Expectations of LMC righting wrongs in NPFL low as second stanza begins

By 

David Meshioye

The most resonant story of the first rounds of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches was the after match flit between Dakkada FC official, Etafia who took laws into his hands and slapped the assistant referee, Sani Baba on matchday 4 fixtures between Dakkada FC and Remo Stars. 

The Etafia- Sani Baba feud dramatically erupted into full view after the LMC investigation revealed claims of harassment and assault of club officials of Remo Stars and referees. 

Subsequently, Etafia was expelled from the league while Dakkada we're banished to Benin for 3 matches with a fine of 3 million Maria's The club was left to grin and bear it at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

Also, matchday 19 fixtures between Wikki Tourists and Enyimba ended in fracas as Wikki Tourist fans descended and attacked Enyimba players and officials after a barren draw in Bauchi.

Scores of Enyimba players were injured. But the question is; why would security on the ground watch with glee while hooligans attack visiting team instead of maintaining law and order?

Whatever it was, desperate times calls for desperate measures, or at least, so thought by Enyimba officials, LMC failed to set up an enquiry into the chaos in Bauchi not until Super Eagles blew the country's World Cup hopes.

Wikki has been banished to Kaduna indefinitely, fined 4 million nairas and could face a 3points deduction.

League Management Company boss Shehu Dikko, while acknowledging what happened in Bauchi, described Bauchi as a “war zone” on the WhatsApp platform FCT Sports Update.

“War zone in Bauchi, the match officials made a blunder by not giving added time to the normal 90mins,” Dikko posted on the platform but deleted the message immediately.

Public outcry

League reform is not an uncommon discussion among football technocrats but those responsible for the day to day run of NPFL have a vested interest in some of the clubs in the league and they get away with anything.

According to former Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana, a vast improvement in the areas of officiating is required in the second rounds of matches which gets underway this Saturday with leaders Rivers United billed to visit Akwa United in Uyo for its matchday 20 reschedule fixtures. The shameful scenario where centre referee, Mr Akanji blew the final whistle barely two minutes of regulation time in Bauchi should be avoided.

" There is still much to be done if the authorities want the league to improve. The issue of officiating is a major factor that must be looked into critically if we want to checkmate the menace of hooliganism at match venues, "begin Ikhana

"The referee must be fair and unbiased. I really commend some of the officials who stood their ground and did their job professionally. That explains why we had lots of away wins in the first round of matches. That must continue, "Ikhana said.

Pole position

Mid-season champions, Rivers United headed into the second round with a song in their heart and a one-point lead over closest rivals Plateau United. Despite their off days-succumbing to draws towards the end of the break, more often than not, River United have swatted the opposition aside.

They have swept the board in all of the most meaningful NPFL categories: tightest defence after being breached on nine occasions, best attack ( 31 goals) and the only team with the least loss (one game).

Remo Stars have undoubtedly been the surprise package of the first round of the league after they raked in valuable points away from home, punching above their weight to occupy fourth place on the table.

Transfer and managerial merry-go-round

While clubs like Shooting Stars of Ibadan carried out their transfer deals behind closed doors, at least some mid-term transfer business was completed. The league also has freshly installed coaches. Akwa United finally got a replacement for sacked coach Kennedy Boboye by bringing in a manager with less clout in Nigeria football, after Ayodeji Ayeni was signed on.

Lobi Stars got former coach Baba Ganaru back to bark orders at the touchline after club legend Dominic Iorfa returned as chairman of the board. Kastina United also brought in coach Usman Abdallah on his payroll.

Kano Pillars are the big spenders after they brought in seven new players.

Finally

Goalkeeper Bankole Kayode of Remo Stars was one of the shining lights of the mid-season following his sterling performance between the sticks. A clean sheet of ten from 16 games is the best by any goalkeeper this season.

Coach Finidi George must dig deeply into his technical books of tricks and come out with a better formation that will return Enyimba to its rightful place on the table if he wants to keep his job. Plenty of coaches have started we'll in the NPFL but plenty more have finished badly.