Three hundred and sixty-one.
Those were the number of goals recorded in the first half of this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), which resumes the second stanza on 3rd April.
The 361 goals in centres across the country average 1.9 goals per game.
Rafiu Ishaq of log leaders Rivers United emerged the highest scorer in the period with 11 goals.
In all, 190 matches were played by mid-season. Since Nigerian teams exited the continental competitions early this term, there is no outstanding game.
By the time the domestic season kicked off last 19th December, all the four teams (including lower division Bayelsa United, the Federation Cup champions) representing Nigeria in CAF competitions had been eliminated. Only Enyimba had a petition – which was eventually dismissed – following the controversial trip to Libya to face Al Ittihad in the Confederation Cup playoff.
On Matchday 1, the fixture between Sunshine Stars and Wikki Tourist was shrouded in dispute, but was eventually played on 23rd February.
One hundred and twenty-eight victories were recorded in the period under review, 21 of them by away teams. And matches drawn stood at 48.
Of the 361 goals in all, 260 were by home sides and 101 scored by away teams.
Top-of-the-table Rivers United and Plateau United are in pole positions to emerge champions, while bottom-placed MFM have a lot to do to avoid being relegated for the first time since joining the elite division seven seasons ago.
NPFL 2021/22 Midseason Stats
Total No. of Matches Played: 190
Total No. of Matches Won: 128
Total No. of Matches Won Away: 21 away wins
Played 190 Total No. of Matches Drawn: 48
Total No. of Goals Scored: 361
Average Goals/Match: 1.9
Total No. of Goals Scored at Home: 260
Total No. of Goals Scored Away: 101
Total No. of Own Goals: 6
Total No. of Penalties Awarded: 38
Total No of Penalties Scored: 30
Total No of Penalties not Scored: 8
Highest Goal Scorer: Rafiu Ishaq (Rivers United) 11 Goals
Total No of Yellow Cards: 735
Total No of Red Cards: 24
Top of Table: Rivers United- 42points
Match Day 19 games in the ongoing 2021/2022 NPFL Season, with 42points
Best Attacking Team: Rivers United- 31 goals
Worst Defensive Team: Heartland & Dakkada (28 goals conceded)
Source: LMC Media
