MATCH OF THE WEEK: ENYIMBA FC VS ENUGU RANGERS (Rangers FC won the First meeting 2-1 ) Can Rangers do the double over Enyimba ?..

Can Rangers do the double over Enyimba

By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike  
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit


An Oriental Derby is always a treat anytime anyday irrespective of the circumstances and this weekend, it won't be any different as The People's Elephant hosts The Flying Antelopes which sees Paul Aigbogun pitch his tent against Imama Amakpakabo.

The People's Elephants come into this game on the back of a win in the Federations Cup in midweek after they saw off resistance from Rivers United. However, their last league game saw them fall to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Jos and will be looking for a win here to re-invigorate their league campaign as they trail this weekend's opponent by seven points although they have two games in hand.

They will also be boosted by news from South Africa which kept their CAF Champions League hopes alive. Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Zamalek SC of Egypt 1-0 which means Enyimba have their destiny in their hand as they have to beat Sundowns in Nigeria and also pick up another win in a banana skin trip to Zamalek.

They lost the reverse fixture in Enugu as Rangers came from a goal down to win 2-1 in March. Rangers on the other hand will be looking for a win here as they currently trail Wikki Tourists on goal difference.

They could only manage a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Lobi Stars which saw them drop to 2nd. It should be an exciting game with goals at both ends resulting in a slim win for the people's Elephant.

The match is billed to kickoff by 4pm and will be Live on Supersport 9


Head to Head Enyimba Vs Rangers

Rangers= Two wins against Enyimba
Enyimba= Three wins against Rangers
Draw= Two draws between both


Enyimba statistic 

They are currently placed Fifth on the NPFL log 

They have picked up 12 wins from 25 matches played so far.

They have lost Nine times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, They are yet to lose at home this season.

They have won just Two away games in the NPFL so far this season

They have won TEN times at home this season.

They have drawn Three times at home this season and Once away this season

They have conceded 6 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 17 goals while playing away from home.

They have scored 19 goals while playing at home this season and 7 goals while playing away from home.

Their biggest win this season was defeating Kano Pillars 2-1 away and also defeating Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 in 

Their biggest loss this season was losing to El-Kanemi Warriors and Plateau United away from home with the same score of 2-0

They have failed to score in Seven away games and Two home games

They have kept Eight Clean sheets at home and Two Clean sheet away this season.

Enugu Rangers statistic 

They are currently placed Second on the NPFL log but have the same number of Points with the leaders Wikki Tourists.

They have picked up 13 wins from 27 matches played so far.

They have lost Six times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, and are yet to lose at home this season.

They have won two away game in the NPFL so far this season.

They have won Elelven times at home this season.

They have drawn Three times at home this season and Five Times Away 

They have conceded 9 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 21 goals while playing away from home.

They have scored 25 goals while playing at home this season and 13 goals while playing away from home.

Their biggest win this season was defeating Ikorodu United 4-1 at home.

Their biggest loss this season was losing to Lobi Stars 3-1 away from home.

They have failed to score in 4 away games and one home games

They have kept Five sheets at home and Two Clean sheet away this season.

Just like Wikki Tourist they have also picked up eleven points away from home this season.

They are not shy to score away from, home. So far they have scored 13 goals away from home

My Prediction: Enyimba FC 2-1 Enugu Rangers

Read More

Fracas in the FA CUP game between ENYIMBA and RIVERS UNITED. How it happened ( Photos)

By Okorodike Laurel Chinedu

Port Harcourt

The match which was originally played yesterday was not completed due to the heavy rain at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. Although the fist half was completed (which ended 0-0), the unfriendly weather stopped the kickoff of the second half which led to the match to be rescheduled for today by 8am. 

The two teams filed out for the match this morning and proceedings got underway from the 46th minute of the second half. Enyimba took a well deserved lead in the 47th minute through Chukwude from a Joseph Osadiaye header after poor defending from the Rivers United backline.

The goal and memories of the Fifty thousand dollars promised to them by Governor Nyesom Wike if they win the match woke Rivers United from their slumber and they pressed Enyimba so hard that the Aba side spent most time in their own half defending.

The Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan during the heavy rain

The Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan in a better condition after the heavy rain yesterday as Rivers United players warm up for the rescheduled match

But things took an awkward turn after the referee awarded a Penalty to Enyimba which was well resisted by players and officials of Rivers United. The players got angry because the referee ( Mrs Folusho Ajayi from Oyo State) refused to award a free kick to Rivers United after a clear foul on Ayobami minutes before the referee awarded the penalty. 

This lead to High ranking officials of Rivers United ordering the players not to continue the match and also to leave the pitch. 

Pictures of the fracas

Officials of Rivers United in confrontation with the centre referee Mrs Folusho Ajayi

Players of Rivers United in confrontation with the centre referee Mrs Folusho Ajayi

Officials of Rivers United ordering players of Rivers United to leave the pitch

Rivers State sports commissioner Hon. Boma Iyaye ordering players of Rivers United to leave the pitch

The tackle that led to the awarded penalty. Was this a foul ?

Read More

Enyimba may be eliminated after Mamelodi Sundowns victory against Zamalek

The Brazilians got an away victory in Cairo to lead Group B with the Nigerians’ semi-final hope now hanging in the balance

Enyimba are on the verge of a humiliating group stage exit in the 2016 Caf Champions League after Mamelodi Sundowns got a 2-1 against Zamalek in Cairo.

Goals from Khama Billiat and Tiyani Mabunda were all the South Africans needed to secure their second victory at a bounce – and now top Group B with six points.

The Brazilians who had their victory against ES Setif cancelled owing to the Algerians’ disqualification from the competition now need a point at least from their remaining two games to qualify for the semi-final of the competition.

Enyimba’s campaign got off to a stuttering start when they lost 1-0 at home to the Egyptians in Port Harcourt. Their second game against Pitso Mosimane’s side in South Africa also ended in defeat leaving them with no point from two games.

As it stands, Paul Aigbogun’s men must win their remaining games convincingly to stand a chance of reaching the knockout phase at they hope to lift their third title.

First, they must negotiate their way past wounded Zamalek on August 14 at the Petro Sport Stadium, Cairo before going all out for victory against Sundowns in August at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Read More

Enyimba Edge Pillars To Keep Hope Of Retaining NPFL Title

Champions Enyimba on Sunday defeated Kano Pillars FC 2-1, in their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match-day 27 clash at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, edging closer to retaining the league title.

The Peoples’ Elephant scored first through Ifeanyi Anaemena 10 minutes into the match, and with less than one minute, Adamu Mohammed fired former champions Pillars equalizer in the 11th minute, as the game ended 1-1 at half-time.

Deep into the second half, Enyimba’s Chukwude was felled in the box, and Uche John converted the penalty in the 73rd minute to end the game 2-1 in favour of the CAF Champions League campaigners.

With the 2-1 result, Enyimba now limped above Kano Pillars from fifth to fourth position on the log with 40 points from 24 rounds of matches in the current season.

Read More

NPFL: Heartland beat Enyimba to turn season around

The Naze Millionaires continued their battle for survival in the Nigeria elite division with a morale boosting win against Paul Aigbogun's men

Heartland defeated Enyimba 1-0 in Saturday’s Nigeria Professional Football League oriental derby played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Bright Ejike struck late from the spot to help the hosts overcome their high flying visitors in a fierce oriental contest in Owerri.

Both sides were faced with different futures with the Owerri-based outfit battling to beat the drop, while a win for the People's Elephants would help their quest to retain the NPFL title.

The Naze Millionaires were obviously unlucky snatching an early lead, seeing Macmarcel Obioha's bullet shot denied by the woodwork in the second minute. 

Enyimba failed in their effort to take the lead through Andrew Abalogu's glancing header, but hosts' shotstopper Obi was spot on for a grab.

Though looked desperate for the maximum points, Heartland struggled to create chances in the opening 15 minutes as the high-profile south-Eastern derby turned fierce.

Red-hot Omo Johnson breezed past the midfield and cruised his way into the goal area saw his brilliant pass to Roland Koffi intercepted and cleared out in the 42nd minute.

In the 69 minute, Heartland's goal through Koffi was disallowed for offside. Heartland keeper Obi narrowly survived a goalmouth interception from substitute Abu Azeez following a backpass in the 83th minute.

 Akpoveta earned a priceless penalty after he was fouled by captain Chinedu Udoji in Enyimba's box. And Ejike converted to goal to hand the host the vital winner.

Match details

HEARTLAND: 18. Ebele Obi 11. Macmarcel Obioha 4. Zoumana Doumbia 26. Julius Ubido 29. Chinedu Efugh 32. Nnaemeka Anyanwu 27. Chidebere Ajoku (Hamzat Owolabi 40') 6. Roland Koffi 5. Omo Johnson 13. David Sunday (Bright Ejike 65') 21. Arinze Nwaigwu (Akpoveta Ojevwe 46')

Unused Subs: 35. Emmanuel Iwu 24. Nelson Ogbonnaya  2. Abubakar Jika 22. Anthonin Oussou

BOOKED: NIL

GOAL: Bright Ejike (p) 90'

ENYIMBA: 2. Moses Ocheje 16. Dare Ojo 27. Chima Akas 12. Kelly Kester 24. Ike ThankGod 26. Chinedu Udoji 11. Andrew Abalogu (Ezekiel Bassey 70') 31. Ifeanyi George 30. Ifeanyi Onuigbo (Abu Azeez 58') 4. Nzube Anaezemba 20. Joseph Osadiaye (Ikechukwu Ibenegbu 90')

Unused Subs: 1. Theophilus Afelokhai 25. Uche John 15. Ikechukwu Ibenegbu 33. Christian Obiozor 23. Peter Onyekachi

BOOKED: Dare Ojo 22' Chinedu Udoji HT Ifeanyi Onuigbo 51'

GOAL: NIL

Man of the Match: Joseph Osadiaye (Enyimba)

Ref: Sani Abdu

Read More

African Champions league: Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa beat Enyimba 2-1

African Champions league: Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa beat Enyimba 2-1

Read More

Sundowns beat Enyimba in CAF Champions League

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns beat Enyimba 2-1 in a 2016 Caf Champions League Group B clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday evening.      

Victory for the Brazilians gets their campaign off to a winning start; after their 2-0 win over ES Setif in Algeria was chalked off.

Defeat for Enyimba leaves them with a lot to do as they now have to wait until August for their next clash - away to Zamalek. 

With so much to play for, a cagey start was to be expected with both teams relying on the counter-attack. 

Sundowns showed in Algeria earlier this month that they are deadly on the counter and after Keagan Dolly burst forward; Khama Billiat saw his powerful shot whistle past the post. 

Enyimba, though, needed to win following their 1-0 defeat to Zamalek in Port Harcourt last week and went close through a counter of their own on 13 minutes. 

Ifeanyi Onuigbo however, was brilliantly denied by Wayne Sandilands, who continued the good form he showed in Algeria earlier this month - in place of the suspended Denis Onyango. 

Chances were at a premium for the rest of the half, but with three minutes before the break Leonardo Castro poked home the opener following a blistering run into the area by Dolly. 

Enyimba pulled level through Oluwadamilare Ojo on 59 minutes, after Sundowns failed to clear their lines from a corner-kick - the People's Elephant midfielder rifled home the equaliser via the inside of the crossbar. 

The visitors were on top and looked sure to grab all three points, but Sundowns regained their momentum and scored the winner through Wayne Arendse in the 78th minute with the Brazilians defender guiding the ball into the net at the back post.

With Enyimba tiring; Sundowns saw out the rest of the game with relative ease as they moved a step closer to reaching the knockout stages.  

By Chinedu Okorodike

Read More