Football

Nigeria Professional Football League Preview, Matchday 18

With the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season reaching its midway point, teams in Nigeria’s top flight will be looking for a strong finish to the first half of the season.

Kwara United will attempt to retain their place at the top of the standings when they travel to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium to face Katsina United. The ‘Afonja Warriors’ were unplayable in the previous game against Adamawa United last week as they ran riot with a 5-0 win. One man who stole the show was Stephen Jude. The Kwara United striker took the match ball home after netting a hattrick and chipping in two assists.

Jude and Kwara will hope to continue their outstanding form against Katsina United who are languishing in the relegation zone.
United are currently 17th in the league after logging 18 points from 17 games. They will hope to return to winning ways after suffering a 1-3 loss to Abia Warriors last week but face a daunting task.

Rangers International are second in the standings and are joint leaders, thanks to the 30 points they have acquired from 17 games they have played this season. The ‘Flying Antelopes’ showed that they are hungry for the title with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Nasarawa United. The next challenge for Salisu Yusuf’s side is a trip to Jos to battle Plateau United.

Abdul Maikaba’s Plateau United are in the bottom half of the standings after a 0-1 loss to Dakkada FC Monday. The negative result saw them remain in 12th but a chance for redemption is on the cards as they return home to the Jos Township Stadium.

Kano Pillars joined Kwara United and Rangers International at the top of the log with a superb 2-1 win against Wikki Tourists last week. ‘Sai Masu Gida’ are set to continue their hunt for the 2020-21 NPFL title when they play host to Heartland at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

Heartland FC could not move into the top half of the league after they played out a one-all draw with Warri Wolves and another tricky test against Kano Pillars will make it harder for a leap into the top half to happen. Pillars are unbeaten at home this season and will be heavy favourites to get the maximum points.

Akwa United are set to go toe to toe with Lobi Stars at the ‘Nest of Champions’, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The ‘Promise Keepers’ jumped into fourth after a brilliant win at MFM last week but just like them, Lobi Stars are also on a roll.

The Makurdi club were brilliant last week as they thrashed Rivers United 4-1 but Kennedy Boboye’s Akwa United have clearly woken from their early-season slumber and are chasing a continental ticket. However, the NPFL title could be a much sweeter reward for the excellent form of the Uyo club as they stretched their unbeaten run to six games after their victory in Lagos.

Enyimba failed to win in Lagos on Thursday and the loss made them extend their wait to move joint top of the League. The People’s Elephant are fifth in the standings with three games in hand and have amassed a total of 27 points this season. The record champions of the NPFL will return to the Enyimba International Stadium when they play host to Dakkada FC.

Enyimba have not lost a home game this season but Dakkada will be looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Plateau United by causing a major upset when they attempt to defeat Nigeria’s continental representatives.

Rivers United’s four-game unbeaten run was brought to a crashing halt at the Aper Aku Stadium as they were humbled by Lobi Stars on Sunday. Stanley Eguma’s charges will look to put the woeful result behind them when they welcome Sunshine Stars to the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium. Gbenga Ogunbote’s Stars have lost control following an impressive start to the season. A loss to Enyimba on Monday (March 22) compounded their troubles.

The Akure Landlords are one place above the relegation zone with just goals difference separating them and Jigawa Golden Stars. They will hope for a positive result when they take on the ‘Pride of Rivers’.

Nasarawa United will welcome an in form Abia Warriors to the Lafia City Stadium. Imama Amakapabo’s Abia Warriors are unbeaten in eight games and will look to compound Nasarawa United’s misery following their 0-2 loss to Rangers on Monday.

18th-placed Warri Wolves will welcome 19th placed FC Ifeanyi Ubah to Ozoro in a relegation six-pointer, while 15th-placed Jigawa Golden Stars will entertain 14th-placed MFM and bottom club, Adamawa United will face 13th-placed Wikki Tourists.

Fixtures.

Jigawa Golden Stars vs MFMAkwa

United vs Lobi StarsRivers

United vs Sunshine Stars

Enyimba International vs Dakkada FC

Plateau United vs Rangers International

Nasarawa United vs Abia Warriors

Katsina United vs Kwara United

Adamawa United vs Wikki Tourists

Kano Pillars vs Heartland FC

Warri Wolves vs FC Ifeanyi Uba

Story by Sammy Wejinya