HALF SEASON ANALYSIS OF UNILORIN LEAGUE 2020/21

UNILORIN LEAGUE GROUP A MID – SEASON ANALYSIS

Abiola Ibrahim – Liberty and Adebayo Abdulsamad (Crystal Xclusive)

The 2019/20 season of Unilorin League is an abridged version where teams are divided into two groups and each team is required to play 10 matches each. The best two teams from each group will qualify for the playoff stage which will see Semi-Finals and Final matches.

The first half of the 2019/20 Unilorin League Season has come to an end and it is a perfect time to look at how the teams have fared before the next round of games kick-off. In Group A, 15 matches have been played and all 6 teams have scored a combined 32 goals. FC Blazing Stars pose the best attack scoring 8 goals and FC Zeus are the best from behind in attack with 2 goals in 5 games.

1) FC Blazing Stars – DLWWW

The team had a relatively slow start to the league as they were able to gather just one point in the first two games. However, Coach Fikky was able to find the solution in the 3rd week after the team struggled due to a lack of identity. Kamal has been in fine form with a goal and 3 assists, he has been involved in all games in which FC Blazing Stars has scored save for the game against FC Zeus.

2) H – High FC – WWWL

The defending champions looked to continue their unbeaten run stretching from Week 2 of the previous season (a resounding record of 21 games unbeaten during the previous season). They strengthened their ranks with notable signings; R. Abdullahi, Sulyman Durotoye and Fabiyi. Durotoye has scored 2 in 4 games already while R. Abdullahi has recorded 2 clean sheets, conceding 4 in the other 2 games which are the lowest in Group A. The team seem to be unable to contain teams with good attacking play such as FC Blazing Stars and Marine FC despite the arrival of Lawal Yusuf and Heedris.

3) Marine FC – LWDLW

Coach Latiph replaced Coach Paige at the start of the season amid the departure of notable players like; Ahmed Ahmed, Fabiyi, Akinyemi, Adeshola, and Ife. Muhammed Jr. Habeeb plays excellently from the midfield while Malik has proven to be outstanding in the attack. Newly signed shot-stopper; Ashafa has not had a dream half to the season as he conceded 6 goals in 5 games, the only clean sheet coming in the game against Leeds FC.

4) Leeds FC – DLDDW

The team doesn’t seem to be able to change their ‘draw – mentality’ from the previous season as they’ve had 3 draws in 5 games already. The sack of Coach Abbey Anibaba before the Week 4 encounter against FC Zeus shows that the team is in need of a change and the board wants positive results. They’re currently struggling with goalscoring as they’ve managed just 3 goals in 5 games, conceding 5 goals in the process.

5) All Stars FC – WDLL

At the beginning of the season, they hit the ground running with the win over Marine FC but that’s the only win recorded so far this season. They’ve struggled in the last 3 games and find themselves sitting 5th on the log with 4 points from 4 games with an outstanding match against H – High FC. Although, they’ve had competitive results this season too.

6) FC Zeus – LDLDL

They had a surprisingly quiet transfer window, although they saw Maliq leave for JAD FC while Success was loaned in the other direction. They’ve struggled to find an identity this season and have scored the lowest number of goals this season, just 2 goals in 5 games. A run that shows how unresponsive the attack has been. The team has conceded 6 times and also missed 2 penalties in the game against Marine FC. The poor run of games might not be unconnected to the current depth of the squad.

UNILORIN LEAGUE GROUP B MID SEASON ANALYSIS

Abiola Ibrahim – Liberty and Adebayo Abdulsamad (Crystal Xclusive)

The 2019/20 season of Unilorin League is an abridged version where teams are divided into two groups and each team is required to play 10 matches each. The best two teams from each group will qualify for the playoff stage which will see Semi-Finals and Final matches.

The highly anticipated first half of the Unilorin League 2019/20 season has drawn to a close and there’s a need to take a perusal of the results so far and how the teams have fared. Group B has not been devoid of mouth-watering games which includes the heaviest win in the season. The newly-promoted teams are in Group B along with the maiden Champions of the League.

1) JAD FC – WWWWL

The team had a very busy transfer window with the arrivals of Ahmed Ahmed, Maliq and Zicobest who have been impressive as they contributed to 7 out of the 11 goals scored in the first half of the season. The had a high flying start to the season with an unbeaten run until the last game where they lost 2 – 1. The team has also been defensively sound with 3 clean sheets in 5 games, conceding just 3 goals in the process joint second-lowest in the League).

2) City Boys FC – WLWWW

Summer signings; Akinyemi, Ismail and Ehmjay have scored 6 goals out of the 10 recorded this season. The defense has been up to the task with 4 clean sheets in 5 games, conceding just 2 which came in the game against JAD FC. Newly signed Goalkeeper; Adams Josiah has had a dream debut season as he is no a strong contender for the Golden Glove Award. The team poses the best defense in the league as they’ve conceded the least number of goals so far – 2.

3) Skillz FC – LWWDW

The team’s attack delivered some outstanding performances this season with the 7 – 1 demolition of Muqqy FC being the heaviest win in the League. Tobi Eke has been a reference point as he’s currently the highest goalscorer in the league with 4 goals and teammate – Veekee sits below him with 3 goals. Adeshola and Alaro have established themselves in the line – up despite arriving at the start of the season.

4) Real Eagles FC – WWLDL

The only notable addition to the side is Coach Faizol who took over at the beginning of the season after being an Assistant in the previous season. The team got 2 wins from the first 2 games of the season which were against the newly promoted sides but have recorded unimpressive results in the last 3 games where they’ve gathered just 1 point. The teams have not only been winless in the 3 games played against the ‘strong sides’ but have also been unable to find the back of the net in all 3 games.

5) Aztecs FC – LLLLD

The newly-promoted side is winless this season but they’ve managed a draw against fellow newcomers; Muqqy FC. The unimpressive run has seen them score just 3 goals in 5 games this season. They sit 5th on the log, not because of points or goal scored but due to the number of goals conceded. T – Wolly, and Sani are their undisputed best players as they are the only players involved in the team’s goal-scoring. The teams conceded 14 goals in the first half of the season but they’ve scored fewer goals than any other side in the Group this season – 3.

6) Muqqy FC – LLLLD

Massive recruitment is expected as the team has chipped in just 5 goals with 4 players being involved in those goals. They managed a 2 – 2 draw against Aztecs FC and need to improve drastically to avoid relegation. The team has conceded the most number of goals this season – 20.