By George Akpayen
It was quite an eventful matchweek starting from the early Saturday kickoff at the Lafia City Stadium to the Enyimba Stadium in Aba where the lights went out and a rescheduling was needed to wrap up the game on Monday morning. Despite all of that, here are talking points from Matchday 5:
‘THE GOVERNOR’ RETURNS WITH A STATEMENT
Before the kickoff of Matchday 5, Kano Pillars signed free agents, Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi. Both men returned to their childhood club. For Musa, who is popularly known as The Governor, it was like he never left the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Immediately, the 31-year-old made his presence felt and scored twice in his side’s 2-0 win over Sunshine Stars though it would have been a hattrick if he had converted from the spot later on.
No wonder, ex-NPFL star, Abu Azeez, in his podcast on X (formerly Twitter) described his performance in three words: maturity, exposure and positioning. That is what Musa will surely bring to the Kano Pillars squad in his third spell with ‘Sai Masu Gida.’
AMUNEKE FINALLY OFF THE MARK
It was a big relief for former Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, now head coach at Heartland as his side won their first game of the season after five attempts. They beat Niger Tornadoes 2-0 with Michael Ogu scoring both goals in either side of the half. An elated Amuneke said at the post-match: “We understand that when you are in the period of processing it takes time for things to really work. I am happy for the team because we deserve this joyous moment. We have played five games, we have lost three, drew one and now won one here (at the Dan Anyiam Stadium).” Up next for the Naze Millionaires is a trip to Minna where they will face Niger Tornadoes in the next matchday.
DIFFERENT STROKES IN LAFIA
Not far from Minna is Lafia where Nasarawa United and Lobi Stars have their home ground for this season. Nasarawa United are the original landlords at the Lafia City Stadium while Lobi Stars have adopted the ground owing to renovation work at the Aper Aku Stadium. However, both clubs have played a combine six matches at the Lafia stadium – that is three apiece and have managed just one win from Lobi’s 1-0 defeat of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). The landlords are yet to find their feet on their own turf. They played a 0-0 draw with Bayelsa United on Sunday.
REMO STARS LOSE 100% START TO SEASON
The odds were not favourable ahead of Kwara United’s match against high-flying Remo Stars. The Sky Blue Stars had recorded four wins in four, and it was difficult for pundits to look past them especially with Kwara United’s inconsistent start to the season. Kwara United won by the odd goal from Shola Abdulraheem’s strike from outside the box on 56 minutes, seven minutes Remo Stars were reduced to 10 players following a second booking for Faisal Sani. The loss brought to an end Remo Stars’ perfect start to the season.
EL-KANEMI, RIVERS UNITED REMAIN UNBEATEN SIDES
Talkng about perfect starts and unbeaten runs, at the moment, only two clubs are unbeaten after Matchweek 5 – table-toppers Rivers United and Cup holders, El-Kanemi Warriors. The Cup holders played out a 1-1 draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday against Bendel Insurance. They scored first through Ibrahim Mustapha before Michael Enaruna drew Insurance level. At the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Finidi George and his Rivers United side needed a late goal to see off Akwa United after Friday Apollos scored to cancel Stephen Manyo’s goal for Rivers United earlier. Ndifreke Effiong came off the bench to score a late winner for Finidi’s side.
AKWA UTD’S LOSS IS RIVERS UTD’S GAIN
About Ndifreke Effiong, he came back to haunt his former side, Akwa United with that late goal. It is understood he was close to re-joining the Promise Keepers before Rivers United snapped him up alongside another former Akwa United man, Ubong Friday.
A DEBUT TO REMEMBER FOR MICHAEL OGU
Michael Ogu made his first appearance for Heartland and became an instant hit. He inspired them to a 2-0 win, scoring twice on 20 and 60 minutes. It was the Naze Millionaires’ first win of the campaign and what a time for the debutant to have a say in how things turned out.
TRIO REMAIN WINLESS
Akwa United, Bayelsa United and Ikorodu City will watch as Heartland leave their group of winless clubs this season. The three clubs are now the only side yet to register a win this season after the last matchweek on road trips.
TWO COACHES LOSE ROLES; ENTER AMOKACHI
The coaching doors are beginning to revolve. Two coaches will no longer be part of this season except they are hired elsewhere. First, Lobi Stars announced the sacking of Eugene Agagbe on Sunday for failing to meet up following a five-game ultimatum in which he won just once. Later on same Sunday, Ikorodu City head coach, Bright Ozebagbe, resigned after a brief meeting with the club owner who made it known to him that he needs to step things up and was about to hand him a three-game ultimatum. The Oga Boys are now shopping for a replacement which they “will announce in the coming days.”