NPFL: Local rivals Enyimba and Abia Warriors clash as Rangers battle Bayelsa United

Reigning league champions, Enyimba International will rekindle their local rivalry with Abia Warriors in the Nigerian Premier Football League as both teams battle for supremacy in a southeast derby on Sunday.

The People’s Elephant have been inconsistent this season since the start of the season but will be confident of securing consecutive league wins against Abia Warriors who have an inferior record against their host.

In their last 15 NPFL games, George Finidi’s side has recorded more wins (nine) against Abia Warriors who have defeated the People’s Elephants three times with both teams settling for a draw thrice.

Abia Warriors only win in Aba was in March 2014 and they will hope to end their nine-year winless run in the encounter with a win but their poor form away from home has been a great concern.

Erasmus Onu’s side has picked a point on the road this season – a 2-2 draw away at Bayelsa United but playing against Enyimba in Aba may turn out to be different.

In Yenagoa, Enugu Rangers will be aiming to secure their first win in five games when they face Bayelsa United at the Samson Yebowei Siasia Stadium on Sunday.

The Flying Antelopes are without a win in their last four games churning out two draws and two defeats in their last four games – a form that has seen Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side drop to 12th in the NPFL standings with 15 points from 11 games.

They will hope to compound the woes of their host who have failed to win in their last six games.

Speaking ahead of the game, Ilechukwu wants his side to be more clinical.

“In our last game, we proved that we are capable of getting good results on the road but it was just hard luck as our best player on the field missed a sitter that would have turned the complexion of the match. That is football for you and we keep working till we get it right.”

Bayelsa United on their part, are bottom of the log with 10 points.

Both teams have played nine times in the last 10 years with each side recording three wins and three draws respectively.

In Eket, Akwa United will seek to halt their winless run of three games when they host Lobi Stars aiming to return to the top of the standings following Doma United’s  1-0 win over Kano Pillars on Saturday. The Promise Keepers have failed to keep the promises made to their fans lately as their performances keep dropping below the bar.

Akwa United are currently in the 18th position with 11 points from 12 games.

Both teams have played 19 times in the last 10 years and the last time Lobi Stars picked a point in Uyo was in 2019.

The records certainly put Akwa United in a comfortable position to win Sunday’s game. However, their current performance does not inspire so much confidence.

Despite losing their curator during an attack by the kidnappers, Sunshine Stars agreed to play their game against Bendel Insurance.

Both teams suffered contrasting fortunes on matchday 12 with Sunshine Stars defeated Shooting Stars 1-0 in Akure and Insurance losing by the same margin away to Heartland in Owerri.

The Akure Gunners will be buoyed by the win and massive financial support received from the Edo State deputy governor but the Benin Arsenals on their part will aim to capitalise on the psychological issues of the away side to get the maximum points.

In other fixtures, Shooting Stars will target maximum points against Katsina United following their narrow defeat away to Sunshine Stars in Akure

Heartland will take their newly found confidence to the Pantami Stadium to confront Gombe United.

The Naze Millionaire has been unbeaten in the last two matches and securing their first win of the season against Bendel Insurance in the match day 12 is a big morale booster for the team.

Gombe United under coach Babaganaru will see this game as an opportunity to arrest the dwindling performance of the club

Remo Stars will hope to extend their unbeaten run when they face Kwara United in Ikenne on Sunday. All eyes will be on Sikiru Alimi who has scored nine goals so far this term for the Sky Blues. Source Punch