By George Akpayen
There is so much to play for this weekend in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). El-Kanemi Warriors will be in the Southwest to put their undefeated streak on line while Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf could reach double figures. There is the big game in Aba between Enyimba and Remo Stars as well.
Can 3SC bring to an end El-Kanemi’s unbeaten run?
There is just only team remaining in the top division that are undefeated so far this season. El-Kanemi Warriors have successfully navigated 10 matches without losing. Now that should be a major concern for Gbenga Ogunbote and his Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) team. The Borno club have defied the odds by securing a handful eye-catching results including a 1-1 draw at Rivers United. 3SC are no longer playing that high-pressing style of last season this time round, and that could give Aliyu Zubairu’s men space and time to play to their strength.
Will Anas become the first player to reach double figures?
Anas Yusuf has been phenomenal this season for Nasarawa United. He has scored nine goals in 10 appearances and has accounted for 90 percent of his club’s goals this season. The interesting part is that he has made their Lafia City Stadium home ground a comfortable arena for goalscoring. He has scored eight of his nine goals in Lafia and Kwara United will have to work tirelessly at the back to keep him quiet on Sunday afternoon when both teams meet. Interestingly, Anas in May 2021 was among the goals for the Solid Miners when they defeated Kwara United 2-1 in an NPFL match and that puts the odds in his favour to likely score again.
Who will win the top-of-the-table contest in Aba?
It is table-toppers and title contenders Remo Stars going up against third-placed Enyimba in what is the signature match of this matchweek. Argue all you want but there is no bigger game than this, this weekend in the NPFL. This match will involve two bright young coaches under the age of 45 in Enyimba’s Yemi Olanrewaju and Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars. This will be their first head-to-head NPFL meeting and both men know how important this game is in the race for the title in this early period of the season. Enyimba have not particularly enjoyed the rub of the green in recent NPFL head-to-head meetings against Remo Stars. So we wait to see what happens this Sunday at the Enyimba Stadium.
Can Remo Stars continue their bogey team status vs Enyimba?
Talking of enjoying a good spell in the NPFL against Enyimba in recent meetings, Remo Stars are undefeated in six of their matches against the People’s Elephant (W4 D2). The big question now is ‘can Remo Stars continue that run and remain the bogey team of Enyimba?’ The Sky Blue Stars have struggled for form in their last three away matches by failing to avoid defeat. Ogunmodede’s men will have to up their game if they intend to leave Aba with a result as Olanrewaju will galvanise his men to bring to a halt the dominance Remo Stars hold over them in recent seasons.
Can Ahmed Musa inspire Kano Pillars in Benin City?
Last weekend, he was once again in thick of action as his contribution helped Kano Pillars claim a 2-1 win over Plateau United late in the match. Musa won the free kick which Rabiu Ali converted for the equaliser and then in added time of the second half, he scored the winner. Anyway he would have to shrug off the debate of whether he should have been included in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Rwanda and Benin later this month or not and focus on influencing things for Kano Pillars when they face Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday.
Can Mika Lönnström lead Lobi out of bottom place?
The picture is now getting clear on Daniel Amokachi’s role at Lobi Stars. He started out as head coach but now it appears he will work in a more higher role as technical adviser/director with the club appointing Finnish Mika Lönnström to take charge of the team. Of course the 50-year-old Finnish coach has the onerous task of guiding Lobi Stars out of the base of the standings. The Pride of Benue begin this matchweek at the foot of the NPFL table and a win for Lönnström against Abia Warriors on Saturday in his first home match in charge could elevate them out of bottom place depending on the outcomes of other matches.
Will Obaje continue scoring form against Plateau United?
After returning to the country following an unsuccessful bid to join a club in the Middle East, Godwin Obaje has hit the ground running for Rangers. Last weekend, he scored twice in his club’s 2-0 win over Nasarawa United. Obaje will also be facing one of the sides he enjoys playing against – Plateau United. The striker has scored two goals in his last three appearances against Plateau United. On both occasions when he scored against Plateau United, his team, Rangers have always won. Rangers faithful will hope Obaje turns up in good form and bring that goalscoring run against Plateau United to work for their own good.