The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK: Ojo dedicates nomination to Enyimba

    CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK: Ojo dedicates nomination to Enyimba

    • Says Mamelodi Sundowns’ strike has opened doors

    Enyimba FC defensive midfielder, Dare Ojo has dedicated his CAF Champions League Team of the Week nomination to his team mates, the technical crew and other officials of the People’s Elephant.

    Ojo scored a scorcher in Pretoria against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the last round of matches in the lucrative money spinning club competition and the former Kwara United player has told SportingLife that the support from all at Enyimba made the feat possible.

    The soft spoken player said he is elated to be picked among the top 11 players in the club competition and that he is certain that the nomination will spur him on to greater heights in his career as a footballer.

    Ojo, however, regrets the inability of his club to pick point from the away tie but assures their fans and supporters that Enyimba would fight to the end to ensure that a place in the semi final of the competition is achieved.

    The former Kwara United player is in Enyimba’s team for today’s 2016 Federation Cup Round of 32 tie in Abuja with El Kanemi Warriors and he will from there report to the camp of the LMC All Stars team training also in Abuja for their trip to Spain.

  • Enyimba thrash El Kanemi 2-0

    Enyimba thrash El Kanemi 2-0

    Champions Eyimba bounced back from another CAF Champions League loss in South Africa to beat visiting El Kanemi 2-0 in a Nigeria league match on Sunday.

    Enyimba took the lead in the 53rd minute, when Joseph Osadiaye crossed for Nzube Amaezemba to head home past El Kanemi goalkeeper, George Michael.

    ‘The People’s Elephant then doubled their lead in the 69th minute through substitute, Ezekiel Bassey’s low shot.

    Niger Tornadoes recorded an important home win against Warri Wolves after they ran away 2-0 winners with goals from Kunle Issa and Mustapha Musa.

  • Enyimba arrive in South Africa

    Enyimba arrive in South Africa

    Enyimba FC on Monday morning arrived Johannesburg, South Africa ahead of their second CAF Champions League group B clash with Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday in Pretoria.

    The People’s Elephants’ delegation departed the shores of Nigeria on Sunday night and landed in South Africa’s commercial capital in the wee hours of Monday.

    They were warmly recieved by the waiting Nigerian community led by Ikechukwu Anyene at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.

    Enyimba have moved to South Africa’s legislative capital, Pretoria – 30 minutes drive from Johannesburg by electric train and will have their first training session this evening.

    They are expected to have a feel of the turf at the 28,000 capacity-seater Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium, former called Atteridgeville ahead of the match.

    The sole Nigerian representatives lost its first match 1-0 against  Zamalek in Port Harcourt on June 19.

    Enyimba FC and Mamelodi Sundowns are pointless with Zamalek SC topping the three-team group with three points.

  • 2016 CAF Champions League:Enyimba will bounce back, vows Mfon Udoh

    2016 CAF Champions League:Enyimba will bounce back, vows Mfon Udoh

    Enyimba have put behind them a CAF Champions League home loss to Zamalek of Egypt and they now hope to get a result in their next game at Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, according to star striker, Mfon Udoh.

    The Nigeria champions fell 1-0 to Zamalek in Port Harcourt and now face a daunting task at Group B leaders Sundowns, who won 2-0 at Entente Setif of Algeria,also at the weekend.

    “We hope to pick up the pieces in our next game against Sundowns. We hope to get a point or even win in South Africa. It’s a race and we are not out of this race yet. We got everything right, we played a good game, we were just unlucky not to put the ball in the net,” he recalled.

    “The priority is to ensure we get the vital points, any other thing is secondary,” he said.

    Sundowns welcome Enyimba on June 29 and Udoh said they hope to make up for the defeat in front of their fans with a result in South Africa.

    He is the leading scorer in this year’s Champions League with seven goals, but he has insisted team glory is top priority.

  • Enyimba lose at home to Zamalek

    Enyimba lose at home to Zamalek

    Visiting Egyptian giants, Zamalek yesterday pipped Enyimba 1-0  in a CAF Champions League Group B match played at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa now top the group with three points following their 2-0 win at Algeria’s Entente Setif on Saturday.

    Bassem Morsy headed Zamalek in front in the seventh minute, when his effort lobbed over goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.

    The waterlogged pitch caused by the heavy rain in Port Harcourt virtually made it impossible for both teams to string passes on the pitch for a large part of this encounter.

    Kester Kelly forced a save from Zamalek goalkeeper, Ahmed El-Shennawy after 21 minutes.

    Enyimba continued to press for an equaliser and in the 37th minute Ahmed Tawfik made a timely clearance to keep the Nigeria champions at bay.

    Joseph Osadiaye’s  free kick in additional time missed the target narrowly as both teams retired to the changing rooms with the Egyptians holding on to their lead.

    In the second half, Enyimba pressed even more in search of the equaliser, while Zamalek relied on quick breakaways to destalibise their hosts.

    New signing Ifeanyi Onuigbo was denied by a timely block inside the box on 54 minutes.

    Sundowns host Enyimba on June 29 in continuation of the competition.

  • Enyimba eyes first win

    Enyimba eyes first win

    Nigerian giants Enyimba are out to ensure they retain the three points when they meet Egypt’s Zamalek in the CAF Champions League on Sunday.

    The Nigerian champions will be hoping to do well as they enter the group stages, starting with this Group B tie at home.

    They will also use their home advantage to stun the Egyptian Premier League giants and ensure they travel to their next game with the full three points.

    In their previous match in the qualifying stages, they beat Tunisian side, Etoile Sportive du Sahel on penalties via aggregate score following a 3-0 win and a 3-0 loss in the second leg.

    Paul Aigbogun’s side has been boosted by the fact that skipper Chinedu Udoji has recovered from an eye infection and will be available for the clash.

    On the part of the visitors, the White Knights are also gunning for glory and are aware that an away match against a tough Enyimba will be a challenge for them.

    In their last tie in the preliminary stages, Zamalek defeated MO Bejaia of Algeria 2-0 and drew 1-1 in the second leg.

    Mohamed Helmy’s side will be crippled for the tie as they are set to miss the services of Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabala’ and Ayman Hefny who are sidelined through injuries.

    The match will be staged at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt in Nigeria on Sunday at 16:00.

    Nigeria champions Enyimba have thrown open the gates for tomorrow’s CAF Champions League Group B clash against Zamalek of Egypt with club boss Felix Anyansi-Agwu calling for total support for the home team in Port Harcourt.

    Anyansi in an interview with Magic FM said the players are fully prepared for the battle on Sunday.

    Anyansi said he believes his boys have done their homework with the way and manner they were responding to training.

    He further revealed that 10 buses will be available at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba, on Sunday morning to convey fans of the club to the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt to cheer them to victory.

    The People’s Elephants are Nigeria’s only surviving club on the continent this season.

    They are two-time champions of Africa, having won the CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004.

  • We anticipated win against Enyimba – Ogunbote

    We anticipated win against Enyimba – Ogunbote

    3SC defeated Enyimba 1-0 in the league at the weekend in Ibadan but apparently, it did not come as a surprise to the boss of Adamasingba, Gbenga Ogunbote.  He told footballlive.ng they anticipated the victory.

    Ibrahim Ajani connected a training ground routine free kick, diving in to head the ball past Moses Ocheje in goal for the league champions.

    Ogunbote was full of praise for his team and the work put into the win.

    Despite the win, Shooting Stars are still deep in the relegation battle with 23 points from 21 matches played so far in the league.

  • Enyimba, Rivers United game moved

    Enyimba, Rivers United game moved

    The date of the match day 20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game between Enyimba International FC and Rivers United FC has been moved by 24 hours.

    The game originally scheduled to hold today,  at the Umuahia Township Stadium will now be played on Thursday at the same venue.

    Two other NPFL clubs, Abia Warriors and Ikorodu United are billed to clash in another match day 20 NPFL game at the same venue today and that has necessitated the change in date of the fixture between Enyimba and Rivers United.

    The League Management Company (LMC), through Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar has since ratified the dates and venue of both games.

    Rivers United beat Enyimba 1-0 in the reverse fixture in Port Harcourt in February.

    United currently occupies second spot in the NPFL table with 34 points from 19 matches while Enyimba are fifth with 30 points from 18 matches.

  • Ibrahim calls Enyimba tough

    Ibrahim calls Enyimba tough

    Wikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has described as tough customers the Nigerian champions, Enyimba.

    “Enyimba have always given us a tough time each time they visited Bauchi that’s why we are going the extra mile to prepare for the rescheduled clash on Wednesday. We are going to approach the encounter as Cup final which a win will see us lift the coveted trophy.

    “Already we have lost  three points no thanks to Giwa FC’s expulsion from the ongoing league season and the effect is quite negative on our position on the league table.

    “We need the three points at stake to maintain the status quo prior to the points deduction as well as stand on strong footing to challenge for the summit,” said the Wikki Tourists strongman to supersport.com.

    “Compared with our position at this stage of the league last term I think we have performed creditably well. The difference is quite glaring in the area of scoring goals as well as general team performance.

    “I think our score card in the first stanza is quite impressive and the credit goes to the management, coaching crew and the players. However, whatever we achieved in the first term is rather a call for us to double our efforts in the second term so as to achieve our season’s dream,” said Ibrahim.

  • Enyimba trio apologise to Etu, Warri Wolves others

    Enyimba trio apologise to Etu, Warri Wolves others

    • Promise to be good ambassadors of the club

    Enyimba trio of Abu Azeez, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Joseph Osadaiye have apologised for their action after they assaulted Warri Wolves General Manager, Moses Etu yesterday shortly after their 2-1 win over the Seasiders at the Umuahia Township stadium.

    The three players stated that they were sorry about their action which they said has let Enyimba down and for that fact, they have tendered a sincere apology and have agreed to pay the fine placed on them by the club for their ignoble act.

    They disclosed that their action was done out of anger for the fact that despite being owed their outstanding signing on fees, they still sat on some of their match bonuses cash while with the club last season.

    They promised to be of good conduct and not be involved in any act  capable of bringing the club into disrepute in the future.

    They also apologised to the General Manager of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu, Warri Wolves as a whole and Enyimba players and officials.

    Enyimba has alreday placed a fine of N300,000 each  for their action.

    The Champions  are now second on the Nigeria league table after yesterday’s  2-1 match in a rescheduled match in Umuahia .

    They now have 30 points from 16 matches, a point behind leaders Rivers United.‘The People’s Elephant’ have thus extended their unbeaten run to nine matches.

    Christian Pyagbara gave the home team the lead after just 55 seconds, but Wolves fought back to draw level in the 39th minute through Shedrack Oghu.

    However, Andrew Abalogu delivered the match winner in the 72nd minute when he tucked home off a rebound from Chima Akas’ free kick.