Lets talk about today matches after seeing an unexpected result over the weekend. Plz comment on match situation of games you are watching.
NPFL Match Day 5, Today's Fixtures
Shooting Stars vs Kwara United
Dolphins vs Rangers
Nasarawa Utd vs Kano Pillars
Giwa vs Akwa United
Taraba FC vs Enyimba
Sharks vs Bayelsa
Wikki Tourists vs Warri Wolves
Heartland FC vs Abia Warriors
Gabros vs Lobi Stars
El-Kanemi vs Sunshine Stars

Pillars xi against nasarawa united: Afelokhai
Theophilus. Promise james. Samuel Tswanya.
Adamu Murtala. Jeol Djondang. Suleman
Usman. Tony Omoriege. Rabi u Ali(c). Adamu
Muhammad. Ekpai Moses. Abdul Azeez
Shobowale. RESERVES; Yusif Muhammad.
Isaac Loute. Abdul Haruna. Nafiu Ibrahim.
Muntari Ali. Shagari Muhammad and Ezekiel
Mbah. T. A. Okey Emodi

Sharks will face Bayelsa
United on Thursday in week five of the
Nigeria Professional Football League."

Gradually the league gets older by the day
and the actions are coming in thick and
fast for all teams in the NPFL, little time to
rest and reflect on victories and defeats.
The game must progress as we have in
other leagues across the world and after
an exciting match day 4 which produced
3 away victories, match day 5 is here; will
it prove to be even better than the
previous week, we wait to find out.
TARABA VS ENYIMBA FC
Both teams are looking for a quick
response after losing their previous game
against Bayelsa united and Kano Pillars
respectively. For the people’s elephant of
Aba, a trip to Kano was always going to be
a difficult one, and hoping to snap an 11
year winning home streak at the Sani
Abacha stadium didn’t quite turn out well,
having started the season not too badly.
Taraba FC suffered their first defeat of the
season at the hands of the restoration
boys, and a victory against Enyimba will
just about clear off the memories of the
defeat and get them back on track. Taraba
won this fixture last season by a lone goal
and will Enyimba suffer a back to back
defeat?
LAST FIVE MATCHES: FC TARABA – WWWDL
ENYIMBA FC – WDDWL
STATS: Enyimba FC have lost once in their
last five away matches in the league
VERDICT: Home win for Tony
Ogharanduku’s side
HEARTLAND VS ABIA WARRIORS
Table toppers Heartland FC will welcome
Abia warriors in this midweek fixture, and
having secured maximum 9 points from
all 3 games played this season, and
coming from the back of an away victory
with the highest score margin of the
weekend in their game against Kwara
United, maybe now is not the best time
for 19 placed Abia Warriors who lost
2-1 at home to Wikki Tourist to make the
trip to Owerri.
LAST FIVE MATCHES: HEARTLAND FC –
WLWWW
ABIA WARRIORS- WLDLL
STATS: Heartland FC have not won four
consecutive NPFL matches Since June
2009.
VERDICT: A home win
SHARKS FC VS BAYELSA UNITED
After 4 rounds of matches in the new
season, Sharks FC of Porthacourt have so
far picked up 5 points and as they
welcome the Restoration boys, the blue
angels are looking forward to putting the
poor start to the new season behind
them.
Meanwhile for Bayelsa united, having
egged Taraba FC 1 nill last weekend,
hoping to get a point in Porthacourt
shouldn’t be a tall dream.
LAST FIVE MATCHES: SHARKS FC- LDLWD
BAYELSA UNITED- WDLLW
STATS: Sharks FC have kept a clean sheet in
their last 10 league meetings with Bayelsa
United
VERDICT: Shared spoils… A draw.
GABROS INT’L VS LOBI STARS
Tagged the draw specialists in the league,
Lobi stars who have gathered as many
points in their last 4 matches face a
potentially difficult tie as they travel to
Nnewi to tackle new comers in the league
Gabros Int’l
Gabros in their last 3 home fixtures have
not lost or picked a draw, and hosting
Lobi stars might see that change. The last
time both teams met was in 2005, Gabros
were forced to a draw in the first leg
while Lobi stars won the reverse fixture
2-0.
LAST FIVE MATCHES: GABROS INT’L – LWLWL
LOBI STARS- WDDDD
STATS: Lobi Star’s run of four draws is
now one short of their longest
consecutive draws in the start of a league
season since 2006
VERDICT: A draw.
DOLPHINS FC vs ENUGU RANGERS
This has always been a standout fixture
that pairs two traditional clubs in the
league. The rivalry between both sides has
seemingly come to stay if the recent
development is anything to go by. Rangers
are currently without a major trophy in 31
years and their last attempt to end the
drought was quashed by Dolphins FC in
the 2007 Federation Cup final. The rivalry
has since taken a notch.
Enugu Rangers were shocked by the
visiting Giwa FC in their last matchday as
they suffered their first home loss in four
years. Meanwhile, Dolphins FC
controversially lost 2-1 away Sunshine
Stars after the replay showed the ball had
touched Prince Aggreh in his arm before
he netted the extra time winner.
With Dolphins FC and Enugu Rangers
currently going through bad patches,
occupying 19 and 18th spot
respectively, this is bound to be a fight for
more than supremacy.
LAST FIVE GAMES: DOLPHINS FC: DLDLL
ENUGU RANGERS: WLWLL
STATS: Dolphins FC are winless in five
consecutive NPFL games for the first time
since March 2012.
VERDICT: A home win
GIWA FC VS AKWA UNITED
Hardly have we seen a NPFL side (apart
from Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC) bounce
back in style after seeing an unbeaten run
of matches ended. Warri Wolves trounced
Giwa FC 3-0 on Matchday 2 but the
Elephants have since bounced back in
grand style with a home win over
Sunshine Stars before stunning Enugu
Rangers on Sunday. It is easy to assume
Heartland FC may not be the only team
currently enjoying a delightful run in the
league. Two wins in two games without
conceding a goal makes them a team to
watch out for in the next couple of
Matchdays.
A relieving Akwa United, who ended a 703
minute goal drought in the league last
Sunday, will have to be close to their best
once again in a bid to avoid early
relegation troubles.
The previous two meetings involving both
sides resulted in home victories as Giwa FC
edged out through a 10th minute Amos
Gyang strike in this tie last season.
LAST FIVE MATCHES: GIWA FC – WDLWW
AKWA UNITED – LDLLW
STATS: Giwa FC have kept 5 clean sheets in
their 6 NPFL matches.
VERDICT: An “Elephantic” home win
WIKKI TOURISTS VS WARRI WOLVES
After a stellar performance to stun Abia
Warriors with a 1-0 win in Umahia last
Sunday, Wikki Tourists have seemingly
raised their chances of a great start to the
season. The Bauchi based club are one of
the best teams going forward (scored 5
goals in 4 matches) but their strength lies
more in quick adaptation.
Two of their four opponents so far in the
league handed them defeats in the NNL
Super four pre-season tournament held in
February, but Wikki have gone to pick four
points off them this season while the win
at Abia Warriors further buttresses their
swiftness to suitably change the gear for
each terrain.
Wolves, one of the brilliant teams so far
this season, are the next to test the
resolve of Abdul Maikaba’s men.
The Seasiders will also not be bereft of
confidence heading into this match. Paul
Aigbogun’s men are 2-1 winners over FC
MK Etancheite in the first leg of CAF
Confederation Cup tie.
LAST FIVE GAMES: WIKKI TOURISTS –
LWLDW
WARRI WOLVES – DDDLW
STATS: Wikki Tourists has a current
winning streak of 4 home games against
Warri Wolves since 2005.
VERDICT: Wolves’ attack to punish the leaky
Wikki defense. Away win in the cards.
NASARAWA UNITED VS KANO PILLARS
This is Kano Pillars’ first away game of the
season after the armed robbery attack
and continental assignment had caused
the postponement of games at Heartland
FC and Shootings Stars respectively.
Nasarawa United failed to win their last
home fixture against the Oluyole Warriors,
a feat that happened only as the third time
in their last 21 games. This explains how
the Solid Miners have recently made a
haven out of the Lafia Township Stadium
where very few away sides have left
unscathed. Meanwhile, Pillars’ visits to the
stadium has earned them just two points
in their last five games.
LAST FIVE GAMES: NASARAWA UNITED -
DLWLD
KANO PILLARS – WWLWW
STATS: Kano Pillars’ record of 5 conceded
goals in previous league meetings with
Nasarawa United is the least by any
current side in the NPFL against the Solid
Miners
VERDICT: United are currently without
their mojo. An away win should prove
that.
EL-KANEMI WARRIORS VS SUNSHINE STARS
El-Kanemi Warriors had their Matchday 4
fixture against Warri Wolves postponed
due to the clash with Wolves’ CAF
Confederations Cup game. That is enough
reason for El-Kanemi to be the more
prepared side going in this tie.
Sunshine Stars controversially won
2-1against Dolphins FC on Sunday without
their gaffer Paul Ashworth in the dugout.
However, the notable tactical event in the
game was the introduction of Dele
Olorundare in the half time as he made his
debut this season. The return of Dele has
further bolstered their chances of
outscoring any opponent while the
enormous quality in the attacking third for
the Akure Gunners is now more vivid than
ever. But will that earn them their first
away win in three years remains to be
seen as they embark on trip to consolidate
their third position on the log.
LAST FIVE MATCHES: EL-KANEMI WARRIORS
– LWWLW
SUNSHINE STARS – LDWLW
STATS: El-Kanemi Warriors have won their
previous two home fixtures against
Sunshine Stars without conceding.
VERDICT: A draw.
SHOOTING STARS VS KWARA UNITED
The rivalry developed in the recent
meetings between Shooting Stars and
Kwara United, the great urge for a victory,
and the tale which connects the cities
harbouring both sides mean this could
always guarantee a spectacle.
In their last outing, Shooting Stars bravely
snapped a 3-game losing streak with a
barren draw at one of the dreadful
grounds in the league, Lafia Township
Stadium. Franklin Howard would be
hoping the draw is enough to really kick
start their season as they face an arch rival
in Kwara United.
Kwara United were trounced 3-1 by
league leaders Heartland FC at home as
they suffered their first loss of the season
on Matchday 4. The Afonja Warriors have
been decent in their previous three games
and the talent in the squad is
undoubtable, but how long will it take
them to reach their full potential is
remains a mystery.
3SC defeated Kwara United by 2-1 in their
last competitive meeting to qualify for the
final of the Nigeria National League (NNL)
Super Four tournament in February.
LAST FIVE MATCHES: SHOOTING STARS –
WLLLW
KWARA UNITED – DDWDL
STATS: 3SC have won four of their last five
NPFL home fixtures against Kwara United.
VERDICT: A home win

The League Management Company (LMC)
says it is in receipt of letters of apology
written by the two Sunshine Stars players
who were earlier in the week sanctioned
for their behaviour during the Match Day 4
league game against Dolphins and will not
take further actions against them.
Prince Aggrey and Ebenezer Odunlami
were on Monday banned for one league
game each and fined N50, 000 for
indecent exposure and behaviour capable
of bringing the league to disrepute for
stripping to their inner briefs to celebrate
their teams second and winning goal
against Dolphins.
The LMC had also in line with the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL)
framework and regulations allowed the
two players 48hours to either submit to
the decision and or elect to be dealt with
by a special LMC commission.
However, following the separate letters of
apology from the duo, the LMC has
commended the players for accepting
responsibility and admonished them to be
of good behaviour going forward.
Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating
Officer said, “the two players have written
to accept full responsibility for their bad
behaviour and have accordingly
apologized to the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF), the LMC, our broadcast
partners; Supersport, the owners of the
club; the Ondo Government, their
employers; the Ondo State Football
Agency, Supporters of Sunshine Stars and
the general public”.
Abubakar said the players must serve the
one match ban and pay the N50, 000. The
LMC, he said has further advised all Club
Management to discharge their technical
responsibilities to players and other
personnel by providing continuous
enlightenment on codes of conduct and
other rules of the game

ENYIMBA Starting XI: Ocheje,
Ojobo, Aloma, Solomon, Anaemena, Uche
John, Abalogu, Boumsong, Okonkwo,
Anaezemba and Mfon Udoh Substitutes: Femi
Thomas, Bala Zakka, Ifeanyi George, Kamal
Sikiru, Amanfor Chimezie, Etor Daniel and
Peter Onyekachi.

op move this to fp plz. Lets surport our league.

It's early kick-off in Jalingo, FC Taraba vs
Enyimba because of curfew imposed on
the state after the inconclusive elections

3' FC Taraba 0-0 Enyimba

55' Taraba - Enyimba 0:0
19' Dolphins - Enugu 0:0
19' El Kanemi - Sunshine Stars 0:0
19' Gabros - Lobi 0:0
19' Giwa - Akwa 0:0
19' Heartland - Abia Warriors 0:0
19' Nasarawa - Kano 0:0
19' Shooting - Kwara 0:0
19' Wikki - Warri 0:0

Empredboy:
ENYIMBA Starting XI: Ocheje,
Ojobo, Aloma, Solomon, Anaemena, Uche
John, Abalogu, Boumsong, Okonkwo,
Anaezemba and Mfon Udoh Substitutes: Femi
Thomas, Bala Zakka, Ifeanyi George, Kamal
Sikiru, Amanfor Chimezie, Etor Daniel and
Peter Onyekachi.

Bright Esieme is not in the starting line up as well as the sub. What's wrong,is he injured?

We are currently topping the league table and B.Ejike is leading the goal scoring chart. Up Heartland. Abia warriors will certainly go back to Abia empty handed this evening.

Taraba - Enyimba 0:1
26' Dolphins - Enugu 0:0
26' El Kanemi - Sunshine Stars 0:0
26' Gabros - Lobi 0:0
26' Giwa - Akwa 0:0
26' Heartland - Abia Warriors 0:0
26' Nasarawa - Kano 0:0
26' Shooting - Kwara 0:0
26' Wikki - Warri 0:0

16:00 Taraba - Enyimba 0:1
45+' Dolphins - Enugu 1:0
Half Time El Kanemi - Sunshine Stars 0:0
Half Time Gabros - Lobi 0:0
Half Time Giwa - Akwa 3:0
Half Time Heartland - Abia Warriors 0:0
45+' Nasarawa - Kano 0:0
45+' Shooting - Kwara 2:0
Half Time Wikki - Warri 0:0

77' Dolphins - Enugu 1:0
79' El Kanemi - Sunshine Stars 1:0
81' Gabros - Lobi 0:0
78' Giwa - Akwa 3:0
82' Heartland - Abia Warriors 0:0
17:00 Nasarawa - Kano -:-
74' Shooting - Kwara 2:0
79' Wikki - Warri 0:0