Pillars seek improved standing against Enyimba
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- Category: Sports
- Written by Orkula Shaagee
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There is no doubt that Kano fans will enjoy the best of football, this weekend, as host Kano Pillars battle visiting Enyimba FC of Aba in a duel adjudged “titanic soccer clash of the week”.
Pillars were runners-up in the last football, season, while Enyimba, popularly called The Peoples Elephant were champions.Last weekend, Pillars were upset 2-0 by NPL new boys Crown FC in Ilaro and will therefore be under pressure to get a result against the defending champions at a packed Sani Abacha Stadium.
“I wouldn’t say we’re under pressure even though we suffered a shocking defeat against Crown. It was an off day for us in Ilaro, but the boys are prepared to step up their game against Enyimba,” says Pillars coach, Salisu Yusuf.
The home side will however mis the services of one of their influential attackers and former Dolphin forward John Aondongu, who is away trying to sort out his travel papers for trials in Turkey.
Just as the return to action of unbanned goalkeeper Sani Haliru will be delayed by at least another week.
But the star match of the week, as far of the ongoing league season is concern is in Port-Harcourt where the fourth team on the log Dolphin hosts table toppers Warri Wolves.
Warri Wolves are top of the standings after five rounds of matches with 11 points, two points ahead of Dolphin.
They and Sharks are the only teams yet to lose this season with new coach, Paul Aigbogun, getting the plaudits for the Warri club’s results.
“We want to finish top of the table. It won’t be easy, but we are up to the task. We want to maintain our good start by putting behind our last game and focus on the next,” said Aigbogun.
The London resident has said he is satisfied with the blend of players from previous seasons with star signings like Ikechukwu ThankGod and Emmanuel Omodiagbe.
Dolphin are still smarting from the 1-0 loss at Niger Tornadoes with coach Stanley Eguma clearly unhappy with the officiating against his team in Minna.
Dolphin have averaged a goal-a-game and will thus be counting on Ghanaian striker Owusu Addae to improve on his lone strike at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Shooting Stars hope to get back to winning ways when they host Plateau United at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.
‘The Oluyole Warriors’ have tumbled from the top bracket to eighth place on the table on the back of a late penalty goal by Enyimba goalkeeper Chijoke Ejiogu.
Shooting Stars right fullback Tare Oke, who saw red in Aba, is suspended for this fixture and will likely be replaced by Sylvanus Ebiaku.
The strike force would be Gbolahan Salami and Raheem Owolabi, with highly-rated youngster Jonathan Onyebuchi, an unused substitute against Enyimba, probably getting a chance to make his NPL debut.
Heartland, who also lost to a late goal by Kwara United last weekend, will welcome the return of exciting central midfielder Chukwuka Onuwa, who was recently bereaved, for their home tie against youthful Crown FC.
After a failed CAF Champions League campaign, ‘The Naze Millionaires’ are rebuilding with the help of several youngsters like Onuwa, who marshalled the team’s engine-room on opening day action away at Gombe United.
Bukola Babes will welcome Enugu Rangers to their new home ground of Minna, also this weekend.
The struggling Babes, who will be seeking only their second win of the campaign, have been boosted by the return from holy Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca of top striker Aminu Kadir.
Kadir, who was accompanied to Mecca by assistant coach Kabir Suleiman, is a graduate of the Kwara Football Academy and his goals were instrumental in the Ilorin club winning promotion to the top flight.
Articles
Pillars seek improved standing against Enyimba
Category: Sports Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 757
There is no doubt that Kano fans will enjoy the best of football, this weekend, as host Kano Pillars battle visiting Enyimba FC of Aba in a duel adjudged “titanic soccer clash of the week”.
Pillars were runners-up in the last football, season, while Enyimba, popularly called The Peoples Elephant were champions.Last weekend, Pillars were upset 2-0 by NPL new boys Crown FC in Ilaro and will therefore be under pressure to get a result against the defending champions at a packed Sani Abacha Stadium.
“I wouldn’t say we’re under pressure even though we suffered a shocking defeat against Crown. It was an off day for us in Ilaro, but the boys are prepared to step up their game against Enyimba,” says Pillars coach, Salisu Yusuf.
The home side will however mis the services of one of their influential attackers and former Dolphin forward John Aondongu, who is away trying to sort out his travel papers for trials in Turkey.
Just as the return to action of unbanned goalkeeper Sani Haliru will be delayed by at least another week.
But the star match of the week, as far of the ongoing league season is concern is in Port-Harcourt where the fourth team on the log Dolphin hosts table toppers Warri Wolves.
Warri Wolves are top of the standings after five rounds of matches with 11 points, two points ahead of Dolphin.
They and Sharks are the only teams yet to lose this season with new coach, Paul Aigbogun, getting the plaudits for the Warri club’s results.
“We want to finish top of the table. It won’t be easy, but we are up to the task. We want to maintain our good start by putting behind our last game and focus on the next,” said Aigbogun.
The London resident has said he is satisfied with the blend of players from previous seasons with star signings like Ikechukwu ThankGod and Emmanuel Omodiagbe.
Dolphin are still smarting from the 1-0 loss at Niger Tornadoes with coach Stanley Eguma clearly unhappy with the officiating against his team in Minna.
Dolphin have averaged a goal-a-game and will thus be counting on Ghanaian striker Owusu Addae to improve on his lone strike at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Shooting Stars hope to get back to winning ways when they host Plateau United at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.
‘The Oluyole Warriors’ have tumbled from the top bracket to eighth place on the table on the back of a late penalty goal by Enyimba goalkeeper Chijoke Ejiogu.
Shooting Stars right fullback Tare Oke, who saw red in Aba, is suspended for this fixture and will likely be replaced by Sylvanus Ebiaku.
The strike force would be Gbolahan Salami and Raheem Owolabi, with highly-rated youngster Jonathan Onyebuchi, an unused substitute against Enyimba, probably getting a chance to make his NPL debut.
Heartland, who also lost to a late goal by Kwara United last weekend, will welcome the return of exciting central midfielder Chukwuka Onuwa, who was recently bereaved, for their home tie against youthful Crown FC.
After a failed CAF Champions League campaign, ‘The Naze Millionaires’ are rebuilding with the help of several youngsters like Onuwa, who marshalled the team’s engine-room on opening day action away at Gombe United.
Bukola Babes will welcome Enugu Rangers to their new home ground of Minna, also this weekend.
The struggling Babes, who will be seeking only their second win of the campaign, have been boosted by the return from holy Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca of top striker Aminu Kadir.
Kadir, who was accompanied to Mecca by assistant coach Kabir Suleiman, is a graduate of the Kwara Football Academy and his goals were instrumental in the Ilorin club winning promotion to the top flight.