NPFL Matchday Preview: Ikorodu City host Enyimba, Nasarawa United, Katsina United set for showdown

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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) returns this weekend and into next midweek with Matchday 6, which promises mouthwatering encounters involving the big guns, the undefeated sides, the new boys, and the strugglers.

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Enyimba have already begun the season on a brilliant note – five matches played and undefeated so far (W3 D2). The other unbeaten side in the top division at the moment is Rivers United, who were involved in the CAF Champions League last weekend and have played four league matches, winning two of those.

The champions, Remo Stars, enjoyed a commanding performance in the Champions League against Comoros Island’s US Zilimadjou last Sunday, cruising to a 4-0 win at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, in what looks like an assured passage into the next round that would have South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns, waiting for them.

But before then, the NPFL titleholders will be back in action for a tricky trip to Abia Warriors on Independence Day.

The high-stakes matches

Enyimba and champions Remo Stars are up for games with potential for them to drop all points, considering the quality of their opponents in Ikorodu City and Abia Warriors, respectively. There is also Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), who just notched up their first win of the campaign after five matches and will have to face Warri Wolves.

The champions have had it so good in their head-to-head meetings with the Warriors since their promotion to the top flight in 2017.

The Sky Blue Stars have suffered just one defeat in eight NPFL meetings with Abia Warriors (W5 D2 L1). Last season, on their way to winning their first title, Daniel Ogunmodede’s men did the double over Warriors, including winning 2-0 in this same corresponding fixture with Jide Fatokun and Ismaila Sodiq scoring the goals.

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Off the pitch, 3SC have carried out quite some reforms, but the results are not yet reflecting on the board, though they got a respite with a 2-1 win over new boys Kun Khalifat FC to get their first win of the season.

Warri Wolves would offer a different kind of opposition on Sunday at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro. The Seasiders have a very good home record in the NPFL against Shooting Stars in their last eight meetings (W7 D1). It does not look good for 3SC as they have struggled so far for form in their opening five matches (W1 D2 L2).

Unbeaten People’s Elephant up for City task

Table-toppers Enyimba also have a game on their hands this weekend when they play at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos against Ikorodu City. The People’s Elephant are enjoying an unbeaten start to the campaign in their first five matches of the season for the first time since the 2009/10 season, when they went undefeated in their first nine matches (W4 D5).

That brilliant run will be put to the test at the Arena, where City have bullied even the biggest hitters in the top division since their debut participation last season.

The Oga Boys have played 21 matches at home in the NPFL since their promotion and have suffered just two defeats on their turf to Rangers (0-1) and Nasarawa United (1-2).

Last season, they scored 48 goals in their 19 home matches, averaging 2.5 goals per game. Though they are yet to replicate that scoring form at home this term, Enyimba are sure to come up against a tough side.

Last season, Enyimba were seconds away from becoming the third side to hand City a defeat at home before substitute Ayomide Cole popped up with a late goal to level the score at 2-2 for a share of the points.

City have quite an impressive run at home since their 2-1 defeat to Nasarawa United last season and have not lost since then in 19 home matches (W16 D3).

Struggling newcomers go head-to-head

In the midst of purple patches for some of the big boys like leaders Enyimba and co, at the other end of the table are the newcomers, Barau FC and Kun Khalifat FC. Both clubs square up this Sunday with the latter playing hosts at their adopted home ground, the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. It is an early-season relegation six-pointer for the two sides.

Lada Bosso’s Barau FC go into this fixture as the only side without a win in the division after five matchweeks (D2 L2). Something the former Nigeria U20 men’s head coach will hope changes after this match. It is the first time both teams are meeting in the NPFL, and their rankings in the form guide table shows they are in the bottom three, and it will be a game of who blinks first.

Other fixtures

Matchday 6 will begin this Saturday with two fixtures in Jos and Benin City, where Plateau United play hosts to El-Kanemi Warriors and Bendel Insurance face Bayelsa United, respectively.

Eight-time winners Rangers, who have started the campaign poorly, will make the trip to the home of Wikki Tourists, where they have avoided defeats 10 times in 19 meetings, including winning once (W1 D9 L9).

There will be a top-four meeting between second-placed Nasarawa United and Katsina United in fourth position at the Lafia City Stadium.

The Solid Miners have won their last two matches against Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United and will aim to add Katsina United to that list to replicate three straight for the first time since the tail end of last season, when they defeated Heartland, Lobi Stars and Enyimba. Katsina United have lost all of their last six matches at Nasarawa United.

Three matches involving clubs in CAF competitions have been rescheduled. Abia Warriors and champions Remo Stars go head-to-head while Rivers United will be keen to keep their unbeaten start to the season going when they play hosts to Niger Tornadoes. Both matches will be held on 1 October.

The match between four-time winners Kano Pillars and Cup holders, Kwara United, have been moved to 8 October owing to the latter’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup game against Asante Kotoko this weekend.

READ ALSO: FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria’s Falconets eye next round

MATCHDAY 6 FIXTURES

Saturday, 27 September

Plateau United v El-Kanemi Warriors

Bendel Insurance v Bayelsa United

Sunday, 28 September

Wikki Tourists v Rangers

Warri Wolves v 3SC

Kun Khalifat FC v Barau FC

Ikorodu City v Enyimba (5:30pm)

Nasarawa United v Katsina United

Wednesday, 1 October

Abia Warriors v Remo Stars

Rivers United v Niger Tornadoes

Wednesday, 8 October

Kano Pillars v Kwara United