By Patrick Ngwaogu
After matchday 13, Abia Comets held on to their eight match unbeaten runs, though they could not beat Rovers in Umuahia, they are still guiding their record jealously as the league hots up.
The maximum punishment passed on Malumfashi United, no doubt changed the standing in Conference D
Matchday 13 saw a total of 36 goals in the four conferences, with three away wins and eight draws.
Matchday 14 will be very interesting, as the perfections to come out tops, and that to avoid drop continues.
CONFERENCE A
Edel vs Ekiti Utd
Edel went to Lagos to pick a point against 1472 FC. This weekend, they will be at home to confront Ekiti United who lost their last fixtures by two goals to nil against Beyond Limits.
The Ekiti boys may likely return home empty handed at the end of the encounter.
Vandrezzer vs Beyond Limits
The Lions from Uyo may be kissing the league good bye, if they fail to honour the match in Lagos this week. The NNL Board will not hesitate to invoke relevant clauses of the books on them if they fail to honour the encounter with Beyond Limits this weekend, the beautiful dreams behind Vandrezzer may have ended.
Rovers vs Madiba
Can Rovers stop high flying Madiba FC in Calabar? That is the question that will be answered after the Matchday 14 encounter at the U.J. Eusuene Stadium this weekend. Rovers forced a point in Umuahia last week, but this week, they will double their efforts to subdue Madiba in Calabar
Dakadda vs Abia Comets
Abia Comets is carrying their 8 match unbeaten record to Uyo this weekend. The match against Dakada will surely be a dicey one, as both teams may likely share the points at stake.
Smart City vs Coal City
Smart city will be striving to gain the maximum points at stake, after they narrowly lost to Stomers in Abeokuta. They will go all out against Coal city who would not skack also.
1472 vs Stormers SC
This is a battle of two bottom teams. 1472 never envisaged what they met in the League. They are struggling to remain afloat, and that will exactly be same thing that will happen this weekend in Lagos against Stormers who will take a short trip to confront the Surulere boys.
CONFERENCE B
Ijebu Utd vs Giant Brillars
Giant Brilars will take a trip to the Awujale town, hoping to improve on their fortunes in the League. However, their host will not spare any thing to pick the maximum points.
Osun Utd vs Ikorodu City
The standing on the League table will surely change after the match in Osogbo. Osun United with just a point below Ikorodu city, will surely topple the Ikorodu boys at the end of the day.
Solution vs FC ONE
Rocket
The Solution Boys actually needs a solution to their problems, and this may start this week against FC ONE Rocket. The Solution boys from Awka will want to pocket the maximum points at stake for them to be hopeful of surviving the drop at the end of the season.
Warri Wolves vs International Lagos
Warri Wolves will have their hands full this weekend. To them, this may not be the best time to play the International boys from Lagos, who are actually showing a devastating form in the league. A favourable result in Warri, may see the International Lagos boys taking over the leadership of the group for the first time. However, they will have to work extra hard to come out from Warri with a point.
Tradesafe vs Gateway Utd
A local derby game which can go either ways. Tradesafe surely is down, but they are not out. They will want to make something out of the match. But, for the original owners of the Abeokuta stadium, Gateway United, anything short of victory will be a disappointment for them.
CONFERENCE C
Wikki Tourists vs NAF
Wikki Tourists will take NAF to the cleaners this weekend. The Airforce boys may not survive the fireworks of a well motivated Tourists team from the Yankari Town.
Yobe Desert Warriors vs ABS
Yobe Desert Stars will amass the three maximum points in this encounter. The youthful ABS boys are only striving to remain in the League this season.
El-kanemi Warriors vs Zamfara Utd
El-kanemi Warriors is among the teams that are eager to return to the NPFL at the end of the season. With just two points below Wikki Tourists and Nasarawa United, nothing can save Zamfara from being humiliated in Maiduguri.
Mighty Jets vs EFCC
When the annals of the league season is written, the story of the anti-graft boys will be told as one of the teams that came with so many expectations, but were found wanting when the chips were down. The EFCC boys came into the league with much expectations this season, having played the Super 8 last season, but prevailing events have condemned the team to the red zone. Against familiar foes, Mighty Jets, in Jos, only the usual football grace can see the Abuja boys returning from the tin city with a point.
CONFERENCE D
City vs Kebbi Utd
City FC is in the danger zone. The expulsion of Malumfashi from the league affected them adversely as they lost six points with the decision. This weekend against Kebbi United, it will be a hungry and angry Citizen boys that will invade the Kebbi boys who will not leave the Old parade ground with a point.
Adamawa Utd vs Jigawa Golden stars
With one point separating the two teams, Adamawa United will struggle to pluck their opponents further to the red zone. But, any complacency on the path of the host, may see the visitors smiling to Dutse with a point.
Sokoto Utd vs Mailantariki Care FC
Sokoto United will be in the race to regain their top position this week, after they were dethroned following the expulsion of Malumfashi from the league. If it were in the past, the Mailantariki boys would have been classed as a strong bone for Sokoto United to crack, but their performance this season has not been too encouraging. However, the Caliphate boys may return to the summit of the group at the end of the encounter.
