NPFL Preview: Rivers Utd, Rangers in Top 3 battle as more teams eye top spot

Plateau United have seen their incredible run of results rewarded with a place in first position but second place Rivers United who have enjoyed more weeks at the summit than any other team this season will have a say on Plateau’s leadership position on Sunday.

The pick of MatchDay 14 action is Sunday’s clash between Rivers United (2nd) and Rangers International (3rd) in Port Harcourt. In what has historically been a top fixture in the NPFL, the stakes are even higher on Sunday. A win for United will return them to the summit depending on the result of Plateau’s trip to Gombe United.

Abdu Maikaba’s Rangers are the only side yet to lose an away match this season having won two and drawn four of their six away games but they must put that aside and embrace reality against Stanley Eguma’s men who have beaten them in each of their last five meetings in Port Harcourt.

This weekend also sees the return of the Qua Ibo Derby between champions Akwa United and Dakkada FC. Having disengaged their head coach Kennedy Boboye last weekend, Akwa United recorded a surprise win at Remo Stars in midweek while surprise does not even describe Dakkada’s loss at home to Gombe United which will surely now raise the stakes for Sunday’s derby.

Having won five games on the trot, Plateau United’s title credentials will be further scrutinized when they face Gombe United. Plateau head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu will hope to continue his unstoppable run against a Gombe United side whose run of four unbeaten games has seen them climb to 8th on the log.

The fixtures do not get any better for Remo Stars whose fall from grace need a quick rebound in order not to find themselves even deeper down the table. They travel to Lobi Stars who have blown hot and cold in equal proportions this term and currently in 13th place on the log.

Former African Champions Enyimba have also drifted down the ladder in the past two weeks but they have a chance to look up a little more when they face bottom side MFM FC in Aba on Saturday. The Church Boys from Lagos only on Wednesday ended a run of eight games without a win.