..Sunshine Stars Twinkle In Triller Vs Kwara Utd_
By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Matchday 27 of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has thrown up another installment of the ZoBia Classic, as Rangers Int’l FC embarks on an improbable revenge mission against Kano Pillars FC, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in Kofarmata.Pillars, with veterans Ahmed Musa and Rabiu Ali pulling the strings, won the first leg at the Cathedral in Enugu 3-2; with the defending champions complaining of the referee, overlooking at least two penalties against the visiting, Kano Pillars.
Having won their last encounter 3-0 against Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side seems to have found a front-three combo that would resolve the poor finishing that have characterized a greater part of their faltering title defence.
In other games, Niger Tornadoes will begin life away from Minna, when hosting record nine-time champions, now a yoyo club Enyimba Int’l FC, at the Lafia Township Stadium.
Bayelsa United are home in Yenagoa to Bendel Insurance of Benin, which appears to have turned a corner, with some favourable results recently.
In the early kick-off, Abia Warriors will battle.Nasarawa United FC in Umuahia; and in the first of two late kickoffs, Ikorodu City will host Heartland FC of Owerri at the MJA in Onikan, Lagos.
The other fixture to be played under floodlights, holds in Ikenne-Remo, where Remo Stars will look to gloss over the loss to Nasarawa United FC in midweek; and avoid a second defeat to a North Central opponent, in consecutive games, when slugging it out with Plateau United FC of Jos.
On Saturday, Ahmadu Liman netted a hat trick as Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, responded to the three-match ultimatum served the coaching crew and managers, by thrashing Kwara United FC of Ilorin 4-2 at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, in Ilorin.
Tomorrow, Akwa United FC will need all 3 points in their duel against Katsina United FC to ease their relegation worries; whilst El-kanami Warriors welcome bottom club Lobi Stars FC to Maidugiri.
Monday’s other game, is a cracker at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Adamasingba, between two teams separated only by goals difference, and are ranked 3rd and 2nd in the table – Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan, and Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt.
