Mohammed ready for dogfight in Ekiti

Jigawa Golden Stars' leading scorer, Bala Mohammed, is confident going into the survival clash with Rising Stars this Saturday.

Rising Stars play hosts to Jigawa Stars in a Matchday 29 game in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti.

Mohammed is confident his team will keep their Premier League status beyond this term.

"We are very ready for the game against Rising Stars. It's a game we have to avoid defeat and hopefully win. It will be tough but we must win it so that we can remain in the Premier League," he told SuperSport.com.

Mohammed, who has scored eight goals this season mostly from set-piece, said his confidence stems from his side's 3-3 with Sunshine Stars over the weekend in a Matchday 27 game.

The former Kano Pillars' man added that the draw against the 2012 Caf Champions League campaigners is a sign that the Golden Stars are prepared to beat the drop.

"It's good to have taken a point against Sunshine Stars, a very strong team and at their home ground. That means they didn't beat us this season. And with this kind of result I believe we can escape relegation.

"Now we want to take that same form against Sunshine Stars to the game against Rising Stars. I believe it is possible for us to get a good result there and we will also need to win our games at home to give ourselves a chance of escaping relegation," Mohammed said.

In the first meeting this season, Rising Stars held on for a goalless draw at Jigawa Stars.

Jigawa Golden Stars are in 17th position on the NPL standings on 28 points.