By Rasaq Oborien
RANGERS International of Enugu will begin its title defence against Abia Warriors in the season's first Oriental Derby clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.
In the new season open day fixtures conducted on Saturday night, Coach Gbenga Ogunbote will be leading Enyimba to claim its first 3points of the campaign when they host his former team, Sunshine Stars at their new home the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, as works at the Aba Township Stadium are still ongoing.
Another interesting game of the week is the battle of the rich-spenders as Kano Pillars welcome Federation Cup champions, FC Ifeanyi Ubah to the Sani Abacha Stadium.
It's a repeat of last season match day one clash at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba as Shooting Stars host Lobi Stars again.
Recall it was coach Godwin Koko Uwa first point on the road after Kingsley Edowo won the game for the Food Basket team with his first half strike.
Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministry FC of Lagos will at the Agege Stadium, begin their campaign against a Niger Tornadoes they drew 1-1 against at the Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament in Ijebu-Ode, while Coach Stanley Eguma's Rivers United will be having their hands full against the El-Kanemi Warriors from Maiduguri.
For the newly promoted teams, Remo Stars will welcome Plateau United to the Dipo Dina Stadium as ABS FC entertains Akwa United at the Ilorin Township Stadium.
It will be a clash of two promoted teams as Kastina United lock horns against Gombe United.
It will be a battle of a former boss against his assistant as Coach Baba Ganaru's Wikki Tourists welcomes Kabiru Dogo's Nasarawa United to the Bauchi Stadium.
MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES:
Enyimba vs Sunshine Stars
MFM FC vs Niger Tornadoes
Rangers vs Abia Warriors
Kano Pillars vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Wikki Tourists vs Nasarawa United
Shooting Stars vs Lobi Stars
ABS FC vs Akwa United
Remo Stars vs Plateau United
Rivers United vs El-kanemi Warriors
Kastina United vs Gombe United
