Sports
Teams In 2015/2016 League Well Prepared – Iorfa
Keeper Femi Thomas (right) of Enyimba going for the ball
The Chairman of Lobi
Stars of Markurdi, Dominic Iorfa, on Tuesday said that the high level of competition by teams as the 2015/2016 Nigeria Premier Football League began showed their readiness.
Iorfa, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos, said their adequate preparation was responsible for the away wins recorded at the competition’s first matches.
Tidesports source reports that the opening fixtures of the premier league produced four away wins with Lobi Stars of Markurdi being among the teams.
The Benue team defeated their hosts 3SC at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan by a lone goal through Ajia Emmanuel.
The other away wins are MFM FC beating Nasarawa United at Lafia Township Stadium, while Wikki Tourist piped El-Kanemi at Sani Abacha Stadiun, Kano.
Ifeanyi Uba also got the victory over Giwa FC at the Rwang Pan Stadium in Jos.
Iorfa, who hails from Gboko town in Benue, said that most teams in the league had now realised what it takes to play in the competition.
He said that the league results across the country revealed the seriousness now attached to winning away matches by the clubs.
“The results clearly demonstrate that the teams are getting ready. Taking a cue from what happened on Sunday, you will see passion and determinations from the clubs.
“The pre-season preparation of some of the teams was fantastic. Most teams went on camping not within their area but to other states in order to curb distractions.
“This is how it should be; we have seen the preparations of most teams in the federation, many going to other parts of the country to adapt to their environment.
“They also travelled to avoid distractions from home people and that really gave big incentives to the team. The results of the games were fantastic,’’ he said.
Iorfa told newsmen that the teams playing in the premier league had come of age and that they were poised to win though not by all means.
According to him, the League Management Company (LMC) deserves credit for the good organisation of the competition.
He also called for adequate remuneration for the match officials.
“I think we have to thank the LMC for the hard work and equally Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for doing their best.
“It is unexpected to see four teams losing at home; it is a rare thing in the history of Nigerian football. This also shows that the referees are coming of age.
“The match officials and referees are trying to be stable in their officiating and not to favour any side. This is how the league should be played,’’ Iorfa said.
“Good officiating is what tilted most people to watch overseas matches at the expense of ours but I think the good times are here now.
“I hope the LMC will continue in this momentum and also see to the grey area of providing good incentives to the match officials to discourage biased officiating.’’
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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