The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • Enyimba beat hosts Rangers in derby

    Enyimba beat hosts Rangers in derby

    Enyimba defeated regional rivals and hosts Rangers 2-1 in ‘The Oriental Derby’ on Sunday in Enugu.

    Enyimba now have 33 points from 19 games, same as leaders Sunshine Stars.

    Obiozor scored from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after Orji Kalu handled the ball inside the 18-yard box to give Enyimba the lead.

    Godwin Aguda put both teams back at par from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after he was brought down by Emmanuel Anyanwu.

    In the 82nd minute, Andrew Abalogu headed Ezekiel Bassey’s cross into the net from six yards to restore Enyimba’s lead.

    Rangers created more scoring chances and controlled the game for the better part of the encounter, but they could not beat Femi Thomas in the Enyimba goal.

    Rangers got a chance to score in the 14th minute through Razak Adegbite, who hit the side netting off Osas Okoro’s pass.

    In the 21st minute, Adegbite collided with Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas and Aguda’s goal off that move was cancelled due to the infringement.

    Rangers continued their onslaught as Adegbite hit the goal post in the 27th minute after he skipped past Emmanuel Anyanwu.

    In the 31st minute, Rangers goalkeeper Akor Itodo was called to duty as he saved Nzube Anaezemba’s 20-yard volley.

    Four minutes later, Rangers came calling again as Bobby Abel’s effort from 12 yards was held by Femi Thomas.

  • ‘No stress facing Enyimba’

    ‘No stress facing Enyimba’

    Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo has averred he knows the makeup of oriental neighbours, Enyimba.

    The Coal City side will host two-time African champions in Sunday’s high profile Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 19 clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

    Amapakabo said his side holds the ace heading into Sunday’s oriental derby against known foes, Enyimba.

    “There is nothing special about the clash against Enyimba than the usual hype associated with local derby. It’s an encounter that will come and go just like any other match.

    “Surprisingly, I’m even more relaxed going into this game against Enyimba than I would have been facing an unknown side.

    “Perhaps the opponents are 100% known to me both their philosophy and playing pattern.

    “Though we are heading into the game with an away point at Bayelsa United compared with Enyimba three points against Sunshine Stars.

    “Of course, everyone knows that I do not compromise on three points no matter the challenges, so the clash on Sunday against Enyimba will not be an exception.

    “We are looking forward to a good game, we are equally hoping to end the first stanza of the season on high,” said the former Enyimba and Sharks coach to supersport.com.

    The Flying Antelopes are eight on the 20-team top flight log on 27 points six points behind challengers, Enyimba.

  • Rangers assures of victory against Enyimba

    Rangers assures of victory against Enyimba

    An official of Rangers International FC of Enugu has predicted a win for his team against Enyimba of Aba in Sunday’s week 19 match of the Glo Premier League in Enugu.

    The club’s spokesman, Foster Chime told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday that the team was looking forward to ending the first stanza with victory against Enyimba, the `People Elephant’ in an Eastern derby.

    “We are going to justify our 3-1 victory over Lobi Stars and the mid-week goalless draw with Bayelsa by defeating Enyimba in Enugu.

    “Our supporters have been solidly behind us all these while and we have no other means of thanking them, than picking up the maximum three points from the match.

    “Sunday’s game is important and the players knows that, so there is no hiding place for the visitors from Aba.

    “As the players have shown that they can do the job from their records so far, we are looking forward to a good and rewarding game,” he said.

    Chime then appealed to the fans to come out en-masse to support the club to victory as most matches were also won from the stand, via massive support by fans.

    “The match will be tough and we are calling on our fans to come out en-masse to support our darling club to victory.

    “We want to pick up one of the continental tickets and we have resolved to do so by effecting some changes in the team.

    “The newly elevated Technical Adviser, Imama Amakapabo needs our support to perform well and to take us to `the promised land’ at the end of the season,” Chime said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers currently has 27 points in 18 matches and occupy seventh position on the 20-team log.

  • Enyimba regret Fed Cup crash out

    Enyimba regret Fed Cup crash out

    Defending champions Enyimba have described their ouster from the Federation Cup Wednesday by Remo Stars as painful and very hard to take.  The four-time Federation Cup champions who hailed their performance despite the ouster, no thanks to penalties, vowed to return with more determination next season even as the Aba landlords thanked their fans for remaining steadfast in support.

    “A loss on penalties is hard to take, but we are grateful for the unwavering support of our fans. We will be back next year,” the club dished out shortly after the game.

    Highly elated Remo Stars who prior to the match had been dubbed underdogs in some quarters were full of joy and did not hesitate to announce to whoever cares to listen that they have achieved a huge feat knocking out the defending champions.

    “We have knocked out the defending Champions on penalties” the club announced ?@RemoStarsfc.

    Incidentally Enyimba won two of their four Federation Cup titles on penalties. In 2005 they defeated Lobi Stars 6-5 after the game ended 1-1 at regulation time. In 2013 they ran away with a 5-4 victory over Warri Wolves after the game ended 2-2 at regulation time. The People’s Elephants however clinched the 2009 and 2014 editions within regulation time beating Garden City based sides Sharks and Dolphins 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. Wednesday encounter had ended 1-1 at regulation time. While Remo Stars converted three of their kicks Enyimba converted one.

  • Ikhana keeps Enyimba grounded

    Ikhana keeps Enyimba grounded

    Enyimba coach Kadiri Ikhana has called on his players to remain focused after going eight matches without defeat in the Nigerian Premier League.

    On Wednesday, The People’s Elephant overcame Kwara United 3-2 away from home, although they remain second in the standings behind Sunshine Stars, albeit on goal difference.

    Enyimba next come up against Abia Warriors this weekend, but Ikhana is determined to keep his squad grounded.

    “Honestly, I don’t think we need to focus on the fact that we have gone unbeaten in eight matches. The season is still a long way to the end but yes, it is good for our confidence levels,” Ikhana told SuperSport.

    “It is a big game and you know derbies are always difficult. So our focus is now on that game.”

  • Enyimba were better than Nasarawa United-Ikhana

    Enyimba were better than Nasarawa United-Ikhana

    Enyimba head coach, Kadiri Ikhana, has said his side are unarguably the better side against Nasarawa United.

    The Peoples’ Elephant caged the Solid Miners 2-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 14 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

    Goals from striker, Christian Obiozor and Ifeanyi George proved adequate to hand the Aba outfit the maximum three points at stake.

    Ikhana said victory makes the whole difference in football as well as brings happiness to the party involved.

    “Of course, everybody is happy with the convincing 2-0 win against Nasarawa United.

    “Everybody wants positive result and here we are with a win; the joyous mood around us is perceivable even from far distance.

    “I’m excited that this victory has added to the past six matches we have played without losing.

    “We will continue to work hard to further the unbeaten run in the next matches.

    “Nasarawa United are a good team, they played their hearts out to see how to redeem the situation but I think we were far better on match day and ably deserved the hard-earned victory,” said the former Kwara United coach to supersport.com.

    The victory against Nasarawa United has upped Enyimba’s points to 26, one point behind leaders, Wikki Tourists.

  • Enyimba hold 3SC in Ibadan

    Enyimba hold 3SC in Ibadan

    Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) failed to get maximum points at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, against Enyimba in a Glo Premier League Week 13 tie played yesterday.

    The Oluyole Warriors were looking forward to gaining their second home win since the appointment of new head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, but the coach Kadiri Ikhana-tutored lads were resolute till the end of the game.

    Enyimba are fourth on the log with 23 points from 13 matches while 3SC moved to 13 points from 12 games.

     

  • Enyimba target victory in Port Harcourt

    Enyimba target victory in Port Harcourt

    Enyimba FC suffered a painful defeat, even though it was a draw, last season to Dolphins in Port Harcourt. The points lost in the game affected their title aspirations in the League.

    But the Aba giants got their pound of flesh with a Federation Cup final 1-0 win in Lagos over Stanley Eguma’s men. This Sunday, in Port Harcourt Kadiri Ikhana will return will blood in his eyes as the host.

    Meanwhile, Captain of Enyimba Chinedu Udoji is confident officiating will certainly not be a matter of concern but identified the change in guard over the last season as another key factor.

    “This is not a grudge match to me, they denied us the chance of winning the League forcing us to a draw, we could have gone ahead to pick the title but we redeemed ourselves with the Federation Cup win over them. So I guess we’re squared,” Udoji said.

    “The level of officiating gives you confidence that you can get a result a way from home if you play well. The level of the league has improved from 10% to 80%, I really appreciate the referees and how much they’ve improved.”

    Both sides have lost key players either to trading or out on national duties and Udoji told www.footballlive.ng that this still tilts the game in Enyimba’s favor.

    He said: “They changed their team and we did same, we both picked draws in our last games but I feel we stand a better chance of getting a result against then in Port Harcourt.”

  • Giwa FC hold Enyimba in Aba

    Giwa FC hold Enyimba in Aba

    Giwa FC continued  their impressive run to the season with a vital goalless away draw against Enyimba FC of Aba in the week 8 Glo Premier League at the Enyimba International stadium.

    The result means that  God’s Elephants occupy second position on the league table with 15 points behind Sunshine Stars.

    Speaking with SportingLife after the match, the club’s Marketing Director Sammy Adesoji praised the two teams for good football, describing the referees’ performances as outstanding.

    He added that the motivation the team received from the club’s owner Ambassador Chris Giwa contributed to their outstanding performance this season.

     “I think with this draw people will begin to see that Giwa FC is not a pushover team. The club’s owner Ambassador Chris Giwa has always promised players that they can get anything from the club so far they are recording good results. You can imagine when our players always received winning bonus for any away draw,” Adesoji told SportingLife.

    Adesoji also confirmed that the players got winning bonus for any draw picked away. He said the new coach Tony Bolus has added entertainment to the team.

    “Our new coach is not only telling players to play to win but also to play and entertain. In our last game against Akwa United in Jos we had 45 touches. We will not rest until we achieve our target this season. Enyimba were not a bad team. It was a tough game and the fans at the stadium were not disappointed with what they saw during the match. The referee was outstanding in handling the match. There is a lot of tremendous improvement in the league this season.”

  • Pillars welcome Enyimba in redemption clash

    Pillars welcome Enyimba in redemption clash

    Nigeria champions Kano Pillars will host Federation Cup holders and league runners-up Enyimba on Sunday, in a Week 4 game in Kano.

    Both teams crashed out in the first round of the CAF Champions League and they have now shifted their attention to the league as they aim to restore lost pride.

    Pillars left-back Isaac Loute told AfricanFootball.com that they are mentally and physically ready to face Enyimba and put smiles on the faces of the club’s fans.

    “We are refreshed for the game against Enyimba. We were given four days off to freshen up and that we have done,” he said.

    “We want to remove the bad memory of losing out in the CAF Champions League by doing well against Enyimba on Sunday. We want to bring back joy and smiles to our fans again.We will go for victory, sure.”

    Speaking on the same matter, Enyimba captain Chinedu Udoji told AfricanFootball.com it will be a fight to the finish in Kano on Sunday.