We are three games away from knowing who would be crowned Champions of the 2022/23 NPFL season and also what teams would represent Nigeria in the continent.

Matchday three goes down today the 7th of June and would see the Benin Arsenals and the Elephants of Aba lock horns by14:00hrs, while Remo Stars take on the Sunshine Stars of Akure by 16:30hrs and Lobi Stars will do battle against Rivers United by19:00hrs. All games will be played at the Onikan stadium in Lagos.

How the teams size up against each other

Bendel Insurance vs Enyimba

Bendel Insurance is unbeaten in the 20 games they have played this season but it does not exactly translate to top-notch football. They are one win in 10 of their last games (a 2-1 victory against El-Kanemi Warriors in April).

The Benin Arsenals have racked up just two points from a possible six leaving them one spot shy of a Continental place going into game three.

Eight-time Champions, Enyimba, are joint-top with Rivers United on the table with four points.

This would be the third time both teams do battle, with Benin Insurance getting the victory in one of the encounters and sharing the spoils in the other. A win for Enyimba would strengthen their hopes of winning the title, while a win for Bendel would see them jump into Continental places, moving up to second place with five points in the meantime.

Remo Stars vs Sunshine Stars

Remo Stars and Sunshine Stars would be looking to find their rhythm in the competition and to get their first maximum points.

Remo Stars seemed to have taken a page off Insurances books, drawing both their games in the Championship and coming from behind to do so on one of the occasions.

While it is not looking pretty for Remo Stars, they have been able to score four goals in two games. That should count for something.

“We have a way of turning things around because we have nine points to fight for and that’s our focus. We believe it’s possible,” Remo Stars Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede said on Monday. 

A win would see Ogunmodede’s men move up to second place with five points.

Sunshine stars have also not found their rhythm. Despite finishing third in Group B, sealing their place in the super six after thumping Dakkada FC by 3-0, Sunshine Stars seemed to have lost their firepower. The stars are yet to shine, maybe a late bloomer? We would have to wait and find out. 

And last but not least: Lobi Stars vs Rivers United.

Lobi Stars currently sit bottom of the table, with one point while defending Champions, Rivers United sit Joint-top with four points. While this tie looks one-sided on paper, Lobi Stars are desperate for their first win and would look to grind out a result.

Lobi Stars Coach Baba Ganaru said after the 1-0 loss to Enyimba on Monday:

“We will psyche the boys up; we have three more matches to go. Things can still change,”

Meanwhile, who does not like a little bit of fun?

The Executive Director at GTI Investment, financial investment, partner to the NPFL Interim Management Committee (IMC), Nelson Ine, said the musical variety is being introduced to add spice to the football thrills.

He said: “On Friday, June 9, we will be having on the sideline stage, Mohbad, one of Nigeria’s established Afrobeat Hip Hop singers and on Sunday for the closing events, Brymo, another big name artiste will take to the stage.

“We believe a mix of music and football is good for the building of the NPFL brand by tapping into the appeal of music to our huge youth population”