234football NPFL Team of the Week: Awazie maintains spot, hat-trick hero Yahaya picked

By Akila Matawal
Matchday 27 fixtures were slated to hold on Sunday. All ten games did kick off as scheduled, but one of them could not be concluded on that day. Overshadowed by crowd trouble at top-of-the-table clash in Kaduna, the round of matches produced 27 goals.
Dakkada FC got the solitary away win with a 1-0 pipping of Warri Wolves in Ozoro. The feat makes Umar Danlami of Dakkada FC our coach of the week.
At Abubakar Tafewa Balewa Stadium, Wikki Tourists and Ifeanyi Ubah played out a seven-goal thriller.
Here, 234football selects its team of the week, with the players paraded in a 4-3-3 formation.
 

Goalkeeper:
Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United)

In a game that kicked off on Sunday evening but completed on Monday morning, Adewale Adeyinka helped Akwa United secure a valuable point in the game that was marred by crowd trouble — making spectacular saves. One of those saves saw him push Ahmed Musa’s dangerous free-kick over the crossbar on Monday morning.
 
Right Back:
Chigozie Obasi (Nasarawa United)
Nasarawa United’s Chigozie Obasi was a delight to watch in Lafia as the Solid Miners humbled Plateau United 2-0. He was involved in both goals.
 
Left Back:
David Philip (Akwa United)
The former Go Round FC defender was outstanding in Akwa United’s goalless draw at Kano Pillars. He rarely put a foot wrong.
 
Centre Back:
Kareem Abdoulaye (Dakkada FC)
Dakkada’s Kareem Abdoulaye was solid in defense and scored his first goal for the club as the Chosen Ones beat Warri Wolves 1-0 in Ozoro on Sunday.
 
Centre Back:
Olisah Ndah (Akwa United)
Akwa United’s defensive pillar and fan favourite Olisa Ndah again showed class and intelligence in the dramatic draw against Kano Pillars. He neutralized the danger posed by Ahmed Musa, Nyima Nwagua and co brilliantly. His interceptions, composure and leadership were instrumental in the draw.
 
Defensive Midfielder:
Tony Shimaga (Rangers International)
Enugu Rangers’ Tony Shimaga was the orchestra in midfield as the Flying Antelopes pummeled Sunshine Stars 4-1 in Enugu. He dictated the pace and controlled the rhythm of the Flying Antelopes’ play with so much panache.
 
Attacking Midfielder:
Surajo Hassan (Adamawa United)
A surprise inclusion in our list and a name not known to many, Adamawa United’s Surajo Hassan excelled against Rivers United in Gombe. The bottom side earned a shock 2-0 over Stanley Eguma’s team with Hassan showing flashes of brilliance and getting his name on the scoresheet.
 
Central Midfield:
Ekene Awazie (FC Ifeanyi Ubah)
Ekene Awazie makes his second straight appearance on our list as he starred in FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s 4-3 loss at Wikki Tourists. He scored a brace that almost helped Ifeanyi Ubah stage a comeback.
 
Right Winger:
Paul Samson (Abia Warriors)
Solo goals in the NPFL are rare. Abia Warriors forward Paul Samson scored one against Lobi Stars in Okigwe. The spectacular strike all but sealed a 2-0 victory for Imama Amapakabo’s men.
 
Centre Forward:
Israel Abia (Rangers International FC)
Last season’s top scorer Israel Abia bagged a goal and an assist for Rangers in their 4-1 triumph over Sunshine Stars in Enugu on Sunday. That performance may have signalled the striker’s return to form.
 
Left Winger:
Nazifi Yahaya (Wikki Tourists)
Wikki Tourists returned to winning ways and one man was instrumental: ex-U17 star Nazifi Yahaya. He came off the bench to score a hat-trick and assisted Manu Garba’s goal.
 
Coach:
Umar Danlami (Dakkada)
Dakkada gaffer has been picked as the coach of the week for his tactical ingenuity which helped his side secure a 1-0 victory at Warri Wolves — their second away win of the season. The tactician opted for a 3-5-2 formation, and that paid off.