Morenikeji - set for first start this season Akanbi Morenikeji will replace injured Gbolahan Salami for Thursday’s Nigeria league clash against hosts Kano Pillars.

Morenikeji, who has yet to feature for the Ibadan team this season, is now expected to make his first start of the season alongside Ighodalor Osagona, who scored his first goal of the season against Gombe United.

Shooting Stars stand-out forward Salami is nursing an ankle injury he picked up late in his team’s 3-1 home win over Lobi Stars.

The injury forced him out for Okiki Afolabi in the 86th minute and the club doctor said he should take a break till over the weekend.

In the meantime, Shooting Stars midfielder Sanni Mohammed has predicted his team will create an upset in Kano against the champions.

"With what is on ground, I can assure you that Kano Pillars will fall at their home because we are ready to create an upset here at Kano,” he vowed.

"We are not scared of them because we have the players to win this game.”

Ogaga - To star for 3SC against ex-club The Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano will be agog on Thursday when Kano Pillars host 3SC in a Nigeria league Week 4 clash.

Pillars lost their last game at Akwa United by a lone goal, while 3SC beat Lobi Stars 3-1.

Pillars started the season well and would hope to stop on-form 3SC, who are third on the table on six points from three matches, on Thursday to move up from their sixth place.

In this fixture last season, Pillars trounced 3SC 3-0, but players of the visiting club have promised to get a decent result this time around.

Shooting Stars first-choice goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye told MTNFootball.com he hopes to keep a clean sheet against the defending champions in Kano.

"It won't be an easy game we know, but we are set to give a good account of ourselves. I will do my best in order not to allow any goal in. We are in good shape," Ajiboye told MTNFootball.com

Kano Pillars striker Kabiru Umar told MTNFootball.com he is looking forward to opening goals’ account in the league.

"Shooting won't be easy but we are equal to the task. I am looking forward to start the game and get my first league goal of the season against them. I am sure we will win," Umar said.


Stars to watch

Gbolahan Salami (3SC): The gifted striker has been in terrific form this season for 3SC having posted a man of the match display in their two home games with a goal and three assists. He will be handful for Pillars defence to be led by Umar Zango.

Bello Kofarmata (Pillars): The veteran forward has brought his experience to bear on the Kano Pillars attack and has so far scored a goal in the league. His positioning and speed will always be great assets for any team.

Please endeavour to put this on the front page prior to the start of the match for the live commentaries. Thanks

Welcome to the star match of the week 4 of the Nigeria Professional Football League between the Kano Pillars FC ( Sai Masu Gida) boys and the Shooting Stars Sports Club ( Oluyole Warriors) from the Sani Abacha Stadium. Live telecast to follow.....

Front page!!!!

Shooting Stars team sheet vs Kano Pilars

Dele Ajiboye
Seun Akinyemi
Adegoke Mutiu
Sola Gabriel Adeboye
Adigun lateef
Samuel Olabisi
Tony Edjomariegwe
Philip Asuquo
Moses Ogaga
Chima Akas
Afolabi Okiki


Reserves:
Richard Ocheyi
David Amanyi
Mohammed Sanni
Musa Raphael
Morenikeji Akanbi
Ighadaro Osagona
Azeez Sobowale.

Kano Pillars Team List:

Afelokahi Theo
Tswanya samuel
Nazifi ammani
mustafa musa
umar zango
kenneth ehis
bello korfamata
sheu shagari
gambo mohammed
kabir umar

Reserves:
sanni haliru
adamu murthala
alhaj alhaj
nafiu ibrahim
buhari musa
munir ubale
mathias samuel

Kano Pillars Vs Shooting Stars

Match Commissioner: Victor ijereme(Abuja)
Centre Referee: Markus Bwachi,(bauchi), AR1 Sanni Mohammed, (Adamawa)
AR2 Nee Christopher (benue)
RR: Isyaku Dabiiwa (kano).

Mohammed Gambo scored for Pillars in the 18 min with a left footer grounder. Kano Pillars 1-0 Shooting stars.

Shooting will score 2

They are actually playing better, but no cohesion