Rivers United will strive to cut the gap on run away league leaders, Remo Stars , when they host Niger Tornadoes in Port Harcourt today as the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 28 fixtures take centre stage.
The weekend’s fixtures began yesterday in Katsina when Katsina United hosted Shooting Stars at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
Katsina United edged the tie 1-0 through Ahmed Taofeek’s late goal. The win ensured that the Chanji Boys have 36 points from 28 games and are out of the relegation zone pending other games.
Today, three games would be played starting with the Rivers United versus Niger Tornadoes encounter at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The Pride of Rivers have moved to the second spot though on goals difference ahead of Shooting Stars with the vital point gained in Ibadan last weekend and they can cut Remo Stars’ lead to eight points if they beat Tornadoes and the Sky Blue Stars falter in Benin against Bendel Insurance in another game billed for today.
In the third game of today, Lobi Stars will begin their quest for points at their new home, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu with a tie against Ikorodu City. The Pride of Benue are at the bottom of the table with just 23 points hence they must beat the in-form Oga Boys if they do not want to kiss the NPFL goodbye early.
Impressive Ikorodu City beat Heartland in Lagos to move to the sixth spot with 41 points and a positive result will boost their hopes for a spot on the continent at the end of the season.
The remaining five games will be played tomorrow at designated venues.
In Enugu, it will be battle royale between former champions with the incumbent champions, Enugu Rangers slugging it out with 2021 winners, Akwa United. Both teams are at the different ends of the table. Rangers who won the league for the eighth time last season , are presently fifth with 41 points.
On the other hand, Akwa United have plummeted since their league title heroic of 2021. They managed to survive the relegation chop last season but they are in the relegation zone again. They are 19th with 27 points and must avoid a defeat in Enugu no matter what it takes if they do not want to end their topflight journey at the end of the season.
In Jos, Plateau United will continue their bid to leave the drop zone when they host Abia Warriors with the three points firmly on their mind. The Peace Boys are 16th with 31 points and a home win will do them a lot of good.
Abia Warriors on their part are seventh on the log with 41 points and with only goals difference separating the fifth from the seventh spot, and unlikely victory in Jos will help galvanize their push for top three finish at the end of the season.
In Owerri, Heartland ‘s fans should be treated to an exciting night of football when they lock horns with Bayelsa United.
Both are on identical 33 points on the league table and are only separated by goals difference. Heartland are winless in their last three games including their last goalless draw with El Kanemi Warriors. They cannot afford to throw away points and only a home win will assuage the Naze Millionaires’ fans.
Kwara United versus El Kanemi Warriors is another explosive fixture holding tomorrow in Ilorin. The Harmony Boys failed to win their last home game against Abia Warriors. It would have been eight successive wins had they won the game.
They will need a repeat of their home invincibility if they are to surmount El Kanemi Warriors who are eager for away points after the draw in Owerri in their last travel.
Nasarawa United and Sunshine Stars will face each other in the final game of the weekend’s preview.
The Solid Miners are 17th on the log with 31 points and they are up against 18th placed Owena Whales who have identical points as they also.
