Enyimba Technical Adviser, Usman Abd’Allah, reckons he is in no race to depose Enugu Rangers at the summit of the NPFL table, but to ensure the People’s Elephant finished in the top three this term, Completesports.com reports.
Enyimba will welcome Rangers in an Oriental Derby Sunday – the standout fixture of the NPFL matchday-17.
Rangers looked unapproachable at the top of Group A following a commanding start to the season and a pileup of outstanding fixtures; but consecutive losses to Bendel Insurance and Rivers United have opened the door for the chasing pack.
Enyimba lead that chasing pack, and will get into touching distance of the Flying Antelopes with a win in this weekend’s star fixture in Aba.
Only the group’s top three teams will eventually proceed to the next round, but Abd’Allah, who has steered Enyimba to remain undefeated in ten matches, would rather keep closer watch on the teams below his team on the table.
“This is an abridged league. Nobody gets a trophy when you come first, second or third; so it’s just to qualify,” Abd’Allah stated during hos pre-match interview.
“We are only trying to qualify (for the playoffs).
“The most important thing is that I only want to look at the fourth position of the table. The more Enyimba is far away from the team that is in the fourth position, the safer we are.
“It doesn’t matter if we finish third or first because if the person (team) in fourth position climbs up he has to displace somebody from the top three and we don’t want to be part of that.
“So the most important thing is to keep on moving so that we can be very, very far away from the position of fourth, and that’s the only way we can guarantee our place in the playoffs.
“The playoffs is going to be a totally different scenario. I think we are getting there slowly, gradually.
“We are not there yet but we will keep on working until we reach the playoffs, then from there we start all over again.”
