Edidiong STEPHEN
Dakkada FC welcome Nasarawa United, Thursday, to Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, in the last match of the midweek installment of the NPFL.
Nasarawa United arrive this fixture much fresher than their hosts having had an extra four-day rest following the postponement of their Match Day Fourteen engagement against Rangers on account of the latter’s involvement in a continental assignment.
Dakkada showed class, zest and panache in their 2-1 despatch of Rivers United last Sunday and will relish the chance to surge higher up the standings with victory over their northern visitors who have a paltry tally of two wins in thirteen outings with the first coming on Match Day Nine.
Dakkada’s Head Coach Caleb Esu welcomes back former Ikorodu United and Shooting Stars SC striker Ojukwu Ifegwu who has served out his three-match ban following a red card at Sunshine Stars.
The return of the bulky forward, who has three assists under his belt, may tempt the veteran tactician to offer respite to at least one of Moses Efffiong and Femi Ajayi who are the only two players to have secured starting berths in all of Dakkada’s NPFL ties this term.
Nasarawa United, who do not rank amongst NPFL’s good travellers, will be hoping that fortune will smile at them a second time at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as Lawal Abubakar scored in the second half to cancel out a first half penalty by Ndifreke Effiong in a 1-1 draw against Akwa United on Sunday, November 24, 2019 – the last time they visited. That would count for one of only two points garnered by the Solid Miners on their travels, with the other being in Lagos.
Against Rivers United on Match Day Thirteen, Nasarawa United’s Head Coach Bala Nikyu made two changes to the starting eleven which defeated FC Ifeanyi Ubah 3-2 on the previous Match Day with Ismail Mohammed and Christopher Ikenna taking the places of Maiyaki Ismaila and Lawal Abubakar respectively.
A fervent servant and true legend of Nigerian league football, Esosa Igbinoba is expected to feature from the start for the visitors alongside Tayo Fabiyi and Manga Mohammed.
Kick-Off in Uyo is at four o’clock in the afternoon while live text updates are available on Dakkada’s social media handles.
Key Stats
Dakkada have not lost a match by more than a goal margin this season.
This will be the first ever meeting between these sides at any level.
261 goals have been scored in 132 NPFL matches so far (183 by home teams and 78 by away teams).
Esosa Igbinoba, who has already scored this season, has scored in every Nigerian premier league season he’s featured.
Lawal Abubakar, who joined from Wikki Tourists last year, is Nasarawa United’s leading scorer with five goals this season.
Dakkada have never lost a match in which they scored first.
Form Guide
DAKKADA INT’L FC
Dakkada 2-1 Rivers United
MFM FC 1-0 Dakkada
NASARAWA UNITED
Rivers United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Nasarawa United 3-2 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Next Fixtures
DAKKADA INT’L FC
Lobi Stars Vs Dakkada
Dakkada Vs Jigawa GS
NASARAWA UNITED
Nasarawa United Vs Warri Wolves
Lobi Stars Vs Nasarawa United
