Enugu Rangers vs @EnyimbaFC

Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
Sunday, Jul 19, 2015 [Today]
Game 19 - Glo Premier Lge

#RanEny #OrientalDerby

Six points and five places separate Enyimba and Enugu Rangers on the NPFL log going into their Matchday 19 fixture in Enugu. This will be the fourth of eight Oriental derbies this season; the previous three encounters have been decidedly mixed—a win, a draw and a loss seems to indicate there are few comforts close to home for the Peoples’ Elephants.

However, Enyimba come into this game on the back of some healthy form. They have lost one in six, and, in spite of the fact there have been no clean sheets in the last four games, still have the best defensive record per games played (0.83).

Rangers have been just as impressive, with 13 points from a possible 18 seeing them surge up the table. Their revival owes much to coach Imama Amapakabo, whose reputation for meticulous preparation is not unknown to Enyimba. He filled in at a point last season following the dismissal of Zachary Baraje, holding the fort till Kadiri Ikhana was reappointed.

As such, it will be a fascinating duel between both managers. Imama, now at Rangers, can rightly feel he has a point to prove. His results in an interim capacity with Enyimba last term were exemplary, but did not win him the trust of the club management. He has gotten that now at Rangers, his appointment made permanent about a fortnight ago. This may ultimately count for little, but his comments in recent times have given the indication there might be a chip on his shoulder.

In any case, he will need to summon all of the knowledge garnered in Aba last term this time around. Enyimba’s 3-1 win over runaway league leaders Sunshine Stars flattered the visitors in many ways; it realistically could have been much more emphatic in midweek. It is a result that gives Ikhana’s men confidence going into Sunday’s game, though he understands more than most that each game must be approached on its own merits.

“That we won our last match 3-1 will have little to do with this match,” he stated. “Yes, it will give the players confidence, but if we don’t play well in Enugu we won’t win.”

He is certainly right on that front; Enyimba have only won once in nine trips to Enugu, going back to 2007.

On the personnel front, Enyimba will be without defender Markson Ojobo, who is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. This could see Bright Esieme get the nod at right-back; the Nigeria international has fallen behind the pecking order but, in form, remains one of the league’s finer defenders. Also unlikely to feature is forward Chinonso Okonkwo.

Coach Kadiri Ikhana rung the changes in midweek and coasted to victory, so will surely be tempted to stick to the same team, Ojobo aside. This means Femi Thomas continues in goal ahead of veteran Chijioke Ejiogu. However, Nzube Anaezemba is doubtful—it would be a shame if he were to miss out, having produced his finest performance of the season against the table-toppers.

Kick-off is at 4p.m.

Culled from www.thatenyimbafan.com

Ututu Oma to you dear thatenyimbafan.com reader,

I'm not sure there has been a more anticipated tie by fans of the both clubs as Sunday's Rangers vs Enyimba match. There are so so many things to write as preview that I'm wondering if we shouldn't have three separate posts today just for this purpose.

Not like both sides haven't met before but this one is a very very very significant and emotional one. Coach Imama was in the last coaching crew that tutored our Enyimba team before Kadiri Ikhana and his crew came aboard. This means that a lot of the players in this Enyimba team not only know him very well but have personal relationships with the man.

The significance of that previous paragraph is that it can work both ways, He knows the players inside out and he can virtually write a book on all most of them. Again, the players themselves know him well and they can imagine how he will prepare his own team ahead of this tie. Just like skippo said yesterday, Imama would have made adequate scouting (He ALWAYS SCOUTS TEAMS) about this Enyimba side and I can tell you, he can or rather would have come up with two three plans on how to stop us.

The good thing is that this is football and having a good plan doesn't automatically mean that your players will execute it, of course there also is the 'football factor', something could happen- injury, an early goal, an costly error, the weather, a poor day in the office, the referee- something that could show up, unplanned for that will change the slant of the game.

On our own end too, it would be silly for anyone to think Enyimba will just go to Enugu and not plan to win all three points. I mean, our primary fight is not with Rangers, our fight (at the moment) is with Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourists and Giwa FC who have winnable ties this weekend. So with that in mind, we will be playing not the occasion (local derby with Rangers) but the opposition- Rangers a team standing in the way of our three points.

Again, this is a tie with players who have kissed the badges of both clubs. First of all, you may not have known it but Rangers tried to woo our skipper Chinedu Udoji at the end of last season. Then, our new striker, Christian Obiozor played for them last season. Ugwu Uwadiegwu and defender Chibuzor Madu have also played for them too. In fact Madu used to be their captain or is it Assistant captain? Their captain Okey Odita played for us, as well as their striker Rasaq Adegbiti. Then Nzube Anaezemba also came close to joining them last season. Call it a family reunion and it won't be out of place.

I'll leave you today with what an Enyimbafan, Shield Ikechukwu penned about this tie.

In this match up played in 2012 at Aba, Razaq Adegbiti, who played for us at that time (he has gone back to Rangers) scored a beautiful flying header in the 28th minute to give Enyimba the lead while Ugwu Uwadiegwu who was also an ex Rangers player scored a freekick from 20 yards in the 51st minute to seal the victory for the Aba millionaires. He was later red carded few minutes later for a second bookable offence for pulling off his shirt to celebrate the goal.

Coach Imama has not lost a home game since he took over reins at the Enugu based club, and trust me, his former charges would gladly love to do him that honour of handing him his first home defeat.

Enyimba FC XI vs Rangers: Femi Thomas, Uwadiegwu, Esieme, Udoji, Anyanwu, Aliyu, Anaezemba, Bassey, Obiozor, George, Abalogu

@EnyimbaFC

We expect a tremendous atmosphere and game in Enugu. Be informed today's #OrientalDerby will be live at 4p.m local on @SuperSportTV! #RANENY

Rangers vs Enyimba #RANENY Form Guide (Last 5 Games) Rangers: WWLWD Enyimba: WWDLW

Match Fact: Rangers and Enyimba meet for the 22nd time in the premier league era since 2003. Enyimba have won 11 of those previous meetings to Rangers' six #GloNPFL #RANENY

Last six head-to-head of Rangers vs Enyimba ‪#‎RANENY‬
•10 Aug 2014:Rangers 1-1 Enyimba
•16 March 2014: Enyimba 2-1 Rangers
•7 July 2013: Enyimba 1-0 Rangers
•9 March 2013: Rangers 1-0 Enyimba
•27 May 2012: Enyimba 2-0 Rangers
•15 Feb 2012: Rangers 1-0 Enyimba

https://www.nairaland.com/2462074/oriental-derby-enugu-rangers-vs#36040301


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