NPFL DAY 2: TRICKY AWAY TIES FOR ORIENTAL TEAMS

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By Emmanuel Chinedu

It looks to be a tough weekend for South East teams; Enyimba, Rangers Int’l, Heartland and Abia Warriors as they all play away from home this weekend.

While three of the four teams were in action on Matchday 1 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, only Rangers Int’l and Abia Warriors picked their first three points of the campaign, while Heartland played out a 2-2 draw with Lobi Stars, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. But NPFL cup holders, Enyimba had their home fixture r against Insurance postponed due to the Benin Arsenals engagement in the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend.

But ahead of this weekend’s NPFL Matchday 2 encounters, all the four South East clubs will be playing away from home against Gombe United, Remo Stars, Akwa United and Plateau United respectively.

Gombe United Vs Enyimba FC

The Finidi George-led side will be hoping to begin their title defence with a win to claim all three points away at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.

The People’s Elephant have only lost one of their four meetings against Gombe United away from home. The only time they suffered a defeat was during the 2013/14 season, were they lost 2-1. Since then, two other meetings ended in draws while Enyimba saw off their hosts 2-1 last season.

Thus the NPFL champions are hitting have Gombe riding on their last three good results starting from the 2016/17 NPFL season, at the Pantami Stadium.

Remo Stars Vs Rangers Int’l

The Flying Antelopes will face a tough game against Remo Stars on Sunday, at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

The Fidelis IIechukwu-led side opened their season campaign with a 2-1 win over Doma United, at the Awka City Stadium, through goals from Kalu Nweke and Austin Onyemachi to secure the maximum points for the former NPFL champions. But on Sunday, they are going to face a team that has a perfect home unbeaten record in Remo Stars. In their last two meetings, Remo Stars won one while the other encounter ended in a goalless draw following the return of the Sky Blue Star to the top flight league in the 2021/22 season.

Fidelis IIechukwu and the Rangers Int’l team will be hoping to end their woeful record in Ikenne when they take on Remo Stars on Sunday.

Kwara United Vs Abia Warriors

Abia Warriors will face a tricky tie against Kwara United on Sunday, at the llorin Township Stadium.

The Erasmus Onuh-led side opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes, at the Umuahia Township Stadium. But on Sunday, they will be taking on Kwara United, who lost their first game of the season at Katsina United.

Abia Warriors are one of the worst teams on the road in the league, and it will be a surprise to football fans if they secure a positive result against Kwara United on Sunday.

Plateau United Vs Heartland FC

The Naze Millionaires will be guests to Plateau United in Jos on Sunday at the New Jos Stadium.

The Christian Obi-led side were held to a 2-2 draw by Lobi Stars, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. Former Akwa United and Barcelona B Player, Ezekiel Bassey was on the score sheet for the Owerri based club against Lobi Stars. But on Sunday, they will be playing against Plateau United, who lost 2-1 to Shooting Stars in their first game of the season. With big expectations on the shoulders of their head coach, Mbwas Mangut, a former Heartland player and Assistant Coach, Plateau United will look to bounce to title reckoning.

NPFL Matchday 2 Fixtures

Saturday, October 6, 2023

Doma United Vs Bayelsa United

Kano Pillars Vs Katsina United

Bendel Insurance Vs Shooting Stars

Sunday, October 7, 2023

Plateau United Vs Heartland

Lobi Stars Vs Sunshine Stars

Niger Tornadoes Vs Rivers United

Akwa United Vs Abia Warriors

Gombe United Vs Enyimba

Remo Stars Vs Rangers