Stories by Lekan Olaseinde & Gbenga Jolaosho Abuja
Nigeria Professional Football League Match Day 24 recorded a rich harvest of 27 goals, six from the penalty spot but the strikes from Ahmad Usman of Wikki Tourists, Andrew Ikefe of Niger Tornadoes and Musa Suleman of Katsina United made it through to the shortlist of three nominees for VAT Wonder Goal number 5. Ahmad Usman netted twice, ten minutes apart in the 3-1 defeat of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi by hosts, Wikki Tourists and one his goals was near solo eff ort.
Operating from the left side of attack, Ahmed had picked up the pass from a teammate just after the half line, raced down the left fl ank beaten two markers, cut back inside the box to release a right footed whip of the ball inside a crowded box to shake the back of the net. It was a strike that the El-Kanemi goalkeeper clueless. In that same fi xture in Bauchi where Wikki Tourists ran home with a 3-1 defeat of Niger Tornadoes, it was Andrew Ikefe who got the consolation goal on the 47th minute, smashing home from the edge of the box. Several eff orts at clearing their box had failed and the ball fell to an on-rushing Ikefe who steadied his balance with the left foot to hit a low shot with the right. El-Kanemi Warriors were humbled 3-0 in Katsina and Suleiman netted two of the three. His fi rst coming as early as within the 60 seconds from kick-off from a simple fl ick the ball from close range over the raised hands of the goalkeeper. He would later score from the penalty spot. Video clips of the goals are now up on the website of the Nigeria Professional Football League, www npfl .com and the twitter handle @lmcnpfl for fans to vote their preferred goal from Wednesday, June 21 to midnight of Saturday, June 24. Th e VAT Wonder Goal Award attracts a cash prize of N150, 000 for the winner with half of the money donated to a Charity to be nominated by the player within the state where the club is located. It is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to promote club-community relationship and also create awareness
