Sports

NPFL: 2018/19 Season Finally Kicks Off

Published

7 years ago

January 21, 2019

The 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) finally kicked off January 13, after a lengthy delay. It was a huge relief for the players, organisers, journalists, as well as the fans who thronged various centres to catch the glimpse of domestic action that they have missed for a long time.
The match-day one action across some of the centres that hosted events came with expectations even as the matches presented the real entertainment that had hitherto been non-existent since the NPFL was suspended due to nagging issues over six months ago.
Meanwhile, the high point of results in the first day of the domestic action was El-Kanemi Warriors’ unexpected defeat of Akwa United at the Nest of Champions in Uyo. Looking to get all the three points and obviously not contended with a draw, Akwa United threw all men upfront in search for at least that lone goal that would lighten up the packed stadium.
It was a decision that turned sour as goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke, in the 94th minute, left his line and went as far as the centre circle, urging his men on. His pass was intercepted by an El-Kanemi player, who located unmarked team mate. The latter fired a long range short inside an empty net.
In Aba, Enyimba whipped MFM 2-0. From other results recorded on the first day of the match, Nasarawa United beat Abia Warriors 1-0 in Umuahia, even as Plateau United drew blank with visiting FC IfeanyiUbah.
In Kano, Kano Pillars defeated Heartland 1-0, while Kwara United and Sunshine Stars played out a 1-1 draw in Ilorin. The sour point of the match-day one was an attack on the referee in the match involving Plateau United and FC IfeanyiUbah at the Rwan Pam Stadium in Jos.
No sooner had Sam Agba, the centre referee, ended the match that the home fans invaded the pitch and attacked him. It was reported that they descended on Agba and molested him until very few security men at the arena rescued the hapless official.
Commentators have totally condemned the actions of the home fans, who were thought to be more matured. Hooliganism at match venues had tended to take shine off the domestic league in the recent past. In some instances, both players and officials of the visiting team are molested and have had to spend days in the hospital.
While Plateau United’s management had denied the attack, the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) has admitted that Agba was attacked, who it was revealed, is in critical condition in the hospital.
Kelechi Mejuobi, the publicity secretary of NRA, said Agba was still in a critical condition after the assault.
“The NRA regrets the sad incident in Jos where Plateau United hosted IfeanyiUbah. After the encounter that ended scoreless, the match officials, especially the referee, Sam Agba, were beaten blue and black by suspected fans of the home side,” he said.
“Reports reaching the NRA after the incident has it that the referees were unprotected after the home side failed to win and were left at the mercy of hooligans, who attacked them. The condition of the referee is critical,” he said.
This is the time the LMC must stamp its authority and ensure that the belated season runs unhindered. The ugly incident in Jos must be stopped, even as the LMC must ensure that adequate security is provided at match venues.
The clubs must hit the ground running because of the peculiar nature of the abridged season. With the abridged format this season where 12 teams are split into two groups, it’s not going to be business as usual, as three teams from each group (for a total of six) will make it to the championship playoffs to determine the league winner, while four teams from each group will be relegated to the Nigeria National League.
Unlike a 20-team format, there’s very little room to make amends here. Things are set to get feisty in 2019, but it’s the hope that every team accepts their fate without causing needless drama when the decisive moment arrives. This is where various owners must come in. As revealed to SATURDAY INDEPENDENT by Mfon Udoh of Akwa United, so many factors like motivation and consistency would play huge roles in determining who wins the league at the end of the season.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.