Enugu Rangers, riding a wave of confidence after beating regional rivals Heartland FC in the Glo Premier League last weekend and reaching the Federation Cup Round of 32 by edging Kaduna United in midweek, visit fellow traditional heavyweights Shooting Stars in Ibadan on Sunday.
Port Harcourt and Umuahia are also centres to follow as Dolphins entertain Enyimba FC and Kano Pillars are away to Abia Warriors in some other Week 9 matches.
Shooting Stars, the first club to win a continental title for Nigeria after picking up the African Cup Winners Cup at the expense of Cameroon’s Tonerre Kalala in 1976, are low on morale after losing 0-2 to Sunshine Stars in Akure last weekend and being bundled out of the Federation Cup by National League side Plateau United.
Last weekend’s matches was another tremendous credit to the efforts of Nigeria Football Federation and the League Management Company to make the League better, with an astounding five draws out of the 10 matches.
Newcomers Gabros International, who have beaten powerhouse names Enugu Rangers and Enyimba FC this season and are unbeaten since losing 0-1 to Akwa United in Uyo on Matchday 4, host Sharks FC of Port Harcourt in Nnewi.
FC Taraba, smarting from a gritty 3-3 draw with Gabros in Jalingo last weekend, are away to Giwa FC of Jos. The Giwa boys were eliminated from the Federation Cup on penalties midweek by little known Kukuruku Dragons of Benin.
El-Kanemi Warriors will host Bayelsa United, Lobi Stars are away to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi and Nasarawa United entertain Sunshine Stars in Lafia. Heartland FC are at home to Akwa United, while the clash between Kwara United and Warri Wolves in Ilorin is shelved as Wolves face AC Leopards in Congo in a CAF Confederation Cup play-off, first leg match.
GLO PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 9 FIXTURES
Gabros International Vs Sharks FC
Giwa FC Vs FC Taraba
Dolphins FC Vs Enyimba FC
El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Bayelsa United
Wikki Tourists Vs Lobi Stars
Heartland FC Vs Akwa United
Shooting Stars Vs Enugu Rangers
Nasarawa United Vs Sunshine Stars
Abia Warriors Vs Kano Pillars
Kwara United Vs Warri Wolves (PP)