Matchweek 12 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has come and gone but we look back at the big talking points in which the top-of-the-table clash produced no goals, newcomers making their mark and the two derbies that took place in the Southeast and Southwest.
RIVERS UTD END REMO STARS’ PERFECT HOME RECORD
No club in the NPFL hold a 100 per cent home run any longer after the 0-0 draw between Remo Stars and Rivers United in the top-of-the-table clash. The Sky Blue Stars had won all previous five home matches at their Remo Stars Stadium ground in Ikenne until Finidi George and his me denied them from making it six wins in six home matches. Despite dropping points at home for the first time this season, Remo Stars are still the side with most points at home (16 points, two more than Enyimba and 3SC).
ENYIMBA HOLD ON TO ABIA DERBY BRAGGING RIGHTS
The People’s Elephant have shown that they are the landlords in Abia and they proved that on Sunday once more by extending their dominance over Abia Warriors to just one loss in 11 NPFL meetings (W9 D1 L1).
THE BIG CLIMBERS
Three clubs emerged as the biggest climbers on the standings after Matchday 12. Akwa United, Kwara United and Ikorodu City climbed three places each from their previous position. Akwa United moved out of the bottom-four from 19th to 16th after defeating Nasarawa United 1-0 while Kwara United climbed from 10th to seventh following their 2-0 win over Plateau United. New boys, Ikorodu City, jumped into the top-half of the table from 11th place to eighth after coming back from a goal down to edge past 3SC.
IKORODU CITY PUNCHING ABOVE WEIGHT
City are really punching above their weights in the top division. Before the start of the season, they were odds on to be relegated in their first-ever try in the NPFL. However, it is no longer appearing so. After losing their first five matches, the Oga Boys have sewn together three wins in their last three NPFL matches including adding Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to the list of big names they have claimed their scalp. Over the weekend, City came back from a goal down to see off 3SC in the Southwest Derby with Shola Adelani and Rivio Ayemwenre’s goals cancelling out an earlier strike from Anthony Okachi for their opponents. Surely the Oga Boys will no longer be viewed as candidates for relegation going forward.
KATSINA UTD FINALLY OFF THE MARK ON THE ROAD
It took Katsina United 534 minutes (almost six matches) to score their first goal on the road in the NPFL this season. They are the last time to achieve this feat when. Taofeek Ahmed netted their first away goal in their 1-1 draw at Bayelsa United on Sunday, which helped them claim only their second point on the road.
RED-HOT AGELESS RABIU ALI
Kano Pillars midfielder and legend, Rabiu Ali, appears to turning back the years this season. The 44-year-old has now scored a goal each in his last three matches for Kano Pillars against Plateau United, Bendel Insurance and Heartland. He has taken his total to seven and has closed the gap on leading scorer, Yusuf Anas. The Nasarawa United man has now failed to score his last three outings for Nasarawa United, and in those three matches his club have also failed to score losing to Rangers (0-2), Kwara United (0-1) and Akwa United (0-1). An interesting battle is surely brewing in that area.