Enyimba set to dim Shooting Stars, as NPFL Matchday 5 concludes


Arguably the star match of this Matchday is in Aba where two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba will be determined to redeem themselves against former CAF Cup and African Cup Winners Cup champions Shooting Stars.


In four matches this season, Enyimba have only won twice, including a major victory in Enugu against rivals Rangers. But the People Elephants lost their last two fixtures, which included a lone goal humiliation by Rivers United in front of their fans two games ago.

That situation placed Enyimba at No 9 on the log. So Finidi George and his squad must rise to the occasion this evening.

Shooting Stars themselves have been inconsistent. After a four-year absence from the topflight, the Oluyole Warriors' performance has not inspired their fans. Just one win from four matches and two draws, including one at home have found the Stars just one point above the drop zone.

The Stars may be dimmed in Aba.

Remo Stars, who were temporarily displaced from the top of the table by Rivers United on Saturday, will go for maximum points against Plateau United at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.

One of three unbeaten teams this season, the Sky Blue Stars have been sensational despite just gaining promotion back to the elite division. They started with an away win in Lagos against MFM and later trashed Heartland 3-0 in Ikenne-Remo.

But Nasarawa United were able to hold Gbenga Ogunbote's squad to a goalless outcome last time out at home. A repeat of this outcome will not bring smiles to the faces of the coach and the fans.

The Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin holds its second match in as many days with Kwara United, in third place, clashing with fourth placed Rangers.

Both sides have the same points and are just two points behind leaders Rivers United, who have played a game more.

This season, the Afonja Warriors have acquitted themselves at home walloping Dakkada 3-0 on Matchday 1 and beating Wikki Tourist by a lone goal two Matchdays ago.

Rangers have also done well on the road this term picking four points in two matches. They started the season by beating Katsina United 2-1 in Katsina and playing goalless with Sunshine Stars in Akure.

Defending champions Akwa United are on the road for the second week in a row. After losing 0-2 to Nasarawa United on Sunday, they will face Lobi Stars in Makurdi this Matchday. The Promise Keeps are at No 5 but only a point short of leaders Remo Stars.

Plateau United have a club in common with Remo Stars. And that is Heartland. While the latter walloped the Owerri-based team 3-0 on Matchday 2, Plateau United emulated that scoreline two games later.

The Peace Boys of Jos are placed seventh having picked six points from four matches.

Lobi Stars, on their part, started the season with two straight draws, one at home against Rivers United. The Ortom Boys now have five points so far.

All the fixtures... Katsina United v Gombe United, Enyimba v Shooting Stars, Sunshine Stars v Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars v Akwa United, Kwara United v Rangers, MFM v Abia Warriors, Heartland v Wikki Tourist, Remo Stars v Plateau United, Dakkada v Nasarawa United (all 4 pm)

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