Nigerian Football
PLATEAU UNITED IN UMUAHIA TO CONSOLIDATE TOP SPOT
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
Plateau United have held on to the top spot from Matchday 1 winning six and drawing three of 10 matches, their only blemishing coming from the lone goal defeat to Heartland on Matchday 7.
The Jo’s team are guaranteed to stay at the helm unless Abia Warriors behave like their neighbours Heartland, and second placed Lobi Stars beat Akwa United in Uyo. Even then, the Stars will have to cancel United’s two-goal advantage.
Abia Warriors have won three and drawn two matches this season.
Lobi Stars might have been on the same point haul with Plateau United if not that their Matchday 6 home fixture against fumbling Rangers was rescheduled to enable the visitors attend to continental assignment. Five wins and three draws from nine games have earned the 2017/18 champions 18 points as they arrive Uyo to face determined Akwa United.
The former Federation Cup winners are now beginning to pick themselves up after a poor start to the season. They posted back-to-back wins over Rivers United and local side Dakkada FC after losing 0-3 to MFM in Lagos.
Dakkada FC are in third place after a fine run in their debut season at the top flight. Despite the setback in the hands of “big brother” Akwa United last time out, the former Akwa Starlets are well positioned to challenge for honours after a 4-4-2 outcome in 10 matches.
But their hosts Sunshine Stars are also having a good showing as their 4-3-3 statistics suggest. They chase their fifth win in Akure to achieve 18 points and rise from No 6 on the log.
Two teams in the relegation zone – Rangers and Nasarawa United – have their matches deferred. While Nasarawa United will be guests of MFM on New Year day, Rangers’ home fixture against Kano Pillars will be played at a date to be announced.
Adamawa United and Kwara United – the other teams in the drop zone – will aim to leap out of danger. That will be a possibility for Kwara United if they shock Warri Wolves in Warri, while Adamawa United will also be lifted up if they beat visiting Rivers United and other results go their way.
MATCHDAY 11 FIXTURES…
- FC IfeanyiUbah v Heartland
- Warri Wolves v Kwara United
- Abia Warriors v Plateau United
- Katsina United v Jigawa Golden Stars
- Akwa United v Lobi Stars
- Sunshine Stars v Dakkada FC
- Adamawa United v Rivers United
WEDNESDAY
- MFM v Nasarawa United
POSTPONED
- Rangers v Kano Pillars
- Enyimba v Wikki