25 February 2011
Saturday is derby day as Plateau United battle JUTH FC in the frequently troubled northcentral city of Jos.
A long drawn civil unrest in Jos has led to hundreds of deaths and injuries as well as huge loss of properties in the last couple of months that the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) was forced to move the home games of both JUTH and Plateau United outside this city high on a plateau.
When both city rivals last clashed in the lower league last season, the game was abandoned when fans of Plateau went on rampage in the second half after they violently contested a decision by the referee.
The match was eventually won in the boardroom by JUTH.
The other corresponding fixture between the two clubs in the pro league ended in a goalless draw.
The more enduring derby of this tin-mining city is that between bitter rivals Mighty Jets and Plateau United. And clashes between the citys most successful clubs are often marred by violence.
Both Plateau United and JUTH are back in the top flight after several seasons in the obscurity of the Pro League and they have found the going very tough in the top flight as they are bottom of the table.
JUTH are second from bottom with 12 points, while Plateau have 10 points.
JUTH are the team on form after Mondays stunning 2-1 home win over champions Enyimba, while Plateau are still reeling from a 2-1 loss at mid-table Heartland.
Youth team coach Dario Adeyemi will again be in temporary charge of De Healers against Plateau this weekend but with a new boss watching from the stands.
Officials told MTNFootball.com that three top-notch coaches – Kelechi Emeteole, Monday Odigie and Cameroonian Emmanuel Deutcsh – have been interviewed for the top post and preferred candidate will be announced soon.
The other derby this weekend between Enugu Rangers and Heartland has been shifted at the request of Heartland, who have nine players away with the countrys B team and the Under-20s in the USA and Turkey, respectively.
Kano Pillars climbed to ninth place Thursday after a laboured 0-0 draw at home with Niger Tornadoes.
They face a tougher challenge on Sunday against third-placed Warri Wolves, who like Pillars are without several players away with the countrys B team.
Pillars squad players struggled to impress against struggling Tornadoes in a rescheduled match this week and would need to step up their game against visiting Warri Wolves.
In Abeokuta, Shooting Stars of Ibadan will be hard pressed for a win against table-topping Dolphin.
Fifteen points separate both teams and if 3SC fail to get a result against the Port Harcourt side, they will most likely be sucked into the relegation zone especially if closest rivals Gombe United win their home game against Kwara United.
Defender Olumide Adigun will miss this tie on account of a match ban. The Oluyole Warriors will also miss long-term suspended striker Gbolahan Salami, the clubs best player this season.
Dolphin are top of the league, but I also know that my team rise up to the occasion when up against such teams, said 3SC handler, Fatai Amoo.
Zamfara United, third from bottom, could also be a banana peel fixture for second-placed Sunshine Stars in Kano on Saturday.
Were in danger of relegation, admitted Zamfara coach, Alhassan Mohammed, who is eyeing raiding the transfer market by mid-season to stave the dreaded drop.
Saturday:
Zamfara vs Sunshine Stars
Plateau Utd vs JUTH FC
Gombe vs Kwara United
Bukola Babes vs Ocean Boys
Sunday:
3SC vs Dolphin
Niger Tornadoes vs Kaduna United
Kano Pillars vs Warri Wolves
Enyimba vs Lobi
Sharks vs Crown
Rangers vs Heartland – Shifted
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