NPFL24 Preview:Tough, Tricky Away Fixtures For Enyimba, Rangers, Abia Warriors, Heartland

NPFL24 Preview:Tough, Tricky Away Fixtures For Enyimba, Rangers, Abia Warriors, Heartland 

By Emmanuel Chinedu 

It is going to be a tough weekend for South East teams, Enyimba FC, Rangers Int'l, Heartland FC and Abia Warriors as all four teams will be on the road this weekend, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

However, the three out of the four team were in action in Matchday 1 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, with only Rangers Int'l and Abia Warriors picking their first three points of the campaign, while Heartland FC played out a 2-2 draw with Lobi Stars, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. 

However, NPFL champions Enyimba home encounter against Insurance was postponed due to the Benin Arsenals engagement in the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. 

But ahead of this weekend's NPFL Matchday 2 encounters, all the four South Easterners clubs will be playing away from home against Gombe United, Remo Stars, Akwa United and Plateau United respectively. 

Gombe United Vs Enyimba FC 

The Finidi George-led side will be hoping to begin their title defence with a massive three points away at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe. 

The People's Elephant have only lost one of their four meetings against Gombe United away from home. The only time they suffered a defeat was during the 2013/14 season, were they lost 2-1.

The Head-To-Head meetings between both sides. 

2013/14 NPFL Season 

Gombe United 2-1 Enyimba FC

2016/17 Season 

Gombe United 1-1 Enyimba FC 

2021/22 Season 

Gombe United 0-0 Enyimba FC

2022/23 Season 

Gombe United 1-2 Enyimba FC 

The NPFL champions have not lost to Gombe United in their previous three meetings starting from the 2016/17 NPFL season, at the Pantami Stadium. 

Remo Stars Vs Rangers Int'l 

The Flying Anteoples will face a tough game against Remo Stars on Sunday, at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne. 

The Fidelis IIechukwu-led side opened their season campaign with a 2-1 win over Doma United, at the Awka City Stadium, through goals from Kalu Nweke and Austin Onyemachi to secured all maximum three points for the seven time NPFL champions. 

But on Sunday, they are going to face a team that has a perfect home unbeaten record against them, Remo Stars. 

In their last two Head-To-Head meetings, Remo Stars has one win and the other encounter has ended in a goalless draw since the Sky Blue Star returned to the top flight league since the 2021/22 season. 

In the last previous meeting Remo Stars secured a 1-0 victory over Rangers Int'l during the 2021/22 NPFL season.

Fidelis IIechukwu and the Rangers Int'l team will be hoping to end their woeful record in Ikenne when they take on Remo Stars on Sunday. 

Kwara United Vs Abia Warriors 

Abia Warriors will face a tricky tie against Kwara United on Sunday, at the llorin Complex Stadium, llorin.

The Erasmus Onuh-led side opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes, at the Umuahia Township Stadium. 

But on Sunday, they will be taking on Kwara United, who lost their first game of the season at Katsina United.

Abia warriors is one of the worst away teams in the league, and it will be a surprise to football fans if they secure a positive result against Kwara United on Sunday. 

Plateau United Vs Heartland FC 

The Naze Millionaires will be on the road to Jos on Sunday, to take on Plateau United, at the New Jos Stadium. 

The Christian Obi-led side were held to a 2-2 draw by Lobi Stars, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. 

Former Akwa United and Barcelona B Player, Ezekiel Bassey was on the score sheet for the Owerri based club against Lobi Stars. 

But on Sunday, they will be playing against Plateau United, who lost 2-1 to Shooting Stars, in their first game of the season. With a big expectations on the shoulder of their head coach, Mbawas Mangut this season.

NPFL Matchday 2 Fixtures this weekend 

On Saturday, October 6, 2023 

Doma United Vs Bayelsa United 

Kano Pillars Vs Katsina United 

Bendel Insurance Vs Shooting Stars 

On Sunday, October 7, 2023

Plateau United Vs Heartland 

Lobi Stars Vs Sunshine Stars 

Niger Tornadoes Vs Rivers United 

Akwa United Vs Abia Warriors 

Gombe United Vs Enyimba 

Remo Stars Vs Rangers