NPL Week 15 preview

Matchday 15 will be full of more questions expected to be answered by Sunday evening. The magic number for this week appears to be 10 from all indications.

Can Enugu Rangers go 10 games unbeaten? And can the leading scorer, Mustapha Babadidi of Gombe United hit the double figures by scoring his 10th goal of the season? Also can 'The Predictor' score 10 out of 10 this week?


Saturday, March 17, 2012
Sharks v Kaduna United (Sharks Stadium)
John Obuh's team have won their last four home games against Kaduna United in the top flight and will be keen to make it five after their 0-4 loss to Kano Pillars in mid-week.

This is an early season dogfight, and Sharks will have Bright Ejike, Mani Usman, Juwon Oshaniwon and Kola Anubi dressed for this tie. In spite of Buhari Jafar's form, Kaduna United will drop points at Sharks.
Our prediction: 2-0


Niger Tornadoes v Enyimba (Bako Kontagora Stadium)
It is seven years since Enyimba took a point away from Tornadoes - a 1-1 draw in February 2005. Tornadoes have won the last five games as hosts in this match-up including last season' 1-0 win.

Daniel Etor and Sibi Gwar will be the main threat to Enyimba, who could have a back four of Emma Anyanwu, Chinedu Udoji, Samuel Tswanya and Promise James for this game. Austin Eguavoen's team face a tough Saturday afternoon in Minna.
Our prediction: 2-1


Akwa United v Gombe United (UJ Esuene Stadium)
Gombe United have not scored in their last three trips to Akwa United, as they lost 0-3 in October 2008, 0-2 in March 2008 and 0-2 in February 2007. Akwa United have also not conceded in their last three games but face the side with two of the league's leading scorers in Babadidi and Sanusi Sani.

Solomon Jabason, Ibrahim Babale, Haruna Babalo, Ini Akpan and Femi Thomas are definitely going to ensure that The Promise Keepers win their sixth home game of this season and keep their 100 percent home run.
Our prediction: 2-0


Sunday, March 18, 2012
ABS FC v Rising Stars (Ilorin Township Stadium)
Rising Stars suffered their heaviest defeat in their first campaign in the NPL in the Ondo derby against Sunshine Stars in mid-week. The Stars should not expect any favour from ABS who are on a run of four unbeaten games.

Expect left-back Abubakar Yusuf, Abdulkadir Aminu, Abdulrahman Bashir, Andrew Abalogu and Yau Hassan to play different roles in ABS' win over Rising Stars this Sunday.
Our prediction: 2-0


Heartland v 3SC (UJ Esuene Stadium)
Cup holders, Heartland start off their punishment away from home in Calabar and against Festus Allen's team, 3SC. Five away trips to Heartland since 2004 and 3SC are yet to pick a point.

Chinedu 'Chicago' Efugh and Osas Okoro are in line to return to the Heartland team but it is Abdul Haruna who 3SC must keep an eye on. Heartland are favourites to win this game.
Our prediction: 1-0


Lobi Stars v Dolphins (Emmanuel Atongo Stadium)
League champions, Dolphins face a big test at Katsina-Ala this Sunday. Dolphins have lost all six games at Lobi since 2003 including last term's 1-2 loss.

In spite of the huge talent in the Dolphins' side they are yet to win on the road this term. Equally, Lobi will line up a team that include the like of Moses Bunde, Ezekiel Bassey, Igbinoba Efosa, Moses Orkuma, Blessing Okardi and David Tyavkase - capable of winning this game for the hosts.
Our prediction: 1-0


Sunshine Stars v Enugu Rangers (Dipo Dina Stadium)
The unbeaten streak of Rangers come under scrutiny in Ijebu-Ode against Sunshine Stars. Gbenga Ogunbote's team enjoyed a 3-0 win in the Ondo derby in mid-week but Rangers will present a different opposition on Sunday.

The Flying Antelopes are capable of hitting double figures with their unbeaten run considering the fact that they have in-form players like Chikeluba Ofoedu, Ejike Uzoenyi, Emeka Eze, Efe Yarhere, Oghogho Oduokpe and goalkeeper Uche Okafor.
Our prediction: 1-1


Jigawa Golden Stars v Kano Pillars (Hadejia Township Stadium)
Despite strengthening their team the Golden Stars always look like a side capable of dropping points in any of the northern derbies and especially against highly-rated Kano Pillars.

Moses Ogaga, Bala Mohammed and Chigozie Maurice will be fired up to face their former team, Kano Pillars but Baba Ganaru's men will extend their unbeaten run to six, as Jigawa Stars will remain in the bottom four.
Our prediction: 1-1


Ocean Boys v Wikki Tourists (Samson Siasia Stadium)
This is the 10th top flight meeting between the two clubs and the Tourists have the edge with four wins against three by Ocean Boys. Wikki have succeeded in avoiding defeat twice in five visits to Ocean Boys including a 1-1 draw last season.

Ocean Boys' attackers will come up against one of their former teammates, Festus Umanah but they should just edge this as Wikki have dropped all points on the road so far this season.
Our prediction: 2-1


Warri Wolves v Kwara United (Warri City Stadium; live on SuperSport 9)
Maurice Cooreman takes charge of his fifth game as Wolves' head coach. And he is expected to continue with the partnership of Jude Aneke and Azuka Ebinum up front in a bid to get their first win in three games.

Kwara United have hit a bad patch lately and are yet to win in their last three matches. The chance of ending that run in Warri, where they have lost in their last two visits, looks remote.
Our prediction: 2-0


*The Predictor got FIVE correct scores including TWO exact results from Matchday 14 which witnessed just an away win.