Enyimba forward, Reuben Bala has said his side will have no tangible excuse not to claim all the points in the oriental derby against FC IfeanyiUbah (FCIU) after surrendering three points to neighbours, Rivers United, in a make-up week 11 clash on Sunday (May 2) in Port Harcourt.
The People’s Elephant will host the Anambra Warriors in Wednesday’s (May 5) Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 14 make-up clash at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, Abia state.
Bala said his side still have their eyes fixed at the summit and need all the make-up matches’ points to challenge for the top.
“The match is not going to be an easy one for us because it’s a derby and normally whenever we play them they always come up with their best performance.
“They are youth team, they always play their best not only for the points but to open windows of opportunity for themselves.
“I know the match will not be easy, they are going to come all out to ensure we do not overrun them easily but I know for sure that at the end of the match we will come out victorious because we too need the points badly so that we will be able to add up our points on the log.
“I believe a win in the match will give us a psychological edge going into the next oriental derby clash.
“We just have to win tomorrow (Wednesday) match to be able to welcome Enugu Rangers on Sunday.
“A win the derby will be helpful to improve our rating on the log we equally need those wins to boost our morale to face the Egyptian side, Pyramids at the continent.
“We need all the confidence we could get in the matches to be on good stead to confront the Egyptian opposition so anything short of outright victories will not augur well with us.
“The derby clash against Rangers is always a war, thankfully, we have been active all this while the league is on break playing in the continent so we are fit for the encounter.
“So we have no excuse not to amass the whole points in the matches which will not only push up our points but help our confidence level heading to the continent,” said the former Plateau United goal poacher to SPNAfricaNews.
Enyimba are seventh on the 20-team top-flight log on 30 points six behind leaders, Kwara United with three more make-up matches at hand.
Story by Humphrey Njoku
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