Flying Antelopes keen to stay top in Kano clash

Defending champions and league leaders Rangers International travel to Kano on Sunday, October 11, to face a wounded Barau side, with kick-off at 4pm.

The Enugu club sit on 16 points after five wins, a draw and a defeat from seven games, the latest a convincing 3-1 home win over Abia Warriors in Matchday 7. They are determined to protect their place at the summit. Rivers United, the only unbeaten team left in the division, are one point behind on 15 and also play on Sunday, away to Abia Warriors, so any slip could prove costly.

Rangers have a crucial CAF Champions League tie against MC Alger on the horizon, and they will be desperate to enter that week with their lead intact.

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Barau began the campaign with a 3-1 win over Nasarawa United and were among the early high-flyers, but they were thumped 4-1 by Bendel Insurance in Benin last time out, their first heavy defeat of the season.

That result left the Kano side fifth on 12 points, four behind the leaders, with three wins, three draws and one defeat from seven matches. They will be eager to show a response in front of their own supporters.

The champions also began the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Katsina United, a reminder that they can be made to work for points.

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