October 15, (THEWILL) – The 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season has kicked off in dramatic fashion, with surprises, upsets and revolutionary technology setting the tone in the opening two matchdays. Defending champions Enyimba fell to a shock defeat in their first game as Gombe United emerged as the early upsetters with a famous 2-0 defeat of last year’s victors. Multiple title contenders dropped points unexpectedly, as the league table took on a very unfamiliar look just 180 minutes into the new campaign. It is still early days but Enyimba find themselves rock bottom in their title defence campaign, although with a match in hand.
The pick of the early matches, on Saturday September 30, saw four first half goals and eight goals overall shared between Bayelsa United and Akwa United in a hugely entertaining 5-3 encounter on Matchday 1. However, arguably the biggest talking point has been the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras and livestreaming equipment by technology firm Propel Sports Africa, in partnership with the NPFL. Despite some teething problems, this groundbreaking innovation promises to bring Nigeria’s domestic league to a global digital audience like never before.
The NPFL season kicked off matchday 2 fixtures on October 8 with an upset result that sent shockwaves across Nigeria. At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, defending champions Enyimba fell to a surprising 2-0 loss against newly promoted Gombe United. The home side handed the eight-time NPFL winners a humbling and unexpected defeat to further dent the flagging display of Finidi George’s charges, who had endured an early and unceremonious exit from the elite continental football competition, the CAF Champions League.
In a tentative opening half hour, Enyimba just about shaded possession and chances. Still, it was Gombe who drew first blood on 43 minutes through Alakwe Chijioke. To draw level, the People’s Elephant laid siege on the Gombe goal after the interval, but the home side’s defence held firm. Then on 96 minutes, Gombe struck the killer blow with Ahmed Jimoh, who calmly slotted the ball in behind to make it 2-0.
Despite their depth of talent and quality on paper, Enyimba failed to breach the Gombe backline again and slumped to an opening match defeat, with the postponement of their matchday 1 fixture against Bendel Insurance due to continental commitments. For Gombe, this was a glorious return to winning ways after an initial opening day 2-0 loss to newly promoted side Sporting Lagos. Enyimba manager Finidi George was left to pick up the pieces after seeing his champions stunned on the road.
Enyimba’s loss was not the only upset result from the opening round of fixtures. Plateau United, NPFL champions in 2017, also began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Shooting Stars. Ayobami Mutiu gave the home side a 1-0 half time lead before Anayor Emmanuel Ogbonna doubled their lead in the 76th minute. Two minutes later, Plateau cut the deficit through Uche Onwuansanya. However, 3SC held on to complete a famous victory.
As mentioned earlier, there was also disappointment for Akwa United. Taking on Bayelsa United away in Yenagoa, Akwa found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-3 goal-fest. The hosts came from behind twice in the first half, which finished 2-2. Seyi Oguntayo hit Akwa ahead in the 75th minute before Robert Mizo completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute to give Bayelsa a 4-3 lead. Eyong Ofem finished the rout in the dying minutes of the match to wrap up an astonishing 8-goal thriller. For opponents Akwa United, losing three goals so quickly was a concern. Yet, they at least showed spirit to keep leading before Mizo took charge of the goal-scoring.
Other matchday 1 results saw newcomers Niger Tornadoes lose 1-0 away from home to Abia Warriors, while Enugu Rangers beat Doma United 2-1 and Sunshine United went away 1-0 winners at home over Kano Pillars. Heartland Owerri and Lobi Stars played out a 1-1 draw.
If the opening round of games set the tone for the season ahead, Matchday 2 dialled up the drama several notches higher. Taking centre stage was the hugely entertaining two-goal shootout between Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars. Last season’s entertaining sides went head-to-head in a match that swung wildly and had fans gripped throughout with the Benin Arsenal taking the 2-0 win.
Elsewhere on Matchday 2, Plateau United also picked up their first points with a 1-0 win at home to Heartland. The hero for the hosts was Bernard Mundi, who found the winner with an 11-minute goal. After two matches, surprise package Sporting Lagos top the fledgling league table with four points and two goals scored without conceding. Joint top side, with four points as well but less on goal difference with Sporting Lagos are Lobi Stars. Bendel Insurance, Doma United, Rivers United and Bayelsa United, Enugu Rangers, Sunshine Stars, Gombe United and Plateau United are all on three points each and make up the top 10 of the early table.
While the on-pitch action has provided plenty of talking points, an added aspect of interest this NPFL season is the implementation of new technology by innovation company Propel Sports Africa. Before the season’s kick-off, Propel signed a five-year contract with the NPFL to provide artificial intelligence (AI) cameras and live streaming equipment across league venues.
The high-tech, multi-purpose cameras have already been installed in ten selected stadiums nationwide. The AI-enabled units can capture broadcast quality video, detect key on-pitch events, track players, and measure relevant data points. This content is then streamed live during matches to the NPFL24 digital platform and app, where fans can enjoy games via web and mobile app both within Nigeria and around the world.
According to Propel Sports Africa founder Ed Simmons, these groundbreaking cameras reduce production costs compared to traditional broadcasting, making it viable to show multiple NPFL matches to a wider audience. The overall aims are to grow fan engagement, increase league revenue, and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians. Propel also conducted training for 40 locals to operate the cutting-edge equipment.
Overall, the rollout during the opening weeks has been a success, with Propel streaming several games live from kickoff. However, issues like unreliable internet connectivity and power supply at some stadiums have interrupted the coverage at times. These notwithstanding, Propel say they are working diligently with clubs and stadium owners to strengthen the infrastructure and fortify any weaknesses.
Propel plans to expand the camera deployment across more matches and venues in the coming weeks. They also aim to enhance the live production quality and incorporate more interactive features for viewers. With further fine-tuning, the revolutionary broadcast technology is set to open up the NPFL like never before. Both in Nigeria and beyond, fans can look forward to an immersive digital experience and 24/7 connection with Nigerian club football.
Speaking with the League media, Simmons revealed: “It’s been a mammoth undertaking for us at Propel Sports. We are working on multi-cam productions. There is an issue incorporating it and that will be resolved in due course. In this instance we had to start from scratch. It’s not the stadia, we are enhancing the stadia with such infrastructure as Starlink Internet but not the stadia itself.
“The barrier to showing multiple games on Nigerian television up on till now has been the cost of broadcast. To use a traditional OB unit with multi-cam will cost anything up to $25,000 or $35,000 (per game). So, to do eight games will cost up to $240,000 each week (matchday) and that’s impossible and no one can make a commercial return from that. What we did was to sign an exclusive licence for these new AI cameras, and in using these cameras we can substantially reduce the cost of production. Therefore, we have the ability to film multiple games.
“This revolution is not just happening in Nigeria. LaLiga has just signed for AI cameras. Bundesliga has signed for AI cameras. The Portugal premier division has signed for AI cameras. It happens in the case of Nigeria that it is the first in Africa to deploy AI cameras to league games. It (AI camera) will be the future of broadcasting. What we will have to do is to make sure we can add a multi-cam which increases the cost not significantly,”
After just two matchdays, the 2023/2024 NPFL season has already showcased plenty of thrilling action and dramatic storylines. Several big clubs have stuttered, allowing sides like Bayelsa United, Gombe United, Remo Stars and Lobi Stars to claim some early headlines. With defending champions Enyimba looking strangely vulnerable, the title race appears wide open.
Fans can expect many more twists and turns as the story unfolds over the coming months. The electric atmosphere inside Nigeria’s stadiums will continue to generate an endless supply of entertainment, surprises and unmissable moments. Now with the added technological innovation from Propel Sports Africa, the NPFL can look forward to greater exposure than ever before. For the players themselves, the opening weeks have set the tone. With over 30 gruelling matchdays still ahead, they know sustained quality, endeavour and consistency will be required to climb the table.
Any team treating the NPFL lightly this season is likely to receive a rude awakening. But if the first 180 minutes are anything to go by, Nigerian football fans are set for an unforgettable rollercoaster ride over the coming months.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
