MATCHDAY 3: MORE GOALS, MORE DRAMA, ANOTHER AWAY WIN AND THE FANS ARE LOVING IT.

Results from Match Day 3

The 2018/19 NPFL season is just three match days old but it has shown lots of promises and displayed some quality from all the participating teams.

Maybe it is still early days, maybe because Nigerians have had to wait for so long, maybe also the raw passion but the hunger and desire of the teams to win games is down to the fact there is so much at stake; it's an abridged league and three points lost or won is a lot.

Hostilities resumed on MD3 with a total of 16 teams in action.

From Bauchi to Kano, Omoku down to Kwara, fans were treated to some special Sunday football.

In Ilorin, there was an early kickoff. Enyimba of Aba and Kwara United squared off in what was a 5 goal thriller with the people's elephants finally dropping points after they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat in the hands of the Afonja warriors.



Red hot Enyimba had put themselves on the front burner as early as the 16th minute following a selfless work by foreign import, Jean Marie Guera to feed marksman, Ibrahim Mustapha who coolly slotted home.

However, just one minute after the half-hour mark, Kwara united's Segun Alebiosu hit the equalizer and from then, it was a ding-dong affair.

The top player who missed many scoring chances on the opening day would later complete his brace but before he did that, there was mild drama when the centre referee pointed to the spot to award the away side a penalty kick in the 58th minute. Joseph Osadieye making no mistake this time.

Three minutes later, Segun Alebiosu would strike again to put the home side back into contention and if the Aba warlords had thought they could squeeze through, Abubakar Bala had other ideas.

Indeed, it was Kwara United who had the final say as Mohammed Usman met a wonderful cross from Peter Momoh to put the home side in the lead for the first time in the game in the 73rd minute to send the fans into a frenzy and wild jubilation.

After that goal, Enyimba threw everything at Kwara United in search of another goal but the home side stood firm answering all the questions from the Peoples Elephant.



All other games got underway simultaneously across various centres.
Still in Ilorin, Plateau United finally woke up from their slumber as they stopped high flyers, El-Kanemi Warriors right in their tracks with two unreplied goals.

In Omoku, the game involving Go Round FC and surprise package (at least, so far) FCIU was the only fixture that failed to produce a goal. At the end of 90 minutes, neither side could be separated. Final scores, 0-0.

At the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Sagamu, the Sky Blues as Remo stars FC are fondly called by their supporters came back from the brink of death to snatch a point against Insurance of Benin who paraded old warhorse, Charles Omokaro.

It was indeed the veteran who reminded everyone that 'age ain't nothing but a number' when he got his name on the score sheet in the 54th minute to silence the home fans.

It was Insurance's first goal in top-flight football in 11 years.
Remo Stars, like a wild animal whose privacy had been invaded, went all out in search of an equalizing goal and 6 minutes after conceding, must have felt undone by the referee when he decided to wave a penalty appeal after Victor Mboama was adjudged to have been hacked down in the penalty area. Replays showed the protests were actually right.

Parity was however restored 14 minutes from time when the usual suspect, Victor Mboama again found himself in the vital area to get an all-important equalizer. Both teams battled hard to get the decisive goal but in the end, they had to share the spoils.

There was a bit of a mild drama at the end of the game. Remo supporters felt the referee compromised his standards and according to reports, they took laws into their hands. Final score, 1-1.

In Kano, at the Sani Abacha stadium, visiting team, Akwa United, the Promise Keepers were forced to a 1-1 draw by an out of form Kano Pillars side.




Tables after Match Day 3

The side from Uyo got the lead through a Ndifreke goal off a well-worked assist from Brazilian import, Alberico da Silva.

The lead did not last long, however. Chris Madaki with a crisp finish past Akwa United goalie, Jean Effala who had replaced MD1 villain, Olorunleke Ojo between the sticks. Chris Madaki's goal was assisted by Auwalu Ali Malam.

Both goals came in the first 45 minutes.

In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists put their opponents, Niger Tornadoes of Minna to the sword with a 2-1 win.

Aminu Ahmad and Abba Umar getting the goals. After conceding two second-half goals, the Minna side did try to pull a comeback with a goal of theirs in added time through Ismaila Sarki but it was too little, too late. Three points lost on the road but gained by the home side.

In Kaduna, newbies, Kada City FC dared to dream and it was indeed a dream start to life.

Fresh from their exploits at the NNL Super 8 playoff tournament in Aba, they stung the Desert Scorpions with a 2-1 win.

Kada City starting their campaign on a fine note with Umar Mohammed firing in from a direct free kick in the 19th minute. Umar Mohammed now goes into the history books as the club's first ever goal scorer in the elite division.

But if the home side thought it was going to be a smooth ride, they were wrong as Ibrahim Enesi Sani hit back one minute later.

Kada City, however, held their nerves, composed themselves and they got back into the lead through Sadiq Suleman who scored with a half volley. FT scores: 2-1.

And in the final game of the weekend, the Naze Millionaires continued from where they left off on MD2 with a remarkable 0-1 win away to Nasarawa United.

With a total of 18 goals from 8 match centres, the season is sure gathering some momentum and it is only a matter of time before the floodgates open up properly. Lobi stars, Enugu Rangers and a couple of other clubs are yet to kick a ball this season, no thanks to their continental assignments.

As things stand in Group A, Kwara United leapfrog Enyimba of Aba at the summit.

With just one point separating both sides, Wikki Tourists and MFM FC (who have game in hand) come in 3rd and 4th place respectively.

In Group B, Heartland maintained are in pole position but have got El-Kanemi and FCIU breathing down their neck. There's only a point difference between these clubs.

Team of the Week

Heartland FC did a wonderful job picking up back to back wins, this time around on a difficult away ground.
However, Kada City FC gets the nod. The newly promoted side was only founded a little over a year ago and look how far they have come. A 2-1 win over their more illustrious opponents, Gombe United in what is their first ever top-flight game.
Who else noticed, FCIU are still unbeaten? Well, I told you, watch out for this side. I'm still counting my teeth with my tongue but, in the meantime, mark my words and read my.... story.

Player of the Week

Segun Alebiosu. Easily. He got a brace and started the comeback against visiting Enyimba and if Abubakar Bala's men would go far this season, this man would be a major reason.
Cruel not to give Umar Mohammed a mention. The Kada player got a majestic free kick. His time will come.

But until MD4 again, it's bye from me.

- Kayode Johnson -