The
game in Umahia will be the talk of the town considering one major
reason: the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Kennedy Boboye.
Before
he left for Plateau United, Boboye had, last term, led Abia Warriors to
a ten-match unbeaten streak; a feat that was short-lived before the
Umahia side began battling relegation. Following the poor run, Boboye
parted ways with Abia Warriors and is currently the gaffer of table
toppers, Plateau United.
It
is no doubt that some sort of rivalry still exists between the gaffer
and the hierarchy of his former employers and this will be transposed to
the pitch, obviously.
Abia
Warriors drew their last home game against relegation threatened Remo
Stars and went on to loss to archrivals Eyimba. The Abdulahi Biffo led
side will play for victory in order to keep their hope for gaining a
continental place alive. There will also be a need to put Boboye to
shame by grabbing maximum points.
In all, Boboye’s sole aim will be to extend the lead and give the Jos fans a hope of lifting their first NPLF title.
Lobi
Stars of Makurdi went ahead to get the first win in the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) fixtures for Matchday 25. The Pride
of Benue left it late, in the 86th
minute, to get past Rivers United one nil. Nanen Imenger got the goal
for the Makurdi based club and that victory takes them to 3rd on the log while other games go down this evening.
It
will be a cracker in Lafia as former league champions, Enyimba FC are
in town to trade tackles with the Solid Miners. Nasarawa United front
man, Abdulraman Bashir will lead his team against his former side that
is now led by Gbenga Ogunbote. The former 3SC gaffer has been applauded
by fans of the Aba Giants for keeping the squad in form and landing them
to the top five, hoping for, at least, a continental ticket at the end
of the day. Kabir
Dogo’s lads have
made the Lafia Township Stadium a fortress in recent times, but they
will definitely not have it easy to tear the Peoples’ Elephant apart.
The reverse fixtures of Kano Pillars v MFM FC, in Lagos, ended in the Church Boys’ favour – 1-0. Today’s
event will be quite difficult for them to do a double over Masu Gida.
With the current form of the homers after the resumption of the second
stanza, one would guarantee Pillars victory. But football being what it
is coupled with the youthfulness of MFM FC, Kano Pillars will find it
tough to secure maximum points.
FC
Ifeanyi Ubah faces a tricky tie in Nnewi against Wikki Tourists of
Bauchi. The later has been on resurgence after a slow start to the
season, gaining some notches to bounce out of relegation zone. They will
be tough opponents for FC Ifeanyi Ubah who also have last term’s top
scorer Godwin Obaje who left Bauchi to find solace in the camp of the
Anambra Warriors.
Two
relegation strugglers, Sunshine Stars and Gombe United will clash in
Ijebu Ode, where Sunshine Stars have been banished. Sunshine’s poor run
is evident, but trust them to carry the day over Manu Garba’s Gombe
United.
Shooting
Stars entertain ABS, El-Kanemi Warriors play host to Remo Stars while
Rangers are in Lojoka to lace against Niger Tornadoes. In-form Akwa
United will welcome Katsina United at the Nest of Champions where they
have been finding it easy to pick maximum points.
NPFL Matchday 25 Results:
Lobi Stars FC 1 -0 Rivers United
NPFL Matchday 25 Fixtures:
Abia Warriors v Plateau United
Kano Pillars v MFM FC
Akwa United FC v Katsina United FC
Nasarawa United FCv Enyimba FC
Niger Tornadoes v Rangers
El-Kanemi Warriors v Remo Stars
FC Ifeanyi Ubah v Wikki Tourists
Sunshine Stars v Gombe United FC
3SC
PREVIEW By JOHN PAUL NNAMDI