The NPFL returns this weekend for Matchday 3 and this round of fixtures presents mouth-watering ties as also, there will be a double-header in Ilorin.
In group A, at the Ilorin township stadium, Kwara United will welcome table toppers Enyimba and will hope to make life difficult for the former CAF champions.
Meanwhile, Enyimba will be looking to continue their fine form after strolling past MFM in their league opener. The Harmony boys will want to put their midweek loss at MFM behind them and aim for their first win in three matches.
Not too far from Ilorin, Remo Stars will welcome Bendel Insurance to Sagamu. Both teams just earned promotion to the league after competing in the Super 8 tournament.
Bendel Insurance will be making their first league appearance in close to two decades. Having been a household name to reckon with back in the ’80s and ’90s, the Benin based outfit will want to reclaim their lost glory.
Former Akwa United striker Victor Mbaoma is expected to start and he sure will be setting his targets high this season.
Rivers United welcome Katsina to Port Harcourt while Niger tornadoes will aim to put their home draw in midweek away as they travel to fellow northerners Wikki Tourists of Bauchi for a second match in 5 days.
Lobi Stars vs MFM is postponed, as well as Rangers vs Sunshine Stars due to continental assignments.
Group B presents the highest number of fixtures for Matchday 3.
The match between Yobe Desert stars and Abia Warriors is postponed. But the city of Ilorin will witness fireworks as Plateau United will be playing their first of the three home matches there. Plateau United tackle surprise table-toppers El-Kanemi warriors in a tie very crucial to the Jos outfit.
New coach Abdu Maikaba will be without the services of Gabriel Wassa who was sent off in their last game against Heartland.
Having added big names to their already rich squad, plateau united is yet to find the back of the net after two matches.
The likes of Bernard Ovoke, Godwin Obaje, and Sikiru Olatunbosun will be looking to open their accounts for the season.
Meanwhile, El-Kanemi warriors who were the surprise package of Matchday 1 after that win in Uyo, will look to continue their 100% start to the league.
Coach Mohamed BabaGanaru will have to replace skipper Bello Korformata who was sent off in that home win against Kano Pillars. Their game is scheduled to hold by 2 pm at the Ilorin township stadium.
Go round FC of Omoku will play hosts to Ifeanyi Ubah FC who are placed 2nd on the log.
The “Dare the Lions” team coached by Willy Udube pulled a shocker in midweek by upstaging Abia Warriors in Umuahia, thanks to Emeka Ugwu’s stoppage-time strike. They return to the KrisDera stadium in Omoku, Rivers State, and aim to beat their second opponents from the east.
After whitewashing Plateau United by 3 goals to nil at the Okigwe Township Stadium, Heartland of Owerri will look to continue their fine form when they travel to Lafia to face Nasarawa United.
The solid miners are 6th placed on the log with 3points from two games and they will be looking forward to another home win.
The city of Kaduna will welcome league football as Kada city play hosts to fellow new boys Gombe United. Meanwhile, neighbours Kano Pillars will welcome Akwa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium. Interim coach Kabiru Baleria will look up to Rabiu Ali, Nyima Nwagua for the goals as last season goal king Junior Lokosa joined Esperance of Tunisia.
Meanwhile, for the Uyo based side, Cameroonian goalkeeper, Jean Efala will be hoping to start. Brazilian coach Rafael Everton has said that he’s put their matchday one home loss to El-Kanemi warriors aside and he’s now looking forward to a good season, even as he’s yet to record a competitive win for ‘The Promise Keepers’.
