As the first stanza of this seasons Nigerian professional league comes to an end this weekend,4 teams of Igbo extraction have been drawn against each other for league games in Aba and Enugu.
The week 19 games between Rangers Int’l and Enyimba at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and the encounter between Abia Warriors of Umuahia and Ifeanyi Uba FC of Nnewi at the Aba Int’l stadium no doubt rekindles memories from the oriental derbies of 1980’s.
With Enyimba placed second on the log with33 points same as leader’s Sunshine Stars as well as Wikki Tourist on 3rd position (only separated with goal differences), the game in Enugu is surely the star Match of the week especially with the fine run the Enugu Antelopes have been having since their erstwhile coach, Kelechi Emetole was axed.
The Nigerian elite league have not doubt had it so good like this season since after a long time like in the 80’s and 90’s and with all Igbo teams doing very well judging by their positions on the table,teams like Enyimba ,Rnagers, Ifeanyi Uba, Abia Warriors and of course Heartland FC who are placed 5th on the Log do have chances of either winning the league or picking a continental ticket at the end of the season if they can maintain their good run when the second stanza resumes.
Meanwhile, the good run can also be said to continue for these clubs in the Federation Cup games which resumes next week with round of 16 games as 4 out of the 5 Igbo teams are still in the race but for Enyimba Int’l who got eliminated by Remo Stars as defending champions.
Imo State Born Falcons Media
Officer, Akujobi Dies in Abuja
The camp of the Super Falcons is in deep mourning following the death on Thursday morning of the team’s Media Officer, Miss Gracious Akujobi.
Doctors confirmed Gracious Akujobi dead on arrival at the General Hospital, Maitama, Abuja at about 7.00am on Thursday after she suddenly took ill at the team’s Parkview Hotel, Zone 1.
She looked very ill and appeared to have struggled hard to open the door to her room when some persons noticed her. The team doctor and physiotherapist and other officials moved quickly to attend to her and then rushed her to the hospital but she died on the way.
“This is a very tragic occurrence. Gracious (Akujobi) was such an energetic, hard-working officer and her death has come as a terrible shock. Her commitment to the job was never in doubt.
“The NFF is in deep mourning with her family over this tragedy,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
A native of Owerri, Imo State, Gracious Ihunanya Akujobi was born on 26th October, 1977.
She first served as Media Officer of the Super Falcons in 2011 before she was moved to the U-17 Women National Team in 2012. She was re-instated to the senior team in 2013 and was with the team at the recently concluded 7th Fifa Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.
Bright Ejike Set To
Return Against Wikki
Heartland top striker, Bright Ejike, has confirmed his availability for Sunday’s match day 19 crucial clash against Wikki Tourists.
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 10-goal hero was conspicuously absent for his side’s midweek match day 18 clash at El Kanemi Warriors in Katsina due to slight thigh injury he picked in the clash against Dolphins in Oba.
Ejike said he has regained his fitness 100% and will lead the side attack aimed at increasing the goal tally.
“I’m fully prepared for this weekend all important clash against Wikki Tourists, a very important match for us to end the first stanza of the season on high.
“I am not perturbed that the thigh injury denied me the rare opportunity to increase my goal tally against El Kanemi Warriors in Katsina.
“I understand it is only a healthy person that can score goal not the other way round so now I’m fully recovered I will go ahead to do what I know how to do it.
“I do not think that I actually lost anything not playing the game at El Kanemi Warriors more so as my teammates rouse to the occasion to pick a decent result in the encounter.
“Of course, the 1-1 draw at El Kanemi Warriors actually made me happy, it’s a good result to take into the Sunday’s clash against Wikki Tourists and I’m positive we will record an impressive performance,” said the former Sharks marksman to supersport.com.
Heartland dropped to the fifth position despite the 1-1 away draw at El Kanemi Warriors on 29 points from possible 54 in the 18-week old top flight.
