The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League,NPFL, continues over the weekend with Matchday 24 across ten centers.
We capture with all the intriguing details in this week edition of the top five things to know in the NPFL.
Kabiru Dogo Got The Boot, Salisu Yusuf Takes Charge At Nasarawa United
Nasarawa United struggles continue over the weekend after they failed to maximize the advantage of playing at home.
The team played a goalless draw against new comer Ikorodu City FC which further damaged their ambition to leave the relegation zone.
The club have responded by announcing the sack of the coach, Kabiru Dogo with Immediate effect
Former Super Eagles and Kano Pillars gaffer Salisu Yusuf will now continue to pursue Nasarawa United ambition of staying afloat in the NPFL.
The team is presently occupying the 18 position, with 23 points in 24 matches having only seven matches this season with just one victory in their last five matches.
Amokachi Fails Again As Lobi Stars Near The Drop
Coach Daniel Amokachi is one of the coaches that was brought in to salvage Lobi Stars season but since he took over the team, their position remains unchanged and even worsened.
The team played a 1-1 draw this weekend against Katsina United to remain rooted at the bottom of the log.
The pressure keeps mounting on Coach Daniel Amokachi as the team is yet to win any game in the last five, and only two points won in the New Year.
Top 3 Teams Drops 3 Points On The Road As Rangers Sneak Into Continental Spot
Losses for Remo Stars and Shooting Stars and Rivers United on the road means all the top 3 teams on the log, going into the Matchday add zero points to their haul so far.
While Remo Stars kept the 8 points gap between them and Shooting Stars, despite their 2-1 loss to Rangers International.
Rivers United lost their third place to Rangers International after the 1-0 loss to Enyimba on Saturday,while their title ambition seems to be in flames.
Their primary focus is to win their home game and see how to finish among the top three , for a return to ticket.
For Shooting Stars, two consecutive losses is not good enough if they are serious about wrestling for the top spot with Remo Stars.
Weekend For The Homers
One thing that is paramount on Matchday 24 is the scarcity of away points as the home teams took maximum advantage.
8 victories at home, a total 34 points was won at home while just two points were picked by away teams.
It wasn’t surprising that home teams are winning, but it has to be done fair and square as there are some complaints about some teams doing ‘everything possible’ to ensure they secure all three points at home.
This is where the organisers need to become more vigilant as we now approach the business end of the season.
Sun Shines In Shagamu
Finally Sunshine Stars won their first game in the last four, as they defeated Akwa United 1-0, a huge boost for their survival as maximum points against ‘relegation rival’ will go a long way to get them an escape out of the relegation.
Sunshine Stars are now on 17th position on the log with 27 points just a behind Plateau United on 16th position.
The battle to beat the drop has just started for the Akure gunners who now found a new in Shagamu due to the renovation work on going at the Akure Township Stadium, which has in a way made their home games look like they are playing on a neutral ground.
All the Matchday 24 matches at a glance
Enyimba 1-0 Rivers United
Rangers 2-1 Remo Stars
Heartland 2-1 Shooting Stars
Kano Pillars 1-0 Abia Warriors
Lobi Stars 1-1 Katsina United
Plateau United 2-0 Elkanemi Warriors
Nasarawa United 0-0 Ikorodu City
Bendel Insurance 3-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kwara United 1-0 Bayelsa United
