By Adeyinka Akintunde, Lagos on February 21, 2016

Four clubsides stand out as favourites as the 2016 the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) kicks off this weekend. They are Enyimba International of Aba, Ifeanyi Ubah of Nnewi, Kano Pillars of Kano and Sunshine Stars of Akure. The season started yesterday with Plateau United turning back visiting Niger Tornadoes 2-1 at the Jos Township Stadium. Nine venues scattered across the country will witness fireworks this evening as the rest of the week one matches are decided.

Defending champions Enyimba will be the team to watch this season, starting from the first day. They have new star players such as ThankGod Ike, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Theophilus Afelokhai that can do the job for them. FC Ifeanyi Ubah, who went as far as Brazil to buy players, will also be a team to watch this season, as everyone would want to see how the South Americans would perform in Nigeria. Kano Pillars must equally rank as title favourites; with the Kano State Government supporting them fully, they can go far. Sunshine Stars is another team to beat this season. They still have the presence of Paul Onobi and goalkeeper Okechukwu Ezenwa, who has once made an appearance for the Flying Eagles.

For the first time in almost a decade, two teams will represent Lagos State this season; Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club (MFM FC) and Ikorodu United FC. This will give residents of Lagos an opportunity to enjoy the league, firsthand, on Lagos soil. This season will also see two clubs combined (Sharks FC and Dolphins FC, both Port Harcourt) to become Rivers United FC) following the decision by the Rivers State Government that it can no longer sponsor two clubsides in view of the present economic realities.

Some big boys who lit up the league last season are be missing this season. Top on the list are Gbolahan Salami, Tunde Adeniji, Chisom Chikatara, Etebo Oghenekaro and Azubuike Egwuekwe. They have all gone out to seek greener pastures in other parts of the world, after doing well for their clubsides, and for Nigeria. Their services will be missed in the league.

TODAY’S FIXTURES

Giwa FC vs Ifeanyi Ubah FC

Nassarawa Utd vs MFM FC

Rivers Utd vs Eyimba FC

Shooting Stars vs Lobi Stars

Sunshine Stars vs Akwa Utd

Ikorodu Utd vs Abia Warriors

El Kanemi Warriors vs Wikki Tourists

Heartland FC vs Warri Wolves

Kano Pillars vs Rangers Int’l.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 21, 2016

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