By Ayoola Adeleke

It was a night full of glamour as NPFL Undiluted, foremost Nigeria Professional Football League WhatsApp group honored the best performers of the 2021/2022 NPFL season.

Veteran sports journalist and former football player, Andrew Randa joined by a flourishing female sports journalist, Joy Ojeabulu anchored the award that was spiced with wonderful music and other side attractions on the WhatsApp platform on Friday.

Ishaq Rafiu who now plays for Maribor FC scored 14 goals and provided 3 assists for Rivers United in the 2021/2022 NPFL season, helping his team to clinch the league title beat former Enyimba International striker, Victor Mbaoma and former teammate, Chijioke Akuneto who won the golden boot of the season with 19 goals to emerge as the Player of the year.

In the coach of the year category, the league-winning coach with Rivers United, Stanley Eguma emerged winner as he beat Gbenga Ogunbote formerly with Remo Stars FC and Plateau United coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu to the award.

In the Content Creator of the Year (Journalist) category, a young Nigerian popular journalist, Michael Imianvan popularly called “Mike the Pundit” pipped Christopher Emenyonu of NPFL Tori Podcast and NPFL statistician, Samuel Areo to cart home the award.

CAF’s Confederation Cup debutants, Remo Stars Sports Club of Ikenne with their super content creation beat Nigerian league powerhouses – the league champions, Akwa United and 8-time champions of the league, Enyimba International FC – to emerge as the Content Creator of the Year (club).

A veteran sports editor with years of reputable records, Enitan Obadina came top above sports lawyer, Amobi Ezeaku and another top Nigerian journalist and graphics expert, Andrew Randa to clinch the Most Educative member of the forum.

In recognizing the wonderful, innovative and consistent works of the NPFL Media Officers, the group voted Mfon Patrick, Akwa United’s Media Officer over his colleagues, Chris Okunnuwa of Sunshine Stars and Eche Amos of Nasarawa United as the Media Officer of the year.

For the Most Active Administrator of the Year category, Veteran journalist cum administrator, Elder Paul Bassey, Chairman Akwa United edged Club Owners Secretary, Chief Aloy Chukwuemeka and Kwara United Manager, Bashir Badawiy to win the award.

Atinuke Esan defeated the duo of Grace Johnson and Oluchi Faith to take home the most Active Female Member of the group.

In the Most Active Male Member category, one of the most celebrated sports journalists, Adepoju Tobi Samuel known as Oganla Media floated above Andrew Randa and Michael Imianvan to win the award.

Elder Paul Bassey stole the show at the awards as he, for the second time emerged the Administrator of The Year after beating – former NFF second Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Rivers United’s Chairman, Barrister Chris Green.

Uyo-based journalist, Akila Matawal popularly called Akila Wotowoto beat Samuel Areo and Fisayo Dairo to clinch the Matchday Reporter of the Year.

Top Nigerian music artistes Burna Boy, Asake and other celebrated pop stars all featured on the DJ’s playlist in entertaining the award attendees who were treated to massive excitement on the night.

Source: https://platinumnewsng.com/

The statement issued on Saturday and signed by Rivers United’s General Manager, Dr. Okey Kpaluku, it reads “On behalf of the management, technical crew, players, backroom staff and supporters of Rivers United, I congratulate a gentleman of intrepidity and great intelligence, an astute sports administrator and a development expert, Sir Barrister Chris Green, on the occasion of your appointment as Commissioner for Sports, Rivers State. 

This appointment is coming at a critical time in the history of our state and nation and therefore underscores the importance to the good governance and development of our state.

With your capacity and achievements gathered over the years, I have no doubt in mind that you will bring your wealth of experience garnered to bear on your new assignment.

On this auspicious occasion,  I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life which has been marked by outstanding accomplishments and enduring fulfillments.

May our good Lord continue to chart your path and bless you with more wisdom in your resolve to bequeath milestones in the sports sector in Rivers State and Nigeria in general. 

Signed 

Sir Chief Dr Okey Kpalukwu (JP)

General Manager

Rivers United Football Club.

9th July, 2022

Akuneto who is leading the scoring chart with 16 goals is guiding Rivers United closer to lifting their first major title since establishment.

The enterprising striker increased his goal tally to 16 on Sunday with a brace to helped Rivers United beat Abia Warriors in the Matchday 33 of the league.

Asked which he would prioritize between winning the league and finishing as top scorer, the former MFM and Heartland forward told newsmen in Portharcourt he would wish to win both but making history with Rivers United as regards will be his major target.

“Its been an eventful season for me and Rivers United and I’m excited about how the season is going, we’ve been playing good football and improving by each game we play, the aim is to end the season as champions and we believe its achievable with more hard work and God on our side.

“Well as oliver twist, I will like to win both the title and goal scorer award, but lifting NPFL title with Rivers United is my ultimate target.”

The race for the top scorer’s gong is getting interesting with five games to end the season and strikers are turning in incredible numbers of goals.

The duo of Victor Mbaoma of Enyimba and Yusuf Abdulazeez of Gombe United are on the heels of Akuneto with 15 goals each with Ishaq Kayode, Akuneto’s team mate at Rivers United on 14 goals.

When asked if he’s under pressure with the competition for the prize, Akuneto said it will rather make it interesting and push him to be more focused without being selfish.

“I’m not bothered about that at all, it will even help to ginger me and make me concentrate on doing more better, I’d like to win the award as top scorer but that won’t make me to be too selfish, I will support my team mate in better scoring position that chasing personal glory, I’ve been providing assists for my team mates and I will still do more,” he said.

Rivers United are currently leading the NPFL log with 70 points from 33 games. The Coach Stanley Eguma led will be guest to Rangers International in Awka on Sunday.

With six matches to end the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League season, Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar (Dan Fulani) has assured that Gombe United will keep it’s top flight status.

The Savannah Scorpions has recorded an impressive run of form since Abubakar was named the General Manager, as they are seated 9th on the NPFL log with 44points from 32 matches, while Yusuff Abdulazeez chase the season top scorer’s award having scored 14 goals alongside Rivers United duo of Ishaq Kayode and Chijioke Akuneto.

A 10-man Gombe United did put up a good fight against Remo Stars in Ikenne, though suffered it’s 12th defeat of the season via a Sikiru Alimi’s goal in the 15th minute on Sunday.

After the game, Dan Fulani was full of optimism for the club who returned to the NPFL this season.

“No cause for alarm, as our objective after we secured promotion from the NNL Super 8 Play-Off in Enugu is to compete squarely with a view to keep our status in the top division,’ he said.

“That plan is very much on course as despite dropping a few points at home, we have also gained some on the road.

“I want to use this medium to thank HIS Excellence Governor Inuwa Yahaya (Dan-Maje Gombe 1st) for the prompt funding of Gombe United and for the confidence reposed in me to steer the affairs of the club as General Manager.

“Special thanks to the players, technical crew and backroom staff as they have been professional on and off the pitch.

“Not forgetting our fans who have been passionate with the team, supporting us at home and away from home.

“Further, I want to assure the good people of my state that come next season, we’ll work assiduously in making the Savannah Scorpions title contenders and Allah’s willing pick a continental ticket.”

Gombe United will hope to get back to winning mood as they will host Dakkada in a MatchDay 33 fixture at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

Second placed Plateau United on Sunday secured a 3-1 win over Wikki Tourists in Jos to reduce Rivers United’s cushion at the summit of the table to four points. Plateau’s win was one of five home wins recorded out of the six Match Day 28 games decided on Sunday.
With league leaders Rivers United’s failure to extend their lead on Saturday, Plateau United knew only a home win over Wikki would put them back in contention and they got just that courtesy of two goals by Jesse Akila who started and ended scoring at the Zaria Road Stadium. Defender Buhari Ibrahim also scored his sixth goal of the season for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men while Ridwan Adesina netted for Wikki.
The gap between Plateau in second and the third placed side got widened to eight points after Remo Stars edged Rangers International 1-0 in Ikenne. Sikiru Alimi’s header four minutes before the break gave Gbenga Ogunbote side the crucial three points against their direct rivals for the third place contest.

Moving to fifth on the log is Kwara United who spanked neighbours Shooting Stars 3-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium. In the game played behind closed doors, Samad Kadiri gave the hosts the lead in the 38th minute before Issa Gata (60′) and former Shooting Star Ayobami Junior (68′) took the game beyond the visitors. Opeoluwa Olufemi got the consolation goal for 3SC in stoppage time.
Katsina United continued to give themselves hope in the race to avoid the drop when they beat Nasarawa United 1-0 in Katsina. Winger Waheed Adebayo scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute to lift Usman Abd’Allah’s side out of the relegation zone.

In Sunday’s early game, bottom of the table MFM FC defeated Kano Pillars 2-1 in Ijebu-Ode to also give themselves some hope against hope. Tunde Azeez and Oladayo Alabi scored either side of Jerry Alex’s goal for the Sai Masu Gida who remain 19th on the table.
In the only stalemate on MatchDay 28, former Sunshine Stars head coach Deji Ayeni led his new side Akwa United to Akure and forced out a 0-0 draw which ensured Akwa United (7th) stay three points clear of Sunshine (8th) on the log.
On Saturday, leaders Rivers United went down 2-0 to Heartland with goals from Sunday Chinedu and Chijioke Mbaoma while in Aba, Enyimba pipped a stubborn Lobi Stars side 2-1 courtesy of second half goals by Samuel Kalu and Samuel Stone. Samuel Ganda scored for Lobi late on. In Kaduna, Munir Idris scored again for Niger Tornadoes in their crucial 1-0 win over Gombe United to ease relegation worries.
Match Day 29 will take centre stage next weekend.

Sunday Results
MFM FC 2-1 Kano PillarsSunshine Stars 0-0 Akwa UnitedKwara Utd 1-0 Shooting StarsRemo Stars 1-0 RangersPlateau United 3 -1 Wikki TouristsKatsina United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Saturday
Heartland 2-0 Rivers UnitedEnyimba 2-1 Lobi StarsNiger Tornadoes 1-0 Gombe
P-P
Dakkada FC vs Abia Warriors

MFM FC XI
1. Folarin Abayomi 5. Barry Legbara 11. Dennis Obasi 14. Julius Emiloju 21. Oladayo Alabi 24. Tunde Azeez 28. Solomon Agbalaka 29. Chukwudi Ekeocha 32. Onyeabuchi Ifeanyi 34. Adikwu Moses 35. Kenedinum Nelson
Subs
32. Osayi Kingdom 2. Badejo Oluwaseun 4. Alimi Adebayo 8. Muyiwa Balogun 16.Micah Ojodomo 17. Moses Shodeinde 18. Akeem Balogun 22. Adebayo Taylor 26. Richie Eguavoen

Nelson Esor who replaced Chiamaka Mafu in first half, came in and put up a man of the man performance with two assists and was very excited with his contribution to the team. 
” I’m very happy that I came in and gave two assists. It was a nice and good game, we got the three maximum points with three goals. We played with a lot of confidence and courage playing at home”, Esor told www.npfl.ng
He has been a regular feature in the team since he joined from Go Round FC four years ago and is confident that River United will emerge champions come the end of the season. 
“We’re already there leading the log with four points. We’ll keep the momentum on without slowing down the pace. Keep moving till the end of the season and I believe at the end, we’ll emerge champions”, he told NPFL media.
But Esor also thinks it is not yet time to celebrate warning that the job is not yet completed.

“We don’t need to relent but to keep fighting, doing more hard work, remember they say hard work pays, so we’ll keep fighting till the end”.
Despite maximum points, Rivers United’s four points lead did not increase as their closest rivals Plateau United also won at home in Jos to keep up the chase. Rivers United are on 55 points after 25 games and next travel to Ilorin to take on Kwara United.

Man Of The Match – Nelson Esor
FT: Rivers United 3-0 Niger Tornadoes 
Ishaq Kayode 31′      Nyima Nwagua 33′       Konan Ruffin  80′
STATS Attempts: 12-4On target: 8-1Fouls: 15-17Corner kick: 5-2Cautions: 1-2Offside:2-3
Rivers United XI 
Sochima Victor, Kazie Enyinnaya, Chidiebube Duru(Konan Ruffin 79′), Morice Chukwu, Temple Emekayi, Fabian Nworie, Ishaq Rafiu Kayode(Olatunbosun Sikitu 67′), Akuneto Chijioke(Okuruket Solomon 67′), Nyima Nwagua(Ovoke Bernard 79′),, Chiamaka Mafu (Nelson Esor 32′), Onoja Joseph
Unused Subs
Afelokhai Theophilus, Yusuf Omotayo Sikiru, Lookman Binuyo, Festus Austin 
Coach Stanley Eguma
Niger Tornadoes XI

Lucky Abdullahi, Jimmy Abdul, Debo Fashanu(Musa Wakili 47′), Mohammed Hussaini, Sunday Akinmoladun, Abiodun Adebayo, Chinedu Ufere( Abdurazak Yusuf 71′),    Ifeanyi Okoye(Nojeem Adeyinka 47′), Segun Alebiosu, Lukman Mohammed(Edoh Echeme 37′), Emmanuel Jonas

Unused Subs

George Michael, Bolaji Adeyemo, Moses Ugwu,  Christian Nwabueze, Yusuf Abdulrazak

Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed.  

Plateau United 1-0 Remo Stars 
The Tin City Boys kept the chase on leaders Rivers United close following a hard earned 1-0 win over Remo Stars in Jos, thanks to second half header from Ibrahim Buhari.
The hosts could have taken the lead within the opening five minutes but Jesse Akila’s goal was chalked off for offside after the referee had spotted an infringement in the build up to the goal.
Plateau United dominated for most part of the first half but met a strong Remo Stars rear line with calculative goalkeeper in Kayode Bankole who thwarted their efforts. 
Whatever Fidelis Ilechukwu told his boys in the dugout worked for them as they used it to raid Remo’s defence to earn the lone goal in the 55th minute. Free scoring defender, Ibrahim Buhari rose highest to prod home from Akila Jesse’s cross for his fourth goal of the season.
Remo rallied late in the game with moments of dominance but the host held on to secure the match points. 
Plateau are still within distance to Rivers with 51 points from 25 games. 

Shooting Stars 2-0 Enyimba Int’l 
The Oluyole Warriors outsmarted the wobbling Elephants of Aba in Ibadan with a convincing 2-0 win to push up on the log. 
Enterprising midfielder Moses Omoduemeke combined well with Lucky Moses to give Shooting Stars the lead in the 14th minute.
The goalscorer would then become the provider for the second goal with five minutes to end the first half when he fed Emmanuel Lucky who made a simple tap in to send the home fans into frenzy. 
The second period was more of an exchange in control with Enyimba making series of incursions to stage a comeback but it was too late for the Finidi George boys as Shooting protected their first half goals.

Wikki Tourists 0-0 Heartland FC 
The last match on the card for Monday ended scoreless between Wikki Tourists and Heartland FC in Kaduna. 
The hosts were seeking to consolidate on their last away win at MFM but found their visitors unyielding and would remaine 10th on the log. 
Heartland have moved a step up on the log but still in the red zone. 
Matches continue on Tuesday through Thursday before the conclusion of the MatchDay 25.

Ikefe, who had a difficult start to the ongoing campaign due to ankle injury said the winning mentality and team believe have been a strong motivation for the second placed team.

“It’s a good thing to pick a point in Ilorin because honestly, we came here with nothing but victory in our mind, and we approached it like that but as you know they are one of the best sides in the league, so we are happy to get this point.

“What is helping us is team spirit and believe. We all have individual targets; the goalkeeper wants to keep a clean sheet, the defenders wouldn’t want to let anyone past them while the midfielders are willing to provide cover for our area and supports for attackers and strikers want to score goals. So we pull these target together as one in our team, helping out for one another and it has been good for us.

“The coach even told us as it is now, no team can stand us in the Nigeria league, and we’ve taken that mindset into all games, both home or away, and we are grateful it’s been working for us. 

Asked how it feels to be back from a career threatening injury and be an integral part of the team, the former Niger Tornadoes’ defender said “As a player, it’s never easy to be injured and be out of the game for a period of time and to tell you that from the outset we’ve really prepared for this season because if you noticed, while I was out my colleagues were doing well, and I came back to strengthen the team. Luckily ever since I returned I’ve lost just a game and I want to thank the team medical staff for support and my quick return and give God the glory for the successes so far.”

Ikefe called for more support from the fans and thanked the management for the motivation the players have been enjoying so far. 
“The support from the fans and supporters have been awesome so far, they are always behind us, both home and away because many of them follow us to away games with their massive turnouts at our home games and that has been pushing us on. We will only urge them to keep the faith and believe in us.