By Andrew Randa
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) returns for the 2019/20 season on Sunday with eight out of the ten fixtures involving the 20 clubs across stadiums in Nigeria.
Match Day One will see some cracking games as teams start the toil for points and title for some and for others, avoiding a drop to the lower league.
www.npfl.ng previews this weekend’s games.
Plateau United v Lobi Stars – New Jos Stadium, Jos.
It will be an interesting battle between Abdu Maikaba who is into his second season with the 2017 champions and Gbenga ‘The Oracle’ Ogunbote who sits on the Lobi bench for the first time in the league.
Lobi, who topped in 2018 will look to shock Plateau at the 44,000 capacity Jos Stadium with their returnee veterans. David Tyavkase, Sibi Gwar, Sunday Akleche are in the mix while some debuts are expected from exciting youngster Abdulkadir Mumini and the experienced Reuben Ogbonnaya.
Wikki Tourists v Jigawa This should be an interesting encounter between the north eastern Wikki and Jigaws Stars from the northwest, a long time absentee from the top league. The Dutse side makes a return to the top flight after a six-year absence and will look to ruffle some feathers.
Coach Rabiu Tata will lead an exciting band of youngsters like Innocent Jonathan and Timothy Simon even though it looks like Wikki will be
too much a mountain to climb for them.
Kano Pillars vs Rivers United
Here’s every pundits most likely pick for star game of the day and for many reasons. It can be guaranteed that Kano fans will be thrilled on Sunday because Rivers and Pillars played some extremely eye-pleasing football during the preseason and it is expected they should continue in the same vein on Sunday. While Pillars have retained the bulk of their team, hey’ve also added Joshua Enaholo (whom is expect to start) Bright
Silas, Kester Kelly and Abba Umar to their squad.
Rivers have added 16 new players to their squad with former Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe the main attraction. The huge centre
back will bring his experience to bear for Stanley Eguma’s wards.
Warri Wolves Vs Akwa United
Wolves are back in the top flight since 2016 and will welcome a flamboyant Akwa United who said they are aiming for the NPFL title.
The Warri side was in the news even before the league started when they sacked Ngozi Elechi during the preseason. Elechi, who handled
Yobe Desert Stars last season got the boot after a string of unimpressive results in preseason despite only being appointed weeks earlier.
Not that Akwa United would mind as they visit Wolves with fresh faces that include former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper Bassey Akpan and 2007
NPFL top scorer Akarandut Orok who has returned from abroad.
It will be a baptism of sorts for John Obuh and Duke Udi as they make their maiden bow on the Akwa bench.
Heartland Vs MFMMountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) start life under new gaffer Tony Bolus with an away trip to Heartland in Okigwe.
This encounter will have the added spice of having former MFM coach Ilechukwu up against his immediate past employers.
Illechukwu spent eight seasons with the church team and should know the inner workings of his opponent.
With youth international Samuel Nnoshiri in their fold, Heartland will look to start the league with a bang.
FC IfeanyiUbah Vs Adamawa United
The Anambra Warriors start the campaign with a home game against newly-promoted Adamawa United who will want to make their promotion
count. The Nnewi side has lost a lot of players this season but have recruited budding talents from around their neck of woods.
Delta Force Vs Dakkada
Delta Force will hope their sophomore season in the NPFL will be better than last term when they flirted with relegation towards the tail end of the campaign. They welcome Dakkada Football Club (formerly Akwa Starlets) whom themselves want to start life in the top flight on a winning note.
Abia Warriors Vs Katsina United it will be another interesting tie between two ball-playing sides. Katsina have lost Abdullahi Biffo but
have engaged Henry Makinwa to tinker their affairs. Umuahia has not been a good stomping ground for Katsina. They might just want to write a new story this season beginning with the road trip to Abia.
The game between Rangers and Sunshine Stars won’t hold because the Enugu side will play their second leg CAF Confederations Cup tie same
weekend ditto the Enyimba versus Nasarawa United game.