It’s the penultimate Matchday of the playoff championship of this season’s Nigeria Premier League (NPL). And all the six teams retain hope of either winning the title or being in the continent next season. The top 2 teams will represent the country in the CAF Champions League, while the third placed will go for the CAF Confederation Cup.
If the trend in the past three games is to be considered, serial winners Enyimba and defending champions Rivers United are likely to produce the champions among themselves. In three games, each of them have five points, and yet to play their head-to-head, which comes up on Sunday. They therefore understand that winning today is a must if the task of lifting the title is to be completed.
For the first time, Enyimba will not the playing the first match, which is usually under the scorching sun at 2 pm. The People’s Elephant are fixed for the last match of the day against Sunshine Stars, who are desperately in search of their first win to catch up with the leaders.
Enyimba takes their D-W-D into the match. Coach Finidi George has his work cut out against the Akure Gunners to give his side victory, and possibly win the league for a record extending nine times; the first time since 2019.
First match of the day will see Rivers United up against Bendel Insurance, who are now noted for playing draws in games they should have won. Rivers had a questionable lone goal victory over Sunshine Stars on Matchday 1 and followed that with shared honours with Remo Stars (2-2) and Lobi Stars (goalless).
Winning has become a difficult result for the Benin Arsenal to record after playing draw in their last four matches, including the last two fixtures of the group stage. Although setting a record of unbeaten run in the season, Insurance drew 10 of the 18 matches in the regular season. Will they go for the jugular this afternoon and change the leadership tempo of the playoff?
Like Sunshine Stars, Lobi Stars are in a win-or-bust situation as they file out against Remo Stars in the second match of the day. Two draws from three games mean that the Shoe Gets Size side need maximum points against the third placed Ikenne-Remo team.
Coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru will have to find a solution to Lobi Stars’ inability to convert as they have the dubious record of being the only side without a goal in the playoff. And this is a team that found the net 20 times at the group stage to finish second in their section.
One good news from the camp of the Makurdi-based side is that, there are no injuries which means that, the squad is healthy and available for the gaffer to select the best for the tie.
Trio of John Lazarus, Moses Tsehuan, and Elijah Ani are among the lads the former Kano Pillars tactician is likely to rely on to secure the maximum points.
This will be the first meeting of the two teams this season and it looks interesting in anticipation.
Coach Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars knows how difficult the task of meeting the Stars will be for his side. On his part, Ogunmodede will trust Andy Okpe, Samuel Anekwe, and Junior Nduku, among others to put heads together and avoid any harm against them.
All the matches: Rivers United v Bendel Insurance (2 pm), Lobi Stars v Remo Stars (4:30 pm), Sunshine Stars v Enyimba (7 pm)
Additional report: Lobi Stars Media
