The Oriental derby between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba tops the list of matchday two fixtures in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Boxing Day.
After securing a hard-fought win over Abia Warriors on matchday one, Enyimba will travel to Nnewi to face Enugu Rangers, who were victorious on the road at Katsina United last Sunday.
Remo Stars will welcome Heartland FC to their new home ground in Ikenne. Gbenga Ogunbote’s side made a bright start to the season with a win at MFM on the opening weekend of the campaign and will be chasing another win in this fixture.
Following his side’s no-show at Ijebu Ode on matchday one, Kabiru Dogo will lead Wikki Tourists for the first time when they take on Niger Tornadoes in Bauchi.
Steven Jude, fresh from scoring a brace on matchday one, will be in Jos with Kwara United to face Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Plateau United. The Kwara side won at this ground last season and will be hoping for a similar outcome on Sunday.
In a battle of two sides who lost on the opening weekend, Dakkada will entertain MFM at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Dakkada are yet to get one over the Olukoya Boys since they were promoted to the top-flight in 2019 and this could be the chance to inflict a second successive defeat on the Lagos side.
Shooting Stars will host an NPFL game in Ibadan for the first time since 2017 when they face defending champions Akwa United. There has been no draw in their past meetings since 2012 and this is a fixture many are looking forward to on Boxing Day.
Imama Amapakabo’s Abia Warriors will be up against Sunshine Stars in Okigwe. This fixture produced eight goals in two games last season and this could be yet another goal-fest at the Warriors’ adopted home ground for the second season running.
In PH, Rivers United will seek to continue their imperious home run when they host Katsina United on Sunday. Stanley Eguma’s side are yet to lose a home game since 2019 and are favourites to triumph over Azeez Mohammed’s side.
In the weekend’s remaining fixtures, Kano Pillars will host Lobi Stars while free-scoring Nasarawa United and Gombe United will face off in Lafia.
FULL FIXTURES
Enugu Rangers v Enyimba
Remo Stars v Heartland
Wikki Tourists v Niger Tornadoes
Plateau United v Kwara United
Dakkada v MFM
Shooting Stars v Akwa United
Abia Warriors v Sunshine Stars
Rivers United v Katsina United
Kano Pillars v Lobi Stars
Nasarawa United v Gombe United
