Five things to look out for in NPFL MatchDay 10 games

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, is back this weekend for Matchday 10 after El Kanemi Warriors and Rivers United drew in the star match of Matchday 9 in Port Harcourt to preserve their unbeaten start this season.

This Sunday, there are five things to look out for as all the 20 clubs jostle for the three precious points on offer in the 10 matches to be played.

1. Can El Kanemi Warriors and Rivers United stay unbeaten?
Who will blink first? This will be the question agitating the minds of Nigerians and followers of the Nigerian domestic scene.

While El Kanemi Warriors will play host to Katsina United at the El Kanemi Stadium in Maiduguri, Rivers United, coached by former Nigeria international winger and coach, Finidi George will be guest of NPFL newcomers, Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos.

El Kanemi Warriors will be seeking for their second home win in five games after drawing three and winning one of their last four. They face a Katsina United side who have lost three and drawn one of the four away games they have played.

For Finidi and Rivers United who have won two and drawn two of the four games they have played on the road, Sunday’s game against a side who only lost by a last gap goal at Enyimba last weekend looks like a titanic task.
The Oga Boys have won their last two home games after losing the first two and will feel confident of winning for the third time in a row at Onikan.

2. Amuneke targets first oriental battle win as Heartland face Abia Warriors
Former Nigeria international winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, will be seeking to win his first oriental battle when he leads his side, Heartland of Owerri to the Umuahia Township Stadium in Umuahia.

Amuneke made his NPFL debut in an oriental clash with Enyimba of Aba who came, saw and conquered their host 3-1 at the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri.

The former Nigeria international will be hoping for his first win in his second oriental game against a team also from Abia state.

3. Will Anas Yusuf strike again to make it 10 goals in 10 games?
Nasarawa United FC striker, Anas Yusuf tops the top scorers table in the NPFL after nine games. The in-form forward, and captain netted the four goals in his club’s last two home games, viz the 3-0 dismantling of Abia Warriors and the 1-0 defeat of Kano Pillars to take his total tally to nine goals.

His hat-trick against Abia Warriors was historic as he became the first player to score two hat-tricks in a single NPFL season since Anthony Okpotu accomplished the feat for Lobi Stars during the 2016/17 season.
Yusuf will hope to make Rangers international of Enugu the sixth team he will score against this season and the second away from home after Ikorodu City FC.

4. Can Shooting Stars and Ogunbote win their first away game on fifth attempt
Shooting Stars of Ibadan have not been impressive so far this season as they have won just three of the nine games, they have played so far this season with all three coming at their Lekan Salami stadium ground at Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The Oluyole Warriors have lost their last three away games and will be desperate for their first win when they face Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna.

5. Will Ahmed Musa be the hero again for Kano Pillars at home?
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa was the hero the last time Kano Pillars played at the adopted home, the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina. the 32-year-old scored the two goals that gave Sai Masu Gida a 2-0 win over Sunshine Stars of Akure.

Musa has not scored in Pillars’ last two games viz a 1-1 draw with visiting Kwara United and a 1-0 loss at Nasarawa United last weekend.

All eyes will be on the dazzling winger on Sunday in Katsina to deliver the goals and steer Pillars back to winning ways.