The Anambra Warriors will be looking to revive their NPFL campaign when they host the league leaders at the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium
MFM FC Vs Enugu Rangers
MFM FC’s main focus remains on securing their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) place for another season, and coach Fidelis Ilechukwu will take confidence from the scintillating delivery of his wards.
Their inability to convert begging chances in their last topflight encounter against ABS FC saw them fall to a 1-0 loss. And the Olukoya Boys will be looking to fix that when they face Enugu Rangers on Friday night.
Ilechukwu is likely to name the quartet of Sikiru Olatunbosun, Stephen Odey, Chukwuka Onuwa and Adekunle Adegboyega for the tie at the Agege Township Stadium.
In other leagues, two defeats at this stage could deal a serious blow to a team’s title aspirations, but Rangers’ quality means that they remain firm favourites.
However, Imama Amapakabo will be keen to see his team get back to their best as quickly as possible due to the tougher tests which await them in the coming weeks.
Shooting Stars Vs Remo Stars
This will be a meeting between two sides that have struggled in different ways this season.
Shooting Stars haven’t quite impressed but four points from games against Rivers United and Kastina United have given fans of the club a bit of hope. The Oluyole Warriors are still a formidable outfit though and will want to finish this match unscathed.
Remo Stars are struggling to find their feet in the topflight. They have conceded ten goals, and the Sky Blue Stars look likely relegation candidates this early in the season.
Jide Apena has been pulling the strings for Shooting Stars in midfield, with Victor Mbaoma the main weapon of Remo Stars. It should make for an interesting encounter on Saturday in the city of Ibadan.
Akwa United Vs Abia Warriors
Akwa United will seek to maintain their resurgence under coach Abdu Maikaba when they confront Abia Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday.
The Promise Keepers go into the match riding on a strong wave of momentum, recovering from their poor showing in the first three matches of the campaign.
The resignation of experienced gaffer Okey Emordi was a decision that shocked followers of the league. But what has really gone wrong with the Ucendu Babes?
On Matchday 10, Abdullahi Biffo will be out to fix the leakages in the squad and hopefully forge ahead in the enormous task that awaits the Umuahia based outfit.
Sunshine Stars Vs Rivers United
Sunshine Stars will take on the challenge of Rivers United at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday.
The Owena Whales are winless in five consecutive games and have also won just twice in their last nine outings to settle at 17th spot in the standings. Victory is what Sunshine Stars want, but odds are not in their favour in this game against the Pride of Rivers.
Rivers United shared the spoils with Kano Pillars at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in a rescheduled match on Wednesday and will likely be looking forward to repeating such in Akure.
But to achieve such they will be faced with the enormous task of keeping Sunshine at bay.
El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Nasarawa United
El-Kanemi Warriors’ rise to the second spot wasn’t really expected, a nice marker for punters ahead of Sunday’s Northern Derby with Nasarawa United.
The hosts here seem to get the better of visiting sides. That is based on their ludicrous home record of four wins from four.
So what chance does Nasarawa United stand? Confidence is low after another home draw against Sunshine Stars the last time out and a closer examination of their away form have left more to be desired. Of their last trio of away ties, they have been defeated by Katsina United, Enyimba FC and Gombe United.
In July 2016, the visitors were hammered 3-0 by the Desert Warriors, and given the host’s desperation to consolidate on their away win at Abia Warriors, repeating such will not be left out of the equation.
ABS FC Vs Wikki Tourists
ABS FC will be looking to keep in touch with the chasing park when they entertain Wikki Tourists at the Kwara Stadium Complex.
The Saraki Boys can be reasonably happy with how they have negotiated a couple of tricky fixtures, defeating Shooting Stars, getting pipped by Kano Pillars, playing a draw against Sunshine Stars in Akure and edging MFM FC at their abode.
Henry Makinwa will be looking to get another positive result at home over the Bauchi Elephants to keep his side’s impressive form intact.
Mohammed Babaganaru and his men will come into Sunday’s game on a high after claiming victory over Shooting Stars during the week.
FC IfeanyiUbah Vs Plateau United
IfeanyiUbah takes on leaders Plateau United with both sides finding themselves in the mix of completely contradicting tales into the campaign.
While the Peace Boys have used the first nine matches of the season as a launch pad to break away from the rest of the park, the Anambra Warriors are at the other side of the table.
However, Plateau United tactician Kennedy Boboye is not taking anything for granted and has warned his team to treat the 2016 Federation Cup champions with all the respect they deserve.
With Godwin Obaje, Tamen Medrano, Prince Agrreh and Co., Yaw Preko’s side have the quality to match any NPFL side and will be banking on them to defeat Plateau United.
Kano Pillars Vs Katsina United
After picking up a priceless point away to Rivers United at midweek, Kano Pillars have a tricky fixture against Kastina United. A victory would solidify Pillars’ credentials as title contenders.
After a frustrating run of four consecutive draws, Kastina United’s returned to winning ways with a wonderful 1-0 victory over Ifeanyi Ubah.
Lobi Stars Vs Enyimba
Lobi Stars are on a mission to redeem themselves after failing to win three matches in a row. They have two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba to contend with at the Aper Aku Stadium.
Strikers Anthony Okpotu and Kingsley Eduwo were very instrumental at Remo Stars and Enugu Rangers. They are expected to put up another good show in Makurdi.
With a star-studded lineup made up of Mfon Udoh, Terna Suswan, Mustapha Ibrahim, Fatau Dauda, Theophilus Afelokhai and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, the former league champions are likely to put up a great show in Makurdi.
Niger Tornadoes Vs Gombe United
Historically, none of the two sides hold the ace, with each recording seven wins each in 14 meetings.
Niger Tornadoes enter this weekend’s game in eighth place while Gombe United occupy the tenth position in the table.
The Savannah Scorpions are yet to pick up at least a point on the road. That is something the Ikon Allah Boys could look to take advantage of.
Goal.com
