– Action returns in the Nigerian Professional Football League
– Sunshine Stars will need to be classy when they meet Kano Pillars
– Ifeanyi Ubah will also square-up against Abia Warriors
The headline fixture for the Week 14 matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will take place at the Akure Township stadium, as Sunshine Stars host Kano Pillars on Sunday, May 1.
The Agege Stadium in Lagos is another big venue as travelers Akwa United will do all they can to get at least a point in Lagos, when they come face-to-face with MFM FC, on Saturday April 30.
Here are the fixtures and preview:
Shooting Stars (3SC) vs Plateau United (Ibadan)
3SC fans are still battling to understand the rationale which made their team lost 6 – 0 at Kano Pillars in their last duel. The Oluyole Warriors must now seek redemption in this tie against premier League returnees, Plateau United.
Action during the game between MFM FC and Sunshine Stars Photo Credit: Emmanuel Osodi
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In the past meetings, Plateau United have never gotten a draw in Ibadan, and if record can lift to play, then Shooting Stars should be guaranteed of the 3 maximum points in this tie.
3SC gaffer, Kadiri Ikhana explained that his wards have learnt their lesson in their last game in Kano, and they will correct their mistakes against the Jos based team.
“Football sometimes can be funny, but better still, I’m still not happy with our loss to Kano Pillars, and we must make our fans happy this weekend,” Ikhana said to Naij.com Sports.
Ikorodu United vs Heartland (Lagos)
Ikorodu United have turned Lagos to a cheap and more relaxed venue for opponents, and Heartland would have it in mind of becoming another beneficy of Ikorodu United’s lacklustre performance so far this season.
The ‘Oga Boys’ have gone 11 games without a win, and the last time they tasted victory was their 1-0 win over Lobi Stars in their NPFL week 3 fixture.
Ifeanyi Ubah vs Abia Warriors (Nnewi)
Nnewi will be the venue where most NPFL pundits would visit this weekend for the oriental derby.
A win for Ifeanyi Ubah will take them to second position on the log as they are currently a point adrift Abia Warriors who are second on the standings with 23 points.
Niger Tornadoes vs El-Kanemi Warriors (Lokoja)
Tornadoes are still unhappy with the late minute penalty they conceded in their last match at Lobi Stars which condemned them to a 0-1 loss, and the team’s handler, Abdullahi Biffo has vowed that the Maiduguri side will face the consequences of that defeat.
Rivers United vs Enugu Rangers (Port Harcourt)
Enugu Rangers are currently the League leaders, and they are 4 points ahead of second placed Abia Warriors, but the Flying Antelopes have never left Port Harcourt with a win.
This tie will be another acid test for Rivers United handler, Stanley Eguma, as a win will lift him off the hook, while a loss or draw will definitely put him on the throne of despair.
Giwa FC vs Wikki Tourists (Ilorin)
It is still unclear if the proprietor of Giwa FC will allow his boys to honour this tie after their banishment to Ilorin Township Stadium for their next ther home games.
Giwa FC are currently in a state of dilemma as they have been severely dealt with by the LMC after they failed to honour their abandoned match against Rangers which was rescheduled in Abuja.
Last season when Wikki Tourists visited Ilorin, they were 1 – 0 winners over Kwara United, and it was that match that condemned Kwara United to relegation.
MFM FC vs Akwa United (Lagos)
Since their 3 – 1 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors in week 6 tie, MFM went 5 games without a win before they were lucky to beat Wikki Tourists 1 – 0 in their Week 12 fixture in Lagos.
Akwa United have just sent their head coach, Maurice Cooreman on indefinite leave due to poor form of runs this season in the NPFL, and his assistants have been mandated to win their next three games or face the exit doors.
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MFM FC and Akwa United have never met in any competitive game, and this tie offers both sides to prove their worth in Lagos.
Enyimba FC vs Lobi Stars (Aba)
Enyimba’s position on the NPFL table is nothing but just a pity, but they have 4 games at hand which would be fixed later for them to honour.
The Peoples Elephant last dropped two points at home for the very first time this season against Heartland and a win for them against Lobi Stars should take them out of the drop zone.
Sunshine Stars vs Kano Pillars (Akure)
Kano Pillars will storm Akure in full confidence after beating 3SC 6-0 in their last game, but the Sai Masugida should not forget that they have failed to get a draw in their last four visits to Akure in the NPFL.
Pillars’ handler Mohammed Baba Ganaru has revealed that he will not make any change from the squad that decimated Shooting Stars in Kano.
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