The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • Enyimba champions on Super Sunday

    Enyimba champions on Super Sunday

    Nigeria league leaders Enyimba look set to win an unprecedented seventh crown on Sunday at the expense of closest rivals Warri Wolves in a Week 37 game at home in Aba.

    The Aba landlords have won the league six times – in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010.

    Enyimba lead the table with 68 points from 36 matches, while second-placed Warri Wolves have 62 points from the same number of games.

    A point from the game will take Enyimba to 69 points going into the last game with a six-point gap at the top of the standings.

    However, a victory for Wolves in this fixture will drag the race to the last day of the season when Enyimba travel to face Sunshine Stars and Wolves welcome already relegated FC Taraba.

    In the reverse fixture in Warri in Week 17, Wolves defeated Enyimba 2-1 with Gbolahan Salami and Abu Azeez getting the goals for the hosts, while Christian Obiozor scored for Enyimba.

    Enyimba and Wolves have exciting players and great coaches in Kadiri Ikhana and Paul Aigbogun to make the game an interesting contest.

    Enyimba captain Chinedu Udoji has maintained the championship has not been won yet.

    “I thank God we won at Abia Warriors, it was a crucial one for us, but nothing is won yet because there are still two games to play. There is nothing to celebrate yet until the title is delivered,” Udoji  said.

  • Warri Wolves keep pressure on leaders Enyimba

    Warri Wolves keep pressure on leaders Enyimba

    Warri Wolves kept the pressure on Enyimba after they spanked Bayelsa United 4-0 at home on Sunday to set up a cracking clash with the Nigeria league leaders next Sunday.

    Wolves will need to win their remaining two games including Sunday’s clash at Enyimba and hope Enyimba also lose at Sunshine Stars on the final day of the season to clinch the championship on a better goals difference.

    Wolves are second behind Enyimba with 62 points from 36 games, six points adrift of Enyimba.

    Gbolahan Salami opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a penalty after Etebor Oghenekaro was brought down.

    U-23 star Oghenekaro then made it 2-0 for Wolves in the 28th minutes when he curled in a free kick from the edge of the box after Salami was brought down.

    Etebor completed a double in the 52nd minute, before he set up Joseph Osadiaye for the fourth goal in the 82nd minute to nail Bayelsa United.Warri Wolves keep pressure on leaders Enyimba

    Warri Wolves kept the pressure on Enyimba after they spanked Bayelsa United 4-0 at home on Sunday to set up a cracking clash with the Nigeria league leaders next Sunday.

    Wolves will need to win their remaining two games including Sunday’s clash at Enyimba and hope Enyimba also lose at Sunshine Stars on the final day of the season to clinch the championship on a better goals difference.

    Wolves are second behind Enyimba with 62 points from 36 games, six points adrift of Enyimba.

    Gbolahan Salami opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a penalty after Etebor Oghenekaro was brought down.

    U-23 star Oghenekaro then made it 2-0 for Wolves in the 28th minutes when he curled in a free kick from the edge of the box after Salami was brought down.

    Etebor completed a double in the 52nd minute, before he set up Joseph Osadiaye for the fourth goal in the 82nd minute to nail Bayelsa United.

  • Enyimba a point away from seventh league title

    Enyimba a point away from seventh league title

    Enyimba are now just a point away from being crowned Nigeria league champions for a seventh time after they beat local rivals Abia Warriors in ‘The Abia El Classico’ on Sunday.

    Enyimba now have 68 points from 36 matches, six points clear of closest rivals Warri Wolves, who recorded a convincing 4-0 win at home against Bayelsa United.

    The Aba club’s remaining matches are at home to rivals Wolves next Sunday, before their final game at Sunshine Stars on November 15.

    Mfon Udoh was the match winner for Enyimba after skipper Chinedu Udoji missed a penalty.

    The all-time Nigeria league highest goal scorer Mfon Udoh made the difference when he scored in the 69th minute.

    Udoh, a second half substitute, scored off a solo effort to beat Akpan Bassey in Abia Warriors goal.

    Mfon Udoh has now scored five goals this season.

  • Enyimba, Abia Warriors do battle in ‘Abia El Classico’

    Enyimba, Abia Warriors do battle in ‘Abia El Classico’

    Local rivals Enyimba and Abia Warriors will slug it out in Sunday’s Abia El-Classico” with both hoping for the points to consolidate their ambitions.

    ‘The People’s Elephant’ will be visiting Umuahia with the intention of breaking the jinx of never defeating their oriental brothers in the Premier league since the capital club made it to the elite class two seasons ago.

    In their previous three meetings, Abia Warriors have an edge with a win and two draws.

    In their first Premier league season, Abia Warriors, with 1-0 win became the only team to beat Enyimba in their fortress in Aba while the second leg encounter ended 3-3 in Umuahia.

    Earlier this season at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, the two sides settled for a 2-2 draw.

    But on current form, Enyimba on 65 points lead their neighbours by 15 points and the six-time Nigeria champions are gunning for their seventh title and do not see the Warriors stopping them.

    On 60 and 59 points respectively, Giwa FC of Jos and Warri Wolves are however giving Enyimba a run for their money but luckily, Enyimba’s last home match of the season is against ‘The Seasiders’ in Aba.

    So, Enyimba’s championship ambition is not actually tied to the Abia Warriors match on Sunday contrary to the widely held view but rather the match against Warri Wolves where they have their fate in their own hands.

    A victory against the Wolves in Aba will see them win the league even with a game to spare against Sunshine Stars in Akure on the last day of the league and irrespective of the result in this weekend’s encounter against the Warriors who have won 14 of their 17 home games so far this season.

    For Giwa FC, a team of the moment who have lost only seven of their 35 games so far, their two away matches against Heartland in Owerri and neighbours Nasarawa United in Lafia could determine their ambition of picking a continental ticket although they are expected to win their only remaining home game against Shooting Stars of Ibadan before their visit to Lafia.

    In all, the Abia Warriors chairman, Emeka Inyama, has called on the Enyimba and Abia Warriors officials, players and supporters to maintain high sense of decorum before, during and after the game on Sunday as government will not be happy with anybody whose conduct could tarnish the image of the state using the match as a cover to ferment trouble.

  • Abia govt vow to support Enyimba, Abia Warriors

    Abia State government  has revealed to Sportinglife that they have concluded plans to sponsor both Enyimba International of Aba and Abia Warriors of Umuahia in the 2016 African Champions League, if they emerge champions and runners up at the end of the season.

    According to the Deputy Governor of the State, Ude Oko Chukwu, the state is not only aiming at winning the Premier League shield, they are also looking forward in seeing that Abia Warriors finish as the runners’ up

    “We are aiming at winning the runners’ up slot as well. We have concluded plans to ensure that we properly fund the two teams in the continent next season. I hope you are aware that Enyimba remains the only club in Nigeria that have ever won the Champions League shield twice, we are also positioning the team to repeat that again next football season, and if possible to see two of our teams playing in the finals. That is what we are out to achieve, and we are not relenting on it”.

    He boasted that Abia State is not only a God’s own state, but has become a pacesatter in sports in Nigeria.

    “I recently read that Nigeria is  the fifth exporter of footballers in the World, but if you take a critical analysis of that figure, you would find out that Abia State may have the highest number of such players,” he concluded.

  • Udoji powers Enyimba to increase lead at top

    Udoji powers Enyimba to increase lead at top

    Enyimba increased to five points their lead at the top of the Nigeria league after captain Chinedu Udoji produced the match winner in a 2-1 home win over a resolute Shooting Stars on Sunday.

    Enyimba thus remained top of the league table with 61 points from 33 games.

    Closest rivals Warri Wolves were forced to a 1-1 draw by hosts Enugu Rangers and now have 56 points as both Wikki Tourists and Sunshine Stars faltered in their chase of the championship.

    Musa Najere gave Enyimba the lead in the 14th minute when he headed in Ugwu Uwadiegwu’s corner.

    3SC equalised in the 56th minute through Ajani Ibrahim.

    Then skipper Udoji powered home in a header in the 75th minute off Ezekiel Bassey’s cross for the winner.

     

  • Etor to miss Enyimba tie for dad’s burial

    Etor to miss Enyimba tie for dad’s burial

    Enyimba will be missing the services of their winger Daniel Etor who has been granted compassionate leave to go and bury his dad who died recently and would be laid to rest today in Etina, Akwa Ibom.

    Etor was with the Dream Team VI in Congo during the African Games when his dad, Daniel Essien Etor gave up the ghost at 79 years and the news of his death was kept from him until he returned back to the country.

    The former Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves’ player told SportingLife that he would miss his dad because of his advise and encouraging words that have always been guiding him in his career adding that he lost his father when he actually needed him most.

    The senior Etor has three children – Iniobong Daniel Etor, Daniel Etor and Blessing Etor .

  • Ikhana: Enyimba won’t stumble at this stage

    Ikhana: Enyimba won’t stumble at this stage

    Enyimba head coach, Kadiri Ikhana has hinted SportingLife that the People’s Elephant would be coming all out against 3SC when they face the Oluyole Warriors on Sunday in a Glo Premier League Week 33 tie.

    The Aba giants stumbled in their determination to win their seventh league title at the end of the season when they were beaten 1-2 by Heartland last week Sunday in the Oriental Derby played in Owerri.

    If they emerge as the league champions at the end of the season, Enyimba would become the first club to achieve such feat having jointly held the record for the most league crowns with Enugu Rangers.

    Ikhana, who was not happy with the output of his players against Heartland told SportingLife that even though his boys failed to get their bearing in Owerri, he is hoping  to secure maximum points at home to 3SC.

    He said no club could be underrated at this stage of the season and that he is much aware that 3SC would be approaching the league encounter with all seriousness knowing fully that a positive result in the match would enable them to recoup the lost points at home to Bayelsa United.

    Ikhana told SportingLife that he did a lot of talking to his players when they returned to Aba and that he further disclosed to them that with only a few games to the end of the season, it won’t be to their advantage to lower their guard now.

    “3SC are a very tough side and we are well aware that at this stage of the season all games are difficult. We got a draw there and they will be coming with vengeance on their mind.

    “We have put so much effort into the league this season and with only six games left we must be alert so that we don’t spoil the good work we have done at the last minute we are now,” Ikhana told SportingLife.

    Enyimba are on top with 58 points from 32 matches.

  • Ikhana: Enyimba’s NPFL title intact

    Ikhana: Enyimba’s NPFL title intact

    Enyimba head coach Kadiri Ikhana has said the loss at Heartland did nothing to diminish the side’s title chase.

    The Aba outfit were pegged 1-2 by Heartland in match day 32 encounter in Owerri on Sunday.

    Ikhana said though the unexpected defeat has raised the pressure level within the side, one or two wins on the road while the home front is intact will secure the dream of a seventh title.

    “I will say confidently that the league title belongs to Enyimba despite the shocking 1-2 defeat at Heartland. What we need to counter the loss at Heartland is to win our remaining home matches while we strive to pick up at least one or two wins on the road.

    “Of course, we never bargained for the type of result we got at Heartland, it’s certain to push up the pressure but I know we will overcome at the end of the day,” said the former Nasarawa United coach to supersport.com.

    Enyimba are still at the 20-team top flight summit on 58 points, three points ahead of closest challengers Warri Wolves.

  • Amapakabo backs Enyimba for title

    Amapakabo backs Enyimba for title

    Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo, is of the view that former CAF Champions League winners,Enyimba are favourites to win the Nigerian top division this season.

    Amapakabo, a former coach of Enyimba, believes that it will be difficult for the Peoples Elephant to be dislodged from the summit of the Glo Premier League as they hold a three-point lead over the chasing pack until they play Heartland in the southeasy derby on Sunday.

    “You are putting me on the spot right now. I think with Enyimba’s position they are in pole position (to win the league title),” said Amapakabo.

    Though Amapakabo is tipping the team of his former employers to win the top flight for a record seventh time, he is more concerned with the chances of how his team finish this campaign.

    After a 3-3 draw at Abia Warriors on Saturday, Amapakabo is hopeful that his team can win their six remaining fixture to take their total points to 62 and qualify for either the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup.

    Amapakabo is also quite confident that there is the possiblity of winning their remaining league matches of the season to brighten their chance of a top-three finish. Rangers’ remaining games are against Warri Wolves (home), Sunshine Stars (away), Kano Pillars (away), Akwa United (home), Lobi Stars (away) and Bayelsa United (home).

    “Every captain will always say his ship isn’t going to sink. But realistically if we win all six of our remaining games we will have 18 points and have a chance at the continent. (It is) very possible (to win all six remaining games). My players have the mentality to win games, and I play to win all the time. Our next game we hope to win and the next one after that,” said Amapakabo.

    Rangers are currently in 11th position with 44 point and are nine points off the pace on the top-three clubs in the Glo Premier League standings.