NPFL Preview: Amokachi desperate for first win in seven games, Finidi looking to beat Enyimba again; Musa eyeing first goal in seven weeks

Former Nigeria international midfielder, Daniel Amokachi will be seeking for his first win in seven matches when his side, Lobi Stars host Katsina United in their ‘new home’, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium in Bauchi on Saturday in a Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, matchday 25 game.

Lobi Stars have not won a league game since December 14th, 2024, when they defeated Plateau United at their ‘old home’, the Lafia Township stadium.

Since then, they have drawn two and lost four of their last six games, including the 1-0 loss to Enyimba, their first in their new home early this month and are rooted to the foot of the NPFL standings.

Amokachi, who replaced Eugene Agagbe as coach of Lobi Stars last October, has recorded only four wins in 18 matches.

The club has won only five matches in the NPFL this season in an underwhelming campaign many expected them to rub shoulders with the big teams after the Nigeria football legend took over.

At the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne, it will be a battle of strugglers when Sunshine Stars host Akwa United, two teams swimming closely to each other in the relegation waters.

The homers have lost their last three league matches and host a team who are one place below them in the table after 23 matches.

A win for either side would move them out of the relegation zone.

Another team struggling this season is Plateau United who will host El-Kanemi Warriors at the Jos international Stadium.

The hosts are looking to end a three-game winless run, while their visitors could break into the top three with a win on the road.

While Plateau United are gasping for air in the tense relegation zone, their guests could already be dreaming of continental football, a taste of which they had after they won the President Federation Cup last year following their promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the top division.

When both sides met in the first stanza of the league at the end of September, it took two late goals from El Kanemi Warriors to salvage a point at the El Kanemi stadium in Maiduguri.

At the Lafia Township stadium in Lafia, NPFL debutants, Ikorodu City would be targeting their second away win of the season when they face Nasarawa United.

The Oga Boys’ only away win of their maiden campaign in the NPFL was back in November 2024, when they shocked Katsina United in a 2-1 victory.

This encounter will be between two teams promoted to the Nigerian topflight at the end of last season.

Interestingly, Nasarawa United won 2-1 when both sides met in September in Lagos when Kabiru Balogun netted on 65 minutes to restore the visitors’ lead after Chilaka Thankgod netted in first half added time for the host to cancel out Anas Yusuf’s 44th minute opener.

In Ilorin, precisely at the Kwara Sports Complex, homers, Kwara United who ended Shooting Stars’ nine-game unbeaten run in the mid-week will be seeking for their seventh straight home win and ninth overall when they host the inconsistent Bayelsa United who have lost three and drawn two of their last five games on the road since they defeated Rivers United in Port Harcourt last October.

The Afonja Warriors have turned their home ground to a fortress this season, and a win over Ladan Bosso’s side will be their 10th of the campaign.

They have lost only one game at home so far this campaign which was their opening day defeat against Niger Tornadoes.

Former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa will be looking to score his first goal in nearly two months when his side, Kano Pillars host high flying Abia Warriors on Saturday at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Kano Pillars recorded their first win in five matches last Wednesday when they defeated El-Kanemi Warriors at home mid-week and will be hoping for a second win in a row for the first time since last November when they defeated Plateau United 2-1 before going to Benin to beat Bendel Insurance 1-0.

Musa has not scored since he netted the winner when Kano Pillars defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-1 in Kano and the former Nigerian international striker will be eager to end the goal drought.

When both sides met last September, Abia Warriors won through two first half goals at the Umuahia Township stadium in Umuahia. They could do a double against the Kano state side this season.

Finidi George returned Rivers United to winning ways last week with a 1-0 defeat of Lobi Stars in Port Harcourt after a five-game winless run.

The former Nigeria international will be hoping to not only record his second win in a row but also do the double against his former club, Enyimba in Aba.

Finidi oversaw a 2-0 victory over his former employers at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, when they clashed in the first stanza of the league.