Matchday five of the Nigeria Professional Football League 2021/22 season will come up this weekend with interesting games to look forward to in Aba, Ilorin, Ikenne and the likes.
Enyimba, who seems to have stumbled a bit under Finidi George, will hope to return to winning ways when they host Shooting Stars at the Aba International Stadium on Sunday. The Aba Elephants have lost back-to-back games and are up against the Ibadan-side who picked a point in their last visit back in 2017.
Unbeaten Remo Stars will welcome Plateau United to the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne. The Sky Blue Stars have conceded just a goal all season and their defense will be tested by the Peace Boys who scored three goals in their last game.
In Ilorin, Abdullahi Biffo’s Kwara United will entertain Enugu Rangers. The Harmony Boys have continued from where they stopped last term and picked a point in Okigwe last matchday. Home comfort awaits them against Abdu Maikaba’s Flying Antelopes who are undefeated from home this season.
Champions Akwa United will be at the Aper Aku Stadium to face Lobi Stars for their second successive away game. The Promise Keepers lost 2-0 in Lafia last time out, while Lobi were soundly beaten in Gombe 3-0. Consequently, it is a case of two wounded teams facing off on Sunday.
Winless and without-a-goal Sunshine Stars will welcome Kano Pillars to the Dipo Dina Stadium Stadium in Ijebu Ode. Following his side’s excellent performance at Rivers United, coach Deji Ayeni will be hopeful that his side can get their first goal and win of the campaign. Pillars, who are serial bad travellers down south, have surprisingly avoided defeats in two of their past three visits to the Owena Whales.
Following the banishment by the League Management Company, Dakkada will host Nasarawa United in Benin in their first of three games away from Uyo. Dakkada have never scored against the Solid Miners in the top-flight.
MFM and Abia Warriors will face off in Lagos. The Church Boys are having a torrid start to the season, with just a goal scored and a win to their credit, while Imama Amapakabo’s side have been decent in their opening four games.
On Saturday, Niger Tornadoes and Rivers United will be the curtain-raiser of the match day. Tornadoes were hit four in Nnewi, while Rivers United failed to win against Sunshine in PH. The Pride of Rivers will be hoping for another good outing on the road, having picked four points from a possible six this season.
In the weekend’s remaining games, Gombe United will be guests of Katsina United while Heartland and Wikki Tourists will battle for points in Owerri.
FULL FIXTURES
Niger Tornadoes v Rivers United (Saturday)
Remo Stars v Plateau United
Enyimba v Shooting Stars
Sunshine Stars v Kano Pillars
MFM v Abia Warriors
Kwara United v Enugu Rangers
Lobi Stars v Akwa United
Heartland v Wikki Tourists
Dakkada v Nasarawa Utd
Katsina Utd Vs Gombe United
