Glo League action continues as Pillars, Enyimba face away ties
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- Category: Sports
- Written by David Ngobua
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While clubs like Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Rangers and Kwara United are focused on winning one of the continental tickets on the platform of the league, others like Lobi Stars, Wikki, defending champions, Bayelsa United, Sharks and Gateway of Abeokuta are faced with relegation battle and would surely do everything to grab the maximum points this weekend.
The fixtures involving 3SC Ibadan and league leaders Kano Pillars is an interesting one because it is an encounter between a club that is on top yet uncomfortable and a host that needs to win in order to leap closer to the top four position.
While Kano Pillars are on top of the league table with 34 points, 3SC is placed 11th with 24 points. If Pillars are to break away from Enyimba who are breathing down their necks, the former champions from Kano must win today’s match against 3SC. The coach of Pillars Salisu Yusuf who spoke to Trustsports said he knows the importance of the match and would approach it with the required seriousness.
“We need to stay on top and the only way we can achieve this is to keep winning. We will approach today’s match with a positive mind, hoping that a level playing ground will be provided for both teams”.
He said 70% of the team that competed in last year’s CAF Champions League has been retained and there is serious understanding among the players who have resolved to return to the continent.
“70% of the players who represented the team in last year’s CAF Champions League have been retained and they are focused on returning to the continent. Our focus is to win and return to the continent” he said.
With 34 points and their eyes on the top spot, former African Champions, Enyimba will be guest to relegation threatened Lobi Stars of Makurdi tomorrow. Enyimba’s pedigree as far as the domestic League is concerned is not in doubt but Lobi Stars will throw everything into the match to record a respectable result. Lobi Stars handler Elvis Ugenyi said he has already explained to his players why they need to beat Enyimba.
“The players have been made to understand that we are in a precarious position and we need not drop any point again, especially at home. They are ready to take on Enyimba and I expect a good result”.
The former coach of Ocean Boys said beating Enyimba is not new to him as he had done it in his days with Nasarawa United and Ocean Boys.
“I have respect for Enyimba but I have beaten them before. I defeated them on my way to winning the 2008 Federation Cup with Ocean Boys and I also inflicted another defeat on them when I was with Nasarwa United. I hope to do it again” he assured
The coach however confessed that Enyimba will not be an easy nut to crack and so his players must step up their game if they are to smile home with the maximum points.
Third position club Rangers of Enugu will have their hands full tomorrow evening at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium when they host high riding Sunshine Stars of Akure. Although the host team is better placed on the table, that is not to say it will underrate the danger posed by the visitors.
Speaking to Trustsports ahead of the encounter, veteran of the domestic League and new arrival in Rangers camp, Victor Ezeji said he will ensure Sunshine Stars are cut to size when they come visiting.
“I have just joined Rangers and I am eager to contribute my quota to the club. A lot is expected from me and I am ready to bring in my experience to assist Rangers. If featured, I will give my best because as a professional, that is what I am in Enugu to do.
“I have changed environment and this is really good for me. I am expecting a fruitful stay in Rangers”
However, the General Manager of visiting Sunshine Stars and former manager of Warri Wolves FC, Mr. Mike Idoko who expressed tremendous respect for Rangers is optimistic his boys will carry the day.
He said the host team has a rich history because it has never failed to perform well in the League. “There is no single year that the team does not do well in the League. It is not a pushover team and this is what nobody can wish away”.
Idoko said despite their intimidating profile, his youthful team which is playing the best football on the domestic scene at the moment will give them a good run for their money.
“We have respect for Rangers but my boys who are highly motivated are rearing to go. What we are asking for is a level playing ground and Enugu fans will see the best of football. We lost to Pillars and Enyimba due to unfavourable factors but when were given a level playing ground against Wikki, the result was there for all to see”
At the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, it will be a battle of League table neighbours as last year’s CAF Champions League finalists, Heartland of Owerri play host to Niger Tornadoes. While Heartland are seventh on the table, Tornadoes occupy the sixth position and won’t mind picking the maximum points to break into the big four in case the occupants of the top four position stumble along the way.
It will be a tough one because Heartland will like to take back their pound of flesh since it was the same Tornadoes who stopped them from winning the League last year on the last day. Heartland was neck to neck with Bayelsa United but a 0-1 defeat at the Bako Kotangora Stadium Minna put paid to their ambition.
For most clubs, a visit to Gombe Township Stadium is like a journey through hell but today, Ranchers Bees will have to make the journey if they are interested in bagging the three maximum points and improving their standing on the League table.
Ocean Boys will take on Dolphins in a South- South affair while the North Central town of Kaduna will play host to Kaduna United and relegation threatened Wikki.
As this weekend’s matches are played, attention no doubt will be on the encounters between 3SC / Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars /Enyimba because away victory for either Kano Pillars or Enyimba will change the leadership of the League table.
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Glo League action continues as Pillars, Enyimba face away ties
Category: Sports Written by David Ngobua Hits: 568
Although the much talked about elections into the board of the Nigeria Premier League has been shifted from March 3 to March 10, the same does not apply to the Glo League fixtures as this weekend will witness explosive matches involving clubs that are in serious contention for continental tickets and those battling to move out of the relegation zone.While clubs like Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Rangers and Kwara United are focused on winning one of the continental tickets on the platform of the league, others like Lobi Stars, Wikki, defending champions, Bayelsa United, Sharks and Gateway of Abeokuta are faced with relegation battle and would surely do everything to grab the maximum points this weekend.
The fixtures involving 3SC Ibadan and league leaders Kano Pillars is an interesting one because it is an encounter between a club that is on top yet uncomfortable and a host that needs to win in order to leap closer to the top four position.
While Kano Pillars are on top of the league table with 34 points, 3SC is placed 11th with 24 points. If Pillars are to break away from Enyimba who are breathing down their necks, the former champions from Kano must win today’s match against 3SC. The coach of Pillars Salisu Yusuf who spoke to Trustsports said he knows the importance of the match and would approach it with the required seriousness.
“We need to stay on top and the only way we can achieve this is to keep winning. We will approach today’s match with a positive mind, hoping that a level playing ground will be provided for both teams”.
He said 70% of the team that competed in last year’s CAF Champions League has been retained and there is serious understanding among the players who have resolved to return to the continent.
“70% of the players who represented the team in last year’s CAF Champions League have been retained and they are focused on returning to the continent. Our focus is to win and return to the continent” he said.
With 34 points and their eyes on the top spot, former African Champions, Enyimba will be guest to relegation threatened Lobi Stars of Makurdi tomorrow. Enyimba’s pedigree as far as the domestic League is concerned is not in doubt but Lobi Stars will throw everything into the match to record a respectable result. Lobi Stars handler Elvis Ugenyi said he has already explained to his players why they need to beat Enyimba.
“The players have been made to understand that we are in a precarious position and we need not drop any point again, especially at home. They are ready to take on Enyimba and I expect a good result”.
The former coach of Ocean Boys said beating Enyimba is not new to him as he had done it in his days with Nasarawa United and Ocean Boys.
“I have respect for Enyimba but I have beaten them before. I defeated them on my way to winning the 2008 Federation Cup with Ocean Boys and I also inflicted another defeat on them when I was with Nasarwa United. I hope to do it again” he assured
The coach however confessed that Enyimba will not be an easy nut to crack and so his players must step up their game if they are to smile home with the maximum points.
Third position club Rangers of Enugu will have their hands full tomorrow evening at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium when they host high riding Sunshine Stars of Akure. Although the host team is better placed on the table, that is not to say it will underrate the danger posed by the visitors.
Speaking to Trustsports ahead of the encounter, veteran of the domestic League and new arrival in Rangers camp, Victor Ezeji said he will ensure Sunshine Stars are cut to size when they come visiting.
“I have just joined Rangers and I am eager to contribute my quota to the club. A lot is expected from me and I am ready to bring in my experience to assist Rangers. If featured, I will give my best because as a professional, that is what I am in Enugu to do.
“I have changed environment and this is really good for me. I am expecting a fruitful stay in Rangers”
However, the General Manager of visiting Sunshine Stars and former manager of Warri Wolves FC, Mr. Mike Idoko who expressed tremendous respect for Rangers is optimistic his boys will carry the day.
He said the host team has a rich history because it has never failed to perform well in the League. “There is no single year that the team does not do well in the League. It is not a pushover team and this is what nobody can wish away”.
Idoko said despite their intimidating profile, his youthful team which is playing the best football on the domestic scene at the moment will give them a good run for their money.
“We have respect for Rangers but my boys who are highly motivated are rearing to go. What we are asking for is a level playing ground and Enugu fans will see the best of football. We lost to Pillars and Enyimba due to unfavourable factors but when were given a level playing ground against Wikki, the result was there for all to see”
At the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, it will be a battle of League table neighbours as last year’s CAF Champions League finalists, Heartland of Owerri play host to Niger Tornadoes. While Heartland are seventh on the table, Tornadoes occupy the sixth position and won’t mind picking the maximum points to break into the big four in case the occupants of the top four position stumble along the way.
It will be a tough one because Heartland will like to take back their pound of flesh since it was the same Tornadoes who stopped them from winning the League last year on the last day. Heartland was neck to neck with Bayelsa United but a 0-1 defeat at the Bako Kotangora Stadium Minna put paid to their ambition.
For most clubs, a visit to Gombe Township Stadium is like a journey through hell but today, Ranchers Bees will have to make the journey if they are interested in bagging the three maximum points and improving their standing on the League table.
Ocean Boys will take on Dolphins in a South- South affair while the North Central town of Kaduna will play host to Kaduna United and relegation threatened Wikki.
As this weekend’s matches are played, attention no doubt will be on the encounters between 3SC / Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars /Enyimba because away victory for either Kano Pillars or Enyimba will change the leadership of the League table.