October, 6 2023.
A full programme of ten (10) fixtures, are on the card, as the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, enters Day-2 this weekend, with matches to be played on Saturday and Sunday, at designated venues, across the country.
However, the two sides in the top of the log after eight Day-1 games were decided - Bayelsa United of Yenagoa, and Sporting FC of Lagos will command a lot of attention, this weekend.
Bayelsa United, powered by their lateral striker Robert Mizo, scored five goals in their eye-catching 5-3 humiliation of Coach Fatai Osho tutored Akwa United, who were 3-2 up at half time, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, in Yenagoa.
It is left to be seen how Robert Mizo and the Prosperity Boys will fare in Gombe, when slugging it out with Doma United FC who were 1-2 losers to Enugu Rangers, at the Awka City Stadium.
Two promoted sides, who also got relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) in the same 202122 season; Kano Pillars and Katsina United will reignite their fierce rivalry, in an Arewa derby to be staged at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in Kofarmata, Kano.
And Saturday's fixtures will also see federation cup holders, Bendel Insurance of Benin recline to the domestic league, after failing to qualify for the group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Following a two-all draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the Benin Arsenal bowed out of the competition with a 0-1 loss to RS Berkane of Morocco, winners of the continent's second tier club football championship in 2021.
This time, their opponent at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, coached by the vastly traveled and irripressible Gbenga Ogunbote.
The management of the NPFL, through its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Davison Owumi had on Thursday announced that games will henceforth be played all through the weekend, from Friday to Sunday to make it easy for matches to be streamed live to millions of fans in Nigerian and the diaspora.
While no game is scheduled for this Friday (yesterday), fans are expectant that the staggered fixtures will start next week, that's Match-day 3.
Meanwhile, Day-2 action continues on Sunday with Plateau United who were beaten 2-1 by 3SC in Ibadan, hosting promoted Heartland of Owerri at the New Jos Stadium; Heartland FC were the only home side without a win on the opening weekend.
The Naze millionaires rallied from two goals down to hold Lobi Stars 2-2 at the Dan Ànyiam Stadium; and the Makurdi-based Lobi Stats will host Sunshine Stars of Akure in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
Niger Tornadoes of Minna will have their hands full at their brand new stadium in Kotangora, against Rivers United who on Sunday in Port Harcourt underlined their credentials as Nigeria's form-team, on Power Rankings by scoring two late goals to oust Etoile Filante du Ougadougou, and advance to the Group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Akwa United will look to make amends for last weekend's halftime capitulation, in what could easily pass for the star game, against Sporting FC of Lagos, which began life in the top flight, with a 2-0 thrashing of visiting Gombe United on Monday.
In other games slated for Sunday, Kwara United are hosts of Abia Warriors in Ilorin;
Gombe United will return to the Pantami Stadium for the visit of defending champions Enyimba of Aba, who will be playing for the first time this season.
Another side that did not play on Day-1, Remo Stars of Ikenne will surely have to be at their usual best, when hosting Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored Enugu Rangers, at their ultramodern stadium, in Ikenne-Remo.
As Vice-Champions to Enyimba of Aba, Remo Stars played in the CAF Champions League, but were dumped out of it by SC Medeama of Ghana, who won their first preliminary round tie, 4-2 on penalties, after it ended 1-1 on aggregate.
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