Kano Pillars will be out to protect their unbeaten home record when they welcome Enyimba to the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday for a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 6 fixture.
The visitors arrive in Kano in poor shape, having lost all four of their opening league matches, a run that leaves the nine-time NPFL champions rooted at the bottom of the table with one game still in hand.
Kano Pillars, on the other hand, head into the weekend unbeaten in their last four outings, a stretch that includes wins over Niger Tornadoes and Doma United FC alongside draws against Kwara United and Inter Lagos FC, and the Sai Masu Gida will fancy their chances of extending that run in front of their own supporters.
Despite Enyimba's struggles, assistant coach Okechukwu Ejeh has made it clear his side are not travelling to Kano to make up the numbers. "We are not here for a tea party; we are here for serious business. We are here to get the three points," Ejeh told the club's media.
He added that his players have prepared thoroughly for the trip, insisting, "We are mentally ready, physically ready and tactically ready for this game. Believe me, we are optimistic that we are not leaving this ancient city empty-handed."
Ejeh also brushed aside concerns about Enyimba's league position, maintaining that the club still has its sights set on continental football this season. "Our vision still remains to be on the continent. We are not too worried about our position for now. We will get the continental ticket," he said.
For Kano Pillars fans, this is a fixture the team should be targeting for maximum points, given the visitors' winless start to the campaign. A victory would not only keep the Sai Masu Gida's home form intact but also set them up nicely for their following assignment against Sporting Lagos FC at home on Matchday 7, scheduled for 3 October.