The most intriguing fixture on match day five of the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League will be decided in Nnewi on Sunday.
Winless, pointless and bottom of the division after the opening four round of matches, Abia Warriors will seek to register on the board when they face the hosts, FC Ifeanyiubah at “the fortress”.
On Thursday, the Abia Warriors management announced that Amapakabo would need to guide the Unuahia club to wins in their next three games against FC Ifeanyiubah, MFM FC and Lobi Stars ‘or face the music’.
The former Super Eagles assistant coach will be walking on eggshells on Sunday as he is well aware that there is no margin for error as their hosts on Sunday are in dire need of points having secured just three from a possible 12 thus far.
The leaders, Rivers United will be desperate to return to winning ways after dropping their first points following a 1-0 loss to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi in midweek.
The ‘Pride of Rivers’ face a resurgent Heartland side still riding the crest of a wave following a stunning 2-0 victory over eight-time champions, Enyimba in Owerri on match day four.
“The boys were fatigued in Bauchi,” United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma told SPNAfricaNews after the reverse. “We spent two days on the road from Port Harcourt to Bauchi after playing a difficult league game in Port Harcourt just hours before.
“We have to win on Sunday but it will not be an easy game as Heartland is a very difficult opponent.”
Enyimba will be looking to bounce back from that shock defeat to Heartland when they face Kano Pillars in the ‘Classico’ in Aba.
Pillars are unbeaten this term and know they could go top with a win in Aba so they stakes could not have been higher.
Second-placed Enugu Rangers face seventh-placed MFM in Lagos while fourth-placed Nasarawa United take on Katsina United in Lafia.
It will be a battle of the fifth and sixth best sides in the league when Lobi Stars play host to Dakkada FC at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
In all, ten games will be decided on the match day with plenty of compelling contests on the cards.
Fixtures
Lobi Stars vs Dakkada Sunshine Stars vs Warri Wolves MFM vs Rangers Jigawa vs Kwara United Akwa United vs Wikki Tourists Rivers United vs Heartland Enyimba vs Kano Pillars Nasarawa vs Katsina UnitedPlateau United vs Adamawa FC Ifeanyiubah vs Abia Warriors
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