Assistant captain Dede Dare says the People’s Elephant needed the points badly after Tobi Iyanda’s early goal settled the Oriental derby in Aba.
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Enyimba assistant captain Dede Dare says the nine-time NPFL champions want to build on their derby win over Kun Khalifat. The goalkeeper made it clear that the 1-0 result is only a starting point for a side fighting to climb the table.
Enyimba edged their Oriental rivals in a Matchday 11 game at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Sunday, November 1. Tobi Iyanda scored the decisive goal in the 15th minute, and that single strike was enough.
Dare told the club’s media he was glad to have the three points because the win will move the team up the table a little. He said the mindset was simple, as everyone in the squad needed the points desperately.
Why The Derby Win Matters
The numbers show why Dare sounded so relieved. After Matchday 8 on October 11, Enyimba had just seven points from eight games and sat 19th. Kun Khalifat were 18th on eight points, so this derby was effectively a six pointer in the relegation fight.
The result boosted Enyimba’s survival hopes, though reports differ on whether it lifted them clear of the drop zone. What is clear is that the table remains tight, and one win will not settle matters.
Fans who follow the NPFL’s relegation battle and like to back their picks can check Bet9ja’s YOHAIG code before the next round of fixtures.
This fixture had been unkind to Enyimba last season. Kun Khalifat beat them 1-0 in Owerri on October 12, 2025, ending their unbeaten start, before the sides drew 1-1 in Aba on March 1, 2026. Sunday’s win was therefore Enyimba’s first success in the derby in that run.
Ranchers Bees Next For Enyimba
Enyimba now turn to Ranchers Bees on Sunday, November 8, with kick off at 4pm. Dare insisted the team will go there with the determination to win, but he also kept his feet on the ground. “In football, nothing is guaranteed,” he said.
Ranchers Bees will not be an easy opponent. They appointed Ma’aji Muhammad as their new technical adviser on October 19, and they drew 1-1 with Inter Lagos on Matchday 11. A new coach can bring a fresh energy, so Enyimba will need to start sharply.
Anyone keeping track of the title race can find the Bet9ja promotion code here. Rivers United and Rangers remain joint leaders after their 1-1 draw on Matchday 11, so the top of the table is wide open too.
Elsewhere on the matchday, Shooting Stars beat Abia Warriors 4-1, Kano Pillars won 2-0 against Nasarawa United and Katsina United beat Sporting Lagos 2-1. Bendel Insurance also won 2-1 against Kwara United.
For Enyimba, the lesson is simple. A club with nine league titles cannot rely on one derby win. Dare and his teammates now need a consistent run to move away from danger.
NPFL fans who enjoy making forecasts can try Super9ja’s free entry alongside Sunday’s fixtures.
📌 Did You Know?
- Kun Khalifat’s 1-0 win over Enyimba on October 12, 2025 came through Ebuka Nwokorie’s 68th-minute free-kick and ended Enyimba’s unbeaten start to that season.
- Enyimba opened their 2026/27 NPFL campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Niger Tornadoes in Minna.
- Shooting Stars’ 4-1 win over Abia Warriors was the biggest victory of Matchday 11.
- Rivers United and Rangers shared a 1-1 draw on Matchday 11 and remain joint leaders.
- Ranchers Bees named Ma’aji Muhammad as their new technical adviser on October 19.
