With just days away to the kick off of the 2012/13 Nigeria Premier League (NPL), now known as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), The Predictor has categorised the 20 clubs into four groups according to how they will likely perform in this term's campaign.
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The Predictor has picked defending champions, Kano Pillars as well as Enugu Rangers and Enyimba as the title contenders this term. But has tipped the People's Elephants to dethrone Kano Pillars to claim a seventh top flight title.
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Kano Pillars: The title holders are still the same team that won the league last term as they have kept the bulk of their stars. Pillars still have influential players in Gabriel Reuben, Gambo Mohammed, Rabiu Ali and captain Theophilus Afelokhai among others. They are one of the strong favourites for the title this term but will fall short of retaining their crown.
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Enugu Rangers: There have been changes in playing personnel at the Flying Antelopes. They have signed a number of players including Solomon Jabason (from Akwa United), Adamu Mohammed (from Dolphins), Uche Oguchi (from Heartland), Nzube Anazemba (from Enyimba), Matthew Etim (from Kaduna United), Emmanuel Daniel (from 3SC), Chinedu Justice (from Niger Tornadoes), Ousmane Pape Sane (from Sharks) and Sani Sanusi (from Gombe United). Okey Emordi now have a large squad to compete with their rivals but his side's trophy drought will stretch into three decades as they will only get close to the title.
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Enyimba: The six-time Nigerian champions have signed new players to strengthen their squad. Sibi Gwar, Abdulrasak Aliyu, Bobby Sokari, Fidelis Saviour, Benjamin Ishaya, Ukeyima Akombo, Femi Thomas, Michael Okoyoh and Siman Yusuf are among the new men at the People's Elephants. Coaches Salisu Yusuf, Paul Aigbogun and Imama Amapakabor will hope to put an end to two seasons without a silverware at the Aba club. The People's Elephant will finish as champions this term.