Matchday 5: A Preview of all the actions in different stadium across Nigeria as the NPFL enters matchday FIVE

Actions resume in Stadia across the country on Sunday as the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL enters matchday five. We take a look at the fixtures and the interesting battles to look forward to in actions within the country.

The Nigeria Professional Football League Matchday Five preview.

Niger Tornados vs Rivers United

Rivers United, the side who finished ninth in the last campaign are currently in second place, tied on the same number of points as the leaders, Remo Stars and also maintaining an unbeaten start to the season.

The Port Harcourt based side have enjoyed promising start under the tutelage of their new manager Fatai Osho and with the positives around the club, they will hope to get a result away from home this weekend against who have not win since their narrow home win in the opening weekend to Plateau United.

The host have lost two and drawn one of their last three games and coming up against a side who have not concede since the opening weekend and in great form, they will only hope that the home supporters can get behind them and maybe the atmosphere will turn the game to their side.

At the Ilorin township Stadium, both side will do battle in the only game of Saturday in the NPFL this weekend.

Katsina United vs Gombe United

It is a United derby in the North at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina where the landlord entertain visiting Gombe United. The host have not shown a sign of improvement this season as they look set to maintain another campaign as a mid-table team.

They have been able to record one win and three losses in four games while also losing at home to 10man Enugu Rangers and gifting Shootings Stars their first win of the NPFL season.

They come up against a side whose only loss this season has come away to defending Champions Akwa United, a narrow 1-0 loss which was decided by a late penalty.

Gombe United have picked up five points so far and will be feeling much confidence as they are better placed than their host heading into the United derby this weekend.

Enyimba vs Shooting Stars

Two sides on opposing run. The host have lost each of their last two games having won the first two, while the visitors earned their first win of the season in the last gameweek.

Enyimba, one of the heavyweights in African club football needs to start exterting their dominance, most especially when they play at home and so far pressure is on new manager Finidi George as fans are not impressed with results lately.

The former Green Eagles winger will know the right avenue to bounce back from recent disappointment is this weekend in front of the home supporters.

Shootings Stars will also be looking to build on their first win of the campaign but with a good showing from their host at the Enyimba international Stadium in Aba, they might just have to wait another time for a positive result.

Sunshine Stars vs Kano Pillars

After finishing just a place above the relegation zone last season, not much has improved with the Ondo states representative in the NPFL as they are yet to pickup a win this season, with two draws and a loss in their three games, while their game against Wikki Tourists has been postponed.

Deji Ayeni’s side have not been able to match the tempo of the other ambitious teams in the league and it is evidence on their transfer business and they might be set for another heartbreak when they host visiting Kano Pillars.

Ibrahim A. Musa led side have not been convincing this season but were able to pickup their first win in the last matchday and so far their two losses have come against the defending Champions Akwa United and Katsina United, both away from home.

It will take a lot from Sunshine Stars to earn their first win but playing at home boosts their chances of getting anything positive from the game.

Lobi Stars vs Akwa United

Defending Champions Akwa United are in Makurdi this weekend to face the Lobi Stars. The visitors have won two of the last three meetings between the two but it was Lobi Stars who won the last encounter at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Benue state.

Lobi Stars haven't lost a home game to Akwa United since stats of their both meetings is being recorded and that will be more positive for the host, who were beaten 3-0 by Gombe United last time out.

Lobi Stars have five points from four games while Akwa United have seven from as many and a win for the host will see them overtake the defending champions while three points for the visitors will take them further away from the sight of their host.

Kwara United vs Enugu Rangers

Kwara United have made a good start to the season with seven points from four games and they return home this weekend as one of the sides looking to reach double figure for points in the NPFL.

They welcome Enugu Rangers, who have recorded as many points as themselves and also looking to make it double figures for points in the topflight. Rangers won at the Kwara United Stadium in April 2019 but have lost in their last two visits, the fact they have done it before will give them confidence heading into this weekend.

However, the host are also in a rich form and a home defeat looks unlikely at this stage of their season.

MFM FC vs Abia Warriors

The newly promoted host have not been convincing this season with just a win and three losses from their opening four games. However, back at home this weekend in Lagos, they should be able to make it six points in the league. 

However, Abia Warriors will not be pushovers for them as the side that finished 14th last term have recovered from their opening weekend loss to Enyimba. They have picked up five points from their last three games and will also fancy their chances against a MFM side, who has already been beaten at home this season.

Heartland FC vs Wikki Tourists

Heartland are slowly becoming a minnow in the NPFL and the early signs this season have not been encouraging for the five times champions.

Just one win and four points garnered after four games played, they occupy the 17th spot on the log and face Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in a must-win game this weekend.

Their visitors have picked up two wins from four and are on six points, still encouraging as it is expected for any ambitious team in the NPFL to ensure they pick up maximum points when playing at home but they will need to better their away run as Heartland could be there for the taking.

Remo Stars vs Plateau United

Remo Stars have made themselves one of the teams to look out for in the NPFL this season right from their first game against MFM FC in Lagos, which they won 2-0.

Newly promoted Remo Stars have been joy to watch in the NPFL this season. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Remo Stars Football club.

They currently occupy the top spot in the league with eight points maintaining an unbeaten start to the campaign. A home game is another opportunity for them to flex their prowess but they will be under pressure to return to winning ways after the draw in their last two.

They face Plateau United at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Sunday. The visitors are also enjoying a fairly good start to the campaign with two wins and six points from four games. Their away run however has not been great.

They have lost their two away games and that will be a weakness Remo Stars will be looking to exploit later on Sunday..

Dakkada FC vs Nasarawa United

Nasarawa United remain one of the three teams yet to lose a game this season and kudos to manage Mohammed Baba Ganaru for helping the side continuing on the front foot, in which they finished the last season.

One win and three draws, they are one of the highest scoring sides in the league and the manager will know they still need some balancing to do in a defence which has conceded four from four games. Although that seems to have been sorted as they have kept clean sheets in each of their last two games.

They come up against Dakkada FC, who have maintain an unbeaten record at home this season with all their four points coming from only games at home. They also will be counting on home support, which saw them see out a 1-1 draw against a dominant Remo Stars the last time out, to do the same favour against the side that finished fourth in the league last season.

All the Gameweek five games takes place on Sunday except the Saturday kickoff between Niger Tornados and Rivers United in Makurdi. All matches also kickoff at 16:00 WAT.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi