Rivers Utd, Rangers in battle royale
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The top-two finishers in last season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Rivers United and Enugu Rangers go for broke on Sunday in Port Harcourt as the competition enters Matchday 12.
The two sides have struggled for form and consistency this season and are currently in the bottom half of the table.
On Sunday however, they both have the chance to steady respective ship and put their campaigns back on track.
Rangers come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over ABS in Enugu in midweek while United claimed a point in their last league fixture
in Bauchi against Wikki Tourists.
Head coach of Rangers, Imama Amapakabo is full of respect for Sunday’s opponents, United and predicts a tough but exciting game.
“It will certainly be an exciting game and will act as a good prelude to both club’s respective Caf Champions League matches (next weekend).
“We know that Rivers United is a team that has done well for itself and they have some wonderful individual players that are capable of hurting you if you don’t concentrate all through the game.
“We also have players who are capable of giving them worries.
“The game will be worth the money of the paying public as it will be a very entertaining game,” Imama told supersport.com.
Eguma also gave his pre-match thoughts to supersport.com.
“Matches involving Rangers and Rivers United are always crackers and this one will be no different.
“Rangers have a very big pedigree and they are the champions and we will not take them for granted.
“I see this game as a derby as they are our rivals. I expect a very tight game on Sunday,” he said.
The last two NPFL games involving both clubs produced eight games and many are predicting that similar heights will be reached this term.
Game: Rivers United versus Enugu Rangers
Competition: Nigeria Professional Football League (match day 12)
Current positions on the log: Rivers United (16th); Enugu Rangers (14th)
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2017
Venue: Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt
Time: 4pm
Form Guide (last five NPFL matches)
Rivers United (DLDLD)
Rivers United 0-0 Lobi Stars (H)
Rivers United 1-2 Shooting Stars (A)
Rivers United 1-1 Kano Pillars (H)
Rivers United 0-1 Sunshine Stars (A)
Rivers United 0-0 Wikki Tourists (A)
Enugu Rangers (WLWLD)
Enugu Rangers 1-1 Niger Tornadoes (H)
Enugu Rangers 0-1 FC Ifeanyiubah (H)
Enugu Rangers 2-1 Lobi Stars (H)
Enugu Rangers 1-2 MFM (A)
Enugu Rangers 1-0 ABS (H)
Previous meetings (head-to-head)
Matches: Three (3)
Rivers United wins: One (1)
Enugu Rangers wins: Two (2)
Draws; Nil (0)
Goals for: Rivers United (4); Enugu Rangers (6)
Goals against: Rivers United (6); Enugu Rangers (4)
Points accumulated (in competitive matches): Rivers United (3); Enugu Rangers (3)
Details (Specific breakdown)
Rivers United 3-1 Enugu Rangers (NPFL: Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt on May 1, 2016).
Enugu Rangers 4-0 Rivers United (NPFL: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on September 4, 2016).
Enugu Rangers 2-0 Rivers United (NPFL Super 4: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on December 7, 2016)
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