The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • Champions League: Togolese side’s Nigerian striker warns Enyimba

    Champions League: Togolese side’s Nigerian striker warns Enyimba

    Anges de Notse’s Nigerian striker, Vincent Orode, has warned Enyimba not to celebrate yet after a 3-1 first leg win over the Togolese champions in a CAF Champions League game, supersport.com.

    The Togolese stunned the packed Enyimba International Stadium in Aba when they opened scoring in 37th minute through Camara Cheik.

    However, Sibi Gwar drew Enyimba level on 83 minutes, before Kingsley Sokari gave “The People’s Elephant” the lead two minutes later.

    Gwar then completed his brace in the 90th minute.

    However, former Jigawa Golden Stars striker Orode has warned Enyimba it will be a different ball game in Togo.

    “We can still turn the table against Enyimba,” said Orode.

    “Nothing stops us from beating Enyimba in Lome. If they can beat us here, we can do the same in the return leg, so it’s not over yet.”

    He blamed a loss in concentration for the two quick goals the team conceded in Aba.

    “We were punished for loss of concentration. And Enyimba is a more experienced side. You know this is our first outing in an international competition,” he said.

     

  • Enyimba face greenhorns

    Enyimba face greenhorns

    Two-time African Champions League winners, Enyimba, will get their campaign on the continent underway in Aba when they play hosts to Togolese champions, Anges de Notse today.

    Enyimba return to Africa’s premier club competition for the first time since 2011 when they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca.

    But the People’s Elephant, CAF Champions League winners in 2003 and 2004, face a tricky prospect in the Angels of Notse whom Enyimba head coach, Zachary Baraje, describes as “unknown.”

    “It’s a big game for us and we need to start well and win big because they are unknown to us. I know they now have a Belgian coach and I’ve seen a few video of their games but that isn’t enough as we will have to be at our best,” said Baraje, who joined Enyimba from El-Kanemi Warriors in January.

    Interestingly, the Belgian coach who Zachary refers to is Jean-Francois Losciuto, who holds a UEFA licence and was assistant to Sunday Oliseh at Belgian club, RCS Vervietois.

    There is also a Nigerian touch to the Anges de Notse team as Losciuto will be assisted by former Nigeria-born Togo striker, Adekambi Olufade, who holds a UEFA B licence.

    As part of their build-up for the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round clash with Enyimba in Aba today, The Angels played Semassi, Etecon CF and took part in a four-team tournament in Gabon last month.

    The trip of The Angels to Aba was further boosted by a budget of 5 million CFA Francs (around N1.7 million) from the Togo government as well as the recent visit of the country’s sports minister, Angele Agu-Dzake to the team.

    On the other hand, Enyimba go into today’s game on the back of emerging champions of the Glo Premier League Pre-season Tournament in Abuja where they took Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United to the cleaners.

    Though Anges de Notse come with an unknown package, Baraje said his men know how important the Champions League is to their 2013/14 campaign.

    “My players and everyone here (in Aba) know that the Champions League is very important to us this season. So we can’t afford to let ourselves down first and then the fans,” said Baraje to supersport.com.

    In spite of threading cautiously, Baraje has got enough quality in his squad to see off The Angels from the modest town of Notse, which is home to the Ewe people.

    Abdulrahman Bashir, Chinedu Udoji, Ifeanyi Ede, Sibi Gwar, Rasheed Olabiyi, Mfon Udoh, Zakka Bala, Andrew Abalogu and Kingsley Sokari are among those Baraje will rely on to beat off any chance of an upset from the Togolese champions.

    The return leg of the clash between Enyimba and Anges de Notse will hold in Lome on February 16.

     

  • Enyimba’s opponents hit Nigeria by road

    Enyimba’s opponents hit Nigeria by road

    Enyimba’s CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg opponents, Anges de Notse of Togo have chosen to arrive in Aba, venue of tomorrow’s game by road.

    A top official of the People’s Elephant told NationSport that the club had yet to arrive in the South Eastern city as at evening yesterday.

    The official further told NationSport that the Togolese side initially kept them in the dark about their itinerary, but they eventually got word from them on Thursday that they were on their way to Nigeria by road.

    Enyimba will host the first leg at their fortress – The Enyimba International Stadium – and a good win will boost the Aba Millionaire’s chances of a place in the next round.

    The Francophone side emerged as their country’s league champions for last season and this fetched them their nation’s sole ticket to the money-spinning competition, while Enyimba came second behind Kano Pillars in the Glo Nigerian Premier League last season also.

    Both are seeking a spot to the first round of the Champions League with Enyimba overwhelming favourites to progress having won the competition twice in 2003 and 2004, and also being semi finalists the last time they participated in 2011.

  • Enyimba aiming to win big — Baraje

    Enyimba aiming to win big — Baraje

    Nigeria’s representatives in the lucrative CAF Champions League have vowed to start with a flourish when they host the first leg this Sunday in Aba.

    Enyimba head coach, Zachary Baraje has hinted that the People’s Elephant are fired up to beat their Togolese foes, Anges de Notsè in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round encounter this weekend in Aba.

    The People’s Elephant made the semi final of the same competition the last time they participated in it in 2011 before bowing out to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 1-0 on aggregate.

    With barely a few days to their first leg tie at home to their West African neighbours, Baraje, speaking to Goal, has stated that the Aba giants are ready to face their opponents and are very optimistic of going far in the lucrative club competition.

    He insisted that Enyimba had the best mode of preparations for the Champions League, despite the inability of the Premier League to start on time. Having played lots of friendly matches to keep them in tune, the team would be firing on all cylinders against Anges de Notsè and any of their future foes.

    Baraje also confirmed that the Super Eagles’ duo of Bright Esieme and Ifeanyi Ede, whom he initially said were not yet ready to report to camp, had done so and were looking forward to the Sunday tie with high expectations.

    He hinted that both players would be put on special drills to see if they could have roles to play in the downfall of their visitors.

    “We are all doing fine and getting ready for our weekend match. We do not have problems with our preparation at all. We are in high spirits and expectations are high that we shall do well.

    “Esieme and Ede reported to camp Wednesday morning and they are now part of the team for consideration ahead of Sunday’s match. We are not going to rush them. They will be assessed to see if they will figure in our plans,” Baraje told Goal.

    Enyimba have won the money-spinning club competition twice, in 2003 and 2004, and they remain the only Nigerian club to have won the Champions League, even though many have tried.

     

  • Enyimba to cash in on Henry Uche’s transfer

    Enyimba to cash in on Henry Uche’s transfer

    Enyimba will be entitled to half of the transfer fee of Henry Uche if he quits Albanian club FK Kukesi, MTNFootball.com has been informed.

    Uche, who has been capped by Nigeria at full international level, has signed a deal with Kukesi till the end of the season.

    He has had a running battle with Enyimba over his clearance, but it has now been resolved that the Aba club will get 50% of his subsequent transfer fee.

    “Enyimba have formally contacted me on this,” Uche revealed from his base in Albania.

    Offers from Greece and Turkey for the former Shooting Stars forward were scuttled because of Enyimba’s insistence they still own the player even though he last played for them two seasons ago.

    Uche has already made his debut for Kukesi, who are fifth on the Albanian league table with 26 points from 17 matches.

  • ABS to face Giwa, Sunshine before NNL opener

    ABS to face Giwa, Sunshine before NNL opener

    • Ilorin side sure of Glo League return

    ABS of Ilorin will play at least two more friendly matches against Giwa FC of Jos and Sunshine Stars of Akure before their first match in the 2013/2014 National League season which starts February 15.

    The Ilorin-based side were demoted to the lower league last season after a battling attempt to stay in the elite division.

    The General Manager of the privately-owned club, Alloy Chukwuemeka told SportingLife he was impressed with the team’s preparation for the league season thus far and the quest to make their campaign in the lower league just a one-off.

    He hinted it was the sole reason they played more premier league clubs in their build up to the new league season so as to gauge their readiness for life in the lower league.

    “I am impressed with the games we have played and our preparations for the new league season. We lost by very low margins to Kogi United and even Enyimba whom we were very close to getting a draw with if not for our lost penalty kick during the match.

    “We beat Lobi Stars and we are playing against Giwa FC on Thursday and also having negotiations with Sunshine Stars for another friendly match before we call time on our friendly matches to concentrate on our ties in the National League.

    “We lost a whopping 24 players at the end of last season and I must confess that the coaches have done well to assemble a totally new set of players that could still be able to compete this much. Our target of premier league return is very much alive, ” Chukwuemeka said.

  • Ejidike condoles with Enyimba over Ekwereonu’s death

    Ejidike condoles with Enyimba over Ekwereonu’s death

    Following the demise of the Team Manager of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, Deboy Ekwereonu,Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Donatus Agu Ejidike has sent a condolence message to the management and teeming supporters of the Peoples Elephant.

    In a condolence letter signed by Ejidike and made available to journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, he described the late Deboy Ekwereonu as a committed and dedicated sports administrator who has contributed in no small way to the success of African champions, Enyimba Football Club of Aba.

    The Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Ejidike noted that Ekwereonu’s death is a big blow to football followers and people who believe that such a hard-working sports administrator would one day serve his father land at the national level.

    Ejidike prayed God to grant the management and supporters of Enyimba International Football Club the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    He urged the government of Abia State to immortalise the late team manager to encourage others serving in other capacities that their contributions will not be in vain in the case of any sudden eventuality.

  • Stifling defence wins Enyimba Super 4

    Stifling defence wins Enyimba Super 4

    Two-time African champions, Enyimba, have won the 2013/14 Glo Premier League Pre-season Tournament in Abuja after defeating Kano Pillars 1-0 on Tuesday.

    The People’s Elephant finished the tournament with three wins in the four-team event and conceded no goals. Enyimba captain, Chinedu Udoji, returned to the side since leading them to finish second behind Kano Pillars in the league last season.

    This time Udoji and his troops will, however, not allow Kano Pillars spoil their start to the season after a goalless first half. It was Sibi Gwar’s goal in the 76th minute from two yards out that gave the Aba club their first trophy of the season.

    But Pillars faithful will feel the absence of several key players like injured Gambo Muhammad and Mannir Ubale as well as Rabiu Ali, Abdullahi Shehu and Umar Zango all away on international duty with Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Caretaker coach of Kano Pillars, Abdu Maikabi, totally disagrees with that.

    “I don’t think that’s true. At some point last season we played a few matches without our key players but still won the league. The truth is we have always never done well in pre-season tournaments like this. We lost the Super Cup to Enyimba at the end of last season and even last year we didn’t do well in the pre-season tournament in Kano.

    “We are always more better with the league because it’s a marathon. However, this is a good tournament for us to prepare for our CAF Champions League game (against AS Vita). We will go back and work on improving our team before the season starts,” said Maikaba to supersport.com.

    Udoji told supersport.com that opening the season on a winning note is “a good omen” for Enyimba.

    He is also happy that the club continued with their meanness at the back by not conceding any goal in their three matches against Bayelsa United (3-0), Warri Wolves (2-0) and Kano Pillars (1-0).

    “It’s a good omen for me and the club to start the season by winning a trophy. We will play in three competitions (the CAF Champions League, the Glo Premier League and the Federation Cup) this season and we are optimistic of doing well by God’s grace. But winning this shows we are hungry to win trophies. I’m also happy we proved a point here by not conceding any goal to show that what we did last season was not a fluke in our home games,” he said.

    Enyimba finished last season without conceding a goal in their 19 home games. However, the Aba club will pocket N1.5 million as the champions of the 2013/14 Glo Premier League pre-season tournament.

    Earlier on the final day of the tournament, Warri Wolves edged Bayelsa United 2-1 to finish second behind Enyimba. But Wolves had to come from a goal down to win through goals from Freedom Omofoman and Oghenekaro Etebo to cancel Ebitimi Agogu’s strike.

  • Baraje thrilled with pre-season crown

    Baraje thrilled with pre-season crown

    Enyimba gaffer Zakary Baraje has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his team during the concluded Glo Premier League pre-season tournament.

    Baraje’s wards won the three matches against Bayelsa United (3-0), Warri Wolves (2-0) and 2012/13 champions, Kano Pillars (1-0) to dominate the tournament.

    “We played well and deserved to win. All we need to do is to improve on this performance when the Glo Premier League and CAF Champions League begins in February,” Baraje said to supersport.com.

    Enyimba scored six goals and conceded none during the competition. Newly signed strikers Abdulrahman Bashir and Mfon Udoh, as well as old war horses Emeka Nwanna, Sibi Gwar, former Akwa United striker, Mfon Udoh, Rasheed Olabiyi, Bobby Sokari and skipper Chinedu Udoji were among the outstanding players for Enyimba.

    Bashir scored four goals, including a hat-trick against Bayelsa United, while Nwanna and Gwar scored one each.

    Interestingly, the Aba side shared their squad for a friendly at lower division side, Kogi United, which ended goalless.

    Enyimba will begin the 2013/14 season with a road trip to Sunshine Stars on February 21.

  • Super 4: Enyimba are Champions

    Super 4: Enyimba are Champions

    Enyimba International of Aba completed a hat-trick of wins at the Pre-Season Super Four tournament with a 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars, to emerge the champions of the competition.

    The Aba Millionaires scored six goals and conceded none in the three matches played, to confirm their position as the best team currently in the land.

    The victory meant that Enyimba have now won three trophies on the trot, following their earlier victories in the Federation Cup and the Super Cup.

    They also recorded a second straight victory over Kano Pillars, as it was the Pyramid Boys they defeated in the Super Cup.

    Sibi Gwar gave Enyimba the victory with a headed goal which came in the 76th minute.