Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Prince Davidson Owumi has again assured clubs and their fans that sporting fairness and adherence to the rules has been observed in all administrative decisions made so far this season. He said that same principle will be sustained all through the remaining three match weeks.
Owumi offered the assurance while welcoming the clubs from the President Federation Cup window which allowed some of the clubs to participate in their respective state elimination finals.
‘We welcome our teams back to what is fast turning into one of the keenly contested league globally, with a healthy competitive balance from top to the bottom.
He commended the clubs for their cooperation in ensuring that fixtures have held as scheduled, and also praised the NPFL Board for providing effective leadership that has supported the Secretariat administer the league.
‘The NPFL board, Clubs and the Secretariat have all contributed immensely to the unique season unfolding before us. It is expected that all will work in harmony to see the season cross the finishing line’, Owumi remarked.
He stressed the importance of all stakeholders, ranging from club administrators, players, the media and fans to be abreast of the rules by getting hold of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules. This, he noted, will assist them in understanding summary jurisdiction decisions made at every point in time.
‘For clarity and for well informed opinions on issues, it is important for our Clubs, members of the press and the public to have copies of the rules and regulations as passed by the Clubs and approved by the NFF.
‘This can be downloaded from the NPFL website and it will help in understanding decisions’, the NPFL COO advised.
Owumi pointed to the league stats to describe the season as remarkably competitive, noting that with three games left for each of the clubs, it is difficult to predict the winner and the four clubs that will go down.
After Matchday 35, Rangers International, at 59 points, leads Rivers United with an odd one point. However, Rangers also enjoys a healthy goals surplus of 15 while Rivers United have six goals surplus. Close on their heels are Ikorodu City and Abia Warriors on 55 points but the Lagos side has six goals surplus against Abia Warriors three.
At the opposite wrung of the log are six teams that all have the unfortunate prospect of dropping out of the elite league. They are placed 15th to 20th with the 15th, 16th and 17th separated by three points from the 18th, 19th and 20th.
All the six have goals deficits ranging from minus three to minus seven.
On 15th is Kwara United with 43 points and minus three goals difference, defending champions Remo Stars are also on 43 points and minus five goals difference just as Warri Wolves, also on 43 points and minus six goals deficit.
Completing the troubled sides are Kun Khalifat and Bayelsa United on 40 points with minus six goals deficit
while Wikki Tourists is at the rear on same 40 points but with a minus seven goals deficit.
A measure of team work in the clubs can be gleaned from the number of players, 263 that have contributed to the total 687 goals in 350 matches so far played. This, an analyst, Charles Dibiani, said shows that the players are not playing selfish football but supporting whoever is in a scoring position.
So far, Joseph Arumala of Ikorodu City and Uche Collins of Katsina Utd are tied on 12 goals in the chase for the golden boot. They are followed on 11 goals by Godwin Obaje of Rangers, Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors and Victor Mbaoma of Remo Stars.
