NPFL Matchday 2 Preview: MFM, Kwara, Search For 1st Win, El-kanemi, Abia Warriors, Tornadoes Waiting To Devour Opponents At Home

NPFL Matchday 2 Preview: MFM FC host Kwara Utd, Heartland face Plateau Utd

By Magaji Zubairu (Mgdon)

The opening six games of the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season produced mixed results notably, El-Kanemi Warriors stunning Akwa United in Uyo. Sunshine Stars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah also earn a point away from home while Enyimba FC and Kano Pillars enjoyed home victories.

We now look forward to matchday two where I expect more twist and dramas.

NIGER TORNADOES v RIVERS UNITED

Both teams were not in action on matchday one so they are fresh going into this tie.

The host will be hoping to get off to a flyer at the Bako Kontangora Stadium in Minna against Stanley Eguma-led team.

They were strong at home last season and Rivers United under Eguma ought to be performing better because he’s one of the most experienced coaches around.

Rivers recruited twenty one players during the offseason while only fourteen survived from last season. For Tornadoes, they unveiled fifteen but I expect the home side to nick this.

PREDICTION ; 2-0

MFM FC v KWARA UNITED

The Olukoya Boys fell like a pack of cards in Aba against the People’s Elephants, so Fidelis Ilechukwu will be looking for an immediate response against a United team that were held at home by Sunshine Stars in the matchday 1.

The Harmony Warriors team chemistry was not at its best against the Owena Waves. Segun Alebiosu missed a first-half spot kick which could have put them ahead.

Coach Bala believes his side were unlucky not to get a win but also envisage that his team will surely get better.

MFM have been very strong at home since their promotion. They will have too much for the visitors.

PREDICTION; 1-0

ABIA WARRIORS v GO-ROUND FC

Ayodele Makinwa’s side fell to Nasarawa United in Lafia during the league opener. He had a torrid time with ABS Ilorin FC during his first managerial career in the Nigeria top flight.

Willy Ndube has replaced Elechi (now the coach of Yobe Desert Stars) for Go-Round FC who did well for themselves last season.

I see this game as a game of two sides with equal strengths, difficult to separate them.

PREDICTION: 0-0

EL-KANEMI WARRIORS v KANO PILLARS

This is going to be a cracker! Baba Ganaru will face his former employers in this one.

The Desert Warriors provided the shocker during the opening day with a late winner at Akwa United and will be looking forward to a record back-back wins.

Pillars, on the other hand, nicked a one-nil win against Heartland FC on matchday 1 but the problem is you don’t know what to expect from Pillars. They tend to deceive at times, they play well at home then lose away unexpectedly against lesser oppositions.

This game is very crucial for the Warriors because a win will see them move to six points, meaning the confidence will be high and other teams will be playing catchup so early in the season.

This very difficult to predict because it’s an all northern affair and if any team can go to Maiduguri and get a point, surely its Pillars. But I can see Warriors claiming another victory.

PREDICTION: 2-1

FC IFEANYI UBAH v NASARAWA UNITED

FC Ifeanyi Ubah picked a point against Plateau in a game which was marred by some ugly scenes while Nasarawa won at home against Abia Warriors as expected but I see this game too big for Nasarawa.

The atmosphere in Nnewi will really be bubbling in this game.

A win for the host is well written over this.

PREDICTION : 2-0

HEARTLAND FC v PLATEAU UNITED

The Naze Millionaires were beaten in Kano but they did put in an effort in that game so they should be looking for an improved performance. Not many teams go to Kano and play impressively like they did.

Abdu Maikaba Plateau’s couldn’t break down FCIU at a home.

The visitors will be searching for a point in this I can see more difficult times for them because I think heartland will prevail.

PREDICTION: 1-0