Battle for continental tickets, survival resume in 2022 NPFL

After a two-week break, the second round of the 2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will resume today with the week 20 fixture between defending champions Akwa United and table toppers Rivers United in Uyo.

In the reverse fixture, Rivers United walloped Akwa United 4-1 in Port-Harcourt to end the round with 42 points from 19 matches.

• We’ll bring in foreign mercenaries if FG fails to end terrorism – El-Rufai
• How terrorists pushed Kaduna to the edge

The remaining MatchDay 20 fixtures will hold tomorrow across the country as second-placed Plateau United travel to Akure to face Sunshine Stars, Rangers in the third position will be guests of relegation-threatened Lobi Stars in Makurdi while last on the table MFM slug it out with fellow strugglers Heartland FC in Lagos.

Enyimba who forced Wikki Tourists to a 0-0 draw in Bauchi will host the reverse fixture in Aba with their eyes on the maximum points, Remo Stars will travel to Ilorin to battle Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes entertain Dakkada FC at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna just as Katsina United tread tackles with Abia Warriors at the Muhammadu Dikko stadium Katsina.

Former champions, Kano Pillars who are also faced with relegation will hope to do the double over fellow northerners, Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium while 3SC travel up north to square up with 13th placed Nasarawa United.

Meanwhile, as the quartet of Rivers United, Plateau United, Rangers and Remo Stars is aiming for the three available continental tickets, bottom-placed MFM, Lobi Stars, Heartland and Niger Tornadoes will be fighting to escape the drop.

Although they are marginally above relegation waters, Dakkada and Katsina United on 21 points each will be fighting tooth and nail to avoid being dragged down by the bottom four clubs.

And as the relegation fight rages, all eyes will be on 19th placed Lobi Stars who re-appointed former international, Dominic Iorfa, to lead their rescue mission.