NPL names team of the week

Twelve outstanding performers have been rewarded for glowing displays on Day One of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

On a weekend which saw one away win and three draws, there was no shortage of heroes.

Dolphin’s goalkeeper stood out, with a succession of crucial interventions to help his team hold out for a valuable three points on the road.

The combination of the clean sheet and excellent display was enough to beat out the competition from Ocean Boys' Olufemi Thomas, who stopped a penalty at the Enyimba Stadium.

In defence, Kano Pillars' Alhaji Alhaji's bounding raids down the right flank earn him the right back spot, while resurgent veteran Ajibade Omolade of Plateau United sneaks into the left back position.

“Ajibade was excellent at left back and deserves his place in the team of the week even though they lost,” says Dolphins media officer China Acheru.

Monday Osagie of Kwara United and ThankGod Ike of Warri Wolves were on opposite ends of a 1-0 result, with Ike the happier of the two. But both men did more than enough to find themselves on the same side as the centre-back duo in the team of the week.

Two goalscoring players are at the centre of midfiel.

Defensive midfielder Emmanuel Omodiagbe bagged the winner for Warri Wolves, and Kingsley Odoh found the back of the net twice, although his Lobi Stars still went down 2-3 to Rangers.

Gombe United's Rafiu Salaudeen and Rangers' Ejike Uzoenyi also scored their way into right and left midfield respectively.

Upfront, 3SC's two-goal match-winner, Gbolahan Salami, leads the line along with Kano Pillars' Rabiu Ali, whose wicked half volley set the league runners-up on their way to a valuable away point.

The team will be coached by Stanley Eguma, who masterminded the weekend's only road win.

NPL Week 1 team of the week 4-4-2

GoalKeeper: Rotimi Sunday (Dolphins)

Right Back: Alhaji Alhaji (Pillars)

Left Back: Ajibade Omolade (Plateau Utd)

Centre-back: Monday Osagie (Kwara Utd)

Centre-back: ThankGod Ike (Wolves)

Defensive Midfielder: Emmanuel Omodiagbe (Warri Wolves)

Attacking Midfielder: Kingsley Odoh (Lobi Stars)

Left Midfield: Ejike Uzoenyi (Rangers)

Right Midfield: Rafiu Salaudeen (Gombe United)

Forward: Gbolahan Salami (3SC)

Forward: Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)

Coach: Stanley Eguma (Dolphins)