NPFL 16/17: The Review

Segun Odunayo

When the Nigeria Professional Football League ended last season, MFM FC's management, staff and fans were celebrating their narrow escape from relegation while Plateau United were few points off the drop zone finishing 12th on the log table.

Fast forward to this season, both teams are second and first respectively and their fans are celebrating the wonderful performances of their clubs. While MFM has the record of having the highest number of wins in the league this season, they weren't able to make the zenith because they struggled to get points away from the Agege Stadium popularly known as the 'Soccer Temple'.

While Kennedy Boboye's have not gotten the highest number of wins, they have gotten the necessary number of points to win the league. Plateau United have gotten more away points than other clubs in the league. Just like the saying goes - Top teams win games they are meant to draw and draw those they are meant to lose. This they have done efficiently and that's why they are winning the Nigeria Professional Football League for the first time in their history and what better place than at the Rwang Pam fifteen thousand capacity home stadium to the delight of their fans and against last season's champions. As for MFM FC, they have the consolation of grabbing the second available slot for the CAF Champions League and that will be an avenue to showcase their talent and skill for the world to see.

However, while fans of the two clubs above are celebrating the excellent performances of their teams, those of Remo stars, Gombe United are gnashing their teeth after a woeful performance from their clubs got them relegated. Remo stars is the only team in the league that didn't make 30 points, they failed to win games at home and away more than ten times this season, the longest stretch for any club this season. ABS FC and Shooting stars complete the list of clubs that will be playing in the Nigeria National League after a shambolic season in home and away games got them relegated too.

Gbenga Ogunbote and his men have something to cheer after getting the last slot to the continent with wonderful performances in the very end of the league. An away draw against Rangers in Enugu and a home win today gave them the needed one point shoot above Akwa United who will have no place in Africa despite their wonderful display in the season. Special kudos must still be given to the Uyo based side for their perseverance and courageous season.

After dominating the scene for a longer part of the season, Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun of MFM FC seemed to be rivalled by Anthony Okpotu and Kingsley Eduwo of Lobi stars towards the end of the season. With ten assists (Sikiru Olatunbosun) and eighteen goals (Stephen Odey) the duo impressed the football world but Anthony Okpotu came solidly from behind to equal that tally and surpass it by adding one more goal in his final game of the season (he didn't end the game though as he got a red card in the closing minutes) while his partner Kingsley Eduwo scored important goals for club and country as well. 

The biased refereeing this season cannot be overlooked too, the beauty of the game is when twenty two men play the round leather without bias from the man in the middle. The many unwarranted and controversial decisions from referee Folusho Ajayi and other referees in the league brought mockery to our football, we hope the referee association will look deeply into this and ensure better performances from their men next season. Crowd violence is also another unfortunate characteristics of our league, the League Management Company should continue to properly punish defaulters - footballers, fans and officials alike who bring the game into disrepute.

With the deal between the League Management Company and Nigeria Television Authority signed recently, we're hopeful of seeing all games on our screens next season.