Npfl Week 14 result and review.

FT Akwa United 1Vs Abia Warriors 1
FT Go Round 2 Vs Enugu Rangers 2
FT Heartland 2 Vs Nasarawa United 1
FT Ifeanyi Uba 3 Vs Plateau United 0
FT Kwara United 2 Vs Kano Pillars 1
FT Lobi Stars 3 Vs Rivers United 2
FT MFM 2 Vs Katsina United 1
FT Niger Tornadoes 1 Vs Sunshine Stars 0
FT Wikki Tourist 3 Vs El Kanemi Warriors 0
FT Yobe Stars 1 Vs Enyimba

Typical of a Nigeria Professional Football League no away win. Penalties came from no where near the end of matches which gave the home teams either a draw or a win. The nature of the NPFL, away wins even draws are very difficult to get so the home team will have to do everything to get all the points they can get at home.

In the NPFL this weekend. In 10 matches, 29 goals were scored, 7 home wins, 9 away goals were scored. Surprise of the weekend is the game between Go Round FC and Rangers of Enugu. Enugu Rangers scored two early goals Go Round FC scored late to equalize. Three home team Heartland, Lobi Stars and Go Round FC all scored from the spot in added time.

Lobi stars had to conjure a penalty to win 3-2, same with Heartland who got a 2-1 win and Go Round needed that spot kick to avoid a home defeat. Three goals scored in the extra time via penalty kick where does that happen in the world except Nigeria?

Incase you don't know, 7 penalties were awarded to 5 home team, 5 of those penalties were given when those home team were either losing it drawing, it's a very pathetic and unfortunate situation. And unfortunately no matter how hard we condemn this practice, it's just like water off the back of a duck and when you talk about it to the administrators in the LMC, they say it's like an institutional decay and every body plays a role in it.

Sunshine stars have found themselves hovering around the relegation zone following their 0-1 loss to Niger Tornadoes in Minna. Austin Igenepo scored for the home team as early as the 8th minute as Sunshine Stars laboured and failed to get an equalizer through out the encounter. They are now left with 16 points in 14 games

Before this defeat, the club have undergone a series of turbulent times which range the sanction leveled against them by the LMC which made them losethree vital points, so also was the shenanigans that surrounded the ousting of coach Duke Udi, so also was a protest last week by staff of the Ondo State football over non payment of the salary for a mammoth 20 months.

In Sunshine Stars, there's a transition and the ousted coach probably have his favorite which might not be in favour of the team, during this transition period, a lot of things need to be done, they need to keep their backroom staff OK, keep the team in good shape which can then transit to victory on the pitch of play.

Realsportclub caught up with Sunshine Stars media official Chris Okunuwa who expressed his disappointment in the central referee.
"It was a good game, both club started the game on a high, but I can tell you truthfully, the goal that made the difference between the two teams was not a goal, the ball didn't cross the line, Henry Ayodele and Sunday Abe combined to clear the line for Sunshine Stars but referee adjudged it to be a goal". Chris said.

"It's quite unfortunate that the game was determined by the so called decision of the referee, after going down, Sunshine Stars dominated proceeding but they couldn't convert the chances created. We traveled to the game with two central forward, the other players were out due to injury or yellow card accumulation."

My opinion
The truth is, there were no video evidence to prove Chris case, even if there were evidences, the game's being played, the match is over, the referee has the final say and it's time Sunshine Stars go back home and get the work done in the next game. There's no point crying over a spilt milk.

Do you know Poland got the ball probably beyond the goal line and it was ruled out right on home soil but the players did not disrupt the game, but instead when on in the game trying to get what just eluded them?

As a matter of fact, the Owena Whales have not played an exhilarating or delightful football. The truth is, the moment three points were deducted from a team that was otherwise average, thing fell apart for them and their chances of avoiding relegation becomes slimmer. The team lack star players save Dayo Ojo, they lack stability, they lack enormous support from their sponsors.

All in all, I think the LMC needs to device a means to put a permanent stop to all the irregularities of the league. Kindly share your thoughts, by dropping your comments below