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.’’