Ranchers Bees move Enyimba clash to Minna as NPFL return struggles

Ranchers Bees will host Enyimba in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 12 fixture at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, the club has announced.

The game is billed for Sunday, 8 November, with kick-off at 4pm. The club confirmed the venue change in an announcement on Thursday.

The Kaduna-based side have played their home matches this season at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, because their own ground, the Kaduna Township Stadium, is being rehabilitated.

It is not yet clear why the Enyimba game has been moved to Niger State. Reports on the change did not give a reason, and the club has not explained it publicly.

A tough return to the top flight

Ranchers Bees are back in the NPFL after more than two decades away, and the season has been hard. The team have two wins, three draws and five defeats so far.

They go into Sunday's match after a 1-1 draw with Inter Lagos in their last outing.

The outlets differ slightly on their league record. One report says they are 19th with nine points from 11 matches; another puts it at nine points from 10 games. Either way, they sit near the bottom of the table and need points.

Enyimba, former African champions, will be the favourites on paper. For Ranchers Bees, a result in Minna would be a lift for a squad still finding its feet in the top division.

For fans, the move means a long trip. Supporters in Kaduna and Kano who hoped to see the team at home will have to travel to Minna, in neighbouring Niger State, for Sunday's 4pm kick-off.

What happens next

The match will be played on Sunday, 8 November, at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna. Ranchers Bees will then look to climb away from the bottom of the table as the season continues.