NPFL Matchday 18: MFM, El Kanemi Warriors battle for supremacy
Log-leaders, Plateau United are out of weekend's
action, and the top-of-the-table clash in Lagos will see the winner
assume topflight power
Top spot will be on offer when MFM welcome El Kanemi Warriors to the Agege Stadium in Week 18 of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday.
The two teams have met twice in the past and were fair to each other with one win apiece.
MFM, surprisingly, crashed 4-0 at Nasarawa United last weekend, while El Kanemi pipped Kano Pillars 1-0 in the Northern derby.
The onus is on the Olukoya Boys to lift the day as they have been flying high at home but if the Desert Warriors can put more determination, and ensure their defence is bereft of any Chukwuka Onuwa, Sikiru Olatunbosun and Stephen Odey’s penetration
they will surely avoid a defeat in this fixture.
Log-leaders, Plateau United are not involved in Matchday 18 action so the winner from this tie moves to the summit, but with the Peace Boys two-game less, the lead could be momentary.
ABS FC Vs Nasarawa United
ABS FC are in danger of going into the relegation zone as four points separate them from 17th placed Wikki Tourist. They have already lost seven of their 17 games and managed just six wins and four draws.
The Solid Miners are unbeaten in their last five games, a feat that has seen them zoom to seventh on the log. They won three and drew two in the process.
ABS are a side in desperate search of a win after a six-match winless run and the pressure is equally mounting on both the coaches and players.
Sunshine Stars Vs Remo Stars
From a continental team to a relegation battling outfit, such is the story of Sunshine Stars. They have picked up 18 points and are languishing in the drop zone.
Remo Stars are waxing stronger with a four-match unbeaten run. And they currently occupy the 14th position.
And the questions to ask heading into the encounter are: Having performed woefully so far, are Sunshine Stars ready to make the step up against Remo Stars?
Having threatened to do so in Ibadan and Enugu, will Remo finally pick their first away victory of the season?
Truth be told, both teams want a win from this encounter and for different reasons.
Kano Pillars Vs Akwa United
After a good few months, are the cracks starting to show for Kano Pillars? They have won just one game in the past five weeks and are struggling for consistency as they slowly slip down the table.
However it will only take a couple of wins to get into the top three as they have 24 points and there’s the feeling that the visit of Akwa United offers a great chance to claim all three points.
What has been least impressive about Akwa United is their form away from home. They concede goals, aplenty, too.
Abdu Maikaba and his men now have an unenviable task of battling not only Kadiri Ikhana’s side but the enthusiastic fans set to fill every part of the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.
Shooting Stars Vs Niger Tornadoes
Shooting Stars will play host to Niger Tornadoes with both teams needing all three points. The Oluyole Warriors are 15th and lost 4-2 to Akwa United in Week 17.
Niger Tornadoes have done very well surpassing expectations by occupying the fourth place. But it is their consistency that has been the real surprise, the club have lost just twice in the last five games.
The Oluyole Warriors have improved at home and the Ikon Allah Boys present them their latest test.
Rivers United Vs Abia Warriors
Rivers United and Abia Warriors will face each other at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium as they continue their NPFL campaign.
The Pride of Rivers can draw inspiration from their 2-0 victory over ABS in midweek to revive their faltering season. They are in 19th position in the table with 17 points, eight points below their visitors in fifth position.
Abia Warriors' games in recent weeks have been better compared to Rivers, they seem to be back on track. But it appears that Rivers United have rediscovered their touch.
Wikki Tourist Vs Gombe United
Wikki Tourist's season have been a nightmare. The past weeks have also been woeful for them. They haven’t met the fans expectations. They are currently 17th in the table with 18 points to their name.
Gombe United have showed a little bit of consistency in recent times. The last three games have seen them won two and drawn one.
This could be the match that will awaken Tourist’s season and a win wouldn't be far fetched.
Katsina United v Enyimba
Another great match up will go down in the NPFL this weekend as Katsina United welcome Enyimba to the Mohammodou Dikko Stadium.
Katsina United are currently 16th in the league table with 19 points. They will be aiming for victory in this fixture in front of their darling fans. Enyimba are moving closely to the top teams.
They are sixth in the standings with 25 points, six points behind leaders, Plateau United. Their 2-1 success over Enugu Rangers gave them a huge boost.
The People's Elephants may be better in terms of position on the log, but their poor away form is a thing of worry. They haven't won on the road and will be looking to get one past Baldwin Bazuaye’s side.
Lobi Stars Vs FC IfeanyiUbah
None of the two teams can be satisfied with their performance in 2017. Although a light could be seen at the end of the tunnel for the visitors, who showed fighting spirit to defeat Sunshine Stars 2-1.
For Lobi Stars it was a dull time in office as they went down 2-1 against Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.
FC IfeanyiUbah's gaffer, Yaw Preko is certainly still hoping to see his team mount a challenge for the title at the end of the season. He surely has the needed quality with one of the best players in the league Godwin Obaje who scored against the Owena Whales.
Evans Ogenyi must be worried with his strikers as they were wasteful in Lokoja. His major concern will be setting up his players to convert begging chances.
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