By Kunle Mudasiru
In the top leagues in Europe and other parts of the world, a good team wins anywhere. Matches are won largely based on the strengths of the teams. The good side of it is the fact that fans accept defeats also in good fate after losing to a superior opponent.
Before every game, it is noted that a ‘smaller’ team will struggle even before its fans and could only manage a draw or a slim loss against a ‘bigger’ team.
In the top leagues in Spain, Germany, France, England and Italy, matches are won on merits and this could be at any venue either home or away.
This has been the case over the years and it made the leagues in these countries so interesting because of the unpredictability.
In cases where the bigger teams falter, a determined smaller teams carry the day. In the cup games, smaller teams have gone all the way on many occasions to win competitions.
An example was the year Portsmouth and Cardiff played in the final of the 2008 English FA Cup. Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu scored the only goal for Pompey as they won the trophy after beating all the top teams in the season.
In Nigeria, it was not the same. Any team at home is expected to win, no matter the pedigree. Away wins especially in the country’s top flight league was almost a taboo. It might not be more than five in a whole season.
However, change is here under the current Nigeria Professional Football League board led by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Last season, a total of 31 away wins were recorded at various centres while much more away draws were also witnessed.
In the new season with only four match days, 10 away wins have been recorded to give an indication that there is likely to be higher number of wins on the road in the domestic league,
A veteran of the league who played for various club in over 20 years, Victor Ezeji, stated that to maintain the current momentum is crucial.
“We have witnessed good starts like this before but because the number is much and promising, we are all happy. I want the referees to keep it up and officiate fairly at all centres,” Ezeji said.
A former international, Ifeanyi Udeze, said the current away results recorded in the NPFL was good for the development of the game.
He commended the NPFL and charged fans to maintain fair play at all the centres of the league.
“In the league, the fans should be ready for any result based on the form of their teams. We need teams to play well and get the results anywhere. Kano Pillars have lost this year and no bad incident was recorded. This is what we want,” Udeze said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Football Professional League, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has also expressed delight over the number of away wins and draws recorded so far in the new season.
The league boss said the new season has started win amazing results that will move the country’s football forward.
A total of 10 away wins have been recorded with 15 away draws.
On Match Day 1, Enyimba defeated Heartland 3-1 away, Remo Stars stunned El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Maiduguri while Niger Tornadoes also piped Kwara United 2-1 in Ilorin.
Rangers defeated Ikorodu United 1-0 in Lagos in the only away win of Match Day 2 while Remo Stars again registered another 2-0 away win in Kano, Niger Tornadoes beat Plateau United 2-1 in Minna, El-Kanemi defeated Nasarawa United 4-3 just as Rivers United also recorded 1-0 win in Makurdi against Lobi Stars.
Only on Saturday, Nasarawa United defeated Ikorodu City 2-1 while Sunshine Stars of Akure defeated Akwa United 2-1 in Uyo.
Elegbeleye added: “We are aware the season is a long way to go but we are very positive that so many things will get better based on the work we have put it. Teams should be able to win anywhere without crisis just as we see abroad and that is my joy.
“What people see in the top leagues like the EPL, Serie A and La Liga is now happening in the NPFL every week.”
Elegbeleye commended the referees for so far doing a good job and urged them to continue just as he also admonished fans to adhere to fair play rules at all times.
After recording two remarkable away wins against Kano Pillars and El Kanemi Warriors, Remo Stars coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, showered praises on the organisers of the league. Remo Stars won 2-0 in Kano and Maiduguri respectively.
“I am happy with our wins in two wins in tough away centres and the prayer is for us to maintain this atmosphere to get the best in the league,” he said.
Coach Suberu Aliyu whose team, El-Kanemi Warriors, lost at home to Remo Stars also went to record a 4-3 win over Nasarawa United in Lafia.
“The league is becoming very interesting every season. Kudos to the current NPFL board, a good team can win at any venue,” Aliyu said.
