The NPFL returns again this weekend with some exciting fixtures, including the first South-West derby of the season. There’s also a return to ‘home’ for Nyima Nwagua as teams continue to hustle for points early in the season. Here’s our guide on what you look out for at all centres.
A Chance To Bounce Back In Kaduna
After defeats to Rangers and Remo, Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United have a chance to get back to winning ways. Both teams come into this game in 16th and 13th position respectively with just goal difference separating them.
A win for either side will likely move them to the top half of the table while defeat could see the loser dropping into relegation waters. It’s still quite early in the season but a drop into that territory could prove draining for these sides who do not have the biggest names on their roster.
Niger Tornadoes v Bayelsa United, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
Top Spot In Sight For Lobi And Warriors
When Lobi Stars and Abia Warriors take to the Lafia Township Stadium pitch on Saturday, they will do so knowing that the top spot is available for the winner. Lobi returned to their adopted home on the back of another impressive result on the road. Eugene Agagbe’s men picked up their second draw on the road when they held Katsina to a goalless draw.
“The boys are responding well to training and ready to get all 3 points on Saturday,” a delighted Agagbe told the club media as they continued to put the finishing touches ahead of the game.
Abia Warriors had to hold on for an hour to nick all three points against Kano Pillars. They come into this game with a woeful record of defeats in their last 5 away games, scoring just once. They also lost home and away against Lobi last season.
Lobi Stars v Abia Warriors, Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia.
Bragging Rights And Points At Stake In Ikenne
It’s a testament to how far Remo Stars and Sporting Lagos have come that their game is the headline fixture on a weekend that have multiple title winners and the traditional NPFL teams facing each other. These two have no major title in their cabinet but what they have are fans who already see this as the biggest rivalry in the league, at least on social media.
The buzz around this game has been good and will get even louder as kick-off draws nearer. Sporting have announced paid round-trip options for their fans who would like to support the team in Ikenne.
Feisty battles in preseason games have set the scene for the first competitive meeting. It’s the first South-West derby of the season and everything points to it being a good one. I’ll be in Ikenne, hope to see you there!
Remo Stars v Sporting Lagos, Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.
Akwa United Can Press Reset In Eket
If you told Fatai Osho that his team would be languishing at the base of the table after three games, he would have bet against it. But that’s their reality going into this week’s games. The 2021 champions have earned just one point from a possible 9 so far.
Interestingly, only Bayelsa United(6) have scored more goals than the Promise Keepers(5) this season but a leaky defense has left them with a negative goal difference after letting in 8 goals. They blanked in their first home game of the season at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium but with Enyimba, Rivers United and the Super Eagles set to use the ground for continental matches, they have been granted permission to host games in Eket. A scene change might just be the catalyst they need to transform their season.
In the previous 7 meetings in Akwa Ibom, 3SC failed to pick a point and scored only 4 times. That will surely be on their mind but they will have to rise to the challenge to get something from this one.
Akwa United v Shooting Stars, Eket Township Stadium, Eket.
Odigie Rides Unbeaten Train To Pantami
Having skipped their trip to Aba on matchday one due to continental engagement, Bendel Insurance have traveled to Gombe for their first NPFL away game. The table toppers have lost two of their road trips this season(both in the CAF Confederation Cup) but they went the whole of last season unbeaten in the regular season in the NPFL.
Gombe United have already shown that they can defeat the big boys this season. The Savannah Scorpions beat champions, Enyimba 2-0 on matchday 2 to register their only points thus far. After losing to Shooting Stars from a winning position in Ibadan, they will want to make up on lost grounds. In April when these two met, it ended in a statement, that would represent a good result for Insurance but not the home boys.
Gombe United v Bendel Insurance, Pantami Stadium, Gombe.
Plateau Back To Home Comfort For Sunshine
As expected, Plateau United have struggled at the start of this season with two defeats from their opening 3 games. However, Mbwas Mangut’s side can scamper out of the relegation zone into the top half of the table with a win. That seems very likely for the Jos-based side who are usually solid at home.
They must however be mindful of a Sunshine team who only narrowly lost to Lobi on their last travel. Although they have lost on their last 4 visits to Jos. Edith Agoye’s side have scored in all of their games so far and you can back them to do the same again in this game.
Plateau United v Sunshine Stars, Jos Stadium, Jos.
Heartland Eye’s First Win Of The Season Against Katsina
Two teams who drew their last game clash this Sunday as they seek to turn 1 point to 3. Heartland had Yusuf Ibrahim to thank after a late penalty miss ensured they left Akure with a point last weekend.
Speaking to Heartland media, coach Christian Obi said: “We do not have any reason to complain than to ensure we beat Katsina United and record our in of the season. We have told the players that only a win would be ideal after the impressive point against Sunshine Stars. We can’t miss this chance.”
The Naze Millionaires have won all their league home games this year except their last against Lobi. A return to winning ways is the only result that can relax the unsettled nerves in Owerri.
Heartland v Katsina United, Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Can Kwara Consolidate On Point Won On The Road?
It’s 11th versus 2nd before kick-off but the order could be very much different after 90 minutes. Kwara United returns to their refurbished stadium as they count on their fans to push them past another South-Eastern opposition. A lone goal got them past Abia Warriors on matchday two before the hard-fought draw in Port-Harcourt last week. A win this week will get them in the top half of the table and possibly in the top spots.
Rangers have been involved in three games ending in 2-1 scorelines this season, so expect them to try and score in Ilorin rather than sit back.
Kwara United v Enugu Rangers, Kwara Sports Stadium, Ilorin
Nwagua Returns To Old Stomping Ground
It will be another emotional day for Nyima Nwagua when he returns to the ground he used to call home. The Rivers United forward and captain scored the winner for his current team on his first return in 2022 and will be hoping he can lead his side to victory again this time. The Pride of Rivers were tamed by Kwara United in their last outing and will be hopeful of recovering lost points against a Pillars side that have not impressed so far.
Sai Masu Gida have scored only once this season and already lost twice, although they have 3 points which they earned from their only home game this season. A cagey clash awaits us at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, hopefully, it delivers.
Kano Pillars v Rivers United, Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
Enyimba Host Wydad In Africa Super League
Enyimba’s domestic fixture for the week against Doma United has been postponed so they can focus on the Africa Football League encounter against Wydad Casablanca. Enitan Obadina previews the game here.