People’s Elephant keen to escape relegation zone

Enyimba host Ikorodu City in Aba on Sunday needing a home win to climb out of the Nigeria Premier Football League relegation zone, against visitors who are still waiting for their first away victory.

Kick-off at the Enyimba International Stadium is at 4pm.

The nine-time champions are 18th with 11 points from 12 matches, with three wins, two draws and seven defeats. They are one point behind Ranchers Bees and Kwara United, who both have 12.

They lost 1-0 away to Ranchers Bees in Minna last weekend, and their goal difference is minus four. The club has tried to rally its supporters ahead of the game.

Home form is where their hope lies. All three of Enyimba’s wins have come in Aba, where they have also drawn once and lost twice.

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The Oga Boys are 13th on 15 points, four better off than their hosts, with three wins, six draws and three defeats from 12 matches. Their goal difference is plus two.

They drew 2-2 with Inter Lagos at Onikan last Monday. They have drawn six of their 12 games, and on the road they have drawn three and lost three of their six.

The last meeting in Aba went Ikorodu’s way. Joseph Arumala scored the only goal at the Enyimba International Stadium in February.

A draw would keep Ikorodu four points clear of Enyimba, while the home side need all three points to avoid being stuck near the bottom as the season approaches its halfway point.

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