*Champions Rangers tackle Remo Stars in Ikenne
By Kunle Mudasiru
It is going to be a big cracker in Port Harcourt this weekend with former aquitance facing each other in the Nigeria Premier Football League game as Enyimba take on Rivers United in one of the MatchDay 4 games.
In the English Premier League, this is like the game between Manchester City and Arsenal. Mikel Arteta, coach or Arsenal was an understudy to Pep Guardiola of City. Only last weekend the two sides played 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Back home, current Rivers United coach, Finidi George, was the head coach at Enyimba with the present manager of the People’s Elephant, Yemi Olanrewaju, his assistant making this weekend game the battle between apprentice and the boss.
During his time working with Finidi, Olanrewaju spoke highly of his boss and often times when he was to stand in due to National teams assignment, it has always been a total credit to his boss.
“Coach Finidi George has done an impressive job with Enyimba,” Olanrewaju had said early this year when the two were working together.
“The tactical setup we have been able to put together for the past two years has been good.”
This weekend, he will have to put all sentiments aside as the two sides seek to continue their unbeaten run in the league.
After securing a 2-1 win against Lobi Stars in a rescheduled game just few days after leading Enyimba to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, the 32-year-old is already looking forward to the game against his former boss.
According to him; “The league is a marathon, and every game counts. Getting maximum points at home is crucial. We take a game at a time, we are putting this game behind us and planning for Rivers United.”
Also on Sunday, it will also be the battle of the top two teams at the end of last campaign with Rangers visiting Ikenne to keep a date with Remo Stars.
Rangers won their eight league title last season with Remo Stars ending the campaign second and with maximum nine points from three games, Remo will hope to get another win under their belt as they target their first league title.
