234football Team of the Week: Uzoigwe makes list following Abia Warriors heroics, super subs Alalade and Eze included

The Nigeria Professional Football League Round 25 produced an average of 2.7 goals per game. Compared to Round 24, which recorded 1.1 goals per game, that was a significant rise.
Just like in previous weeks, we have put together our team of the week.
For a second straight matchweek, Lobi Stars defender John Lazarus and Wikki Tourists’ Stephen Gopey make our list. MFM gaffer Olalekan Gabriel earns the coach-of-the-week honours after leading his side to a near-perfect show at Enugu Rangers.
 
Goalkeeper: Sharp Uzoigwe (FC Ifeanyi Ubah)
Uzoigwe was so ‘sharp’ in goal, as FC Ifeanyi Ubah picked a point at Abia Warriors. The goaltender made a number of breathtaking saves in the game which ended a goal apiece.
The outfield players line up in a 3-4-3 formation.
Defence:
John Lazarus (Lobi Stars)
John Lazarus rose to the occasion on his birthday to break Dakkada FC’s hearts as his solitary goal from a well-tailored free-kick earned Lobi Stars a 1-0 win over Dakkada in Uyo.
Abubakar Ibrahim (Plateau United)
Abubakar ‘Babawo’ Ibrahim did not just do his defensive duties neatly but joined attack and got the first of Plateau United’s goals in their 2-0 away win over Adamawa United in Gombe.
Abel James (FC Ifeanyi Ubah)
Hard-tackling defender Abel James was instrumental as FC Ifeanyi Ubah nullified Abia Warriors’s firepower in their 1-1 draw in Okigwe. He complemented Sharp Uzoigwe’s goalkeeping heroics with timely interceptions and clearances.
Midfield:
Afeez Nosiru (Kwara United)
Nosiru had another brilliant game as his side dismissed Jigawa Golden Stars 3-0 at Kwara State Stadium. The midfielder scored a screamer — a potential goal of the season contender — in the game.
Ochowechi Oche (Plateau United)
Oche was lively all evening, and set up Ibrahim Abubakar to score the opening goal in the Peace Boys’ 2-0 victory at bottom side Adamawa United.
Wasiu Alalade (Kwara United)
After replacing Michael Ohanu in Kwara United’s tie with Jigawa Golden Stars, Wasiu Alalade found the net twice to seal a comfortable 3-0 win for Abdullahi Biffo’s men and get them back to the top three.
Samuel Kalu (Katsina United)
Kalu has been one of the top performers in the Katsina United team this season. Against Nasarawa United, he once again proved his importance in the team. With scores tied at 1-1, Kalu popped up with the winner to seal victory for his team.
Attack:
Ifeanyi Eze (Kano Pillars)
Ex-Akwa United winger Ifeanyi Eze was called up in the second half by Kano Pillars coach Ibrahim Musa on a day Pillars desperately needed a win to get back to the top of the NPFL log.
He did not disappoint as he calmly controlled Nyima Nwagua’s pass before firing home his first goal for Pillars as they beat Enyimba 2-1 in Kaduna.
Stephen Gopey (Wikki Tourists)
Since joining Wikki, Stephen Gopey has been on flames for the Giant Elephants. He again stepped up and scored two as Wikki Tourists forced high-flying Akwa United to a 2-2 draw in Bauchi.
Shadrach Ogali (Rivers United)
Rivers United’s Shadrach Ogali ruined Heartland FC’s party on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
He bagged a brace as Heartland and Rivers United shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Coach:
MFM gaffer Olalekan Gabriel is picked as the coach of the week after guiding his side to earn a point at Enugu Rangers. His side took the lead in the 69th minute but were made to settle for a share of the spoils following Ugwuoke Ugochukwu’s late equaliser.