By Chinedum Ohanusi
The board and management of the Nigeria Premier Football League have again spoken of plans in the pipeline, that will stimulate the growth, and improve the visibility of the nation’s top flight men’s football league.
Chairman of the league body, Otunba Olugbenga Elegbeleye made the revelation while speaking with Sports Day Online on the partnership with Online Streaming television outlet, M4STV network, a sister company of the Pamodzi Group, and a record number of Free-to-Air channels.
Otunba Elegbeleye said M4STV will be availing its reputable platform, through Afrosports, in the coverage of matches in the NPFL, starting with the Matchday 22 blockbuster this Sunday, as Shooting Stars SC and Bendel Insurance of Benin, rekindle their age-long rivalry, at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, in Adamasingba, Ibadan.
The live streaming of the eye-catching encounter, which pits two of the league’s most storied sides against each other, on M4STV, will be complemented a great deal, by the live broadcast of the match on radio, via the unbeateble network service of Radio Nigeria; with commentaries in both English, and native Yoruba language.
“Both broadcasts, on M4STV and Radio Nigeria, will further strengthen our rapidly growing league, and give it the visibility, it deserves. The Online streaming on M4STV news and sports channel begins at 4pm; while Radio Nigeria’s Sports studio in Abuja will open at 3:30pm with expert punditary and analysis”.
Elegbeleye shared more good news, “not only M4STV, there are other channels, 15 FTA affiliate partners taking the match this weekend, as a test run”
Shooting Stars SC, popularly known as the Oluyole Warriors, have been in fine form at home, winning their last two matches in Ibadan; and will be aiming to complete a treble of victories in front of their passionate supporters when the Benin Arsenal storm the ancient city, on the back of a recent run of impressive reports in Benin, and on the road.
Bendel Insurance, are unbeaten in their last five outings, with four ending in victory; and they currently sit sixth on the NPFL table with 32 points from 21 matches, the same tally as Shooting Stars.
However, Insurance hold the edge on goal difference, boasting +5 compared to Nurudeen Aweroro tutored Shooting Stars SC’s +1.
The reverse fixture in Benin last August, ended in a 1-1 draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, underlining how evenly matched these sides are, but that was before the arrival of Kennedy Boboye, as the Head Coach of the team.
With the teams level on points and chasing the top four, Sunday’s clash could prove decisive in shaping the race for continental spots, next season.
Interestingly, the Supremo of M4STV, Mike Itemuagbor had this to say, “fans of both the two clubs, with huge fanbase spread around the country, have now been given the opportunity to witness the drama, thrills, frills, and ecstasy of the match, and subsequent NPFL matches, unfold live on M4STV and on radio as well”.
He added that the channel’s app is available for download on Google Play and the Apple Store, and the good news is that fans, and supporters can stream the game, on either of the platforms, wherever they are.
Today’s fixture in Ibadan, promises to be one of the standout contests of the NPFL season, with pride, points, and positioning all at stake.
