The League of the Century

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2019/20 season began in a grand style with a lot of surprises.

The League Management Company (LMC) just signed a multi-million Naira agreement with a foreign company for television coverage of matches,but presently the games are not on air.

After 9 rounds of games Plateau united is leading the NPFL table with 18 points - a ratio of 2 points per game by a former champion. Plateau won this title in 2016, can they emerge champions again this season?

The Stats

Games played so far - 70 

Home wins - 41

Away wins -10

Games drawn - 19 

Goals scored -139

Top scorers 

Isreal Abia (Sunshine Stars) - 7 goals

Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba Intl.) - 5 goals

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

NPFL Violence: LMC right to charge offenders in Shari'a court - Barrister

Tobi Adesina

The decision to try the matchday 33 involving Wikki Tourist of Bauchi and Rangers International of Enugu offenders in a Shari'a court was welcomed with mixed reactions. Media opinion, fans and Management of NPFL clubsides all raised eyebrows concerning the outlandish decision made by the LMC.

Speaking with a lawyer in Ibadan, Barrister Amaka made it clear that under the provisions made for the Shari'a law in the 1999 constitution, the LMC has done no wrong in the way and manner the court case was treated.

"A citizen can be charged under Shari'a law in Nigeria, in as much as he is a Muslim. The Nigeria 1999 constitution allows for a case to be taking a Shari'a court when it happens around the geographical jurisdiction of the Shari'a law in Nigeria."

"Bauchi in this case is among the 12 member States of Shari'a in Nigeria. The only practical circumstance where a Shari'a court can be bypassed is at the request of the Plaintiff"

Mohammed Isa, Hamisu Mohammed and Yola Ishaya's case have now been postponed to hear August 31st, 2017.

Poor officiating: LMC to withdraw four NPFL referees

Tobi Adesina

Following the recent uproar in the Nigerian Professional Football League 2016/2017, the League Management Company, in its review of performance of match officials, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Matchdays 29, 30 & 31 referees of the NPFL.

The LMC therefore request NPFL refs in Tornadoes vs Plateau Utd; Katsina Utd vs Kano Pillars; Plateau Utd vs FCIfeanyin Ubah; FCIfeanyin Ubah vs Gombe Utd to be withdrawn.

The Referees listed for withdrawal are  Umar Mohammed who was incharge of Niger Tornadoes vs Plateau United in matchday 29, Aliyu Abdullahi who officiated Katsina United vs Kano Pillars, Saleh Mohammed who officiated Plateau United vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah in matchday 30 and lastly is Sam Agba who was in the centre of action in FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs Gombe United

Weak LMC fails statutes, gets intimidated by Eyinmba F.C

Tobi Adesina

Match day 28 in the Nigerian Professional Football League witnessed a shocker as Eyinmba fielded a player who was on suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Ibenegbu Ikechukwu, a player suspended for maximum yellow card accumulation from match day 27, helped the peoples elephants secure maximum three points at home against Niger Tornadoes by scoring the opener in a game that saw the Aba millionaires run out 3 nil winners.

According to the LMC statutes (rules and regulations) signed 2014/2015 which still stands as the basis for the League Management Company guideline, 3 points and 3 goals were to be deducted from Enyinmba and accorded to Niger Tornadoes F.C.

The LMC in a bid to redeem its image, sanctioned Ibenegbu Ikechukwu to serve his one game ban in match day 29 against Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. Meanwhile, Eyinmba as a club goes free for fielding a player who was ineligible.