After observing a mid-season break, action will resume in the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League and the week will open with a mouth-watering fixture involving former champions Enyimba International and Bendel Insurance.
The newly promoted Bendel Insurance has been a big revelation this season and they remained the only unbeaten team after the first round.
They defeated the People’s Elephant by a lone goal in the final game of the first round and Enyimba will be willing to avenge the defeat this weekend.
Apart from the game, eyes will also be on two players Imade Osarenkhoe on the side of Bendel Insurance and Emeka Obioma on the side of Enyimba, both players are among the top scorers this season.
Akwa United will hope to dim the light of Shooting Stars when both sides clash at the Goodswill Akpabio stadium this weekend.
Despite playing at home on the final day of the first stanza, the Oluyole Warrior has to rally from a 1-2 down to secure a 2-2 draw thanks to Ajani Ibrahim.
Table topper Lobi Stars will host Doma United and will want to continue their dominance over the newly promoted side.
The Markudi-based club secured a comprehensive 2-0 win in the first leg and the team coach Baba Ganaru is already talking tough.
“We are looking forward to the second round & we are preparing intensively by utilizing every opportunity (in terms of test games) before us”, he said.
All eyes will be on the newly acquired striker Junior Lokosa when Remo Stars face Nasarawa United in Ikenne.
The Sky Blue Boys started the season on a strong note only to falter towards the end of the season and the team coach Daniel Ogunmodede promised that the team will be reinforced especially in the attack.
The Solid Miner won the reverse fixture 2-0 in Jos.
Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Rivers United in the rescheduled fixtures played during the week, the head coach of Enugu Rangers remained optimistic that they will do well in the second stanza.
Rangers will host Bayelsa United this weekend at the Awka City stadium with the sole aim of getting maximum points.
Some key stat after the first round
A total of 89 matches have been played
180 goals have been scored so far
An average of 2 goals per game
Plateau Utd have the most goals, scoring 17 times
Home teams have accounted for 65% of the total goals scored, being 181 goals
El-Kanemi Warriors, Kwara Utd & Rangers have the least goals, scoring 4 times each
Plateau Utd have scored the most home goals, being 11
Akwa Utd have scored the most away goals, being 7
Away teams have won 16% of the total matches played, being 14 away wins.
Fixtures
Enyimba V Bendel Insurance
Akwa United v Shooting Stars
Plateau United v Gombe United
Remo Stars v Nasarawa United
Kwara United V El-Kanemi
Rangers V Bayelsa United
Doma V Lobi Stars
Sunshine Stars v Wikki
Dakkada V Tornadoes
Abia Warrior V Rivers United.
Discussion about this post