From title contenders to relegation battlers, Gameweek 17 of the Nigerian Professional Football League is shaping up to be crucial for various teams. With nine matches scheduled for the weekend, and a lone fixture during the week, the opportunities for teams to pick up valuable points lie ahead.
Derby Day showdown in Lagos
While various enthralling fixtures will take place nationwide, the focus will be on the Southwest Derby between in-form newcomers, Ikorodu City and league leaders, Remo Stars.
Ikorodu City has been the surprise package of the league so far. After a dismal start to the season that saw them languishing in the bottom half of the table, the Oga Boys have made a historic comeback under the guidance of Nurudeen Aweroro. The team were unbeaten for six matches before losing narrowly to Bayelsa United in their last game.
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Remo Stars are determined to clinch the NPFL after losing the title to Enugu Rangers last season. They will hope that their scoring woes are behind them as they only managed to net three goals in five matches last month. They will also be without Head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede who is on international duty with the CHAN Eagles.
Due to the upcoming CHAN Qualifiers, Ikorodu City will be without captain, Waliu Ojewole while Remo Stars will miss five players including Kayode Bankole, Junior Nduka, Jide Fatokun, Ismail Sadiq, and Sikiru Alimi.
Rivers determined to reclaim top spot
Finidi’s Rivers United will host Kwara United as they hope to reclaim top spot after losing to Enugu Rangers in their previous fixture.
While Rivers United boast the strongest defense in the league with only eight goals conceded so far, the Pride of Rivers will need to improve in front of goal if they are to achieve their title ambitions.
The team has not scored more than one goal in any game in close to two months, underlying their poor form in front of goal. However, a win will take them back to the summit of the league if other results favour them.
Despite their inconsistent form, Kwara United have developed an identity of getting points against the top teams in the league. They are unbeaten against three of the current top four teams, getting a point against Ikorodu City and Enugu Rangers, and defeating Remo Stars.
The Afonja Warriors have also not played a game in two weeks, as their fixture against Enyimba was postponed due to the team’s participation in the Confederations Cup. As such, they will be fit and ready for the game against Rivers United.
Rangers seek to maintain unbeaten run
After a slow start to the season where they lost three out of their first seven games, Defending Champions, Enugu Rangers are now back in their groove, scoring goals, keeping cleansheets and looking unbeatable.
The Flying Antelopes are unbeaten in nine consecutive games, recording cleansheets in back-to-back games against Enyimba and Rivers United. However, their away form leaves much to be desired as they have only won one away game out of eight this season.
Their opponents, Katsina United, are only one point above the relegation zone and they have won three games out of the last ten. However, their home form has been solid. The Changi Boys have won five out of their eight home games, losing only once this season.
Matchday 17 of the Nigerian Professional Football League will kick off with Lobi Stars hosting Plateau United before Ahmed Musa’s Kano Pillars battle against Shooting Stars.
El Kanemi Warriors will hope to bounce back to form as they face Abia Warriors while Niger Tornadoes will attempt to inflict more misery on Sunshine Stars.
Fresh from their 1-0 triumph against Ikorodu City, Bayelsa United will hope to maintain their momentum as they host 19th-placed Akwa United and Heartland Owerri will entertain Bendel Insurance as the latter seeks to fight their way out of the relegation zone. The Gameweek ends with continental representatives, Enyimba facing off against Nasarawa United.
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