Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata in Kano will this Sunday be the centre of attraction as current NPFL champions, Kano Pillars will go head-to-head with their much heralded foes, Enyimba.
The resumption of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has thrown up a mouth watering clash and potentially the biggest game of the season in the three week old Glo Premier League.
League champions Kano Pillars will welcome two-time African champions, Enyimba of Aba in a week 4 encounter that has become one of the most anticipated games every season in the Nigeria's top flight football.
Kano Pillars and Enyimba have become unarguably the biggest sides in the country in the last decade.
Kano stadium on Sunday will be dressed in the home colours of Yellow and Green
Pillars have won the last three Glo Premier League titles and would hope to add another this year starting with this weekend's duel against perennial rivals, Enyimba.
Both teams were knocked out of this year's Caf Champions League at the same stage, and they would want to put behind them the ouster with a win in this Sunday's clash.
Kano Pillars were put to the sword by Moroccan side, Maghreb Atletic Tetouan 5-2 on aggregate while Enyimba were bundled out by Egyptian club, Smouha 2-1 on aggregate.
Enyimba fans are still battling to come to terms with their defeat in Egypt as they claimed that their boys lost to the referee that officiated the match and not to their foes.
As expected, this weekend's clash holds a lot for both teams as they try to get over their ouster from the continent and get the fans back into happy mood
Match background.
Pillars have played only one match this season, and the tie was the 2-0 spanking of Bayelsa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata
The armed robbery attack that occurred along the Abaji-Lokoja highway when the Sai Masugida were on their way to honour a week two encounter at Heartland in Owerri do them no good as five of their players were shot.
Enyimba's gunslingers will aim to end Pillars 13 year home unbeaten streak
The attack necessitated the League Management Company (LMC) to put on hold a couple of their games and their engagements on the continent .
Enyimba have stuttered a bit playing a drab goalless draw against Akwa United in Aba, but picked up a valuable point away at Lobi Stars before dispatching off Bayelsa United 1-0 as well.
Enyimba would have recorded an outright victory at Lobi Stars after experienced defender, Idris Aloma netted the opener, but the Stars struck back right at the end
History favors Kano Pillars as they go into this match on Sunday because Enyimba have never won in Kano, and the Sai Masugida would want to consolidate on this feat.
Form coming into the game
Kano Pillars: W L W W L W
Enyimba: W D W D W L
Last six meetings between the two sides
February 29, 2012 Kano Pillars 2 Enyimba 0
May 9th, 2012 Enyimba 2 Kano Pillars 2
May 12th 2013 Enyimba 3 Kano Pillars 0
October 8th, 2013 Kano Pillars 1 Enyimba 0
June 1st, 2014 Kano Pillars 1 Enyimba 0
November 16th 2014 Kano Pillars 3 Kano Pillars 1
OBIOZOR's EXIT
Kano Pillars are still in pain over the exit of Nigerian international striker, Christian Obiozor who left the Sai Masugida unceremoniously.
Obiozor's move to Kano Pillars in January was well celebrated, and the petite forward scored six goals to emerge as the club's leading scorer in all competitions before his exit.
The rationale behind his exit at Kano Pillars is still hidden as Obiozor claimed his employers did not follow the terms of his contract, but Kano Pillars officials are still mum on the matter.
Super Eagles striker, Gambo Muhammad who would have been another striking weapon for Okey Emordi is still recuperating from the injury he sustained in the armed robbery attack as he was shot at the chest, and this could give Enyimba's defenders some ease.
“I know this match will definitely be tough for my players, but I have told them the method that would help us in Kano, and I'm sure that we would not lose this tie,” Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana said to supersport.com
The resumption of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has thrown up a mouth watering clash and potentially the biggest game of the season in the three week old Glo Premier League.
League champions Kano Pillars will welcome two-time African champions, Enyimba of Aba in a week 4 encounter that has become one of the most anticipated games every season in the Nigeria's top flight football.
Kano Pillars and Enyimba have become unarguably the biggest sides in the country in the last decade.
Pillars have won the last three Glo Premier League titles and would hope to add another this year starting with this weekend's duel against perennial rivals, Enyimba.
Both teams were knocked out of this year's Caf Champions League at the same stage, and they would want to put behind them the ouster with a win in this Sunday's clash.
Kano Pillars were put to the sword by Moroccan side, Maghreb Atletic Tetouan 5-2 on aggregate while Enyimba were bundled out by Egyptian club, Smouha 2-1 on aggregate.
Enyimba fans are still battling to come to terms with their defeat in Egypt as they claimed that their boys lost to the referee that officiated the match and not to their foes.
As expected, this weekend's clash holds a lot for both teams as they try to get over their ouster from the continent and get the fans back into happy mood
Match background.
Pillars have played only one match this season, and the tie was the 2-0 spanking of Bayelsa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata
The armed robbery attack that occurred along the Abaji-Lokoja highway when the Sai Masugida were on their way to honour a week two encounter at Heartland in Owerri do them no good as five of their players were shot.
Enyimba's gunslingers will aim to end Pillars 13 year home unbeaten streak
The attack necessitated the League Management Company (LMC) to put on hold a couple of their games and their engagements on the continent .
Enyimba have stuttered a bit playing a drab goalless draw against Akwa United in Aba, but picked up a valuable point away at Lobi Stars before dispatching off Bayelsa United 1-0 as well.
Enyimba would have recorded an outright victory at Lobi Stars after experienced defender, Idris Aloma netted the opener, but the Stars struck back right at the end
History favors Kano Pillars as they go into this match on Sunday because Enyimba have never won in Kano, and the Sai Masugida would want to consolidate on this feat.
Form coming into the game
Kano Pillars: W L W W L W
Enyimba: W D W D W L
Last six meetings between the two sides
February 29, 2012 Kano Pillars 2 Enyimba 0
May 9th, 2012 Enyimba 2 Kano Pillars 2
May 12th 2013 Enyimba 3 Kano Pillars 0
October 8th, 2013 Kano Pillars 1 Enyimba 0
June 1st, 2014 Kano Pillars 1 Enyimba 0
November 16th 2014 Kano Pillars 3 Kano Pillars 1
OBIOZOR's EXIT
Kano Pillars are still in pain over the exit of Nigerian international striker, Christian Obiozor who left the Sai Masugida unceremoniously.
Obiozor's move to Kano Pillars in January was well celebrated, and the petite forward scored six goals to emerge as the club's leading scorer in all competitions before his exit.
The rationale behind his exit at Kano Pillars is still hidden as Obiozor claimed his employers did not follow the terms of his contract, but Kano Pillars officials are still mum on the matter.
Super Eagles striker, Gambo Muhammad who would have been another striking weapon for Okey Emordi is still recuperating from the injury he sustained in the armed robbery attack as he was shot at the chest, and this could give Enyimba's defenders some ease.
“I know this match will definitely be tough for my players, but I have told them the method that would help us in Kano, and I'm sure that we would not lose this tie,” Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana said to supersport.com
