Sport
“Enyimba is the Best Team in Nigeria ”- Ilechukwu Says Ahead of Oriental Derby
Rangers’ technical adviser, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has described Enyimba as the strongest team in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as they prepare for their much-anticipated Oriental Derby.
The clash, set for Tuesday in Aba, is part of the NPFL matchday 15 fixtures and promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the league’s biggest names.
Ilechukwu acknowledged the formidable reputation of Enyimba, also known as the People’s Elephant, during a conversation with 54footballx.
He commended their consistent performances, both domestically and on the continental stage.
According to Ilechukwu, facing a team of such caliber is both a challenge and a motivation for his squad, the Flying Antelopes.
“This is a big game, no doubt about it,” Ilechukwu stated. “We’re up against Enyimba, the best team in Nigeria.
They’ve shown their quality in every competition they play, and it’s no surprise they’re doing well on the continent.”
Despite the uphill task, Ilechukwu expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the derby. He stressed that football is unpredictable, with three possible outcomes: a win, a loss, or a draw.
The key, he noted, is to focus on their game plan and not be distracted by Enyimba’s status or achievements.
“We’re prepared for the game. It’s just football—anything can happen.
While Enyimba is in excellent form, especially with their international engagements, we’re not letting that get to us.
Our focus is on playing our game and giving it our best.”
The Oriental Derby is a historic rivalry that has produced some of the most exciting moments in Nigerian football.
Enyimba, an eight-time NPFL champion, boasts a rich history and a squad filled with experienced and talented players.
Their success on the continental stage, including two CAF Champions League titles, further cements their position as a powerhouse in African football.
Rangers, on the other hand, are one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected clubs, with a legacy that includes seven NPFL titles.
Former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has sent his congratulations to his former club after they won the 2024/2025 La Liga title. The Inter Miami star shared a picture from Barcelona’s official Instagram celebrating the trophy and simply wrote, “Congratulations.”
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 for Paris Saint-Germain after his contract ended. This season, Barcelona secured their 28th La Liga crown with a 2-0 win over Espanyol, sealing a memorable treble.
Before this league victory, the Catalan giants had already claimed the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, finishing ahead of rivals Real Madrid. However, their Champions League journey ended earlier when Inter Milan knocked them out.
After helping Barcelona clinch the 2024/25 La Liga title with a 2-0 win over Espanyol, winger Lamine Yamal took a moment to praise one football legend. Speaking after the match, Yamal named Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, as the greatest player in football history.
The young Spain international was humble, saying he could never compare himself to the Argentine superstar. “I would never compare myself to Messi… Leo is the best player ever,” Yamal said.
Messi spent 21 memorable seasons at Barcelona, winning a record 34 trophies including ten La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. Yamal’s respect for Messi shows the lasting impact the legend continues to have on the new generation of football stars.
Former Italy coach Fabio Capello has named Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal as the best footballer in the world right now. Capello, who once managed top clubs like Real Madrid, overlooked big names like Mohamed Salah, Ousmane Dembele, and even Raphinha to crown the 17-year-old as his top pick for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
He praised Yamal for doing things far beyond his age and compared the teenager to football icons like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Yamal played a major role in Spain’s European Championship victory last year, even though he was just 16 at the time.
This season, he helped Barcelona reach the Champions League semifinals and led them to a La Liga title, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s haul while scoring and assisting in a key 2-0 win over rivals Espanyol.
That victory sealed a domestic treble for Barça. Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Capello revealed his top three picks for the Ballon d’Or: Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe took second and third place, but Lamine Yamal topped his list.
In his words, “For the Ballon d’Or, I would vote Lamine Yamal. My votes would be: Vinicius, Mbappe, and first, Lamine Yamal.” Capello ended by praising Yamal’s brilliance and fearless playing style, likening it to that of the greatest footballers the game has ever seen.
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