We will not underrate Zamfara -Bosso
Both teams shared similar faith last week, as Pillars lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars in Jalingo, while Zamfara were humbled by the same margin in a rescheduled league game at their adopted home by visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure. While Pillars are 10th on the log, host Zamfara United are placed 18 in the standing […]
Both teams shared similar faith last week, as Pillars lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars in Jalingo, while Zamfara were humbled by the same margin in a rescheduled league game at their adopted home by visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure.
While Pillars are 10th on the log, host Zamfara United are placed 18 in the standing with 15 points from 18 games.
In a telephone interview yesterday, the former national U-17 and U-20 handler said they are going to approach Zamfara as if they are facing league leaders or a country’s national football team.
According to him, wining the match is most important to them as it could take them to a safe and continental position at the close of the first stanza of the league.
In the other Sunday ties, hosts Kaduna United will battle Warri Wolves. Wolves are third in the standings with 32 points, two points ahead of fifth-placed Kaduna.
The biggest cheer for the Warri club is the return from a six week-long ankle injury of star defender Ikechukwu ThankGod, the highest paid player in the NPL on 170,000 naira a month (about $1,100).
United’s cash problems have eased slightly with the payment of two months’ pay for the playing staff, but Belgian coach Maurice Cooreman is unhappy that his contract is not been followed to the letter.
The players are still owed three months’ salaries and nothing has been paid as signing-on fee.
And this is coming before their first debut in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup against Foullah Edifice of Chad, which could spell doom for the Nigerians.
United boast a very proud home record though and have thus far accounted for the top teams in the NPL, Enyimba, Dolphin, Sunshine Stars and Enugu Rangers.
Heartland host Sharks at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, also on Sunday with their sights fixed on the maximum points to improve on their 11th position.
‘The Naze Millionaires’ were unlucky not to pick a point from their mid-week derby against Enugu Rangers after they completely controlling the game in the greater part of the second half.
One of the bright spots from the game against Rangers was the form of teenaged striker Obiegbu Ogochukwu, a recent acquisition from Gabros United.
He came off the bench in the second half and had a good penalty appeal turned down when he was hacked inside the box on his way to goal, before he smashed a belter against the post in the final moments of the encounter.
Right winger Bello Musa Kofarmata and defender Emmanuel Olowo, who missed the trip to Rangers, are expected to be available for the visit of neighbours Sharks. Kofarmata was held back in the national Under-23 team training camp, while Olowo suffered from a bout of malaria.