NPFL Super Six Playoff: Enyimba FC off to bright start, Pillars unlucky, Lobi wins

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NPFL Super Six Playoff: Enyimba FC off to bright start, Pillars unlucky, Lobi wins

 

Seven times Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, winner, Enyimba International, on Tuesday set up a bright start for the NPFL playoff as they sealed a 1-0 win over their rival and another seven times winners, Rangers International FC, at the Agege Stadium.

NAN reports that Lagos state is hosting the NPFL playoff to determine the eventual winners of the 2018/2019 abridged NPFL.

However, in what could be regarded as a competition among the best of the club sides in Nigeria, the playoff had lived up to its reputation with firework displayed on the first day.

The NPFL playoff consists of six top teams from the abridged Group A and B which produced three teams each.

Rangers International FC, Enyimba FC and Lobi Stars emerged from Group A, while Group B had Akwa United FC, Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

The opening game between the two seven times champions saw Enyimba FC winning the bragging Oriental Derby match courtesy of a 50th minute solitary goal by Joseph Odiaye.

The Peoples Elephant will be eyeing the eight NPFL crown having won it in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2015 respectively.

The Gbenga Ogunbote-tutored Rangers FC is also chasing same record as they were the League champions in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 2016 respectively.

The second match of the day was a 4-goal thriller encounter between four times League winners, Kano Pillars and Akwa United. The game ended in a stalemated 2-2.

David Ebuka drew the first blood in the 3rd minute, while Effiong Ndifereke equalised for Akwa United FC while Nyima Nwagua and Godspower Anifiok registered their names in the score sheet in the 33rd minute and 37th minute of the game respectively.

The last match of the first day between the defending champions Lobi Stars FC and Ifeanyi Ubah FC , however, ended 3-1 in favour of the former.

Goals from Samad Kadiri 2nd minute, Sikiru Alimi’s 62nd minute and Alex Gtakho’s 85th minute settled the contest, while FC Ifeanyi Ubah got their solitary goal through Tega Ebetomame at the 40th minute.

NAN reports that a faulty Agege Stadium floodlight almost marred the game.

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NPFL: Enugu Rangers defeat Rivers United to extend unbeaten record

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NPFL: Enugu Rangers defeat Rivers United to extend unbeaten record

 

Rangers International FC of Enugu on Monday defeated visiting Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt 1- 0 to wrap up their unbeaten home record in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match-day 21.

Chidera Eze came to the rescue of the Enugu-based side in the 85th minute from Michael Uchebo’s assist in the tension-soaked encounter played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Speaking in a post-match interview with journalists, Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote said that Rangers had no option than to professionally finish the league.

Ogunbote said, “We lost to them in their home so we are condemned to beat them and Rangers is a professional club.”

He expressed joy over the victory, saying that the players were made to have two things in mind.

“The players knew that we do not need to lose or even draw but to win and it’s better we leave it late when they cannot fight back,” he said.

Ogunbote further said that their attention was still focused on the Super Six in order to be able to pick a ticket to the continental.

He thanked the fans and the media for their objective and constructive criticism which, he said, spurred him up to the challenge.

“It is the criticism from the supporters and the media that made us seat up, especially when it seemed that we were backsliding.

“This is a victory for all of us, especially the supporters, who always stood solidly behind us and I wish they will be there for us at the Super Six,” Ogunbote said.

Also, Rangers captain, Godwin Aguda, expressed joy over the victory, saying that he had a sleepless night when they lost 3-0 to Rivers United in the first leg.

“I am happy that we took our own a pound of flesh from them and now, all attention shifts to super six.

“We must finish a good job we started in the super six because Rangers deserve continental competitions next year.

“Our joy will only be complete when we finish well at the super six and probably lift the trophy,” Aguda said.

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2018 World Cup Friendlies: Nigeria Faces Poland, Serbia, Eguaveon Slams Rohr For Not Including More NPFL Players

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2018 World Cup Friendlies: Nigeria Faces Poland, Serbia, Eguaveon Slams Rohr For Not Including More NPFL Players

 

Former Super Eagles head coach, Austin Eguavoen, has criticized current handler, Gernot Rohr, for naming only two players from the Nigeria Professional Football League in his latest squad for friendly matches against Poland and Serbia.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Gabriel Okechukwu were included in the 28-man list , with Stephen Eze, who joined Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Plovdiv from Kano Pillars earlier this year, also named.

“I saw the list and it’s a good one,” Eguavoen told Complete Sports.

“but I think there should be more players from the league in his squad.”

Rohr also largely ignored the African Nations Championship squad that reached the final in Morocco last month.

“Eze was a standout player from the African Nations Championship, so he deserved his place,” Eguavoen added.

“Gabriel Okechukwu is a good striker and he possesses a certain unpredictability when playing which could be an asset.

“[He’s] relatively unknown, and could spring surprises.”

Nigeria face Poland at the Stadion Miejski on March 23, before playing Serbia at Barnet’s Hive Stadium in London four days later.

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