The 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League season enters matchday 17 this weekend as participating clubs continue their pursuits of Individual dreams.
One of the most pulsating encounters this weekend will come up at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium where table topper Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars of Ibadan will rekindle old rivalry
The Benin Arsenal is almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs but will want to end the regular season unbeaten.
The fans of the club will look up to the trio of Imade Osarenkhoe, Ismael Sarki, and Deputy Echeta for a breakthrough while the Oluyole Warrior will rely on their collective efforts to achieve their dream of finishing the regular season on a high after their hopes of picking one of the playoff slots in the group was dashed last weekend when they lost to Nassarawa United in Jos
In Aba, league top scorer Chukwuemeka Obioma was the hero last weekend when Enyimba defeated El-Kanemi by a lone goal in Maiduguri and the responsibility of seeing off Gombe United may still rest on his shoulder.
People’s Elephant has recorded more favourable results away from home this season but the team coach Finidi George will not want to falter at home again at this crucial moment.
After crashing out of the 2 major trophies in the last 5 days, Rivers United will hope to bounce back when they host Bayelsa United at the Adoke Amiesiamaka Stadium.
Despite having two games at hand, the Pride of Rivers is still within touching distance of the playoff spots.
Bayelsa United will aim to secure a good result in Port-Harcourt to ease their worries on the table and the fans of the club are pinning their hope of getting valuable on Robert Mirzo who has scored 9 goals this season.
Remo Stars will eye a positive result at New Jos stadium when they face host Plateau United. Despite a shaky performance in the early stage of the second stanza, the Sky Blue Boys seem to have regained their old form and will want to put it to the test against the former champions.
Akwa United will try to compound the woes of El-Kanemi Warriors when they host them at the famous Goodswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
The Maiduguri-based club looked like a club that is destined to go down this season but will not want to do that without a fight.
Surprise team of the season Doma United will host former champions Enugu Rangers at the Pantami Stadium with the sole aim of strengthening their position on the table.
The Flying Antelope recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win over Wikki Tourist in the match day 16 and their coach Abdu Maikaba has insisted that they have what it takes to remain in the top flight of Nigeria football.
Another tasty affair will take place at the Akure Township stadium where Kwara United will face Nasarawa United with both sides fighting for survival this season.
The Solid Miners will approach the game with confidence after securing the maximum points in their last game against Shooting Stars and despite suffering back-to-back defeats at home the Afonja Warriors believe the home advantage can still work in their favour.
Full Fixtures
Doma United v Rangers International
Enyimba FC v Gombe United
Bendel Insurance v Shooting Stars
Akwa United v El-Kanemi Warriors
Plateau United v Remo Stars
Rivers United v Bayelsa
Dakkada v Lobi Stars
Niger Tornadoes v Sunshines Stars
Wikki Tourist v Abia Warrior
Kwara United v Nasarawa United.
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