By JOHN PAUL
NNAMDI
Two of Nigeria’s representatives on the continent lock horns in an
animated fixture in Nnewi, as the Nigerian Professional Football League enters
Match Day 4.
There’s also the Abia Derby involving two clubs funded from same source;
Abia Warrior (Umuahia) and Enyimba (Aba).
In Uyo, it is a dicey tie for Rangers who have a date with the Akwa
United, while Sunshine Stars return to Akure to welcome Kadiri Ikhana’s Kano
Pillars.
Attention will tilt to Gombe as league leaders make a road trip to tackle
the Desert Scorpions. This will be Plateau United’s second away game.
There seems to be clash in almost every part of the federation: Maiduguri
will witness El-Kanemi Warriors take on Katsina United and then to the West
where Shooting Stars host MFM FC in Ibadan.
The South East, of course, will be animated with the Oriental Derby,
which is also christened the Abia Derby. Abia Warriors wait on the ‘People’s
Elephants’ - Enyimba.
The Pick
This is the second time Eguma will lead Rivers United to Nnewi. The other
time, the Pride of Rivers left the FC Ifeanyi Ubah stadium without a point.
Apart from the fact that these two clubs will represent Nigeria in
continental football, they have been in the forefront of putting a formidable
squad and supplementing the team with seasoned NPFL Stars.
The homers acquired the services of Prince Aggreh, Ifeanyi Onuigbo, King
Osanga, etc. while Rivers United brought in Nzube Anaezemba, Bolaji Sarkin,
Emeka Ogbugh and the likes.
Yaw Preko set a standard for home fans by thrashing MFM 4-0 in his first
home game as gaffer, such feat will not come easy against the Port Harcourt
based side who are also a force to contend with in the course of the
championship.
With this fixture, Rivers United unbeaten streak will face a major test
as FC Ifeanyi Ubah remains one the clubs in the NPFL with an unbeaten home
record, from last season till date.
However, Yaw Preko has an uphill task and he is spoilt for choice,
considering the quality of players at his disposal.
Wednesday’s contest is between two of NPFL’s brightest sides. Though, FC
Ifeanyi Ubah are the favourites here, United come into the fray as a club
effectively taking all their chances.
Key Actors:
FC Ifeanyi Ubah - Tamen
Medrano
Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Elu Wilson
Ngoma Luamba
Alberico Da Silva
Jimoh Oni
Rivers United - Festus
Austin
NPFL Form Guide:
FC Ifeanyi Ubah - LWL
Rivers United- WDW
Previous Meetings (Head-to-Haed)
3 Matches
FC Ifeanyi Ubah- 1 win
Rivers United – 2 win
League Position
FC Ifeanyi Ubah 3rd
Rivers United
NPFL MD 4
Fixtures
Abia Warriors vs
Enyimba
Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium
Akwa United vs
Rangers
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
El-Kanemi
Warriors vs Katsina United
Venue: El-Kanemi Sports complex, Maiduguri
Gombe United vs
Plateau United
Venue: Pantami International Stadium, Gombe
FC Ifeanyi Ubah
vs Rivers United
Venue: Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi
Lobi Stars vs ABS
FC
Venue: Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi
Nasarawa United
FC vs Remo Stars
Venue: Lafia City Stadium, Lafia.
Niger Tornadoes
vs Wikki Tourists
Venue: Confluence Stadium, Lokoja
Shooting Stars vs
MFM FC
Venue: Lekan Salami stadium, Ibadan
Sunshine Stars vs
Kano Pillars
Venue: Akure Township Stadium, Akure
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