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.
Kylian Mbappé has his sights set on greatness as he begins a new chapter with Real Madrid. The 26-year-old forward, now wearing the number 10 shirt, shared his excitement ahead of the season in a post on Instagram Monday evening.
“New season. Hungry to do something great,” he wrote, rallying Madrid fans with a confident “Let’s go all together, Madridistas. Hala Madrid.” After making a high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain last year, Mbappé has quickly cemented himself as a key figure under Carlo Ancelotti.
He’ll be taking charge of penalty duties this season and will be expected to deliver, following a stellar performance last year where he scored 44 goals and picked up both the Pichichi and Golden Boot awards.
Home-based Super Eagles defender Junior Nduka has promised to give his all for Nigeria as the team prepares to clash with Senegal on Tuesday in the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) group stage. The Remo Stars player expressed confidence in the squad and said they’re determined to make the country proud, just like the D’Tigress and Super Falcons recently did.
The D’Tigress claimed the AfroBasket title after a strong win against Mali in the final held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, while the Super Falcons edged out Morocco 3-2 to lift the WAFCON trophy.
Speaking during a press briefing in Zanzibar ahead of the match, Nduka said, “Nigerians expect a lot from us, especially with the way our athletes have been performing across different sports. We’ll do our best to build on that success and not disappoint them.”
He added that the recent victories by the women’s basketball and football teams are a motivation, and the team is fired up to bring more joy to the country.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes didn’t hold back after their 2-2 draw with Everton in the Premier League Summer Series, calling out his teammates for being “a little lazy” on the pitch.
Fernandes gave United the lead with a penalty, but Everton quickly hit back through Iliman Ndiaye. Mason Mount then curled in a second for United, only for the Toffees to level again when Amad Diallo accidentally deflected the ball into his own net during a defensive mix-up.
Speaking after the game, Fernandes admitted the team wasn’t at their best. “We were a bit lazy today,” he said. “And when you’re lazy, it can cost you.”
He also stressed the need for reinforcements ahead of the new season, saying United need more depth and quality in the squad. “We clearly need more competition,” Fernandes said. “Better players push everyone to improve, and I think that’s what the club is working on.”
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