NPL resumes with tasty duels Wikki dare Enyimba, Dolphins battle Sharks, Abia host Sunshine
We have the players who are experienced enough to do the work on the pitch. Though I am not underrating Wikki Tourists, I see the possibility of us leaving Bauchi with a good result
After three weeks of break, action resumes tomorrow, June 14 in the Nigeria Premier League in nine centres across the country with title chasing Enyimba visiting returnees Wikki Tourist FC inside the Tafawa Balewa stadium Bauchi.
Third placed Enyimba whose away record this season has been impressive with two wins and a draw will invade the Tourists camp inspired by the likes of Goalkeeper Femi Thomas, Markson Ojobo,Chinedu Udoji, Chinonso Okonkwo and top scorer Mfoh Udoh to pick the vital point.
Enyimba’s Technical Adviser, Kadiri Ikhana told SHOT! that the Bauchi game is just like any other league match that they will honour with high level of concentration.
“We have the players who are experienced enough to do the work on the pitch. Though I am not underrating Wikki Tourists, I see the possibility of us leaving Bauchi with a good result and I must tell you that even the points we dropped at home this season was due to some few lapses which we have corrected,” he said.
Wikki Tourists FC with Yakubu Victor in attack and Emenike Onuoha marshalling the defence to provide cover for Sani Halliru, the coach Abdul Maikaba led team could give their teeming home fans something to cheer at the end of the day.
Both Coach Maikaba and Eminike Onuoha are confident that the ‘Peoples’ elephant’ will not escape defeat in their hand in Bauchi.
“We set for ourselves a top finish target from the onset and we are selfmotivated for the game. We have demolished some big clubs in our home ground this season and Enyimba will not be an exception,” the central defender noted.
In Umuahia, Abia Warriors will host top of the table side, Sunshine Stars of Akure. The Akure gunners who have garnered 20 points from 10 games have been lucky on the road in the east this season with their 3-0 away victory against Heartland FC in week seven, need to bring out their best to consolidate their stay on top as the Warriors who have lost a home game this season will come out to push for the maximum points.
There is local derby in PortHarcourt where Dolphins FC host city rivals Sharks FC inside the Liberation stadium in the early fight against relegations. Dolphins placed 16 on the log with 10 points from 10 matches and Sharks on the 19th spot with eight points from the same number of matches will fight to move up the ladder.
Dolphins FC Coach Stanley Eguma told SHOT! that though the match is one of the biggest derbies in the Nigeria league scene, the much expected fire work may not be seen tomorrow as the morale of the players from both teams is at the lowest ebb.
“Our match against Sharks FC is one of the biggest derbies in the country but with the way things are with the two teams you may not see the fire play in the encounter because they are not motivated.
“However, it is our home game and we have to just come out to honour it and as it is with us here it is same with Sharks. No salaries and no bonuses. So how do you motivate hungry players to play for you?,” he said.
It will be another tough duel in Jos as two high riding sides Giwa FC who are sixth on the log takes on fourth placed Gabros inside the Jos township stadium just as El-Kanemi will want to keep their home record as they host FC Taraba in Kano.
In Ilorin,Kwara United will test their might against visiting Rangers while Nasarawa United will battle it out against Akwa United in Lafia for the maximum points.
Heartland FC of Owerri will be home against Bayelsa United inside the Dan Anyiam stadium with 3SC newly recruited Coach Segun Ogunbote commencing his rescue mission with a game with another bottom of the log side Lobi Stars of Markudi inside Adamasingba stadium in Ibadan.
What would have been the star match of the week between defending champions, Kano Pillars and Warri Wolves has been postponed because host Wolves have seven players who are presently on national assignments.