It’s Pillars Vs Enyimba In Super Sunday Clash

THERE is no bigger game in the Glo Premier League these days than a Kano Pillars versus Enyimba fixture. What a way to resume the top flight again after the break forced by the general elections across the country. Apart from the clash of the big two, there is also the meeting between Kwara United and Heartland, which is a potential decider for which club could become the league leaders after Match Day 4. Seven other matches will take place across different league venues, while Warri Wolves are on the continent featuring in the CAF Confederation Cup. So their game against El-Kanemi Warriors is on hold till the League Management Company (LMC) announces a new date. Www.npfl.ng previews the games holding this weekend.
Kano Pillars Versus Enyimba

The two clubs were knocked out of the CAF Champions League by North African teams this month, and will now focus on the Glo Premier League. This will be league champions, Pillars, second game of the season since the robbery incident of March. They will still have the likes of Gambo Muhammed and Reuben Ogbonnaya sidelined but have Adamu Mohammed, Usman Suleman, Adamu Hassan and playmaker Rabiu Ali all in the squad for this game. Enyimba head to Kano with a poor record of failing to avoid defeat in their last six trips to Pillars. They have also not scored in those six games at Pillars. This is the situation their coach, Kadiri Ikhana, will look up to Mfon Udoh, Daniel Etor, Nzube Anaezemba, Rafael Boumsong, Chimezie Amanfor and Chinonso Okonkwo to change.

Bayelsa United Versus FC Taraba

FC Taraba are one of the in-form teams of the early stage of this campaign. So it is a clash of league leaders, FC Taraba, versus second from bottom, Bayelsa United, who have managed just one point from their opening three matches of the season. Bayelsa United will sure be wary of the Jalingo-based club, which have pulled off fantastic results this season, including winning at Akwa United when they actually were written off by league pundits to do so. With Bayelsa United relocating to Oghara in Delta State from Benin, Edo State, it may well be a launching pad to their first win of the season. They could also become the first side to end FC Taraba’s unbeaten start to the season if Oghara smiles at them with all three points.

Kwara United Versus Heartland

This is a top-five clash. Hosts, Kwara United, are on the fifth position with five points while Heartland are a point better and are in second place on the league table. For the first time in more than three seasons, Heartland are enjoying a flying start to the season, as they are the only team in the top-ten with a 100 percent record. Kwara United will look to end that superb start to the season, as they have won the last three league matches against Heartland. The last time Heartland defeated Kwara United was in February 2012. The two teams have impressive squads that have hit the ground running with players like Evans Iyoro, Segun Alebiosu, Halilu Obadaki, Dare Ojo and Ahmed Jimoh doing the job for Kwara United, while Heartland head to Ilorin with dead-ball specialist Ebere Odiche, Bright Ejike, John Ibeh, Collins Nwaneri and Nelson Ogbonnaya.

Lobi Stars Versus Sharks

This is the 21st meeting between the two clubs in the premier league era. Sharks have edged Lobi in the previous 20 meetings by winning nine, one more than Lobi, but have never won in this same fixture in those meetings. Lobi are unbeaten but have not won a game this season, as all of their three matches have ended in draws, while Sharks have taken four points from their three matches. Interestingly, they have both managed to score two goals so far this season, which means this could be a tightly contested game.

Akwa United Versus Gabros FC

Chibuzor Okonkwo’s powerful free kick goal was enough to give Gabros the three points in their last game against Rangers in the Oriental Derby on Match Day 3 and they will hope they can put up another solid display at Akwa United that are yet to win a game this season. Akwa United have already lost at home when FC Taraba shocked them 1-0 through Usman Mohammed’s goal. The poor run of the Uyo-based club continues from last season, as they have not won in their last six league matches, including a 0-0 draw at the start of this season against Enyimba. Akwa United coach Zachary Baraje is still waiting for his first win at the club.

Rangers Versus Giwa FC

Both teams are in the bottom half of the league table. In the previous match day, Giwa FC edged Sunshine Stars 1-0 thanks to Gyang Danladi’s goal while Rangers suffered a 0-1 reverse in the Oriental Derby at Gabros FC. Last season this game produced just a goal and Giwa FC won through Ocheme Edoh. This match offers both teams the chance to gun for their second win this season.

Sunshine Stars Versus Dolphins

The last time Dolphins lost in a league game at Sunshine Stars was in 2013 when they were beaten 3-0. Dolphins have struggled for form this term as they have won just once in five matches. Interestingly the last time, Dolphins won a league game was that 6-0 win over Nembe City in which Emem Eduok scored all six. The trip to Akure to face Sunshine Stars has always not been fruitful for Dolphins in the premier league era though last season they secured a goalless draw in this game. Sunshine Stars would be licking their lips as they host the struggling Dolphins and will be keen to inflict more pain on the Port Harcourt side, yet to win a match this season.

Abia Warriors Versus Wikki Tourists

It will be the first time ever that Abia Warriors will go up against Wikki Tourists in the Glo Premier League. Abia Warriors come into this match on the back of a disappointing State FA Cup final loss to their local rivals, Enyimba in midweek. This will be the first trip of Wikki to the southern part of the country this season. Their last trip to the south ended in one-nil defeat at Dolphins. But the Tourists will be mightily disappointed that they failed to win at home in their last league match to Kwara United when they concede a late goal. Now they face a tricky contest in Umuahia against Abia Warriors.

Nasarawa United Versus Shooting Stars

Bottom-placed Shooting Stars with no point from two games face Nasarawa United, who have shipped in the most goals so far this season. The Lafia-based club will want to exorcise from their psyche the 5-2 loss at Heartland, while Shooting Stars will seek an improved performance after losing at home to Heartland and also at Wikki on the opening day in a very dour performance.