Saturday, March 03, 2012

Jigawa out to keep PL status

One of the four promoted sides in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Jigawa Golden Stars, have resolved to remain in the top flight after the end of this season.

Jigawa Stars have started this term on a struggling note amassing just eight points from 10 games.

But the club's head coach, Abdul Pele and defender Chigozie Maurice are confident of staying afloat at the end of this season in spite of the odds tipping them for an immediate return to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Pele told SuperSport.com: "Our aim is to remain in the Premier League when the season ends. I know that our position right now is not what we planned for. But we still have a good chance to fight back and claim points to keep us here (in the top flight)."

Maurice, who served a one-match suspension from his side's 1-2 loss at Dolphins in mid-week, believes that the Golden Stars have the quality to remain in the NPL against all odds.

The 22-year-old centre-back added that Jigawa Stars can recover from their poor start to post impressive results though he acknowledged that the playing personnel of the club will have to up their performance.

"We have enough quality in this team that can keep us in the Premier League. This team have experienced players like Bala Mohammed, Moses Ogaga, Oliver Agbo, Habibu Inusa and Jude Ebitogua and others.

"I'm confident we will stay in the Premier League for another season with the kind of quality we have in the team. It's just a matter of us giving our best in our games," said the former Juth and Plateau United man.

Jigawa Stars face a difficult trip to Aba this Sunday when they come up against six-time champions, Enyimba.

Pele's men are second from bottom and on paper stand little or no chance of earning a point at Enyimba.

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