NPFL Match-day 12 Preview: Akwa Utd Pip Jigawa Golden Stars, Plateau Utd Host Enyimba As Heartland Entertain Rangers In Oriental Derby

NPFL Match-day 12 Preview: Akwa Utd Pip Jigawa Golden Stars, Plateau Utd Host Enyimba As Heartland Entertain Rangers In Oriental Derby

By Niyi Busari

For the first time in the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League season, one of the ten week day matches kicked off on Saturday as Akwa United pipped Jigawa Golden Stars 0-1 in Kano, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Akarandut Orok scored the lone goal for Akwa United who remain unbeaten in four games since Kennedy Boboye took over from John Obuh as the head coach of the team.

On Sunday, league leaders Plateau United entertain Enyimba International in Jos, Rangers International are guests of Heartland in an Oriental derby in Okigwe on Sunday in two key fixtures of match day 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Heartland have shaken off their erratic start to the season and are currently 15th in the standings. The Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side will be gunning for their fourth win of the campaign against CAF Confederation Cup campaigners, Rangers International at the Okigwe Township Stadium.

The visitors are having their worst season in many years on all fronts, having not secured a win at the group stage of Confederation Cup and are rock bottom in the NPFL standings with six points in eight matches, though with two hands in hand, one of which is against former champions Kano Pillars.

Another flash point this weekend is the Ryam Pam Stadium in Jos, where leaders Plateau United entertain another Confederation Cup campaigners Enyimba International, who are certainly not comfortable at their 10th position in the standings.

The home side have held the reins longer than any other team this season and will be looking to secure maximum points required to steer clear second-placed Lobi Stars, who are just three points adrift of the leaders. A win against the People’s Elephant will increase their points to 24.

Third-placed Rivers United will be looking to build upon their 2-0 win away to Adamawa last weekend when they host MFM in Port Harcourt.

The visitors are smarting from their barren draw against Nasarawa United in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday at Agege Township Stadium; underscoring the fact the Olukoya Boys remain home-shy.

Coach Stanley Eguma is living up to his promise to nick a continental ticket at the end of the season and would be aiming for a win to enable them leapfrog Lobi Star, who entertain Sunshine Stars at Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

The home team’s title quest suffered a jolt last weekend following their 1-0 defeat to Akwa United at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, and only a home win will make them shake off that setback.

MATCH DAY 12 FIXTURES

Sat 04/01/20

Jigawa Golden 0-1 Akwa United

Sun 05/01/20

Heartland Vs. Enugu Rangers

Kano Pillars Vs. Warri Wolves

Kwara United Vs. Abia Warriors

Plateau United Vs. Enyimba

Wikki Tourist Vs. Katsina United

Lobi Stars Vs. Sunshine Stars

Dakkada Vs. Adamawa United

Rivers United Vs. MFM

Nasarawa United Vs. Ifeanyi Uba