NPFL Preview: Amuneke and Heartland seek first ever double over Umuchineke Boys in race against relegation

Heartland will be looking to do their first ever double over Abia Warriors on Sunday when they clash in an Oriental Derby at the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri.

The Naze Millionaires, coached by former Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, won the first clash between the two sides this season 2-0 back in November 2024 and are looking to make it a double as they need all the points in their fight to avoid relegation.

Heartland have urged their supporters to come out in large numbers to cheer them to victory.

‘It is another Oriental derby against neighbours, Abia Warriors. We beat Umuchineke Boys for the first time in Umuahia in the first stanza. Can we get a double win for the first time over them?

‘Come to the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday by 4pm to witness it,’ the club wrote on their X page.

The Naze Millionaires are 17th in the NPFL standings and would go down if the league ends today. Abia Warriors sit in sixth position and are chasing a continental ticket in the Nigerian topflight this campaign.

In Aba, resurgent Enyimba will be seeking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches when they host Bayelsa United at the Enyimba International Stadium.

The Peoples Elephant, with just 10 wins in 29 games could move level with Enugu Rangers in third position on the log if other results go their way.

They have won just two of their last five home games and will need to ensure they win against a Bayelsa United side who have drawn two and lost three of their last five games on the road, if they are dreaming of returning to the continent.

At the Lekan Salami stadium in Ibadan, Shooting Stars will be looking to fight to reignite their spark after going without a win in their last seven games.

They face a Niger Tornadoes side that have won four games on the road this season, including two in their last five games.

The Oluyole Warriors have drawn their last two home games and are in danger of dropping totally out of contention for a continental ticket this season.

A win can lift them to third on the log if other matchday 30 results go their way.

Rivers United will be looking to cut leaders Remo Stars lead at the top of the log to five points if they defeat giant killers, Ikorodu City at the Adokiye Aimesimaka stadium.

Finidi George, the former Super Eagles’ dazzling winger, will be keen to lead the host to their fourth home win in a row for the second time this season but they are up against the Oga Boys who won their last game away at Lobi Stars.

Rivers United also won away from in their last game, their first since October last year, but have not lost in their last five games, thereby setting up a titanic and tantalizing battle in the oil rich city of Port Harcourt.

It will be a battle of two Uniteds at the Kwara Sports stadium in Ilorin where Kwara United will host relegation haunted Akwa United.

The Promise Keepers, as the visitors are called, have not fulfilled their promise to stay clear of relegation to their supporters with their performances so far, and have lost 14 and drawn seven of the 29 games they have played in the competition thus far.

They are in danger of equaling Sunshine Stars’ unwanted record of 15 defeats in 29 games so far this season.

Akwa United are against a host that have been near impregnable at home. The Afonja Warriors have won 10 of their 14 home games this season.