NPFL Week 37: The Super Facts and Stats of the Season so far

There are only two games to be played in the Glo Nigeria Premier Football League with Enyimba looking the most likely to wrest the title from outgoing champions Kano Pillars’ grasps. The Aba Elephants need to avoid defeat in their next game to lift their first title in five years.

SoccerNet Nigeria presents the facts and stats that reduced some clubs to relegation battlers and others, title hopefuls.

Two teams, FC Taraba and Bayelsa United are mathematically certain for relegation this season.

After Matchday 36, Shooting Stars and Abia Warriors have joined nine other teams that have avoided relegation. Dolphins, Sharks and Rangers are among the seven teams still susceptible to the drop. The others are El-Kanemi Warriors, Akwa United, Lobi Stars, and Kwara United.

The Ilorin Township Stadium has not been the fortress it once was. No side has lost as many home games (5) and conceded as many goals in home matches (18) as Kwara United.

After beating El-Kanemi, FC Ifeanyi Ubah becomes the 5th side to do-the-double over two or more teams this season. The other four are Enyimba, Nasarawa, Wikki Tourists and Giwa FC.

The tie against Ifeanyi Ubah is not one that El-Kanemi Warriors often look forward to.El-Kanemi Warriors have won only once in their last five league matches against Ifeanyi Ubah (formerly Gabros Int’l). They have drawn twice and Lost twice.

The 5-1 spanking that Sunshine Stars handed down to Rangers in their rescheduled game in midweek was the first time Rangers Int’l has conceded five goals in a league match since the turn of the millennium.

With three goals, no player of Rangers Int’l has scored more in away matches than Razaq Adegbite this season.

It’s been a high-scoring season but some teams have not been effectively involved. Eleven # GLONPFL teams are yet to score 38 goals even with both halves of a match combined.

Sunshine Stars are the kings of the second half. The Akure side has scored 38 goals in the second half of matches this season, seven more than any other side.

Rangers must feel hard done when facing the Akure Lords. Sunshine Stars have now been awarded three penalty kicks in their last three home fixtures against Rangers Int’l.

The Enugu side can however blame no one but their leaky defense. Rangers have not kept a clean sheet in their last 8 league matches.

Enyimba are having a season to remember. The Aba Elephants have set a new # GLONPFL record for most away points (22) in a season, beating their 2009/10 record of 19 points.

Enyimba love to play on Sundays. The People’s Elephants have failed to score just twice in their last 14 league matches played on a Sunday.

Cletus Itodo is the first Shooting Stars player to score directly from the free kick spot this season.

Even the referees are having a field day. There have been six penalties awarded in the last five league matches between Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United.

Are you wondering why they have been battling with relegation? FC Taraba have lost their last 12 away matches, their longest losing streak in the league this season.

That’s not NPFL form.

Who says they still don’t have a chance at the league title?

Warri Wolves are the only team in the league yet to concede a goal at home since the start of the second half of the season.

Glo NPFL Top scorers Since the Start of 2014/15 Season: T. Adeniji – 16 goals; G. Salami – 15; E. Igbinoba – 15; B. Ejike – 13; C. Chikatara – 13. Any one of these five can still go home with the Yekini Golden Boot Award.

Gbolahan Salami has been the standout striker in the league since 2013.

Glo NPFL Top scorers Since the Start of 2013/14 Season G. Salami – 31 goals; M. Udoh – 28; T. Adeniji – 27; E. Igbinoba – 24; R. Ali – 21; B. Ejike – 21.

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