NPL Preview: Gombe United dare Enyimba in Aba

Table toppers, Gombe United, are in for another tough test as they travel to Aba to face six-time league champions, Enyimba International, in one of the week eight fixtures of the Nigeria Premier League billed for this weekend.
The Savannah Scorpions were handed their first defeat of the season when they were in Port Harcourt to face Dolphins FC last weekend and another away game to Enyimba might just result in another defeat.
Sanusi Sanni and Ibrahim Babadidi of Gombe United remain the league’s top scorers with  six and five goals respectively. For the duo, avoiding defeat in Aba is a necessity.
Also in Ibadan, after failing to garner maximum points in their last two home fixtures, Shooting Stars of Ibadan will attempt to bounce back to winning ways this weekend as they play host to regional rivals Sunshine Stars of Akure.
For many Ibadan fans, time is already running out on the new gaffer, Festus Allen, who so far has just two victories in six outings.
Already Coach Allen has launched “operation Sunshine must fall” as he targets his first back to back win with 3SC.
In a chat with Premium Times, Coach Festus Allen  said his players are ready to take on the league runners up and has been handed the license to run over the Akure based side.
Allen said his players are highly motivated for the game and are ready to give it all they have knowing fully well that they have to pick all the maximum points in the game.
In other fixtures, the Hadeja Township stadium will be the battle ground for two titans; Kano Pillars and Heartland as they slug it out for the precious 3points up for grabs.
Pillars have been forced to play their home games outside the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano owing to the security concerns in the ancient city.
Meanwhile,  in Ijebu-Ode, Warri Wolves are confident they can maintain their status as the only team yet to taste defeat in the League this season as they face league newcomers Rising Stars.
Though Warri Wolves have some of their key players away in the Eagles’ camp in Abuja, club’s spokesperson, Timi Ebikagboro, is upbeat they can still escape defeat.
Nigeria Premier League Fixtures for Week 8, Saturday 11th February, 2012: Kwara Utd FC vs Rangers Int’l FC Niger Tornadoes FC vs ABS FC Kano Pillars FC vs Heartland FC 3SC vs Sunshine Stars FC Sharks FC vs Lobi Stars FC Rising Stars FC vs Warri Wolves FCSunday 12th February, 2012 Enyimba Int’l FC vs Gombe Utd FC Dolphins FC vs Akwa Utd FC Kaduna Utd FC vs Wikki Tourists FC Ocean Boys FC vs Jigawa Golden Stars FC