The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • Enyimba remain focused for Sunshine tie

    Enyimba remain focused for Sunshine tie

    Enyimba FC Coach Kadiri Ikhana has stated that celebrations for the league victory sealed last weekend will be put on hold as the Champions-elect will resume preparation for the final League match away to troubled Sunshine Stars.

    Ikhana who led Enyimba to their seventh league crown is poised to finish the season on a high as the Aba giants return to a good ground at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,where Sunshine Stars have been banished to Lagos by the LMC.

    “Bringing the cup back to Aba after a long six-year wait is a good development. Everybody is happy but at the same time the players will have to cut short their celebrations because we still have a game to go,” he said.

    “We know the team we are playing and they are a very good side, so we have to train very hard and be ready to go.”

  • Enyimba storm Lagos Friday

    Enyimba storm Lagos Friday

    Ahead of their season’s finale against Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, league champions, Enyimba are expected to storm Lagos on Friday.

    The Peoples Elephant, who have been  receiving congratulatory messages from across the globe since clinching the title, have called on their fans to make Teslim Balogun a carnival and be ready to enjoy breath-taking soccer artistry to close the season

    Chairman of the Aba landlords, Felix Anyansi Agwu who made the call, noted that the fans’ support contributed in no small measure to the success achieved, assuring that the fans will continue to be appreciated as partners in progress.

    “The race is finished and the crown has been won.  You contributed to it, so turn out in large numbers and celebrate with your darling team.  The achievement has been made, it is time to celebrate,” he said adding that claiming the league title for a record seven times is not a tea party.

    Anyansi, who some fans have described as club chairman with touch of excellence, was equally at the helm when Enyimba made history by winning the CAF Champions League back to back in 2003 and 2004.  Many of Enyimba’s supporters insist the club is not only a brand but a team that have harvested a lot of laurels through hard work.  Aside from seven league titles in the kitty, die-hard supporters of the side are quick to remind anyone who cares to listen that they also have four FA Cup titles, four Nigeria Super Cup titles, and two African Super Cup titles.

  • Abia Warriors congratulate Enyimba

    Abia Warriors congratulate Enyimba

    The Chairman, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia,  Emeka Inyama has congratulated Enyimba International Football Club of Aba for emerging Champions in this season’s Glo Premier League even with a match to spare.

    In a congratulatory letter he addressed to the chairman of Enyimba,Felix Anyansi Agwu,  Inyama, on behalf of Abia Warriors Board noted that the victory, which was Enyimba’s seventh title in the past 15 years,was achieved as a result of hardwork and determination by the team.

    The Abia Warriors chairman described the league title as a gift to the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu who, he noted, has demonstrated his love for sports by enormously sponsoring and supporting all sports since he assumed office.

    He called on Enyimba to carry the spirit of winning to next year’s CAF champions League and endeavour to bring back the continental trophy which they won back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, to the country.

  • Glo League title celebration:Gov Ikpeazu hits Lagos for Enyimba

    Glo League title celebration:Gov Ikpeazu hits Lagos for Enyimba

    Abia State GovernorOkezie Ikpeazu will be in Lagos next Sunday for the official crowning of Enyimba FC of Aba as the 2014/15 Glo Premier League champions by the League Management Company (LMC).

    The Peoples’ Elephants won their seventh league title after they were held to a goalless draw by title contenders,Warri Wolves in a matchday 37 encounter at the Enyimba International stadium,Aba last Sunday.

    Having secured 69 points after last Sunday’s game and with their closest rivals, Warri Wolves on second position with 63 points, Enyimba took an unassailable lead ahead of their last game of the season against Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    Enyimba chairman,Felix Anyansi confirmed to SportingLife via a telephone interview that Governor Ikpeazu will lead other members of the state executive cabinet to witness the crowning of the team as the champions of the Nigerian League.

    “The governor, who has been the number one supporter of our team has graciously accepted to be in Lagos on Sunday to watch the game against Sunshine Stars.

    “The management, coaches and players of the club are excited that the governor will be around to receive the trophy and also give them the much needed moral support,”Anyansi said..

  • Enyimba dedicate title to Ikpeazu

    Enyimba dedicate title to Ikpeazu

    Enyimba have said that without their sports -loving Governor of Abia

    State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and their ever supportive fans all over the nation and abroad it won’t have been possible winning their seventh league title and have decided to dedicate their latest crown to them for their sterling contributions to the team aspirations.

    The People’s Elephant emerged as the league winners with a game to spare after they played a barren draw against Warri Wolves on Sunday in Aba.

    In an interview with SportingLife the Chairman of the Aba giants, Felix Anyansi Agwu said the contribution of the governor of the state in the Enyimba’s seventh league title has been unprecedented and that dedicating the league crown to him is just a token of their appreciation for his sterling contributions.

    Anyansi Agwu also hailed the significant role their fans played in ensuring that the team remained consistent to their objective throughout the season.

    “He was picked up as shepherd of sheep and was raised to be one of the greatest kings of Israel. I share the same grace… Today’s league title will be dedicated to our Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He believed in our ability to deliver and this motivated us to set a new record of being the first club to win the league on seven occasions.

    “Our ever supportive fans who believe in our ability and stood by us throughout the season.

    “I thank God for His grace on our coaches, players and other officials of the team. We have set a lot of precedent for others to follow. We were the first to win the league for straight seasons and we were also the first to break the CAF Champions League jinx when we won it in 2003 and also became the first to successfully defend it in Africa. We did that in 2004.

    “This season’s league makes it 27 titles that we have won over the years. It is unprecedented,” Anyansi Agwu told SportingLife.

  • 10-man Enyimba clinch 7th league title

    10-man Enyimba clinch 7th league title

    Ten-man Enyimba on Sunday won their seventh Nigeria league crown after they held Warri Wolves to a goalless draw in front of over 40,000 fans at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.

    Enyimba needed just a point in their final home game against closest rivals Wolves and they did just enough to get the job the done.

    ‘The People’s Elephant’ clinched the championship with a round of matches to spare as they have 69 points, six points clear of Wolves.

    The best away form of the season – five wins and seven draws – earned the two-time African champions Enyimba the league title five years after their last conquest.

    Warri Wolves gave a good account of themselves and they are expected to end the season as runners-up to earn a ticket to next year’s CAF Champions League with a home win over relegated FC Taraba on the final day of the season Sunday week.

    After a rather cagey first 45 minutes, the second half opened up after Nigeria U-23 forward Daniel Etor was sent off for punching Gbolahan Salami in the 50th minute.

  • Enyimba’s Lagos fans can’t wait for Nov 15

    Enyimba’s Lagos fans can’t wait for Nov 15

    Lagos base fans of Enyimba FC have stated that they can’t wait for the very last day of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2014/2015 season.

    On November 15, Enyimba will visit Sunshine Stars who have been banished to Lagos for their week 38 tie.

    News24 was in Alaba and Ladipo markets in Lagos to get a feel of the expectations from Aba Elephant fans and it looked like a celebration of sort.

    “Enyimba is the only true Nigerian club, a club others should emulate, “Kelechi, a spare part trader at Ladipo told News24.  “We are the only Nigerian club to have conquered Africa and we shall do it again next season after we lift the local league trophy on November 15.”

    “I will be at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on November 15. My colleagues and I have bought a special shirt that we shall wear on that day. It is celebration now,” Obi said in Alaba. “Some of us would have gone to Akure but when we heard that Sunshine Stars have be banished to Lagos then we decided to make the celebration big. Trust me it is Enyimba, enyi all the way,” Obi shouted.

     

  • NPFL: No pressure on Enyimba – Thomas

    NPFL: No pressure on Enyimba – Thomas

    Enyimba goalkeeper, Femi Thomas, has insisted his team is not under pressure in Sunday’s all-important Nigeria league decider against Warri Wolves in Aba.

    Enyimba top the league table with 68 points after 36 matches, while Warri Wolves lies second on 62 points, africanFootball.com reports.

    A draw on Sunday will land Enyimba its seventh league title, while a win for Wolves will drag the title race to the final day of the season.

    Thomas said his teammates expect Warri Wolves to fight on Sunday afternoon.

    “It’s going to be a tough game against Warri Wolves on Sunday no doubt. But we are not under any form of pressure ahead of the game.  Rather we have been preparing hard for the game as we have done for the previous games,” the experienced goalkeeper told africanFootball.com.

  • Enyimba deserved victory against Abia Warriors – Anyansi

    Enyimba deserved victory against Abia Warriors – Anyansi

    Chairman of Enyimba Football Club, Felix Anyansi has debunked assertions that their victory against Abia Warriors was strategic.

    Mfon Udoh’s strike handed the People’s Elephant a 1-0 win against their cross city rivals in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League local derby in Umuaiha.

    According to the seasoned football administrator who doubles as the Nigeria Football Federation Technical and Development Committee head, his team’s victory was a reward for their determination and motivation.

    “We got what we deserved and we have worked very hard for it. I want to put the record straight that no one did us a favour. We were motivated because of the eagerness to break our own record and set another one. We did very well,” Anyansi told Goal.

    “People believe that Abia Warriors and Enyimba are from the same state, the result had been decided before kick-off. I want to tell those ones that they were wrong. No one did us any favour and our performance throughout the season shows that it would be disservice not to end up as the league champions.

    “I want to caution my boys that the league title has not been won and we should approach our next league game against Warri Wolves with all seriousness because it is our goal to end the season as the league champions and now that we are very close to achieving our aim, we must be focused,” he concluded.

    Enyimba need just a point against Warri Wolves and Sunshine Stars to claim a record seventh Nigeria Professional Football League title.

     

  • Abia Gov donates two buses to Enyimba, Abia Warriors

    Abia Gov donates two buses to Enyimba, Abia Warriors

    The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has donated two coaster buses  to Enyimba FC and Abia Warriors over their sterling performance in the Glo Premier League this season.

    Ikpeazu made the pledge shortly after the Abia Derby between Abia Warriors and the People’s Elephant which the latter won 1-0 to brighten their chances of winning a record seventh league title at the end of the season.

    He described the Abia derby as being equivalent to the El Classico of Spain and that he is delighted that both clubs through their outstanding performance are turning the state to the hub of professional football in the country.

    He also asserted that they took up the challenge to host the Nigeria Professional Women League Super Six so that this will allow the state’s women team, Abia Angels to see what it feels like playing in the elite division when they make their debut next season.

    Enyimba only need a draw in their next league tie against Warri Wolves this weekend to win a record seventh league title as they are atop the Glo Premier League with 68 points from 36 matches and are six points ahead of nearest rivals, Warri Wolves who are second on the log with 62 points.

    Abia Warriors on their part are in their second season in the topflight after they made it to the premier league last season. They are not troubled by relegation as they are 10th on the log with 50 points from 36 games.