Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Rangers Storm Lafia For Tie Against Lobi Stars

Rangers International F.C of Enugu is keen on maintaining its newfound form that has stretched to three-match unbeaten when it trades tackles with fierce neighbors, Lobi Stars F.C of Makurdi in a delayed match day 6, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture scheduled for the Lafia City Stadium, Thursday, November 2, 2023.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu will most likely be banking on the squad that decimated Kano Pillars 4-1 over the weekend as the ‘Flying Antelopes’ targets the scalp of the Benue giants, ‘Shoe Get Size’ under coach Eugene Agagbe.

With the likes of Godwin Obaje, Chukwudi Nwaodu, Chidiebere Nwobodo and Isaac Savior finding their rhythm, it would be difficult to stop the high-flying Antelopes from stopping the home side that parades such players as Orji Kalu, Madu Christian, Kumaga Suur, Moses Tsehuan, Francis Odinaka, Stephen Eneji, Oko Onyedika, and Godwin Aloa.

Coach Ilechukwu, in a chat, described the encounter as one with a lot of intrigues and interest as his wards are determined to come out with a positive result to maintain their good start to the season and regain the bragging rights over the Makurdi-based side stressing, “We know what we want to achieve at every point in time as we work towards achieving our set target for the season. We are positive about the outcome of our game in Lafia. Everywhere is home for Rangers as we have worked on our players to understand that and play our style of football always with the aim of coming out unscratched. Lobi may have been on top in head-to-head contest but we want to turn the tide around starting from this encounter in Lafia.”

Also speaking, defense Trojan, David Chimezie, said ahead of the crunch encounter, “We are very confident going into this fixture as we have worked hard and prepared to get a result in Lafia. No doubt, Lobi is a good side and would come at us with everything they have to carry the day but with the level of motivation and determination in us, we shall come out with a good result. We will fight well and won’t let our fans down.”

The host, Lobi Stars F.C is enjoying a superior ratio of wins in the twenty-six official matches involving both sides with sixteen wins. At the same time, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ have ten wins with six encounters ending in a draw just as the eight-goal thriller in Awka in the 2021/2022 season where Rangers defeated Lobi by 5-3, being the highest score in a single match involving the two clubs.

With ten goals from five matches and conceding six in the process for Rangers and netting seven times and leaking five at the back for Lobi in the same number of matches, football fans of Lafia and its environs are assured of quality football display from the two former continental teams under young managers.

Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede reflects on Emo Stars’ win over Abia Warriors

Emo Stars technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede admitted his side was fortunate to secure a 3-2 victory over Abia Warriors in Ikenne on Wednesday.

Abia Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Ayodele Eziekel and Anthony Ijoma. However, Emo Stars responded with three goals from Olamilekan Adebayo, Jabbar Malik, and Franck Mawuena to clinch the win.

Ogunmodede acknowledged that his team had underestimated their opponents but managed to turn things around. “The game was tense and shocking in the first half on our home ground. Not every time you will be lucky against a great team we played against,” he said in the post-match interview.

“We underestimated the qualities of our opponent, and we were punished for it. But luckily, we identified the problem and readjusted to get the victory.”

Emo Stars will now aim to build on this win as they continue their campaign

Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars eye maximum points in midweek showdown with Ikorodu City

Kano Pillars are determined to secure all three points in their upcoming fixture against Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Sai Masu Gida will face Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday.

Usman Abdallah’s side is upbeat and focused ahead of the match, with the players in high spirits.

“Done and dusted with the shake-ups ahead of our NPFL25 Matchday 21 clash against Ikorodu City this Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos,” Kano Pillars wrote on X.

“The boys are in high spirits and determined to secure maximum points as we aim to continue our impressive run this season.”

Kano Pillars currently sit in eighth place on the league table with 28 points.

Nigeria Premier League

Brown Ideye criticizes NPFL standards, calls for major improvements

Enyimba striker Brown Ideye has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), stating that significant improvements are needed to elevate its standard.

Ideye, who rejoined the league in December 2024 after signing for Enyimba, has made appearances in both NPFL and CAF Confederation Cup matches, scoring two goals so far.

Sharing his thoughts following Enyimba’s 2-0 defeat to Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday 16 fixture in Ilorin, Ideye voiced concerns about the league’s challenges.

“The system is getting worse; the league is not improving. I feel like we have a long way to go,” Ideye remarked during an interview.

Despite enjoying his time at Enyimba, the former West Brom striker emphasized that much remains to be addressed in the league.

“My time at Enyimba has been wonderful, but there are a lot of things in the league that need improvement and haven’t changed yet,” he added.

On the poor performances of Nigerian clubs in CAF competitions, Ideye highlighted critical areas requiring attention.

“In terms of traveling, feeding, hotel accommodations, and player relaxation — it’s all bad. Nigerians are not ready for continental competitions. We need to put our house in order before going there, instead of embarrassing ourselves.”