NPFL Match Day Three: Plateau United set to extend unbeaten run
The Jos based team will be hoping to maintain their fine start, while Enugu Rangers search for their first win of the seasonHistory will count for nothing as league leaders Plateau United meet rejuvenated Sunshine Stars on Sunday in an explosive Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week three fixture at the Rwang Pam Stadium.
The Peace Boys are yet to drop points in the early stages of the season.
Sunshine Stars haven't lost in their last two visits to Jos, scoring once and keeping clean sheets.
Plateau United have reorganised with head coach Kennedy Boboye declaring that his team will aim to finish at a decent position at the end of the season.
The hosts have registered two wins in two matches, defeating Remo Stars and Enyimba FC to go top of the standings on goal difference while Sunshine Stars have won one match in tenth place.
Enugu Rangers Vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Enugu Rangers and El-Kanemi Warriors will meet
for the second time in three months as both teams slug it out in the week three of the NPFL.
The Flying Antelopes thrashed the Desert Warriors 4-0 and won the top flight shield in October 2016.
Warriors narrowly defeated Wikki Tourists 2-1 at the El-Kanemi Sports Complex on Thursday.
Rangers have had a week to rectify the mistakes that have crept into their game ahead of this vital clash. After bowing 2-1 to Abia Warriors at home, they found themselves chasing the game in the face of a dynamic performance from Nasarawa United but eventually drew 1-1 at the Lafia City Stadium.
Coach Imama Amapakabo said he is grateful for a week to work with his team, energise them, and get them back on track ahead of the week three.
Christian Madu will be looking to dominate the midfield for his team to minimise Samuel Mathias' influence on the match.
Rangers have won six, lost five and drawn one in their twelve league meetings with Warriors.
The Flying Antelopes are tipped to redeem themselves after picking just one point from two league games.
MFM FC Vs Lobi Stars
Lobi Stars will be looking to follow up their return to winning ways with another victory against MFM FC at the Agege Stadium.
The Pride of Benue pipped Kano Pillars 1-0 in Makurdi in their last outing, while the Olukoya Boys suffered a 4-0 massacre against FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
Historically, none of the teams hold a clear advantage, with the each of them recording one win in their two meetings in the top flight.
Given MFM's tendency to win their home games, a victory for the Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored team appears to be the likely result, if the historical record is to be trusted.
Remo Stars Vs Abia Warriors
Second-placed Abia Warriors face a battle when they visit basement boys Remo Stars at the Gateway Stadium.
Remo Stars will be desperate to make amends after their loss to Gombe United while Abia Warriors will be keen on keeping their 100% start to the season intact.
The game is one that should be keenly contested with the hosts desperate for the maximum points at stake. They are the only side yet to pick a point in the 2017 NPFL season.
Rumours of a sack for the Nduka Ugbade led technical crew will rise if Remo Stars fail to deliver the goods.
Ugbade will be out to save his job. He will be hoping captain Victor Mbaoma performs the magic on match day.
Abia Warriors are ambitious too as they caused an upset in the opener against reigning league champions Enugu Rangers.
The trio of Godwin Zaki, Shedrack Asiegbu and Sherif Bashir will be the soldiers to be unleashed in Sagamu by coach Felix Okey Emordi.
Rivers United Vs Niger Tornadoes
This tie against Niger Tornadoes will be a tough one for a Rivers United side who impressed many with a heroic display against Akwa United.
The question of fatigue is always asked after a hard fought 1-1 draw in Uyo, however despite the possibility of physical tiredness, Rivers United will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Niger Tornadoes currently sit 19th in the NPFL table, however with the league being tightly contested, all three points this weekend could see the Minna based side zoom off from the relegation zone. They failed to defeat ABS FC at midweek.
CAF Champions League campaigners, Rivers United look a far more formidable and arguably settled team this season. Defensive foundations have been straightened with the introduction of Ifeanyi Nweke and Gabriel Wassa.
With such an impressive display against Akwa United on Wednesday, coach Stanley Eguma will be quick to emphasise the importance of starting this game well.
Stanley Eguma's side will be eager to score goals before any legs begin to feel heavy after the mid-week game. Tornadoes will be no easy opponent but with the quality the Pride of Rivers possess they should be able to overpower the Ikon Allah Boys.
ABS FC Vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah
ABS FC and FC Ifeanyi Ubah have put up decent shifts in Nigeria's top tier at the moment.
The Saraki Boys appeared to have coped very well with the step up in quality following their promotion from the Nigeria National League in the early stage of this season. They have secured one win and a draw, even starting the campaign with a victory over last season's real underachievers, Akwa United.
After two matches in the current campaign, Federation Cup champions FC Ifeanyi Ubah sit in 6th place with three points.
The quality of the expensively assembled Anambra Warriors' squad ensures that the visitors remain favourites in the clash.
Both teams have some mental strength and confidence at the moment and although FC Ifeanyi Ubah have a stronger squad on paper, they are away from home in this game and won't be too disappointed to keep it level.
ABS FC haven't struggled for goals going forward and this FC Ifeanyi Ubah backline seems incapable of keeping clean sheets.
Midfield duo Stone Evbuomawan and Oyedeji Samuel will be looking to exploit them on Sunday. Don't rule out the quality that Chigozirim Metu and Mohammed Mohammed will offer. Adeshina Issa Gata is likely to get a run out too.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah do however, like to score, with players such as Tamen Medrano and Jimoh Oni proving to be a threat alongside Prince Aggrey and King Osanga.
Enyimba FC Vs Gombe United
Enyimba FC are set for their second home game of the term when they take on Gombe United at the UJ Esuene Stadium.
Coach Gbenga Ogunbote is looking to create an exciting atmosphere for fans to be entertained with, as he reiterates his desire for the community to be exposed to an expansive brand of football.
The People's Elephants will be gunning for their second win of the season while the Savannah Scorpions will be looking to build on their performance against Remo Stars on Wednesday, in which they snatched a 2-1 victory.
Ibrahim Mustapha will continue to lead the line for Ogunbote's side, with coach Manu Garba giving Augustine Oladapo the licence to destroy the home team.
There are no new injuries or suspensions for the two teams.
Katsina United Vs Nasarawa United
Nasarawa United will target their first win of the new season when they pay a visit to Katsina United.
It's a Northern Derby which will take place at the Karkanda Stadium.
Kastina United won all their home matches from last season's Nigeria National League.
The Bala Nikyu managed side are placed 13th on the NPFL log with three points from two matches.
Kabiru Dogo will be digging deep as his team are placed 15th with two points from two matches.
Kano Pillars Vs Shooting Stars
Kano Pillars will be looking to bounce back to winning form as they will be hoping to prey on Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Kadiri Ikhana still needs to win more games to convince the Masu Gida supporters that he is the Messiah.
With Shooting Stars suffering the trauma of a late goal in their midweek loss at Sunshine Stars, the Ibadan giants have a good opportunity to cause an upset at the Pyramid city.
Pillars are currently placed 5th on the log with three points from two league games.
Ikhana will pin his hopes on Rabiu Ali, Amos Gyang, Gambo Mohammed, Adamu Mohammed and Kabir Balogun.
Shooting Stars are seventh with three points from two games.
Fatai Amoo should once again unleash predatory Afolabi Abdulwaheed in the tie.
An interesting battle would be between two hard tackling midfielders in Razaq Aliyu and Adigun Adewale, but Pillars should lookout for Sunday Faleye, who scored against Lobi Stars.
Pillars have the edge on head to head, with seven wins in their 14 NPFL games with Shooting Stars. The Oluyole Warriors have recorded six wins over Pillars, while one match ended in a draw.
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