Nigeria Premier league Week 3 Preview

HEARTLAND vs SHARKS - Owerri

The Naze Millionaires can secure their first league victory against the Blue Angels at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri in the only Nigeria Premier League Week 3 game on Friday.



Ramson Madu’s boys will be desperate to start picking maximum points if they intend to end their 11-year title drought this season with a home victory against their neighbours.

The Owerri side conceded late in Ibadan against Crown FC to suffer a 1-0 loss last week no thanks to Frank Ike Ckukwujekwu’s 78th minute winner. They will continue their search for a first league win after being held at home by Dolphins in their opening game.

Visiting coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s Blue Angels may cherish getting an impossible away point in Owerri to extend their unbeaten run in two games after a narrow 1-0 win at home against Lobi Stars. Heartland are placed 14thon the log while Sharks are in ninth place.

SATURDAY

CROWN VS DOLPHINS - Ibadan

Lawrence Akpokona’s team has been given an opportunity to shoot up on the log when they welcome the Pride of Rivers this weekend at the Lekan Stadium, Ibadan.

The Ajilete Boys got a narrow 1-0 victory last week against visiting Heartland courtesy of Frank Ike Chukwujekwu’s 78th minute winning goal.

Stanley Eguma's Dolphins will try to keep their unbeaten start intact as they are eligible to field their fresh experienced intakes like Senegalese central defender, Mendy Xavier, Victor Alegbe, a midfielder from Wikki Tourists as well as Ayobanmi Asekunuwo, a central defender from Wikki Tourists.

FC TARABA vs EL KANEMI - Jalingo

The Jalingo boys could use this home advantage to quash the sad memories from their 3-1 loss to Kaduna United at the Sani Abacha Stadium last week when they host El Kanemi.

Tijani Babaginda’s team will hope to extend their unbeaten home run against the Maiduguri side that lost their first game of the season on the road at Warri Wolves.

Coach Nduka Ndubuisi boys must sustain the confidence of the people of Jalingo by returning the Pride of Taraba to winning ways after the top flight league debutants' opening day victory against Nasarawa United. It was a 58th minute penalty converted by Musa Najere that stunned Nasarawa.

Taraba sitting on the 10th spot can shoot up the log, while bottom-placed El Kanemi hope to bring their campaign back on track on Saturday.

RANGERS vs KANO PILLARS - Enugu

Rangers may consider reshaping their season campaign with an important victory against holders Kano Pillars this weekend.

The Flying Antelopes crashed away in Aba to Federation Cup holders Enyimba after suffering a 2-1 loss even though CHAN 2014 best player Ejike Uzoenyi stole the show with his artistry.

The encounter in Enugu promises another showdown as both clubs are set to mobilize their fans in their hundreds to throng the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Okey Emordi who began his league campaign with Sai Masu Gida will be desperate to raise the confidence of the fans after recording an early exit on the continent.

Rangers are second from bottom on the log while Pillars who are on 12th will both expect a favourable outcome.

SUNDAY

AKWA UNITED vs KADUNA UNITED - Uyo 

Akwa United will will be keen to maintain their lead at the zenith of the league when they receive Kaduna United in Uyo on Sunday.

The Promise Keepers will extend their unbeaten run with four points from two games at the Uyo Township Stadium after they left it late to secure a point on the road in Lafia to settle for a 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United last week.

The Crocodiles will not doubt their chances of picking a point on the road despite their 2-0 loss in Uhumahia against newly promoted Abia Warriors.

Despite requiring the last day of the season to secure their stay at the expense of Kwara United of Ilorin, the Promise Keepers sit at the summit of the league while placed Kaduna United are placed in the 6th position.

LOBI STARS vs GOMBE UNITED – Katsina-Ala

Lobi Stars will have to rally themselves back to winning ways when they host the Gombe United at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina Ala on Sunday.

The Markudi side needs to seize the home advantage and extend their season’s unbeaten home record as response to the defeat recorded in Port Harcourt against Sharks last week.

Evans Ogenyi’s team can bank on the presence of the overwhelming supporters of the football loving people of Benue to improve their ranks on the Nigeria Premier League log against Maurice Cooreman’s boys.

Lobi sit on the eighthspot while visitors Gombe United are on the 16thposition.

WEDNESDAY

WARRI WOLVES vs ENYIMBA - Warri

Warri Wolves will need to wait until Wednesday after their CAF Confederation Cup game against CA Bazertain of Cameroon in Warri before taking on Enyimba.

The 2013 Federation Cup runners-up who recorded a 1-0 victory against El Kanemi could extend their good start to the campaign against one of the favourites, the People’s Elephants.

Enyimba have garnered four points and are level with toppers, Akwa United and will hope to gain at least a point in Warri.

Paul Aigbogun’s boys are in fifth spot, just three places behind second-placed Zachary Baraje’s Enyimba.

BAYELSA UNITED vs NASARAWA UNITED - Yenagoa

Bayelsa United will, after their trip to Zimbabwe for the CAF Confederation Cup’s encounter with How Mine, welcome the Solid Miners to the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenegoa.

The Restoration Boys are unbeaten in both their league games – they won one at home against Sharks and drew one at Gombe last week.

The mid week encounter will see the visiting coach Muhammed Baba Ganaru's team strive for the incredible away point in Yenagoa while the home side seek to maintain their top-of-the-table push.

Bayelsa United are third on the table while Nasarawa United are 15th.