MatchDay 2 of this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will be concluded in seven centres this Sunday with the top clash being that between last season’s runners-up Remo Stars and Rangers. Also on the card is the match in Gombe where Enyimba will open their title defence against Gombe United.
Remo had a date with Rivers United in Port Harcourt on MatchDay 1, which was postponed to enable the hosts honour continental assignment, while Enyimba were to host Bendel United, whose CAF Confederation Cup match clashed with the fixture. So for both sides will look forward to opening the season’s account with good deposit.
The Fidelis IIechukwu-led side opened their season campaign with a 2-1 win over Doma United, at the Awka City Stadium, through goals from Kalu Nweke and Austin Onyemachi to secure the maximum points for the former NPFL champions.
But on Sunday, they are going to face a team that has a perfect home unbeaten record in Remo Stars. In their last two meetings, Remo won one with Sikiru Alimi’s 40th minute goal the only one in the encounter, while the other encounter ended goalless following the return of the Sky Blue Star to the top flight league in the 2021/22 season.
IIechukwu and his team will be hoping to end their woeful record in Ikenne-Remo on Sunday.
For Enyimba, the Finidi George-led side will be hoping to begin their title defence with a win at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.
The People’s Elephant have only lost one of their four meetings against Gombe United away from home, which was the 1-2 outcome during the 2013/14 season. Since then, two other meetings ended in draws, while Enyimba overwhelmed their hosts 2-1 last season.
Gombe lost their opening match 0-2 in Lagos to new-kids-on-the-NPFL-block Sporting Lagos.
Back from qualifying for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United are away to Niger Tornadoes to commence life in NPFL 2023/24. Tornadoes were too hard for hosts Abia Warriors to crack a week ago, but they eventually succumbed 0-1. The Pride of Rivers won this fixture 2-1 in Port Harcourt last season.
Abia Warriors will face a tricky tie against Kwara United at the llorin Township Stadium. The Erasmus Onuh-led side opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes, at the Umuahia Township Stadium. But on Sunday, they will be taking on Kwara United, who lost their first game of the season at Katsina United.
Abia Warriors are one of the worst teams on the road in the league, and it will be a surprise to football fans if they secure a positive result against Kwara United on Sunday.
Heartland, the Naze Millionaires, will be guests to Plateau United in Jos at the New Jos Stadium. The Christian Obi-led side were held 2-2 by Lobi Stars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. Former Akwa United and Barcelona B Pplayer, Ezekiel Bassey was on the score sheet for the Owerri based club against Lobi Stars.
But on Sunday, they will be playing against Plateau United, who lost 2-1 to Shooting Stars in their first game of the season. With big expectations on the shoulders of their head coach, Mbwas Mangut, a former Heartland player and Assistant Coach, Plateau United will look to bounce to title reckoning.
Sunday matches: Plateau United v Heartland, Lobi Stars v Sunshine Stars, Niger Tornadoes v Rivers United, Akwa United v Sporting Lagos, Kwara United v Abia Warriors, Gombe United v Enyimba, Remo Stars v Rangers (all 4 pm).
Saturday’s results: Doma United 2-0 Bayelsa United, Kano Pillars 1-0 Katsina United, Bendel Insurance 2-0 Shooting Stars
Additional reporting by Emmanuel Chinedu (NPFL Media)
