Nigerian Beach Soccer legend, Abu Azeez, has had his say on the Oriental Derby between two of his former clubs, Rangers International and their neighbours from Aba, Enyimba International at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.
Rangers host their Aba rivals in what is set to be a titanic battle in week five of 2019 NPFL Abridged season at the Cathedral in Enugu on Sunday evening.
The game in Enugu will be the first Oriental Derby of the 2019 season, and according to Azeez, who has played in this particular fixture while at both clubs, there will be more than three points on offer when the two teams trade tackles later this evening.
“Most players in both teams might have played for the other team,” he exclusively told www.aclsports.com “It is usually a battle of superiority, class and who uses their chances well.”
Both sides go into this encounter after disappointing outings in midweek, Rangers lost narrowly to MFM FC in Lagos while Enyimba were held to a goalless draw in Aba by 2018 champions, Lobi Stars.
Therefore, with the teams hoping to make amends, the Beach Soccer centurion is expecting an interesting battle especially from the home side, who rested a number of key first team players against MFM.
“That [both teams dropping points in midweek] is what makes it a great match today,” he said.
“Rangers didn’t use most of their starters against MFM, and losing that match is something they would want to change immediately to try and win their 1st home game of the season.”
“So it is going to be a very interesting match, if the owners [referees] of the game don’t poison it.”
Having played for both sides, Enyimba in 2016 and Rangers in 2018, who is the Beach Soccer icon tipping for the three points?
“I think Rangers would pick it,” he added.
