Sports
NPFL: 2018/19 Season Finally Kicks Off
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.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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