There will be a lot at stake when two teams that have relatively lived to their expectations square up against each other in one of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 5 fixture.
At the Remo Stars Stadium, it will be Nigeria's representatives at last year's CAF Confederation Cup, Remo Stars locking horns with giants, Enyimba International in one of group A's mouthwatering clash.
The Sky Blue Stars currently sit second after dropping their first point of the season in match day 4 loss to group leaders, Bendel Insurance while Enyimba are third after their emphatic win against Kwara United in their last game.
What is at stake?
Apart from the bragging right that comes with winning a match especially over a so called "rival", bettering your lot on the league standing is another paramount reason to go into a league match to win. Besides, an abridged version like the one of this season doesn't forgive any slip because it could mar the team's progress at the end.
Therefore, for Remo Stars apart from getting back to winning ways, a win depending on the score line will take them back to the top of the log if Bendel Insurance lose their tie with El Kanemi Warriors. If Bendel Insurance win, a win for Remo Stars puts pressure on the Edo Arsenals.
On the other hand, the People's Elephant need a win to get their title challenge back on course. With seven points presently, a win will see them leapfrog Remo Stars on goals difference if they score 2 more goals or a win will put the two teams at par.
Form
Remo Stars: WWWL Enyimba : WDLW
Head to Head/Past Meetings
The two teams have meet six times since 2017 and Enyimba have taking more wins (4) while Remo Stars have only defeated Enyimba once. A match ended in a draw. The most recent match was in July 2022 where Remo Stars won by a goal to nil at the Remo Stars Stadium.
Key Players
Andy Okpe is one player to watch aside the good players upfront for the Southwest team. He has a goal to his name this season and his involvement in games have been impressive.
For Enyimba, Emeka Obioma is the name that quickly comes to mind. The brace scorer against Kwara United at the weekend has three goals already in four matches and Remo Stars can't afford to allow this man an inch of a space.
Expectation
The match looks delicately poised for a draw at the end of regulation time.
The match will be played at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne at 4pm on Wednesday, the first of February.
By Uche Dozie