Another dramatic encounter as title & survival race takes central stage again
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), season enters its deep end with the title race looking almost sewn up by League Leaders Rivers United and the battle for survival still very much alive for teams like Dakkada FC, who won back to back against shootings stars and Abia warrior’s to keep their hopes alive.
Leaders Rivers United, who had their lead cut down to seven points following a 1-0 shock defeat to Wikki Tourists last weekend will entertain Abia Warriors at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
This weekend, Matchday 33 offers exciting fixtures with Rivers United looking to extend their Lead ahead of second place plateau united, when they Host Abia warriors on Sunday. Abia warriors will be eager to bounce back on their feet, after their 2-1 loss to Dakkada. Table-toppers Rivers United will miss the service of centre-back Fabian Nworie as he is suspended for the game while 13th place Warriors will be without the duo of Chigozie Umeh and Gabriel Innocent for the trip to Port Harcourt as they are also suspended for card accumulation.
A win for Stanely Eguma’s side will see them further sewn up the title with four games remaining before the end of the campaign.
Plateau united will continue their impressive form after defeating Kano pillars 1-0 in front of their supporters in Jos. Plateau united will travel to Ibadan, where they will face shootings stars, who are in the 14th position in the League.
Second-placed plateau united must win, to close the gap between them and the League Leaders Rivers united and also to keep their title hopes alive.
3SC have struggled for form in their last five matches (D2 L3) and will be without one of their key men Gafar Olafimihan who will sit this out owing to suspension from accumulated yellow cards.
At the bottom end of the table, relegation battling boys Lobi stars will be facing Heartland owerri in a must win match for both sides. Last matchday, both teams earned themselves decent results to keep their relegation hopes alive – Lobi held MFM in Lagos while Heartland edged Akwa United 1-0 in Owerri. However, Heartland’s last eight trips to Lobi have all ended in defeat.
Relegation battling boys Dakkada FC and MFM FC, have very difficult matches to navigate this Sunday when they face Gombe United and Katsina United on the road. Both clubs needs to do justice to their matches if they are to remain in NPFL, with few matches to go.
Eight clubs are in the hunt for third place which guarantees a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.
In the mix for the third spot are Rangers, Remo Stars, Kwara United, Enyimba, Sunshine Stars, Akwa United, Gombe United and Wikki Tourists.
Four of the eight clubs in this race will face others this weekend. On Saturday, Enyimba play hosts to Kwara United while high-flying Remo Stars face Akwa United who they have never beaten in the division in three meetings.
Former champions, Kano Pillars, Niger Tornadoes, Lobi Stars and Heartland will also continue their fight against the drop as the match weeks thin out.
Nevertheless, whatever happens in Matchday 33 this weekend, Rivers United will still be on top of the table, and Plateau United will remain in second place in the standings.
Matchday 33 fixtures
Saturday, June 11, 2022
Enyimba v Kwara United (4pm)
Sunday, June 12, 2022
(All matches will be played 4pm Nigerian Time).
Sunshine Stars v Niger Tornadoes
Katsina United v MFM FC
Lobi Stars v Heartland
Akwa United v Remo Stars
Gombe United v Dakkada
3SC v Plateau United
Kano Pillars v Wikki Tourists
Rivers United v Abia Warriors
Nasarawa United v Rangers
