It is derby day in the city of Abia
where Nigerian giants, Enyimba, go up
against rivals, Abia Warriors, in the Glo
Premier League this Sunday.
The Abia Derby is live on SuperSport
7N and SuperSport Select from 5pm CAT [4pm
Nigerian time].
I do not see any bigger game than that derby though
some enthusiasts will feel the games in Akure and
Warri deserve mentions as top notch meetings.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Abia Warriors v Enyimba [Umuahia Township
Stadium]
Abia Warriors may have pulled off what to me still
remains the biggest upset of the campaign when
they won 1-0 in Aba, but I still refuse to write off
Enyimba going into this contest. The arrival of Kadiri
Ikhana in mid-season has added discipline in the way
Enyimba have gone about their game in the second.
For this clash, I am expecting a situation where both
teams will keep things tight and simple, and wait for
who blinks first. I just feel Enyimba have enough
quality to edge this by the odd goal.
My prediction: 0-1
Bayelsa United v Kaduna United [Samuel
Ogbemudia Stadium]
Two teams in the bottom-four of the standings go
head to head in a six-pointer game. Kaduna United
claimed the full points when both teams first met in
April with a 2-0 win, thanks to a brace of goals from
Isah Aminu. This time Aminu will not be part of this
game as he is now with Heartland.
Bayelsa United have had a very poor run in their last
10 league matches, but I think they will respond
against an equally poor Kaduna United who have
failed to score or pick a point on the road so far this
season.
My prediction: 1-0
Sunshine Stars v Dolphins [Akure Township
Stadium]
This is definitely one of the big games of this match
day. Dolphins have played themselves into a position
to contest for the title and I think they have a decent
squad to push all the way till the last day of the
campaign.
Sunshine Stars may have overran the champions,
Kano Pillars, by three-nil in Akure recently. However,
I do not think they will enjoy same time and space
against Dolphins. I expect Dolphins winger, Emem
Eduok, to trouble their back four with his darting
runs. I still think the Akure Gunners will win the full
points but they will work real hard for it.
My prediction: 2-1
Warri Wolves v Kano Pillars [Warri City Stadium]
Paul Aigbogun's team are still far from impressive
but they have squeezed results in their last two
home matches with similar scorelines of 1-0. Pillars
know they cannot afford another slip-up like they did
at Sunshine Stars seven days ago.
After missing the games against Rangers and
Sunshine Stars, the champions have their captain and
first-choice goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai, back in
the squad for the trip to Warri. With Wolves still
struggling to score from open play, I think a draw
looks on the card in this match.
My prediction: 0-0
Lobi Stars v Nasarawa United [Emmanuel Atongo
Stadium]
Nasarawa United have continued to show that their
impressive start to the season is no fluke after all as
they have remained among the top-four for so long
this season in the division. Lobi have not done badly
since the start of the second round until they had
their 100 per cent run snapped at Gombe United
with a 3-1 loss.
The Solid Miners won the reverse fixture two-nil.
This time I am expecting Nasarawa United manager,
Baba Ganaru, to deploy his men to the usual style of
playing very narrow and soaking the pressure while
looking to hit Lobi on the offence. I think this might
not pay off this time.
My prediction: 1-0
Akwa United vs El-Kanemi Warriors [Uyo
Township Stadium]
It is quite interesting that Akwa United got a 1-1
draw at El-Kanemi in the first meeting, and that
when the going was good for the Uyo club at the start
of the season. Like most of the teams in the premier
division, El-Kanemi have been poor on the road
taking just two points from 11 away matches.
Akwa United have that goal threat in their fold with
the like of Nnamso Edo, Godspower Aniefiok, Ezekiel
Bassey, Ini Akpan and Kufre Ebong all capable of
scoring. I think this will be a case of El-Kanemi
showing their poor form when they travel to the
south. Akwa United will win but it will be a tough
game.
My prediction: 1-0
Heartland v Gombe United [Dan Anyiam Stadium]
Austin Eguavoen appears to have turned things
around at Gombe United and they are now playing
with real belief. Heartland lost the first clash of this
contest 1-2 with Gombe United's goals from Usman
Suleman and Adamu Mohammed cancelling out
Bright Ejike's strike.
Gombe United do have a very poor record at
Heartland in the Premier League era in which they
have lost all 10 visits including a 0-4 reverse last
season. I see Eguavoen's men having a decent outing
but Heartland will keep their impressive record
against Gombe United going.
My prediction: 2-1
Enugu Rangers v Giwa FC [Nnamdi Azikiwe
Stadium]
The last time I can remember Rangers struggle this
much in a campaign was in 2008 though this time it
looks far worse than then. Rangers sit in a precarious
position in the standings, as they are on place above
the drop zone.
The Flying Antelopes lost at Giwa FC in the reverse
fixture in April but I do not see them threatening
Rangers this time. I am tipping one man, Osaguona
Ighodaro, to get among the goals for Rangers.
My prediction: 2-0
FC Taraba v Nembe City [Jolly Nyame Stadium]
John Eze was the hero for City in the first-ever top
flight clash between the two teams. I do not know
where can conjure up a steely defence and goals
from considering that they have only scored once
and shipped in 25 in 10 away matches.
I am sure Fidelis Saviour, who has scored fours goals
in FC Taraba's last three home matches, will be
waiting to pounce and compound City's woes.
Unfortunately I am backing FC Taraba to dump City
who will remain bottom once more.
My prediction: 2-0
Crown FC v Sharks [Lekan Salami Stadium]
Lawrence Akpokona is expected to return to the
dugout for Crown FC after his suspension is lifted.
After four games in the second round, Crown have
lost against Bayelsa United, Lobi Stars, Heartland and
Dolphins and are yet to score in 360 minutes of
football.
On the other hand, Sharks are yet to come up with
that first round form, but they have a 100 per cent
record in the top flight against Crown including
winning the reverse game 3-0 with Danladi Isah,
Ifeanyi Inyam and Frederick Obomate getting the
goals. I think Crown will end Sharks' dominance over
them.
My prediction: 2-1
•The Predictor improved on the number of correct
results by claiming eight out of 10 including just one
perfect.
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