Enugu Rangers vs Doma United is one of the week one matches in the 2023/24 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
The Savannah Tigers will kick off their season with an away tie to the Flying Antelopes.
The teams are no strangers to each other after being in the same group in last season’s abridged league.
Enugu Rangers avoided relegation last term, as they finished just a place above the relegation spots.
They concluded the season with 21 points to finish two points ahead of Wikki Tourists, who could not win their penultimate game, allowing Enugu Rangers safety.
Doma United had a better season and was just a point-and-goal difference shy of making it into the playoffs.
The Savannah Tigers garnered 27 points to finish in fifth place behind Sunshine Stars (3rd) and Abia Warriors (4th). Both teams had 27 points each.
The more illustrious Enugu Rangers, who last won the league in 2016, will need to up their game this season to avoid finding themselves in the same situation as last term.
Doma United have shown they can hold their own against the top dogs in the NPFL, but in a 38-game season, how far can they go to retain their league status?
Enugu Rangers vs Doma United in preseason friendlies
Both teams have prepared well during the offseason by playing in several tournaments and friendlies.
It means the Enugu Rangers vs Doma United tie should produce excitement worthy of a season opener.
Enugu Rangers lost only one game – a 1-0 loss to fellow NPFL side Akwa United.
The Coal City beat Alpha City (3-0) and played a 1-1 draw in Uyo with FC One Rocket.
Doma United lost 2-1 to Wikki Tourists in a preseason friendly and won the 2023 Gusau/Ahlan Cup.
In the 2023 Gusau/Ahlan Cup, they beat Plateau United via penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Goalkeeper Mamman Abraham (Babalo) was the hero of the day. He saved two penalties.
Both teams have also made massive investments in the transfer market and would want to make it count for something.
There are rumours of an upcoming shirt sponsorship deal for Enugu Rangers.
The news should spur the Flying Antelopes to start the season in style.
Anticipate…#Historytogether#rangersint#neversaydie pic.twitter.com/xZkh0d9THa
— Rangers International FC (@EnuguRangersFC) September 29, 2023
Probable line ups
Rangers:
Goalkeeper: Detan Ogundare
Defenders: Austin Opara, Kenneth Igboke, Charles Okafor, Ikenna Stephen
Midfielders: Austin Osayande, Kazeem Ogunleye, Chukwudi Nwaodu,
Forwards: Malachi Ohawume, Chidiebere Nwobodo, Austin Onyemaechi
Doma United:
Goalkeeper: Mamman Abraham
Defenders: Haruna Aliyu, Auwalu Abubakar, Andrew Majalisa, Saifullahi Yusuf
Midfielders: Samuel Matthew, Hillary Ekawu, Abubakar Abdullahi, Usman Adamu, Bidemi Owoku
Forward: Emmanuel Ekpenyong
Predictions
Rangers to win
Despite the expectations from the Enugu Rangers vs Doma United tie, it will not be the cracker we expect, as both sides will be keen not to lose their first game.
The game takes place in the Awka Township stadium, and the home side should make home advantage count to get the three points.
It should be a slim victory for Enugu Rangers.
Under 2.5 total goals
The Enugu Rangers vs Doma United tie has shown not to be a high-scoring tie. The away side will hope to go home with at least a share of the spoils.
A draw is highly probable, with 0-0 or 1-1 as the most likely result.
Enugu Rangers to score at least one goal
Enugu Rangers rarely fire blanks at home and will expectedly be on the front foot to show the home fans they mean business this season.
However, they will need to be wary of being caught on the back foot.
Enugu Rangers will score at least one goal in this tie.
Head-to-head
Enugu Rangers vs Doma United did not produce plenty of goals last season.
The first leg tie in the NPFL ended with Enugu Rangers winning at home 1-0 in a keenly contested encounter.
Chidera Ezeh scored the only goal of the 1-0 victory via a penalty late in the first half.
The second leg did not fare a little better, as the game ended 0-0 despite efforts from both sides to get a goal.
February 12 2023
Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Doma United
Chidera Ezeh (Pen 38)
May 7 2023
Doma United 0-0 Enugu Rangers
Where to watch
Propel Sports has the right to air the matches of the NPFL this season, but unfortunately, the Awka Township stadium is not one of the centres that will be covered in the opening weekend of the 2023/24 NPFL season.
Enugu Rangers vs Doma United
Date: Saturday, September 30 2023
Time: 16:00
Venue: Awka Township Stadium
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 month ago
