Nigeria’s top flight season commences in Lagos; MFM host Remo Stars

Nigeria’s top flight season commences in Lagos; MFM host Remo Stars


Preview by Muyiwa Akintunde


MFM v Remo Stars (6 pm, Live on NPFL.tv)


Four months after the last season ended, a fresh one commences as Lagos side MFM welcome promoted Remo Stars, who have been absent from the top flight since the 2018/19 season. Originally scheduled for Mobolaji Johnson Arena (former Onikan Stadium), MFM’s new ground on the Lagos Island, kickoff remains 6 pm but now at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.


The Ikenne-based side, Remo Stars returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) together with Niger Tornadoes, Shooting Stars and Gombe United.


Nine other fixtures will come up on Sunday at various locations across the country.


If MFM are to improve on their 10th place on the log last season, the signs will have to show this evening. The Olukoya Boys experienced their best time five seasons ago when they almost won the title, but finished second by just four points behind Plateau United.


The season after (2017/18), the team dropped miserably to 14th and missed qualification for the Top Six by a point in the abridged season of 2018/19.


MFM now have Shola Balogun as Technical Adviser, while Gabriel Olalekan remains the chief coach.


In Gbenga Ogunbote, Remo Stars have a seasoned coach. In his second missionary journey at Sunshine  Stars last season, he managed the rescue operation of the Akure side saving. Before then, Ogunbote had managed Shooting Stars, Enyimba, Rangers and Lobi Stars.


Pre-season, the Sky Blue Stars had the upper hand over MFM winning 3-2 at the Dapo Abiodun tournament, and also 1-0 in Ikenne on their way to lifting the Ogunjobi Gold Cup.


The experienced player in Ogunbote’s squad include Dayo Ojo, Stanley Okorom and David Ojukwu.


On Sunday, Akwa United will open their title defence, inspired by Governor Udom Emmanuel’s recent reward. For winning the title for the first time, the Akwa Ibom State Chief Executive donated a new 32-seater bus and N100 million to the club, while each of the team member in the title winning squad will have a plot of land.


As they host Kano Pillars, the Promise Keepers must banish their first CAF Champions League experience from their minds. In the first round of that competition, Akwa United crashed out, courtesy of Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, who triumphed 2-1 aggregate.


Kano Pillars were sixth last season and will be aiming at the title they last won for the third time in a row in 2014.


Rivers United fell short of the title last season by five points and have also exited from the continental competitions. Losing in the second round of the CAF Champions League to Sudan’s Al-Hilal 1-2 aggregate, Rivers found themselves in the playoff phase of the less-fancied Confederation Cup, only to be defeated by Egypt’s Al Masry on away goal rule.


The Pride of Rivers will travel to Makurdi to tackle 2018 champions Lobi Stars, who were eighth on the table last season.


For Enyimba, Nigeria’s most successful club in the continent, a tasty Abia derby is on the card to start their domestic season. The People’s Elephant fell short in goal difference to end up behind second placed Rivers United last season. They must be eager to lay their hands on the trophy since their last hurrah in 2019.


Enyimba remain Nigeria’s only team in Africa as they await the second leg of the playoff round of the CAF Confederation Cup against Al-Ittihad Tripoli of Libya. The Nigerian representatives won what should have been the second leg in Aba 2-0, while the controversial first leg is yet to be played.


Against Abia Warriors, 14th placed last season, Enyimba cannot afford to take chances. Both sides know themselves quite well.


Friday….


2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (Matchday 1): MFM v Remo Stars (6 pm)


Sunday…


2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (Matchday 1): Gombe United v Shooting Stars, Akwa United v Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars v Rivers United, Sunshine Stars v Wikki Tourists, Niger Tornadoes v Plateau United, Kwara United v Dakkada FC, Heartland v Nasarawa United, Katsina United v Rangers, Enyimba v Abia Warriors (all 4 pm)


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