NPFL UPDATE: Enyimba Face Ikorodu Utd, Heartland Take Survival Tight to Maiduguri

Title holders of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Enyimba, are going to have their hope of joining the title race come under real scrutiny on Wednesday from Ikorodu United who have suddenly found themselves stringing up a superb run of four matches without a loss - the first time in this campaign.

If Enyimba are still hoping of gate-crashing in a late charge to defend their title, the same cannot be said of their Oriental neighbours, Heartland, who have had a wretched season that has amazingly seen them win just nine matches of the 32 they have played so far - a 28 per cent win ratio in the league this campaign.

Heartland have a Herculean task in their hands as they make the trip to Maiduguri to face El-Kanemi Warriors who have not dropped a single point at home since mid-April - 11 home matches in all.

There is no doubt on paper, the champions are favourites to beat first-timers, Ikorodu United, at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta when their playing personnel is juxtaposed with that of their hosts. But Enyimba coach, Paul Aigbogun, thinks different and points to the newfound form of the Oga Boys as reason to thread softly and not count their chicks before they hatch.

"Football doesn't work that way," began Aigbogun on the eve of the game against Ikorodu United. "We know what we want from this game, but at the same time we cannot think we will stroll into it and walk out with the points without some fight from the opponents."

Ikorodu United come into the match-up on the back of unbelievable wins over big guns, Kano Pillars and Heartland, and will be looking to add another big side to their scalp as most pundits and bookmakers say that their top-flight existence is already ended following their poor run for larger periods of this season.

The last time Enyimba and Ikorodu United met this season, it was at the Umuahia Township Stadium, where the former won by a late goal scored by Ugochukwu Leonard.

For Heartland, they inflicted a 2-1 defeat on El-Kanemi Warriors in the reverse game at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri when Anthony Oussou and Emeka Ogbugh scored for them with Japhet Daniel's goal for the Maiduguri club coming in between. That win four months ago will count for nothing when Heartland take to the turf at the Maiduguri stadium.

Heartland coach, Ramson Madu, has taken charge of five matches since taking up the role, and is holds the hope of pulling off a result in Maiduguri.

"We won't go there to lose as we know what is at stake now. There is a need to get results now to do ourselves some good," said Madu ahead of the match.

Interestingly, Heartland might draw some sorts of hope from the fact that they have been able to avoid defeat this season at five difficult venues. The Owerri-based club drew at Wikki Tourists, Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Warri Wolves and Sunshine Stars.

A result in Maiduguri for Heartland will mean that their bid to stay alive in the top-flight is still on course as they have games against Niger Tornadoes, Kano Pillars and Plateau United to come.

credit: npfl