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Nigeria's four representatives in this year's CAF competitions resume NPFL action in Wednesday's midweek games. MFM FC and Enyimba are both involved in testing rescheduled matchday eight fixtures, while the league's pacesetters Plateau United and Akwa United play away from home on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Seven-time Nigerian champions Enyimba are at home to reigning champions Plateau United at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar and may have the edge, as they come into the game fresher, having drawn a bye past the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. By contrast, Plateau United have only had a short break since their weekend clash with Cameroonian champions Eding Sport in the CAF Champions League, and will also have to make the gruelling road trip from Jos. The champions have started strongly in their title defence, and the division's second highest scorers are behind only Akwa United in the log. However, they've lost successive away games, while Enyimba are on a four-game unbeaten run. "We respect every team in the league, and facing the champions comes with added pressure," Enyimba coach Paul Aigbogun told KweséESPN. "We hope to extend our recent good run of results in front of our fans," the recently appointed Flying Eagles coach stated. League leaders Akwa United are in search of an instant response following their shock home defeat by Banjul Hawks in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Promise Keepers are away to MFM FC on Thursday, and must show great character to overcome their hosts, who have a 100-percent win record at home this season. Despite an encouraging start to life on the continent, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his team must switch their focus back to domestic duties, as last season's high flyers linger 17th on the table. MFM FC might be short on first-team players following a number of injuries in Mali against Real Bamako, but this showdown between two of the NFPL's top sides has the potential to be one of the most intriguing early fixtures of the campaign.
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