Tag: Enyimba

Enyimba’s head coach, Salisu Yusuf, has disclosed that the draw got by the Peoples’ Elephant at Port Harcourt against Dolphins has rekindled his boys spirits that the league title is still within their grasp.

The Aba Millionaires fought gamely and deservedly got a point on the road in a goalless outing against the Port Harcourt dwellers yesterday to improve their points’ haul to 46 from 29 encounters.

Yusuf, a former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, said he would continue to tell his wards to keep their feet on the ground and should only think about their next game not the ones they had played.

“We got a draw in Port Harcourt and it was nice getting something away from Aba. We were actually targeting an away win but this draw is not too bad as we continue our push towards the continent. We shall concentrate on our other games and bother less about those that we have played. The league title is still up for grab for any of the teams,” Yusuf informed SportingLife.

Enyimba’s Chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu has reiterated the need for the players of the club to redouble their efforts and remain focused for the task ahead as they chase honours in the Federation Cup and the premier league.

The Peoples Elephant were briefly on top of the league on Wednesday after a 3-0 home win over Gombe United at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba but they slid to second on Thursday morning after Bayelsa United’s draw at Akure.

Agwu in a brief session with the players after the mauling of the Savannah Scorpions on Wednesday assured the team of continued government’s support but warned that they must deliver silverwares this season to make Governor Orji’s investment count.

“The players need to be talked to all the time. They need to be told to be focused and be ready for the task ahead . It was the reason why I met with them after the match on the need for them not to be distracted but be focused till the end of the season.

” Governor Orji has been our number one supporter. He has supported us financially and has made us comfortable. We need to repay his huge investment with trophies this season. These trophies are within our grasp and we must do everything to ensure that they are ours,” Anyansi, who led Enyimba to two CAF Champions League titles, informed SportingLife.

Enyimba are second with 45 points from 28 games and they face a tricky tie against Dolphins in Port Harcourt today.

Enyimba striker, Ifeanyi Ede will be fully fit for the Glo Premier League Matchday 29 duel at Dolphin today at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Ede scored his side’s opener and was later stretched out in the first half of the thrilling encounter after he picked a thigh knock in the 3-0 win against Gombe United during the mid-week Matchday 28 tie at the Aba Township Stadium thereby raising fears that he may be out for weeks.

However, the Super Eagles goal poacher said the medical team has given him a clean bill of health to feature in the next game at the Port Harcourt-based side.

“The medics have assured me there is no cause for alarm over the thigh knock I sustained on Wednesday against Gombe United, I’ve been given adequate treatment and asked to feature in the weekend game at Dolphins. So, I’ll be available to continue doing what I know best how to do it – scoring goals,” said the former Enugu Rangers hitman to supersport.com.

Ede said there is nothing to worry following his side’s dethronement at the top by Bayelsa United following the barren draw at Sunshine Stars on Thursday in Akure.

“There is nothing to worry that our tenure at the top for the second time lasted less than 24 hours as Bayelsa United have shot to the top.

“It makes the contest interesting but I know we’ll climb back to the top after the game at Dolphin, it looks a tall dream as well as achievable,” said Ede.

•Hit Gombe 3-0 in Aba

Enveloped by the euphoria of his own contributions and the result yielding efforts of his teammates, Enyimba Striker, Ifeanyi Ede, has tipped the peoples Elephants to claim both the league and the Federation Cup this year.

Enyimba who made mince meat of visiting Gombe United on Wednesday in one of the Professional league matches, shot into the lead in the early minutes of the tie with Ede opening the floodgate.

Although the impressive striker had to be taken off in the course of the match after picking up a knock, his teammates did not relent but maintained the tempo to the delight of their teeming fans who had turned out in large numbers.

Bishop Onyeudo increased the tally after converting from the penalty spot to hand the homers a comfortable 2-0 lead in the 30th minute.

The straw that broke the camel’s back finally came when Emeka Nwana who came in place of Ifeanyi Ede made it 3-0 on resumption of the second half.

An elated Ede looking beyond the Wednesday’s victory predicted that the two time CAF Champions heroes who also clinched the federation cup in 2005 and 2009 will again emerge victorious come September 15 in Lagos against Warri Wolves. Enyimba edged out Lobi stars to zoom into the Federation cup final, while Wolves otherwise called the Seasiders sent out hard fighting Akwa United to qualify.

Enyimba striker, Chimezie Amanfor is emphatic his side will climb back to the summit after today’s Glo Premier League Matchday 28 tie at the Enyimba Sports Stadium.

The six-time Nigerian champions were dethroned from their table-topping position by Kano Pillars after a one-week reign following their 0-1 defeat at Kwara United in Saturday’s Week 27 duel in llorin.

Amanfor will not be available for the crucial tie against the Desert Scorpions on Wednesday due to a head injury he picked at Kwara United. He is, however, confident his teammates will rally round to grab the three points at stake.

“I strongly believe we’ll return to the top of the log after Wednesday’s game against Gombe United in Aba. We fought gallantly to maintain the status quo in the game against Kwara United in llorin. Unfortunately, we lost the battle with the 0-1 defeat but that’s history as we’ll pounce on Gombe United with the full weight at our disposal to grab the three points which will see us back at the top, and this time round it will be for good.

“I won’t be available for the game but we have great players who can take whatever punches Gombe United will throw at them and still come out of the encounter unscathed, even in my absence. That’s the game I would have loved to give everything to ensure a comprehensive victory but for the stitches on my head.

“We have a magician in the person of Bishop Onyeudo, I’m sure he’ll provide the magic wand that will nail his former side. Every player in Enyimba is hungry to register his name on the scorer’s sheet as well as fast-track the side’s ambition to grab the league title.

“Gombe United have taken their fair share of the points, now it’s our turn but we won’t settle for just one goal as they did when we visited, we’ll go for a goal feast,” said the former Akwa United lethal finisher to supersport.com.

The People’s Elephant are fifth on the log on 42 points, three points behind leaders, Kano Pillars.

• Beat Lobi 1-0 • Woo Lagos fans ahead of September 15 showdown

Two time CAF Champions League and Federation Cup winners Enyimba yesterday at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium qualified for the final as they dream of increasing the tally in the kitty to three.

It was Super Eagles invitee Ifeanyi Ede’s strike in the 58th minute of the encounter that handed the Peoples’ elephant the much needed ticket to the final

It was, however, no victory on a platter of gold as Lobi Stars left no one in doubt that they merited the semi final slot. The Makurdi side did not give their opponents breathing space and created some breath taking chances.

An elated Enyimba did not waste time reaching out to their fans across the federation ahead of the final billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

“Hello Lagos Fans. Are you ready for us?” was the post dished out on twitter by Enyimba few minutes after the final whistle.