The best football league in the country the ALATSociaLiga returns thisSaturday for Matchday 9 with a bit of a twist.
A lot will be at stake when teams take to the pitch at the Digital BridgeInstitute, Cappa, Lagos this weekend from 8:30am for what is expected tobe another interesting day in the LigaSFL.
But it won‘t be what you‘re all used to as there will be just five (5) gamesslated for matchday 9.
Many of you will want to know exactly why and I am here to provide youwith all the details and things you need to know about the matches.
According to the LigaSFL Football Chief, Ibaru Kunle, matchday 9 has been slated for almost all the rescheduled matches so far this season.
Alimosho are the only team this season with two rescheduled matches but won’t be playing the second game until November 27.
ALIMOSHO CHASE PLAYOFF SPOT WITH LATE PUSH, 96CHAMPIONS LOOKING TO REESTABLISH DOMINANCE
The Herd take on the wounded 96Champions in the opening match of the matchday this weekend.
Champions are looking to reestablish themselves as the team to beat this season after losing their invincibility and top spot on the LigaSFL table.
The Red Aces have failed to win any of their last two matches, they lost to new leaders Egba City on matchday 7 and dropped two more points the on MD 8 in that goalless draw with Dannaz FC.
For Alimosho, they will go into that encounter with 96C in a very buoyant and confident mood, I mean, who wouldn’t?
The Herd defeated defending champions Saints FC the last time and are hoping to consolidate on that impressive display by taking down the Red Aces as they continue what is looking like a late push for a place in the playoff.
That dream, making the top four, looked a faded one some weeks back but right now, if the Herd can repeat their performance against the Saints Army this weekend, they could move from eighth to fifth, just a point behind fourth-placed Dannaz FC who are not in action on Saturday.
Both Alimosho and 96Champions are taking on each other for the first time in the ALATSociaLiga.
ALIMOSHO LADIES EYE REVENGE AGAINST WOUNDED SAINTS LADIES
Alimosho Ladies host Saints Ladies in a match that is easily the biggest for matchday 9 in both the Male and Female divisions.
This is an interesting battle between two champions, for those who really follow the LigaSFL. Former winners, Saints Ladies on MD 7 ended current holders, Alimosho’s run of two years without defeat courtesy of a 2-1 win.
The Herd looked dejected that day at Cappa and will be coming out in search of revenge when both teams step on the pitch.
For Saints, it appears they celebrated the Alimosho win a bit too much as they went from ending the Herd’s unbeaten run in one matchday to losing theirs the next.
Saints were brought back to earth by an impressive performance from Raineri Ladies, who defeated them 2-0 on MD 8 to end their unbeaten run in the 2021 campaign.
Related: LigaSFL Review: Egba City, Raineri The Biggest Winners As Alimosho Shock Champions Saints
Therefore, this fixture sees two clubs looking for a swift return to winning ways in a must-not-lose match for either side.
Familiar foes, these two are, Alimosho had never lost to Saints prior to MD 7 but the big question now is, can they Herd avenge that result or will the Saints end up showing that they are now the team to beat this season by doing the double over the defending champions?
ELSEWHERE
Raineri Ladies are hoping for another good outing when they take on Dannaz Ladies in the other game in the Female LigaSFL.
It’s the second game between the two, the first one ended in a 1-0 win for Raineri, looking to compound the woes of the Lady Cedars, who are still without a win this season in the ALATSociaLiga.
Defending Champions of the Male LigaSFL, Saints take on Blak Haus in a must-win match for the champions. The Saints Army were on a winning run of three matches before Alimosho halted it on MD8.
They face a struggling Blak Haus team who are one of two sides without a win this season in the league.
Saints Army can’t afford to drop further points at this stage of the competition and while the Blaks are expected to play for pride, the Army risk missing the top four should they drop two or more points in this fixture.
Finally, league leaders Egba City will look to seal their place in the playoff with one game to spare when they host All Black in the final game of the matchday.
This game was originally intended for matchday one but was cancelled due to shortage of time. Since then, things couldn’t have been more contrasting for both sides.
Abeokuta club, City Hawks find themselves top of the table while the Born Blacks are still in search of their first win of the season and find themselves rooted to the foot of the table.
A win for Egba will see them pick up the first ticket for the playoff while All Black, who came close the last time, will be eyeing a first win in two seasons.
There you have it, all the details for this weekend, which of the games are you most looking forward to?
Do drop your feedback in the comments section.
