Enyimba FC head coach Usman Abd’Allah says his team will leave no stone unturned before they face Kano Pillars in what could be a decisive match at the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Championship playoffs on Thursday.
The People’s Elephant edged Rangers 1-0 in the tournament’s opening game on Tuesday to give themselves an early boost in the race to finish among the top three teams at the end of the competition.
Enyimba, 2015 league champions will face 2014 champions Kano Pillars in Thursday’s night game at the Agege Stadium in Lagos and Abd’Allah assures his side will be ready for the game.
“We are expecting a very good fight from Pillars, that is why we are not going to leave any stone unturned. We’re coming out with a positive mindset to grab the three points,” said Abd’Allah to www.aclsports.com
“I think also, this second match against Pillars will be a determinant factor in this race for us. We have to come out with a very good result if we are gunning for the title.”
Kano Pillars will be without right back Ifeanyi Nweke who was sent off in their opening game against Akwa United on Tuesday. The Sai Masu Gida will however have in their set up, centre back Emmanuel Anyanwu and midfielder Nzube Anaezemba – two players who were in the 2015 league winning squad of Enyimba.
Abd’Allah admits that not facing Pillars in the abridged season will make their work a little more difficult but they will be ready regardless.
He continued: “Unfortunately we were not in the same group with them so we didn’t study the team very well and so but the little we’ve seen yesterday, we will work with it and we will sit down with the players and figure out a tactic that will come against them and give us a positive result.”
Thursday’s action will begin at 3pm with an all-Group B clash between Akwa United and FC Ifeanyiubah while Rangers and Lobi Stars will trade tackles at 5pm. The big clash of the day between Enyimba and Pillars is slated for 7pm local time.
Fisayo Dairo reporting from Lagos
