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.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has opened up about a difficult period in his career, revealing that he almost stepped away from football.
Speaking during a recent interview, Bassey shared that he once made a personal promise to himself to quit pursuing football professionally if he failed to secure a spot at a professional club.
“I remember being 15 and going into my final year, and I told myself that if I didn’t get into a professional club, I would quit football. It was that simple,” he said.
“I would just stop pursuing it seriously and only play for fun. Thank God I eventually got a club, because I honestly don’t know where I would be otherwise.”
It has been reported that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined Egypt $5,000 following their clash with Zimbabwe for failing to manage post-match media obligations.
It was noted that after the match, the Egyptian players ignored the media. This action was said to be a violation of CAF’s media regulations, which led to the fine being imposed.
Head of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, shared that the big-name players on the team are not happy about being benched.
He recalled when he took out Samuel Chukwueze during the match against Tanzania.
“Yes, of course, we’ve in this team a lot of big names. They are competitors; they aren’t happy when they go to the bench,” Chelle said at his post-match interview.”
“My job is to make choices, and we’re playing a 4-4-2 diamond, and at this moment I feel we have to protect the wing.”
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