Tasks them to sustain the first feat of credible officiating
By Rasheed Adewuyi with the contribution of Edwin Emeanua (Editor)
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has commended the referees who officiated the Match Day 1 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), tasking them to sustain their brilliance throughout the season and thence.
He urged them to continue to recreate the credibility apparent in their output on the first day of the current professional football league.
Match Day 1 of the ongoing NPFL recorded four away wins and four draws, with just two home teams securing the maximum points. Defending champions Rivers United fought hard to tame Lobi Stars 2-1 in Port Harcourt, while Remo Stars thumped their visitors El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Ikenne.
Former champions Rangers International capitulated by 0-2 goals to the gallantry of visiting Abia Warriors, while Bendel Insurance usurped hosts Akwa United 2-0. Shooting Stars of Ibadan held their ground against Plateau United in their away game 3-3 thriller over the weekend during multiple NPFL titlists Enyimba tamed hosts Nasarawa United 1-2.
Kwara United settled 0-0 with visitors Gombe United in a hard-fought stalemate as Bayelsa United ended their weekend contest with visiting Dakkada FC in a 1-1 draw. Sunshine Stars also held their hosts Doma United to a 1-1 stalemate, while Wikki Tourists lost at home to Niger Tornadoes.
Gusau expressed his delight with the weekend results adding: “I am happy with the results in which so many teams won on away grounds, especially by the reports we received from most of the centers concerning the performance of the referees.
“I want to commend the NFF Referees Committee for putting their right foot forward from the beginning and also charge the referees themselves to sustain credible output from now on. We are determined to ensure that so many things about the League change for the better, and we will not relent in our efforts.”
The NFF boss underscored the commitment of the present NFF administration to rebranding domestic football and giving it life to spur the real growth and sustainability of a football economy that will delight all stakeholders and other indirect income earners.
NPFL Matchday 1 Results
(A)
Nasarawa United 1-2 Enyimba FC
Akwa United 0-2 Bendel Insurance
Plateau United 3-3 Shooting Stars
Kwara United 0-0 Gombe United
Remo Stars 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
(B)
Bayelsa United 1-1 Dakkada FC
Wikki Tourists 0-2 Niger Tornadoes
Doma United 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Rivers United 2-1 Lobi Stars
Rangers Int’l 0-2 Abia Warriors
