The NPFL NPFL Championship Playoffs kicked off with an exciting clash between six of the best teams in the Nigerian Professional Football League. The opening day showcased a total of three matches, resulting in a total of five goals and an average of over 1.6 goals per match.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the match between Enyimba and Remo Stars, which turned out to be a thrilling four-goal encounter. The game lived up to its pre-match hype and provided the best viewing experience for spectators.
However, the initial halves of all three matches were quite lackluster and failed to impress. The games started off dull, uninspiring, and goalless at halftime. The first 45 minutes left much to be desired, with the ball spending a significant amount of time in the air.
Fortunately, the second half of the match between Enyimba and Remo Stars brought the much-needed excitement. Both teams came out firing on all cylinders, resulting in a pulsating four-goal affair that set the tone for the tournament. Enyimba took the lead twice, but Remo Stars fought back on both occasions, ultimately securing a draw.
Controversy also marked the opening day of the Super 6, leading to calls for the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The Enyimba and Remo Stars match, in particular, saw several questionable moments. While Enyimba’s opener by Adiele Eriugo was brilliantly executed, the other four goals scored throughout the day were subject to controversy.
Remo Stars’ equalizer came from super-sub Junior Lokosa, although video replays showed that the incident occurred outside the box. Emeka Obioma then restored the lead for Enyimba from the penalty spot, but Lokosa was involved again with a soft foul that led to Remo’s beautiful equalizing free kick by Nduka Junior.
The second game of the day, featuring Rivers United and Sunshine Stars, also had its share of controversy. Rivers United was awarded a late penalty, which some deemed to be a “soft” decision.
While the Remo Stars manager garnered attention for his theatrics on the sidelines, his substitutions also caught the eye. In the first half, the battle between Remo defender Ifeanyi Anaemena and Enyimba forward Emeka Obioma was intense. Anaemena displayed a solid defensive performance, successfully handling Obioma and thwarting his attacks.
However, the Remo Stars coach made a tactical switch in the second half, opting for a back four and replacing Anaemena with Adams Olamilekan. While Olamilekan injected attacking intent into the team, his absence at the back proved detrimental. Moments after his substitution, Remo Stars found themselves under immense pressure as Obioma found space and created scoring opportunities.
If the decision to substitute Anaemena was a mistake, the coach made up for it with his reaction when Remo Stars fell behind. He brought on former Kano Pillars player Junior Lokosa, whose impact was immediate. Lokosa demonstrated his prowess as a center forward, scoring a typical poacher’s goal to level the scores. Two minutes later, it was Lokosa who won the foul in a dangerous area, leading to Remo’s second equalizer through Nduka Junior’s fantastic free kick.
The opening day of the NPFL Super 6 provided an intriguing start to the tournament, with moments of excitement, controversy, and tactical decisions shaping the outcomes of the matches. Football fans can anticipate more thrilling encounters as the competition progresses.
