Tuesday, July 19, 2011

NPL wrap for Week 33

The Matchday 33 game in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) between Ocean Boys and Lobi Stars did not hold due to controversies. Enyimba, Kaduna United and Sunshine Stars were busy with continental club games and it meant only seven games took place at the weekend.

For Week 33, it was five correct results including one exact score predicted for our analyst.

Plateau United 2 – 0 Warri Wolves
George Akpabio was the man of this game as he ensured that Plateau United’s hope of surviving the drop is kept alive. Two goals from the striker inside 28 minutes were enough to secure all three points for Plateau United against Warri Wolves.

But Plateau remain in relegation and four points away from safety while Wolves lost the chance to close the gap on the top three – Sunshine Stars, Dolphins and Kano Pillars in that order.
Prediction: 1 – 1

Sharks 1 – 0 Gombe United
Former Under20 midfielder, Emmanuel Ebiede, has suddenly become the spot kick specialist at the Blue Angels. For the second game running, Ebiede scored from the spot and this time his goal earned the Blue Angels a nervy win over Gombe United at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Sharks climb to sixth place in the table while Gombe hover just above the drop zone in 15th with four points clear.
Prediction: 2 – 1

Kano Pillars 3 – 2 Dolphins
Dolphins have expressed reservation about the two penalties given to Pillars in the last four minutes of stoppage time but the home side claimed all points. Pillars got off the mark with a 13th minute goal from Abdul Haruna before Emma Nwachi pulled the away side level on 25 minutes.

Victor Namo got Pillars’ second goal on 57 minutes but within seconds Uche Oguchi put Dolphins on par. On 90 minutes, Gambo Mohammed missed a penalty, as Sunday Rotimi went down well to save.

Four minutes later, Rabiu Ali made no mistake from the spot to hand Pillars a 3 – 2 win and ensure that they remain third with 59 points.
Our prediction: 1 – 0

3SC 1 – 0 Kwara United
Veteran striker Kabiru Alausa put up his best performance this season for 3SC and capped it with a fine finish on the 13th minute of this game at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.

His early strike was enough to secure all points for the Oluyole Warriors and hand them a chance of avoiding the drop. 3SC are in 14th position on the log with 40 points while Kwara United are in 10th with 46 points from 33 games.
Prediction: 2 – 1

Bukola Babes 1 – 0 Crown FC
The Babes got their third straight win which earned Sulaiman Kabir Dogo a permanent head coach deal.

Abdulkadir Aminu got the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time over Crown FC. The Babes have 45 points from 33 games while Crown are still deep in relegation with five points off the pace.
Our prediction: 2 – 0

Zamfara United 1 – 0 Heartland
In spite of this win, Zamfara United are still in the drop zone though with two points off the relegation line.

Heartland will only hope to finish in a respectable position on the log as they are 12th with 43 points but have an outstanding game to play against Ocean Boys.
Our prediction: 1 – 0

Enugu Rangers 4 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
The Flying Antelopes blew apart any resistance from Tornadoes at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Sunday.

Brendan Ogbu helped himself with a first half brace while John Nnam and Kola Adegunde made sure it was 4 – 0 at full time.

Rangers showed no sign of missing their top striker, Uche Nwofor, who is away with the Nigerian men’s Under20s. The Enugu-based side climb up to fifth place with 53 points after 32 games. Tornadoes slide down to 13th on the log.
Our prediction: 2 – 0

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