March, 8 2024.
..Abia Warriors Back In Umuahia for Lobi Stars on Sunday
The Travails of Gombe United FC appears to have taken a twist for the worst, as the Savannah Scorpions who are enmeshed in the relegation waters of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), suffered yet another defeat by losing 0-2 to Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, on Friday.
In recent days, there has been a frost in the club's hierarchy, and the fuss was about the position of their Head Coach, Mohammed Baba-Ganaru, who was reported to have resigned his appointment by some outlets, following a said infighting amongst the management of the team; which is now 19th in the table - two spots and 3 points away from safety.
Insurance who themselves have had it rough in recent match-days, and were only able to take a point from their three previous games, won the game with Ismail Sariki netting both goals in the first half (7th and 31st minutes); and the Benin Arsenal moved up four places, from 11th to 7th in the every dynamic and fluid NPFL log.
Meanwhile, underfire Head Coach of Heartland FC of Owerri, Christian Obi appears to be in a must-win tie today, away to Katsina United FC, at the Mohammadu Dikko Stadium.
Heartland FC are rock bottom of the log with 19 points from 23 games; and fans of the Nazé Millionaires are growing out of patience with the Coach, who is said to have been foisted on the team, by the Chief Executive of Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Coach Obi, a former junior international goalkeeper, guided the team back to the Premier League, and was in charge of the club, for the first eight games, during which they were unable to win a single game.
His sacking by the hierarchy of the club, paved the way for a more experienced and accomplished tactician, Kennedy Boboye to mount the saddle, and within eight match-days of his reign, Heartland FC lost 3, drew 2 times and won 3 games, including the eye-catching 3-1 thrashing of top guns, Remo Stars of Ikenne, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
That game was his last, as he personally announced his depature, in a voice ladened with deep emotions. Coach Obi returned as the Sweat Marchant of the team, but sadly, Heartland FC has fared even worse, as he is still looking to earn an elusive first win, as Head Coach of Heartland FC.
In today's other games, a rejuvenated Bayelsa United will look to extinguish hapless Niger Tornadoes of Minna, in Yenagoa; and having qualified for the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup,
Rivers United will shift their focus to domestic football, starting with a mouthwatering tie, at the Adokieye Amasiamaka Stadium, against Kano Pillars FC, who are winless in their last two games.
For the second match-day in row, Coach Kennedy Boboye will be steering Sunshine Stars FC against his former sides. Having led the Akure Gunners to a 1-1 draw away to Heartland FC, Boboye and his men will this time, have their hands full when hosting Plateau United of Jos, who are presently 2nd on the log, with 41 points - 1 point adrift of the table toppers, Lobi Stars of Makurdi.
Aside Plateau United, the remaining sides in the top six of the table, are not in action until Sunday; when Rangers Int'l FC of Enugu are primed to extend their run of wins to five in as many games in the second stanza, by beating Kwara United FC of Ilorin, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, aka the Cathedral.
Fresh from an improbable road win against Pillars in Kano, and with the provisional permission granted them by the regulators of the league (NPFL), to return to their home ground, Abia Warriors FC will host Lobi Stars of Makurdi, in a potentially crunchy encounter, to be played at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Enyimba Int'l FC will look to reset after going down 1-3 at Akwa United FC in Uyo, in a tricky game against Doma United FC, who are at present experiencing a bad patch; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
Elsewhere, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan are home to Akwa United FC, at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, in Adamasingba; while
Sporting FC will almost certainly be tested to the limits, when hosting the South-West derby against front-runners, and title hopefuls, Remo Stars of Ikenne; at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, in Onikan Lagos.
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