December, 1 2023.
The Day 11 fixture of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), between Bendel Insurance of Benin and league leaders, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, headlines three other fixtures, slated for this Saturday, at four designated match venues across the country.
Lobi Stars are currently top of the table with 20 points, one point clear of Remo Stars who edged Enyimba Int'l FC of Aba 1-0 on Wednesday to climb to 2nd, on 19 points, but won't be in action, until Sunday.
Third on the log, Doma United are back home in Gombe, for their tie against Niger Tornadoes of Minna, at the Pantami Stadium.
The early kick-off will afford Coach Akinade Onigbinde and his men to build on their improbable goalless draw, away to Remo Stars in Ikenne-Remo, last weekend, a result that saw them ascend temporarily to the top of the tableon 18 points, before reclining to 3rd.
On the other hand, Niger Tornadoes have been having a mixed bag of results recently, and the Ikon Allah Boys will need a result in the North-East, to get out of the relegation zone, and their 17th position, with eleven (11) points.
In one spot, and one point adrift of Niger Tornadoes, is Akwa United of Uyo; whose under-pressure technical crew, led by Fatai Osho knows they must win in Ilorin, against Kwara United to avoid being the next managerial casualty.
With just ten (10) points from as many games, Akwa United are nine (9) places and 3 points below the Afonja Warriors, who are tutored by experienced Coach, Kabiru Dogo.
Enyimba Int'l FC will be fully out to shake off the disappointment of losing 0-1 at home, in Aba to Remo Stars in the only game played this midweek; when hosting Sunshine Stars of Akure.
The Aba People's Elephant are currently fifth (5th) in the table, with 16 points and will hope to not only replicate their dominance of the game against Remo Stars; but also find ways to put away the opportunities they are able to create.
On the other hand, Sunshine Stars are one of the five (5) sides with 13 points on the log. They are ranked 11th, and their ability to inflict an unlikely second straight home defeat on the Elephant in its forest, will see them move up to as high as fifth; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
All of the other six (6) fixtures, are scheduled for Sunday; but the encounter between Enugu Rangers and Rivers United, has been put on hold by the management of the NPFL; to allow the Pride of Rivers honour their Day-2 group encounter, against Ghana's Dreams FC, in the CAF Confederation Cup.