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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), resume this weekend after the mid-season break came to an end after multiple postponement by the league body.
Following the conclusion of the NPFL first stanza, the league body announced a new date for the commencement of the second stanza of the 2023-24 season.
The initial scheduled date for resumption was February 14, 2024, but was later changed by the league body due to the Super Eagles’ progression at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire.
With the Africa Cup of Nations done and dusted last weekend, players, fans and all stakeholders of the NPFL will be back to status quo as it concerns the running of the second stanza.
NPFL First Stanza Stats
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), first stanza came to an end in January with the last round of matches in day 19 been played on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
According to stats of the NPFL first stanza, a total of 143 wins was recorded over the period including the five outstanding matches.
Highest Goals Scorer: Sikiru Alimi – (11)
Most Goals Conceded Team: Bayelsa United – (32)
Most Goals Scored Team: Remo Stars – (27)
NPFL First Stanza Goals
Goals Scored So Far: 382
Home Goals: 274
Away Goals: 108
Own Goals: 9
NPFL First Stanza Penalties
Total Penalties: 47
Penalties Scored: 37
Hat-Tricks: 3
NPFL First Stanza Cautions
Total Yellow Cards: 724
Red Cards: 23
Still taking a critical look at the first stanza stats as we head into the second stanza today, meanwhile a total of 10 away victories were also recorded.
46 draws were recorded in the first stanza, an impressive stats that shows the NPFL is very competitive in nature in terms of performances on the field of play.
NPFL First Stanza League Standings
While Enyimba are still the current champions of the NPFL, Lobi Stars, Remo Stars, Doma United and Kano Pillars have all shown this season, particularly in the first stanza that they could also launch an assault on the league with their respective performances.
However, at the end of the first stanza Lobi Stars finished stanza topping the log with 36 points, scoring 22 goals and conceding 15 goals.
Remo Stars, a team all eyes would be on going into the muddy-water of the second stanza, particularly going into their game against Abia Warriors on Sunday ended the stanza in second position with 35 points.
The Ikenne based side also netted 27 goals in total, while Rivers United finished the first stanza with the strongest defence in the league.
What To Expect In NPFL Second Stanza
Looking at some of the things to expect in the second stanza of the NPFL, referees performance are definitely one of those things expected to improve compared to the first half of the season.
With a total of 724 yellow cards and 23 red cards been dished out to the players in the first stanza, it could be argued that officiating was decent in the first half of the season.
However, the referees can still improve on their performance going into the second half, as teams set out to fight for their survival in the second stanza.
Secondly, top performers like Lobi Stars, Remo Stars, Doma United, and Enyimba holder of last season’s trophy would wants to intensify their respective performances in this season second half.
While some of the club’s took advantage of the break in bolstering their team by injecting new players in suspected weak links in their team, some didn’t even bother in strengthening their team perhaps due to financial reason.
However, those who did injected new set of players into their team would be expected to bring to the fore convincing performance, having strengthening their team with new players in the transfer market.
As for the top-scorers, best goalkeepers with the best clean sheets and best coaches in terms of performances during the first stanza, would be expected to further improve their respective performances in the second stanza.
Teams like Kano Pillars, Plateau United, Enugu Rangers and Bendel Insurance who are scrambling for continental ticket would be expected to improve on their respective performances if they wants to play on the continent next season.
For the teams who are still flirting with relegation, the second stanza would serve as the last line of hope for them whether they wants to stay in the topflight or not at the end of the season.
Whatever the outcome would be for all of the teams in the second stanza of the NPFL 2023-24 season, we’re once again set up for another exciting run of games in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
This article was updated 7 months ago