars pinned Sporting Lagos 2-1 in the first South West derby of the season as Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Four games were played yesterday.

At the Lafia Township Stadium, Lobi Stars took  two early goals courtesy Ahmadu Liman and Alao Danbani’s goals in the 15th  and 25th  minute  against Abia Warriors to remain the only unbeaten team in the topflight this term.

At the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin, Kwara United needed a second half comeback before salvaging a point at home  against rejuvenated Enugu Rangers. The Flying Antelopes had led in the first half through Kazeem Ogunleye in the 34th  minute for  his second goal of the season but Alao Mohammed evened the scores in the 56th  minute.

Akwa United  were  held  at home to a goalless draw by Shooting Stars at the Eket Stadium while at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in  Owerri, Heartland FC were also held to a 1-1 draw at home by Katsina United.

Read Also: GTI hails NPFL clubs over smooth season’s kick-off

But Kano Pillars bagged their second win of the season following a stoppage time winner by club captain, Rabiu Ali against Rivers United while Plateau United had Hilary Albert to thank for their solidarity goal win over Sunshine Stars in Jos.

At the Pantami Stadium, Gombe United inflicted on Bendel Insurance their first loss of the season following a 51st minute winner through Ahmed Jimoh.

Meanwhile,  in the  first South West derby of the season,  Remo Stars  edged Sporting Lagos 2-1 in a highly  entertaining match at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

Sporting Lagos got the curtain raiser in the 21st  minute through Jonathan Alukwu but Remo Stars fought back gamely through Franck Mawuena and Sikiru Alimi in the 31st  and 48th  minute with the latter strike coming from the penalty spot.

Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and

Trust Limited has expressed delight at the high level of support and spirit of competitiveness among clubs featuring in the NPFL 2023/2024 season and also lauded the media for their professional coverage following the smooth kick-off of the elite league on September 30.

According to GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba in Lagos yesterday, he hailed the clubs for queuing into the vision of GTI regarding implementing the business aspect of the game in all its activities.

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“We believe that with time the good plans of the Nigeria Premier League Board will see the light of the day given the massive coverage the NPFL is receiving.

“With the take-off grant of N10 million given to each of the 20 clubs this season by GTI and many other deals secured by the various clubs, we can see that the clubs have hit the ground running which has consistently reflected on the Matchday results,” Ekejiuba said.

“It is not surprising to see that home teams have stepped their game as we are yet to record a loss in that regard. The worst-case scenarios are two draws recorded by visiting teams in Matchday 1 and Matchday 2 respectively.

“Also, the 2-0 annihilation of Enyimba International of Aba in faraway Gombe by Gombe United in Matchday 2 is an indication that the gap between the so-called big teams and the lesser ones are nonexistent this season. By implication, the N150m prize money expected for the winning team this season, courtesy of GTI, is going to be keenly contested.”