NPFL postponed games review
The new season of the Nigerian Professional Football League kicked-off this January. However, the Nigerian Football Federation postponed some matches from the first two rounds. They wanted to allow the newly promoted teams to recover after the Nigeria National League playoffs.
After their rescheduling, four games were played on Wednesday, January 30th.
Group A
Wikki Tourists welcomed Bendel Insurance at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe. So far, Wikki have recorded one victory and two defeats. Their opponents are still without a win but also unbeaten, with three draws to their name.
The visitors had a better start and threatened to score but the first half finished goalless. After the restart, the home side played better and scored a goal in the 51st minute. Sulaiman Muhammed was the scorer of what turned out to be a game winner. Four games into the new season, Wikki Tourists are fourth in the table while Bendel sits in 10th place.
On the back of their first win this season, Enugu Rangers hosted the Niger Tornadoes who are sitting last in the table after three draws and one defeat. The Rangers were contesting only their third game this year.
The home side was better throughout the match but only scored once. Thankfully, the goal by Bright Silas was enough to secure a second victory for the Flying Antelopes. The Rangers are now second in Group A, 2 points off Rivers United but with a game in hand.
Rivers United FC (Twitter/Rivers United FC)
Unbeaten so far Remo Stars travelled to Port Harcourt to play also unbeaten Rivers United at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. Both teams started their 2019 campaign with a win and two draws.
Once more on Wednesday, a single goal decided the game. The home side had the better chances but couldn’t score. And then, right on the 90 minutes, the referee sent Kunle Odunlami off, leaving Rivers Utd with ten men in stoppage time. However, that was still enough time for Wasiu Jimoh to score five minutes into time added on. The win allows Rivers Utd to continue their unbeaten run.
Group B
In Group B, Yobe Stars welcomed Gombe United at the August 27th Stadium in Damaturu. This was only the third match for Yobe while Gombe United was contesting their fourth. So far, the home side has recorded a win and a loss while the visitors have a win, a loss and a draw.
And for the fourth time on Wednesday, one goal was the difference. Abdullahi Usman scored the goal in the first half to give his team a second win this year. They are now fifth in Group B level with Nasarawa United and Plateau United, with two games in hand.