Enugu Rangers, Enyimba Int"l FC Battles In Oriental Derby

By Oham Precious

The ancient Coal City of Enugu goes agog this weekend as two fierce rivals, Enugu Rangers and Enyimba Int"l FC square up against each other in the Oriental derby billed to take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.

The encounter is predominantly associated with the Igbos who reside in the Eastern part of the country and it's widely regarded as a star game irrespective of both teams position on the league table.

This fixture tends to showcase stuff of champions taking into cognizance the array of trophies both sides have ammased since the old division one and the current Professional Football League in the country.

However, this weekend cracker will be a battle between a side that seems to find its rhythm under the tutelage of Coach Imama Amapakabo and a side who kicked off their campaign on a solid note and found themselves at the top echelon in the league standings.

The Flying Antelopes have been on an impressive form in the league since Coach Imama Amapakabo took over from his predecessor, Kelechi Emeteole was axed mid-way into the season.

He has secured a whooping 10 points out of a possible 15 points having won three, drew one and lost one since he took over as the head coach.

Enugu Rangers coach, Imama Amakapabo will be facing his former Head Coach at Enyimba Kadiri Ikhana whom he was his Assistant during his spell at the club as they battle it out on Sunday.

The Aba giants will be parading stars such as Ugwu Uwadiegwu who is in high confidence ahead of the encounter and has scored twice against his former club.

" It's going to be an explosive encounter and i'm going to be facing my former team, i was breed in Enugu and am hoping to get a good game as usual" Uwadiegwu said.

In form striker Christian Obiozor will also feature on the day against his former side, the ever reliable left winger Ezekiel Bassey, the midfield maestro Nzube Anaezemba who seems to have fill the void left by Kingsley Sokari, the defensive partnership of Captain Chinedu Udoji and Emmanuel Anyanwu.

The Flying Antelopes won"t be left out as well, Players such as Marshal Odah and Samuel Agba could pull a great danger to Enyimba's backline while the trio of Chinedu Udeagha, Dada Bitrus and Emma Eze will be orchestrating proceedings in the middle of the pack for the Flying Antelopes.

The experienced Enyimba gaffer has said that the game is not a big match.

" Don't forget that we all started this league at the same time, if a team has 15 points and one team has 30 points, you can evaluate which team is better for you to start talking about Rangers"

"I'm not looking at Rangers as a big match, i don't think so just that we have to get ourselves together and get what we want" Ikhana concluded

His opposite colleague, Coach Imama Amapakabo will have to prove his mettle against his former Employers when they confront each other on Sunday.

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