It is not yet halfway into the season, but the contenders are gradually being separated from the also-rans in the 14-week-old Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
Remo Stars, Lobi Stars, Doma United and Enyimba have been the pacesetters in the season, alternating among themselves at the top of the table. The four teams are separated by only four points, with fourth-placed Enyimba on 22 to leaders, Remo Stars’ 26 points, albeit Enyimba have played one game less than the rest.
The league will observe a Yuletide break after the December 21 matches and three of the sides, Remo, Lobi and Doma United all have equal chance of going off the scene as Christman champions.
Enyimba’s game against Rivers United has been postponed due to the latter’s CAF Confederation Cup engagement against Club Africain in Tunisia, but Remo Stars will be in action tomorrow at the Sani Abacha Stadium against Kano Pillars. A win against the former champions will give the Ikenne-based team enough to celebrate during the break, while a loss will open the door for either Lobi Stars or Doma United to take the driving seat. They will meet in a top of the table cash at the Lafia Township Stadium today.
Plateau United have been knocking on the front door since Week six and if they defeat Bayelsa United at the Jos Township Stadium this afternoon, they will have the opportunity to further climb up the stairs. They are on 19 points and occupy the sixth position on the log.
Enugu Rangers fancy their chance of beating Sporting Lagos at the Awka Stadium this afternoon to cement their position in midtable, the same with Heartland, who will host Akwa United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars have a fairly easy game against a Gombe United side yet to find their feet in the league, while the North Central derby in Ilorin between Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes promise much excitement for followers of the game.
Fans of the Nigerian league in Umuahia are also in for a good time when one of the oldest clubs in the competition, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, come calling. It is a game Abia Warriors Chief Coach, Erasmus Onuh, is looking forward to as a win would take his side closer to the top half of the table.
Shooting Stars have not been too impressive away from home, but Onuh says the Ibadan team’s form outside their home is not his major concern now.
Onuh said his business is to prepare his side for victory and assured fans of the team of a resounding win today.
“Expect victory from us. It will never be like Sporting Lagos. Something went wrong but I believe that we are in the right footing now. We will get the results.
“Their loss is not my motivation. What I know is that I’m going to play football. I need the victory. Victory is victory and not about lone goal or two goals.”
Meanwhile, the NPFL has announced that all the Matchday 15 and 16 games have been rescheduled due to the logistic challenges related to the festive period.
In a letter to the clubs, the NPFL said: “We have found it reasonable to rearrange fixtures of match days 15 and 16 in consideration of difficult logistics associated with the festive period.
“With this change, we hope to better handle the difficulties that the holiday season presents while also ensuring seamless operations.”
Due to this decision, Match Day 15, which was originally slated for December 24, has been moved to December 21. In a similar vein, Match Day 16, which was originally scheduled for December 31, will now occur on December 28.
The NPFL also announced the start of mandatory random tests for illicit drugs on players of the league, saying that all the 20 clubs have been directed to facilitate the process for operatives of the National Anti-Doping Committee.
In a memo to clubs signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the anti-doping tests would be administered on two players from each of the clubs involved in a given fixture without prior notice.
The clubs were enjoined to extend maximum cooperation to the anti-doping agency in the discharge of the task that aims to cleanse the NPFL of real and rumoured doping scandals.
