Enyimba, Kwara in Battle Royale
Coca-Cola FA Cup
By Ayodeji Fashikun
When two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers the pains and strains. One pities the grass inside the Onikan stadium that would be hosting two of the biggest teams in the Premier League today as the early pairing of Kwara United and Enyimba is the star attraction of postponed Coca-Cola FA Cup matches.
Most likely the match will remain a grudge match between the two arch rivals who are known to always give out the best of tactical orientation on the field of play. Both teams are known to parade the very best of players in the nation's Premier league.
Given that about a fortnight ago, Enyimba were lucky to have escaped from Ilorin with a slim 2-1 margin having won 1-0 in the first round in Aba. On both occasions, the spectators were the better as they got full value for their money because the two sides went into their drill room to get the maximum points.
Given also the turbulent nature of the Challenge Cup, which returns surprise. In this encounter, there is no upset as both teams are well-matched. We hope the better side will win. Our ambition is to see if we can win all the diadems in the local scene this year. Kwara United is definitely a hard nut to crack but I would wish the cup will pass over us," said a Kwara official.
Expected to thrill fans is Super Eagles fringe attacker, Emeka Akwueme, who enjoys the services of high-scoring Daniel 'Peugeot' Njoku, Flying Eagles cadet keeper Bassey Akpan, who will enjoy the coverage led by Najeem Raji, Taofeek Babatunde, Skipper Sulaiman Ashifat.
On the other side are goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, who may man the post in the absence of Vincent Enyeama. Whether injured Chibuzor Ozurumba will be back on his feet is still a gamble. One other fact is, both teams have lost their foreign technical advisers: Miroslav Urukalo and Kostadin Papic for Enyimba and Kwara United respectively.
Meanwhile, the fans of both teams have been arguing, some staking wagers about the outcome of the match. Thousands will flock the traditional home of Lagos football in Onikan, which probably has not hosted any match of this magnitude in recent times. On a wager, the match can go either way.
However, Onikan Stadium is not the only venue for the big Coca-Cola FA Cup matches, as Abuja is the place to be for fans of Rangers International and Wikki Tourists, where both Premier league sides clash.
The U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar also hosts another big clash in Iwuanyanwu versus Lobi Stars.
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