Here are the major talking points ahead of this matchday that covers the derby in Abia, Kano Pillars’ poor run, battle for top spot and the champions’ stuttering form.
WHO WINS THE BRAGGING RIGHTS IN THE 20TH ABIA DERBY?
This will be the 20th Abia Derby meeting between Abia Warriors and Enyimba. The latter have had the say in this battle of big and small brother. Enyimba have won 12 of the previous meetings with four ending in draws. Four of Enyimba’s win have come from the home of Warriors. This derby has accounted for 46 goals.
So it is now a matter of who blinks first. Abia Warriors under Imama Amapakabo has been in fine form which has kept them in second place while Enyimba have put in a stop-start run leading to their head coach, Stanley Eguma being handed a two-game sit-up warning.
It is difficult to call who will win this but expect fireworks in Umuahia this Sunday.
CAN OBIOMA HURT HIS FORMER EMPLOYERS?
Talking of the ex-factor, Emeka Obioma is expected to feature in the Abia Derby. He has scored three goals in eight appearances since joining Warriors and has been one of those pushing the charge of the Umuahia’s impressive start to the campaign.
Obioma has played in this derby before and knows what is at stake and is sure to give his Warriors teammates some kind of heads up. It will be interesting if the striker returns to haunt his former club when they meet this Sunday considering he is in a decent form going into this contest.
WILL BABA GANARU FINALLY BRING AN END TO KANO PILLARS’ MISERY?
It is the worst start by Kano Pillars in the modern era of the NPFL. They have won just two matches in 10 since the start of this season (W2 D2 L6) including their last three league matches. Well Mohammed Baba Ganaru madea return to the club he once led to the league title ina bid to save them from their miserable start.
Unfortunately, Baba Ganaru’s return has not sparked off that resurgence. He has lost his first two matches in charge without scoring any goal and he knows they need to start getting points on the board to climb out of their current bottom position or risk being relegated this season.
CAN BOBOYE FINALLY GET HIS FIRST WIN WITH BENDEL INSURANCE?
Bendel Insurance like Kano Pillars are trapped in the bottom-four owing to poor form and they have also brought in a new coach recently to steer them out of danger. Kennedy Boboye has already taken charge but is yet to win a match in three outings which have all ended in draws.
Boboye is keen to get off the mark at Bendel Insurance and has acknowledged that his team need to “keep pushing” until they get it right. So will they get it right in Jos where they face Plateau United on Sunday?
WILL WOLVES END IKORODU CITY’S IMPRESSIVE UNDEFEATED & CLEAN SHEET RUN?
The Warri Wolves versus Ikorodu City fixture is surely one with plenty of interests. Both sides are in the top-four of the standings currently and have also been in brilliant run of form. Wolves are unbeaten in five matches on the spin while City have done one better than their opponents for this Sunday’s fixture. The interesting part is that City have taken things one notch up by going four matches without conceding.
Wolves sure do have a game in their hands at their Ozoro stadium because the Oga Boys are not afraid to play anywhere considering their present form. So it will be a case of who wants it more. Wolves could end City’s run or it could be the other way round.
CAN NASARAWA UNITED KEEP TOP SPOT?
After coming back from behind to defeat the champions, Remo Stars in midweek, Nasarawa United reclaimed top spot once again by displacing Abia Warriors. However their lead at the summit is just one point as they play hosts to Kwara United this Sunday.
Mbwas Mangut and his men know that a win of any kind will keep them on top of the table for another matchday irrespective of what happens elsewhere in the country this weekend and on Monday.
CAN UZOHO’S MEN UPSET RIVERS UNITED & END THEIR FINE ROAD FORM?
Rivers United are currently the only side in the NPFL yet to lose on the road this season. They have drawn all three away games so far and will want to continue with their unbeaten away streak. But new boys, Kun Khalifat FC now stand in their way of that run.
Obinna Uzoho’s side have not folded at the sight of big teams as they have inflicted huge blows on two former champions, Enyimba and Bayelsa United. The Owerri club will definitely fancy their chances against a Rivers United team that usually set up defensively on the road in the opening moments of their matches.
DO THE REMO STARS STILL HAVE CHAMPIONS STUFF AHEAD EL-KANEMI CLASH?
The big question on the lips of everyone following the NPFL is what is wrong with the champions, Remo Stars. They have been in an abysmal run of form, losing all of their five matches in all competitions including the defeat over two legs to South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.
Add to that, speculation were rife that their head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede had left since he was no where near the team’s technical bench in recent matches but that has now been quashed by a statement from the club. The concern of the Sky Blue Stars faithful is ‘can their team show champions stuff again like last season by the time they face El-Kanemi Warriors on Sunday in Abeokuta.
Sunday is just around the corner to wait and see.