Enyimba chase record in Ilorin 

The reality in the 2014/2015 Glo Premier League is that Wikki Tourists, a team that just returned to the elite class, is the number one team on the table. Nobody envisaged that, especially with Kano Pillars and Enyimba’s recent rivalry, which has seen them battling for the title in the last three seasons.

Wikki Tourists were quietly garnering the points, home and away, when others including Sunshine Stars, Giwa FC and FC IfeanyiUbah were struggling for space at the summit of the league.

The Bauchi boys’ defeat of FC IfeanyiUbah last weekend has suddenly jolted the recognized hierarchy to the reality of Wikki’s challenge. But some of the old guns are still obstinate, as they believe that Wikki Tourists are irritants that would soon fade away. How true that assumption is would start showing today when Giwa’s armada arrives in Bauchi.

That game is one of the top battles in the Week 15 of the league, which will also see El-Kanemi Warriors hosting a rejuvenated Dolphins in Kano.

Dolphins last weekend went to the same Sani Abacha Stadium to hold landlords, Kano Pillars, to a 2-2 draw and observers believe that their newfound form and cash in their pockets (they have just been paid outstanding salaries and match bonuses) could be too much for El Kanemi to handle. Owerri landlords, Heartland will host FC Ifeanyi Uba, while 3SC will entertain Sharks in Ibadan, just as Nasarawa and FC Taraba will clash in Lafia.

Abia Warriors will meet Bayelsa United, while Warri Wolves, fresh from a rewarding trip to Uyo, where they held Akwa United to a draw, will host Lobi Stars.

Kwara United, which have been battling to stay above the water, will get a stiff test from last season’s runners up, Enyimba, at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

Enyimba are chasing an eight-match unbeaten record, a feat striker Chimezie Amanfor says is crucial to their title ambition. Amanfor told a local website yesterday that “we have just lost two matches to Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyiubah in the ongoing league season and our calculation is to see off unbeaten the remaining four matches on the first stanza calendar.

“It is no more news the referees have improved greatly in their performance so we are determined and ready to contest favourably the three points at stake in the encounter with Kwara United. “We are motivated to take this game and a home victory against Nasarawa United on Sunday in Aba.

“The encounter is certain to be difficult for both sides but we are sure to avoid defeat.” Enyimba are third on the league log on 26 points, one point behind leaders, Wikki Tourists. The other games of the day are the clash between Sunshine Stars and Akwa United in Akure and the Enugu battle involving Rangers and Kano Pillars.