By George Akpayen
The month of October was filled with a lot of highs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Two teams went unbeaten in the past month, one player scored five times in five appearances while there were a handful of goals. We capture major highlights from October:
ANAS YUSUF HATTRICK
The Nasarawa United star was practically the man who offered himself up for the route for his team’s goals in the month under review. He accounted for all of the Solid Miners’ four goals in October including a hattrick in their 3-0 win over Abia Warriors in the middle of the month. He followed that performance up with the winner against Kano Pillars at the tail end of October, which summed up his redhot form.
AHMED MUSA SHOW AT THE CATHEDRAL
The Super Eagles winger put up a show at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu in Kano Pillars’ 4-3 win against Rangers International that became a trending event. That performance rolled back the years and quickly reminded a lot of people that Ahmed Musa has not lost his pace despite being 32. After assisting three earlier goals scored by Rabiu Ali and Mohammed Zulkifilu, the winger produced a sublime moment of individual brilliance to put his side 4-0 up at halftime at the home of the champions. The champions came close to a fightback but only managed to score three second half goals through Nenrot Silas and Isaac Saviour’s double. Musa was also involved in six of his club’s seven goals in October (3 goals + 3 assists)
FINIDI GEORGE’S MAGIC AT RIVERS UNITED
Talk of impact. Former Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, has sure hit the ground running at Rivers United. After a 49-day stint in charge of Nigeria’s Super Eagles that ended abruptly he began life at Rivers United and has guided the side to the top of the NPFL standings. In the month of October, the 53-year-old made sure Rivers United finished unbeaten in five games (W3 D2) including a 1-0 win at Niger Tornadoes. He is definitely waving his wand in the Garden City.
A BACK-FOUR SHUTTING OUT EVERYTHING
Still sticking to Rivers United. Somehow Finidi has found a permanent solution to his defence at Rivers United and in fact his he knows who his starters are. The back four of Ebuka Akobundu, Stephen Manyo, Temple Emekayi and Taiwo Abdulrafiu currently stand out as the top-perforning defence in the top division in the month of October. They shipped in just two goals and both at home to Akwa United and El-Kanemi Warriors while they kept three clean sheets at Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes as well as at home to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).
FREESCORING OSSY MARTINS
Looking at strikers and defences. One man who could not be shut out in October was Ossy Martins. The forward did not start the season as his club’s first-choice but his October performance has earned him that place. He finished the month with the most individual goals – five goals in five appearances. He scored once on the road in the 1-1 draw at Niger Tornadoes, twice in 2-2 draw against El-Kanemi Warriors and then rounded off October with two goals in the 2-1 win over Bayelsa United.
HARRISON AUSTIN UZONDU HATTRICK OF ASSISTS
October was not just about goalscoring. Ikorodu City left-back produced an eye-catching display by helping his club to a 4-2 win over Lobi Stars. Uzondu was magnificent in the new boys’ big win by assisting Emmanuel Solomon, Solomon Alade and Rivio Ayemwenre to score a goal each.
RESOLUTE EL-KANEMI WARRIORS
Gritty. Never-say-die. Swashbuckling. Tenacious. El-Kanemi Warriors are surely a side you can describe with all of the aforementioned words considering their performance in October. They are the other undefeated side in the NPFL this season aongside Rivers United. The Borno club showed resilience by staying unbeaten in their five fixtures excluding the rearranged schedule against Kwara United (W1 D4). Thrice in October, they earned themselves respectable outcomes at Lobi Stars, Bendel Insurance and Rivers United. They were down by two goals at Lobi to Ossy Martins’ brace before second half strikes from Ibrahim Mustapha and Muhammad Mukhtar ensured they shared the points. At Rivers United they scored first through Samaila Bello before Taofeek Otaniyi levelled the score but went on to hold on for a point with 10 players for 45 minutes after Gimba Ajiji was sent off for a second booking on the stroke of halftime.
AMOKACHI’S RETURN TO THE NPFL
The month of October began on a big note when Lobi Stars appointed former Super Eagles star, Daniel Amokachi, as their head coach to replace Eugene Agagbe. Amokachi made a return to the top division as a coach nine years after working at FC Ifeanyiubah. He has also had stints at Enyimba and Nasarawa United. Since taking up the Lobi Stars head coach role in October, Amokachi has been in charge of four matches and won one (W1 D2 L1).
OTHER WORTHY MENTIONS
Rivers United goalkeeper Onisodumeya Osagie has wormed his way into the heart of Finidi George and has become the first-choice between the sticks. He kept three cleans in October including two on the road. Two midfielders, Ikorodu City’s Toheeb Ajeyigbe and Shola Abdulraheem of Kwara United, deserve mentions. They scored three goals apiece in the month under review.
Heartland centre-back Afolayan Peters was indeed a big infuence in Emmanuel Amuneke’s side in October. He was central in their keeping three clean sheets offering that defensive leadership style and then capped the month with a winning goal against title-chasing Remo Stars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
Sadiq Abubakar Adamu was majorly involved in Plateau United’s performances in October. He was directly involved in five of the eight goals his club scored in the past month. He scored four goals and assisted in one.