NPFL: Remo Stars hosts Sunshine of Akure, Enyimba battles Sporting Lagos
After ending the year 2023 top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table, Remo Stars will look to continue their southwest dominance when they take on Sunshine Stars in a derby game in Ikenne on Sunday.
Both teams earned a share of the spoils when they last clashed at the Super Six playoffs in June 2023 and will be desperate to kick off the New Year on a winning note.
The Sky Blues who lost their last league game to Heartland 3-1 in Owerri are yet to lose a derby game in the last two seasons. They will attempt to pile more misery on Sunshine Stars coach, Edith Agoye, who is under pressure to win, having been handed a three-game ultimatum to turn the fortunes of the club around.
The Owena Whales sit 10th in the log and have recorded just one win in their last three games.
In Aba, Eze Ekwutoziam remains confident of a winning start when Enyimba battles with Sporting Lagos at the Enyimba stadium.
The Elephants are unbeaten in their last four league games but the 21-year-old midfielder admits it will be tough against the Noisy Lagosians.
“It is a very important game for us, it is our first game of the year and we know what we want and we are well aware it is not going to be easy,” Ekwutoziam said ahead of the game.
“It’s important to start the New Year on a winning note.”
In Kano, sixth-placed Plateau United will be out to move three points clear of their host, Kano Pillars when they both clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
Plateau have recorded four wins from their last five games heading into this fixture while Pillars have suffered two defeats in their last five league encounters.
The Peace Boys will be without the trio, Solomon Ogberahwe, Umar Farouk, and Saidu Salisu for the game.
The players are currently recuperating from different degrees of injuries suffered in previous matches. Farouk and Salisu are undergoing therapy for an undisclosed injury while Ogberahwe is recovering from a calf injury.
Relegation battlers, Niger Tornadoes, and Heartland will face off in Kaduna for the first time in two years after the Ikon Allah Boys defeated the Naze Millionaires 2-1 in 2022.
The result confirmed Heartland’s relegation that season.
Tornadoes have won only five games in their last eight home matches while Heartland has only accrued three points on the road.
Both teams will be desperate to record a win to boost their survival hopes.
Shooting Stars will host Bayelsa United at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex as they seek an end to their six-game winless run in which they have lost four and drawn two.
The Oluyole Warriors are currently placed 13th in the log with 19 points, while Bayelsa United are bottom with 14 points from 16 matches.
In other fixtures, Gombe will face Rivers United, Kwara United host Lobi Stars while Akwa United and Abia Warriors will clash at the Uyo Township stadium.
