4 February 2011
It will be first against second in a titanic clash of the NPL on Saturday when Dolphin host closest rivals Sunshine Stars in Port Harcourt.
Two-time league kings Dolphin have led the standings for several weeks only for their lead to be cut back to a single point after they slipped 2-0 at Ocean Boys, while Sunshine defeated Lobi 2-0 in a battle of the Stars.
The Port Harcourt outfit are now on 27 points from 13 matches with Sunshine Stars within a striking distance.
NPL leading scorer Ajani Ibrahim with six goals has told MTNFootball.com he would want this Week 15 clash shown live on national television.
We want the match televised so as to avoid any problems because it is a very crucial game for both teams and a lot is therefore riding on it, said the 20-year-old Sunshine Stars midfielder.
Such is the importance this game holds for Sunshine that they will fly in their players in the national team Cletus Itodo, Ukeyima Akombo and Egbune Harrison.
Dolphin experienced defender Mutiu Adegoke, who recently returned from a long-term injury, has admitted that the Akure club are the biggest threat to them winning the championship for a third time.
We want to maintain a good lead over them because we know they are our biggest rivals to the title, said the former Asec Mimosas of Abidjan left back.
The other match this weekend whose outcome is delicately balanced is that between hosts Warri Wolves and Sharks of Port Harcourt.
Fourth-placed Warri Wolves could revive their fading title hopes with a home win over six-placed Sharks, who thumped Niger Tornadoes 3-0 at the weekend.
Wolves have now gone five matches unbeaten despite not enjoying the full commitment of top stars like goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim and striker Ekigho Ehiosun, who are away on national team duty.
Star defender Ike ThankGod is still out injured and his place in the heart of the back four could well be taken by new signing Chimezie Mba from Ocean Boys, Togo international Boussari Akinsola or skipper Goodluck Onamado.
The pressure is also on surprise package of the NPL, Bukola Babes, when they play away to bottom team JUTH of Jos.
Third-placed Bukola Babes are on a high as they have now gone six matches without a loss without any bookings and six clean sheets.
Their win bonus was doubled for upstaging Heartland 1-0 last weekend.
The pressure is on us to maintain this run, admitted team manager Alloy Chukwuemeka.
However, the Ilorin-based club will be without several of their rampant youngsters for this fixture, which could be played on Saturday or Monday in Kaduna depending on if Niger Tornadoes home ground is certified fit to now stage the matches of the Minna team.
Influential midfielder Effiom Bassey is suspended, while both strikers Akeem Audu and Ismaila Gata have been excused to attend to school work.
Kano Pillars are also on the rise after they compounded the woes of bottom team JUTH with a 2-1 away win in a rescheduled fixture on Thursday.
JUTH stunned the CAF Champions League campaigners with a Kabiru Umar penalty goal after 11 minutes, before Pillars responded with headed goals by Victor Namo and Mohammed Shagari before halftime.
We have gathered momentum from our win at Mighty Barolle and want to continue this winning streak at Ocean Boys in time for our return leg Champions League match next weekend, Pillars coach, Baba Ganaru, told MTNFootball.com.
Kaduna United will leapfrog Enugu Rangers on Sunday if they win in front of their fans at the Kaduna Township Stadium.
However, Kaduna will be without the experience and guile in midfield of Rabiu Baita, who was sent off in the goalless draw at Plateau United for dangerous play.
Former national team coach, Christian Chukwu, has returned to revive the fortunes of Heartland before the Owerri clubs new Dutch coach arrives.
A big win over 3SC on return to the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri will be a good start for Chukwu.
The new management of Heartland has also raised alarm over internal sabotage, which they alleged led in part to the team having to play their home games first in Aba and later in Owerri.
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