Shooting Stars defender, Desmond Agbekpornu, has expressed his optimism about the chances of his side to have a better performance as the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season resumes this weekend.
The Ghanaian defender, who had limited playing time during the first round of the season, is calling on the fans of the team not to lose hope.
“It is going to be a different ball game in this second round, our teeming supporters and fans should believe in us and we will never let them down”, said the defender to 3SC Media.
3SC, as they are fondly called, finished seventh on the log in Group A of the abridged regular season – three points above the relegation zone.
“We had it rough in the first round, but we will never allow that to affect us in the second round and I believe we have what it takes for a change of fortune based on our preparations so far,” he added.
The defender won the league title with Rivers United last season and he is hoping that his side can turn things around in the remaining nine games of the season.
“People should not write us off based on our first round performance. I could remember when I was with Ashanti Gold, we did not do well in the first round but we came back strongly in the second and we ended on a positive note, who says it cannot happen with Shooting Stars,” the centre-back concluded.
Meanwhile, the Oluyole Warriors are in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for a match day ten clash with Akwa United on Sunday.
Other matches this weekend include a top-of-the-table clash in Aba between Enyimba and Bendel Insurance, while Kwara United and Elkanemi Warriors will face off in a relegation six-pointer in Akure.
In Group B, Rivers United v Abia Warriors is the game to watch and there’s a clash between Dakkada and Niger Tornadoes on Saturday as well.
MD 10 FIXTURES IN FULL
Group A
Enyimba v Bendel Insurance
Akwa United v Shooting Stars
Plateau United v Gombe United
Remo Stars v Nasarawa United
Kwara United v El-Kanemi
Group B
Rangers v Bayelsa United
Doma v Lobi Stars
Wikki Tourists v Sunshine Stars
Dakkada v Tornadoes
Rivers United v Abia Warriors
