By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Following their elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup, after failing to make it out of Group D, Enyimba Int’l FC are in Kano today, for what the nine-time champions have called a must-win outstanding game, against Kano Pillars FC.
With the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on a mid-season break, until January 25th, Enyimba FC still has two outstanding fixtures, today’s game against Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in Kofarmata; and against Kwara United FC of Ilorin.
Going into both games, the Aba People’s Elephant are 7th in the table, on 27 points – a whopping 9 points off the table toppers, Remo Stars FC of Ikenna; and an improbable victory away win at the _Sai Masugida_ in the Groundnuts Pyramid City would see them climb up the table to 5th, with 30 points.
On the other hand, four-time NPFL champions, Kano Pillars FC, with just this fixture in hand, and currently placed 9th with 25 points, will be banking on their vociferous fans to win today, and climb the log to 8th, a position presently occupied by Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia.
The encounter which has been dubbed “Zo-Bia Classic”, a coinage from Hausa and Igbo, will in addition to the huge attendance of spectators, feature some of the biggest names in the NPFL, this season.
On the side of Kano Pillars are former Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa, and defender, Shehu Abdullahi; as well as veteran captain, Rabiu Ali. And on the part of Enyimba FC are former Super Eagles forward Brown Ideye, in-form striker Joseph Atule, and the rave of the moment, Ifeanyi Ihemekwala; the 21-year-old who has shown like a million Stars, since Stanley Eguma took over as Head Coach of Enyimba; and scored a goal in his side’s last three games, against Nasarawa United (2-1 win in Aba), Al Masry (1-1 in Uyo), and 1-3 loss to Zamalek SC, in Cairo
One other piece of interesting information worth sharing is that the Head Coach of Kano Pillars, Usman Abd’Allah was until three seasons ago, an Assistant Coach of Enyimba FC, and should know very well, the set up of the side, who are seeking their 10th NPFL title, _la decima_.
On head-to-head, Kano Pillars and Enyimba have played 29 matches in the NPFL. Pillars won 12 direct matches. Enyimba won 13 matches, and just four of the matches ended in draws. According to the stats made available by the Kano Pillars team, in direct matches both teams scored an average of 2.55 goals per match, an indication that a barren draw is almost completely ruled out today.
Kano Pillars, in this season, are averaging 1.17 goals, scored per match; while Enyimba’s average scores are put at 0.96 goals per match in season 2024/25.
Enyimba FC finished 3rd in their CAF Confederations Cup Group D Campaign, with just 5 points from a possible 18; and along with Black Bulls FC of Maputo (4 points), they conceded the Group to the Egyptian pair of El Zamalek SC (14 points), and Al Masry FC (9 points); who will now go into the hat for the quarterfinal draw.
