Wikki Tourists, Nasarawa United Share Spoils in Bauchi NPFL Clash

Wikki Tourists FC and Nasarawa United FC played out a 1–1 draw on Sunday in a keenly contested Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 24 fixture at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium. Nasarawa United took the lead in the 28th minute after Izuchukwu Chimezie capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home the opener. Wikki Tourists responded before the interval, with Jonathan Mairiga restoring parity in the 41st minute to ensure both sides went into the break level. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the encounter was highly competitive, as both teams displayed tactical discipline and determination throughout the match. Wikki Tourists had an opportunity to go ahead in the second half but failed to convert a penalty, and no further goals were recorded as the match ended in a stalemate. The result leaves Wikki Tourists on 28 points from 24 matches, sitting 14th on the Nigeria Premier Football League standings. Sports analyst Bala Sani described the match as exciting, noting that Nasarawa United appeared better organised technically and well-prepared for the encounter. Reacting after the game, Wikki Tourists Chief Coach, Bala Saleh, attributed his team’s display to fatigue, explaining that the strain resulted from playing three consecutive matches. He, however, expressed confidence ahead of their next fixture against Katsina United. Also speaking, Nasarawa United Assistant Coach, Stephen Moga, praised his players for their professionalism, saying they executed the game plan effectively despite the pressure of playing away from home.

Naija Super 8: Lobi Stars beat Akwa United, berths semifinal

Lobi Stars FC on Wednesday defeated Akwa United FC, 2-0, in their last Group B encounter at the ongoing Naija Super 8 Football competition at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos. The victory sends Lobi Stars to the top of their group and qualified for the semi-final as group winners with seven points from three matches, while Akwa United finished second with six points. Lobi Stars started the game knowing that a draw would be enough to qualify, while Akwa United had already booked a semi-final slot with two wins from two matches. Fifteen minutes into the game, a cross from the right side found its way to Joseph Atule, who was left unmarked in the six yard box. The winger chested the ball into an open net to give Lobi Stars the lead. The winger doubled Lobi Stars’ lead eight minutes later after he was put through on goal to slot past the goalkeeper. Atule’s movement proved difficult to handle for the Akwa United defence and he almost bagged a first half hat-trick when his left-footed shot narrowly missed the top corner.Gift Elkanah produced a good save to deny Lobi Stars a third goal in the 42nd minute. In spite of having less of the possession, Lobi Stars continued to fashion the best chances in the match. Elkenah again denied the Makurdi side in the 55th minute with a fingertip save to parry Okoromi David’s looping shot over the bar. In his post-match interview, Lobi Stars Coach, Bala Abubakar, said his team would be ready for any opponent in the semi-final. “Lobi Stars is still a work in progress. We have changed the mentality of the players and our performance in this tournament shows we are on track. “What Lobi Stars need is to have a style, character, adequate preparation for matches and winning mentality. “That is why you are seeing a different Lobi Stars in this tournament. We will be ready to face any team that qualifies for the semi-finals,” Abubakar said. After losing top spot in the group, Akwa United Coach, Fatai Osho, said the objective was to give room for other players to perform. “We were torn between qualifying as group leaders or achieving our objective of giving players room to showcase what they can do. “Now everybody in the team has played. The semi-finals will not be a tea party. “It will be a lot of work and we will do our best,” Osho said In the other group match, Rivers United beat Yobe Desert Stars 1-0 to take third spot in the group. Kazie Enyinnaya scored the winning goal in the 25 minute of the match. Rivers United finished the match with 10 men after one of their players received a red card in the 87th minute. The other two semi-final slots will be decided on Thursday when Sporting Lagos and Katsina United face each other in the final Group A match, starting at 4:30 p.m. Katsina United currently sit atop the table on goal difference with four points from two games. Sporting Lagos are second with four points from two matches. Remo Stars are third with four points from three matches, while Enyimba was eliminated from the competition after losing two of their three matches. Naija Super 8 is organised by Flykite Productions in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsored by MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance.

Enyimba FC win NPFL title, N100m prize

Enyimba International FC of Aba are champions of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season. The People’s Elephant won the league on Sunday after they played out a one-all draw with former champions, Rivers United in the final match of the 2023 NPFL Super 6 in Lagos. Going Into the crunchy tie, the 2019 champions needed a draw to claim their nineth League title and the recorded the draw after Rivers United forced them to a 1-1 scoreline. Ekene Awazie scored the opening goal in the 40th minutes for the Aba boys but Nyima Nwagua restored parity in the 47th minute for the Pride of Rivers. Both teams could not find the winning goal in the remaining moments of the encounter but the full time score line gave the two-time Africa Champions their deserved title, and nineth in history. Enyimba won the title after accruing 9 points from 5 matches while Remo Stars came second with same number of points but lesser goal difference. 2022 champions, Rivers United came 3rd with 8 points By the virtue of their positions, Enyimba and Remo Stars have qualified for the CAF Champions League while Rivers United will join the winner of the 2023 Federation Cup between Rangers and Bendel Insurance in the CAF Confederation Cup. Rivers United were quarter-finalist in the 2023 edition of the CAF second tier league. For emerging champions of the NPFL, Enyimba will receive a cash reward of ₦100, 000, 000 from the organizers of the league, the Interim Management Committee, IMC.