After defeating Plateau United 1-0 at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday, the Nigerian league champion Lobi Stars enter the second half of the 2023–24 Nigeria Premier Football League at the top of the standings.

Kumaga Suur’s goal in the 23rd minute was sufficient for Eugene Agagbe’s team to secure the victory against their resilient opponents, who have lately shown improvement.

The only league championship Lobi Stars have ever won came in 1999. The only time they have come close to winning it again was in 2018 when they only gained a position on the continent because the league was suspended after match day 24.

They’ve had a fantastic season, winning 11 games, drawing three, losing five, and accruing 36 points, which puts them one point ahead of Remo Stars in second place. Now we wait for the second round of the season. Can Lobi star do it again? Let’s take a look at the impressive stats ahead of the resumption.

Impressive stats as 2023/24 N.P.F.L. season

Notably, on average, over two goals were scored per match, for 379 goals scored in 185 games.

Key highlights from the midseason statistics are as follows:

Highest Goal Scorer

Sikiru Alimi of the Remo Stars was the most prolific scorer, with eleven goals at the midpoint.

Draws and wins

A total of 139 wins have been recorded, accompanied by 46 draws. Ten victories away from home increased the league’s competitiveness.

Home vs. Away Goals

In contrast to the 108 goals scored by visiting teams, home teams amassed 271 goals.

Penalties

Out of the 47 penalties that were issued, 37 were converted successfully, while the remaining 10 were missed.

Own Goals and Hat-tricks: During the initial half of the season, nine own goals were recorded, including three hat-tricks.

Discipline

Highlighting the significance of discipline, referees issued 724 cautions and expelled 23 players from matches for various rule violations.

Top Teams

At the season’s midpoint, Lobi Stars of Makurdi led the division with 36 points, 22 goals scored, and 15 goals conceded. With 27 goals, Remo Stars distinguished themselves as the most prolific goal-scoring team.

Rivers United exhibited the most formidable defensive prowess, allowing only ten goals to be conceded, whereas Bayelsa United ranked first in the highest number of goals conceded, with 32.

When Is The Second Half Of NPFL24?

Reportedly, the Nigeria Premier Football League has delayed the commencement of the second half of the 2023-24 season.

The originally scheduled date for resumption was January 4, 2024.

The current commencement date is February 14, 2024.

In response to public demand sparked by the ongoing African Cup of Nations (A.F.C.O.N.) in Ivory Coast, the N.P.F.L. made this decision. The NPFL disclosed this information in a letter to the institutions involved.

Additionally, the organization underscored the criticality of capturing the complete focus of players, supporters, and stakeholders amidst the pinnacle of African football, the AFCON.

The league body stated, “Be informed, therefore, that a new date of February 14th has been decided for the commencement of the second stanza of the season,”

“This decision was reached to capture the full attention of players, fans, and all other stakeholders at this time of prime African football tournament.” Lobi Stars (36 points) are first in the NPFL standings.