The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • ENYIMBA VS LOBI STARS Expect the best from me — Ref Udoh

    ENYIMBA VS LOBI STARS Expect the best from me — Ref Udoh

    • I didn’t give ballboy red card

    FIFA/CAF badged referee, Ferdinand Udoh has said he would not compromise standards in today’s Federation Cup semi-final tie between Enyimba and Lobi Stars at the Samuel Ogebmudia Stadium, Benin.

    The Geology gradaute from the University of Ilorin stated in a telephone chat with SportingLife.

    “Once again, I’m delighted that I have been tasked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to be at the centre in a big game like this.

    “Nigerians know that Enyimba and Lobi Stars are not just big teams but they have a tradition when it comes to the Federation Cup having been one time winner or finalist.

    “I wouldn’t want to use the word intimidation as they can’t do that to me, even though I know that the game will be a tough one, rather I want to assure them and Benin fans that they will get the best out of me.

    “So, I urge both teams to be clean and play football because I also like to be professional in my job.”

    Udoh also clarified the issue concerning the ballboy he sent away in the Week 26 Globacom Premier League game between host Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars.

    “Well the ballboy did not get a red card rather I sent him out for obstructing play when Pillars were goal bound as he threw his ball into the field of play.

    “Meanwhile, according to FIFA rule there was no way I could have given him a red card as he was not a participant in the game. So, the person that can see red are the players and members of the bench.”

  • Enyimba corners top spot

    Enyimba corners top spot

    Enyimba International have shot to the top of the Glo Nigeria Premier League table after a 1-0 victory over Kaduna United in their Week 25 tie at the Aba International Stadium on Sunday.

    Enyimba are now number one on the log despite being tied on 42 points with erstwhile leaders, Kano Pillars as they enjoy a +7 goal difference while Pillars have an inferior goal difference of +5 after they were beaten 2-1 by Sunshine Stars in their game in Akure.

    Getting to the top was no mean feat for the People’s Elephants as they had to wait till the 81st minute to score against a stubborn Kaduna United side.

    Super Eagles star Ifeanyi Ede was the hero of the day with his goal-mouth scramble effort that ended in the net, however, Enyimba Captain Chinedu Udoji was rightly adjudged as the Man-of-the-Match and a case is being made for him to get a look -in by the national team handlers.

  • Enyimba vow to crush Kaduna Utd

    Enyimba vow to crush Kaduna Utd

    Enyimba striker Bishop Onyeudo is confident his team would not have any problem seeing off Kaduna United when they meet in the premier league in Aba today.

    The Peoples Elephant have amassed an impressive 12 points from a possible 18 since the start of the second round of the league, and Onyeudo feels they have hit top form and are virtually unstoppable.

    He, therefore ,reasons that Kaduna United, who have an awful away record, would be on the receiving end at the Enyimba International Stadium.

    “There are no easy games anymore at this stage in the premiership, but I’m confident we will beat Kaduna United,” he told supersport.com.

    “We have hit top form and we have been very difficult to beat even in away matches. The team is quite balanced and is not lacking in any department.

    “We were unlucky not to have beaten Warri Wolves in Warri recently, and they are one of the highly rated sides in the premier league.

    “Kaduna United are yet to pick up points on the road, and that will not change when they visit us.

    “It is a match we should win because we are unstoppable at the moment.”

    Onyeudo added: “We are just three points behind the leaders and we will continue to apply the pressure until we catch up with them.

    “We have a chance to win the league, so we are taken every match seriously.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that we will beat Kaduna United decisively.”

    Onyeudo has scored three goals in five games since joining Enyimba from Gombe United during the midseason break.

    He has scored 11 goals overall, having scored eight for the Savannah Scorpions.

    Enyimba are sixth in the premier league with 39 points, while Kaduna United are in 10th position with 35 points after 25 rounds of matches.

  • Enyimba in fine form — Amanfor

    Enyimba in fine form — Amanfor

    Enyimba striker Chimezie Amanfor has said his side are capable of defeating any team in the 2012/13 Glo Premier League season.

    The People’s Elephant will be the guests of third-placed side, Warri Wolves in today’s Glo Premier League duel at the Warri Township Stadium.

    Amanfor said his side are not visiting the oil rich city for fanfare but to challenge for the three points at stake.

    “We’re going to Warri for an important game and we hope to come out with a good result.

    “I know for certain that we won’t come out of the duel empty-handed, and we’re not ruling out the possibility of grabbing the whole three points.

    “Our confidence level is at its highest that no side will be too tough for us to upset at the moment. Warri Wolves are having a fantastic run in the league but we hope to puncture the smooth run.

    “An outright victory in the encounter will position us to challenge for the summit of the league table.

    “We never hide our intention to not only seize the top spot but to be crowned champions at the end of the day.

    “We believe we’re on the right path towards realising our ambition and we must do all in our power to jealously guard the prospect till the end,” said the former Akwa United hitman to supersport.com.

    The Aba club recorded a 2-0 win against newcomers, Nembe City in the Glo Premier League Matchday 24 in Aba on Sunday to take their total earnings to 38 points, one point adrift of leaders, Kano Pillars but fifth position on the log.

     

  • Zokari: I can take Enyimba to the top

    Zokari: I can take Enyimba to the top

    Enyimba FC striker, Kinsley Zokari has told SportingLife that his current form will be an added advantage to his club.

    Zokari has scored four goals in all competitions for the Peoples Elephants this season. He netted one goal in the league and three goals in the Federation Cup.

    The former Holland FC of Port-Harcourt forward believes the Aba-based club can challenge for the double this season.

    “I am ready anytime any day for my club. We are aiming for something tangible this season. We are in the semi final of the Federation Cup and we are also in the race for the league title.

    “We want to fight for everything and we will approach the matches as it comes. I am happy with what I am doing with the club now and I want to continue to do my best for the team.

    “Aba fans have not seen the best of me yet because I want to take this club to the top. I’ve scored one goal in the league and I am working hard to score more and be one of the top scorers in the league.”

    Speaking on the game against Nembe City on Sunday, Zokari added: “It is a must win for us because we want to create a competition in the top four. Nembe City are a good side but there is no chance for them in Aba.”

  • ‘Enyimba won’t underrate Nembe’

    ‘Enyimba won’t underrate Nembe’

    Enyimba of Aba technical adviser, Salisu Yusuf says the People’s Elephant won’t treat Nembe City with kid’s gloves during their Globacom Premier League match day 24 encounter.

    The Aba Millionaires are 7th on the log with 35 points from 23 matches and a win over their foes from Yenagoa could take them to at least 3rd on the table.

    Coach Yusuf told SportingLife that his boys should ready to play the game of their lives to acheive a positive result after 90 minutes.

    He tasked the players and technical officials to be ready to play as professionals and be willing to take the name of the club to the next level whenever they put on the team’s jersey.

    “We drew in Yenagoa and we expect them to come here with the same intention of holding us here. We will treat them like a Premier League side, not with levity.

    “Our players must be ready to douse the burning flame of enthusiasm which Nembe will come with and ensure we neutralise it to get a win,” coach Yusuf told SportingLife.

    Enyimba who had been unbeaten since the start of the second stanza of the league, suffered a shock loss to El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri. The Aba team’s technical officials however blamed the loss on fatigue.

  • ‘Enyimba’s loss to El Kanemi, temporary setback’

    ‘Enyimba’s loss to El Kanemi, temporary setback’

    Enyimba’s Femi Thomas has described his team’s 0-2 loss to El Kanemi Warriors as a temporary setback which will be corrected when the People’s Elephant face Warri Wolves on Sunday.

    El Kanemi Warriors halted the unbeaten run of the Aba Millionaires since the beginning of the second stanza with the defeat but Thomas, who was between the sticks in Maiduguri, said Enyimba would bounce back.

    “We lost 0-2. It was a tough encounter. I’m not happy that we lost but we need to forget about this loss and forge ahead.

    “We have a tough encounter against Warri Wolves away from home in Week 25. We shall bounce back from this setback when we play our next match,” Thomas assured.

    Enyimba have 35 points from 23 games to place 7th on the log while El Kanemi’s latest win saw them storm to 3rd on the log with 37 points from as many games.

  • Enyimba face El Kanemi without stars

    Enyimba international of Aba will face El Kanemi Stars in Maiduguri without two of their key players, following their exertions in the Federation Cup.

    The team left Abeokuta on Thursday for the long journey to Maiduguri, but were without Ifeanyi Ede and Chimezie Amanfor.

    Ede rejoined the team in Abeokuta after turning out for Nigeria in the African Nations Championship qualifier against Ivory Coast, but was given permission to visit his family in Lagos by the Aba Millionaires.

    Amanfor, who was devastating for the Elephants when he posted a man-of-the-match performance in the 3-1 defeat of Shooting Stars in the Round of 16 stage of the Federation Cup, suffered a bruise and was dispatched to Aba for recuperation.

    “Despite the absence of both of us, we believe we can still win. Emeka Nwanna and Bishop Onyeudo have travelled with the team, and those are big names too,” he told futaa.com.

    Enyimba have not lost in four straight outings in the league, and are currently in 4th place on the table.

  • Salisu to Enyimba It’s the battle of our lives

    Salisu to Enyimba It’s the battle of our lives

    Technical Adviser, Salisu Yusuf has urged his Enyimba players to prepare for the battle of their lives when they face Nasarawa United in today’s Federation Cup quarter-final match slated for the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

    The former Kano Pillars manager told SportingLife that he expects a tough match against The Miners today.

    “We will approach the game like any other match. We know Nasarawa will come out fighting because of what happened in Lafia.

    “It is going to be a tough match and I have told my boys to prepare for the battle of all battles,” the former Taraba United coach told SportingLife.

    “This is Federation Cup and anything can happen. We want the good luck of the tournament to favour us during the match.

    “We are aiming for a win but I know it won’t come easy. We have to work and pray for it. We won’t underrate our opponents because any team at this stage is capable of doing the unthinkable.”

  • ENYIMBA VS NASARAWA UTD Elephants charged to go for victory

    ENYIMBA VS NASARAWA UTD Elephants charged to go for victory

    Abia State governor, Theodore Ahamefula Orji, has tasked Enyimba of Aba to go all out for a win today against Nasarawa United in the quarter final of the Federation Cup at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

    The People’s Elephant lifted the trophy in 2005 and 2009 but have found a third one difficult to come by despite playing in two of the last three finals. They were beaten in the 2010 final by a determined Kaduna United on penalties, while Heartland pipped them to the crown in 2011 in Lagos.

    The governor enjoined them not to be complacenct or distracted as they entertain Nasarawa United in Abeokuta today.

    Speaking through the chairman of the Aba Millionaires, Felix Anyansi Agwu, Dr. Orji urged the team to get to the pitch and get the job done.

    He assured them of support which he said he displayed by paying 50 percent of their signing-on fees even before the start of the current Globacom Premier League.

    “I want to assure you that you have my support and blessings to beat Nasarawa United tomorrow (today).

    “We are a club with a standard and tradition. This I will like you to maintain as you step out against your opponents.

    “You have been doing very well in recent times and I will like you to maintain that.

    “The state is desirous of a trophy. It has been a while since we won a title and your performance this season has rekindled hope in me and the good people of the state that the glory days are back.

    “Go and match your opponent grit for grit and battle for battle. There shouldn’t be complacency. We must bring this cup back to Abia State to celebrate the feat together,” Orji said.

    Speaking for himself, the chairman of Enyimba, Felix Anyansi Agwu, said the People’s Elephant should not handle Nasarawa United with kids’ gloves.

    He stressed that the Lafia side were good and that the draw the got against Enyimba in Lafia barely two weeks ago would make them extra motivated to seek revenge in Abeokuta.

    Anyansi also said that focus should be the players’ and the coaches’ watchword as they seek a place in the last four.