NPFL Matchday 26 Review: A Weekend of Penalties
Matchday 26 paid the penalty of falling during a religious public holiday and thus had to be shifted from Sunday to Wednesday. A weekend that should have been a perfect period to have the fans in the stadium knowing the following day was a public holiday.
The only exemption was the match involving Nigeria’s remaining representative on the continent; Rivers United played their match on Saturday. This should give them ample time to prepare and concentrate for the CAF Confederation Cup game against Club Africain on Sunday. They need all three points in Port Harcourt and will be better off with as many goals as possible. They would need to do better than the 1-0 win over Shooting Stars.
Across the NPFL, it was a tale of one penalty or the other in six of the nine remaining centres. ABS FC needed an 89th minute penalty to deny Kano Pillars their first away win since May 2016. Rabiu Ali gave Pillars the lead in the 54th minute.
@OptaNGR: 7 - The NPFL have now recorded 7 goals from the penalty spot in a Matchday for the first time since MD 18 of 2013/14 season. Infringement.
In Sagamu, Victor Mbaoma’s 88th penalty denied visiting Akwa United the three points against Remo Stars. Mbaoma opened scoring as early as the second minute before Ubong Friday equalized in the 25th minute. Musa Newman thought he had locked all three points for Akwa United in the 81st but Remo pushed on for Mbaoma’s equalizer from the spot in the 88th minute. The visitors felt hard done.
Goals from the penalty spot were needed in Bauchi and Jos. Wikki Tourists defeated Lobi Stars 1-0, thanks to Chukwudi Samuel in the 61st minute. Plateau United skipped past Nasarawa United by the same margin with Emma James’ 62nd minute goal from the spot.
In Lagos, MFM FC defeated Sunshine Stars 2-1 to give hopes to their title challenge. Stephen Odey grabbed his 16th goal of the season when he converted in the 77th minute to double MFM FC’s lead. Tchato Giscard had given the home team the lead in the 27th minute. The Owena Waves of Akure could only get a consolation in the 91st minute with Ajibola scoring from the spot.
Gombe United came from behind to defeat Abia Waririors 2-1 in Gombe. The visitors rued their missed chances in the game. They were leading 1-0 till the 79th minute before Afolabi Abdulwaheed and Sani Abanni scored within 6 minutes. In Katsina, Obinna Eleje gave Katsina United a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.
The Oriental Derby for the Matchday produced just one goal but the goal was the 500th recorded for the season in the NPFL. Ifeanyi George gave Rangers FC all three points against FC IfeanyiUbah in the 34th minute.
One game stood out on Matchday 26 – the game in Calabar. The Peoples Elephant were without their top striker – Mfon Udoh – but managed to whitewash El-kanemi Warriors 4-0. Chinonso Okonkwo scored a brace after Mosquito (Ikechukwu Ibenegbu) bit from the spot just before the end of the frist half. Stephen Chukwude come on as a sub and rounded up the scoring for Enyimba.
@OptaNGR: @EnyimbaFC scored 4+ goals in an #NPFL match for the first time since MD 27 of the 2014/15 season (FT: Enyimba 4-0 FC IfeanyiUbah). Triumph.
So, isn’t penalty part of the game? Isn’t it within the Rule of the Game? Although dubious and late penalty calls can be frustrating. Can we start looking at VAR?
Don't miss your weekend penalty spot - an NPFL Stadium.
