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Tag: Enyimba

  • Federation Cup: ‘Nasarawa need S/final ticket more than Enyimba’

    Federation Cup: ‘Nasarawa need S/final ticket more than Enyimba’

    Nasarawa United captain Baba Idris says their qualification for the semi final of the ongoing Federation Cup at the expense of Enyimba is not an imposible mission.

    The Miners will face the People’s Elephnants in a quarter final clash at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on Wednesday.

    Enyimba forced Nasarawa United to a goalless draw in a week 22 Globacom Premier League game at the Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia.

    The former Keffi United star told SportingLife he and his team-mates do not have revenge against Enyimba on their minds.

    He added that the only way to reward their teaming supporters this season is by winning the Federation Cup.

    “We are preparing well for the game. There is ‘no shaking’ and there is no cause for alarm. We need the match more than Enyimba,” Idris said.

    “Our position on the league table is not impressive for now and the only chance left for us to make our people happy is by winning the Federation Cup. We are in for it and we are very focused.

    “We played a 1-1 draw against Enyimba in our last league game in Lafia. We are not thinking about revenge, but we want to win. People may call it revenge but what is important to us is to win the match and advance to the semi final stage.”

  • Enyimba vow to stroll past Nasarawa

    Enyimba vow to stroll past Nasarawa

    Enyimba of Aba have vowed to continue their impressive run at this year’s Federation Cup as they leave for Abeokuta today ahead of their Wednesday’s quarter final clash with Nasarawa United at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

    The Peoples Elephant had an indifferent first stanza but their acquisition of experienced league players have brought back the vibe in the team and have been unbeaten in both the league and cup game since the start of the second stanza.

    The Aba Millionaires outclassed 3SC, who have excelled in the same competition a record 8 times in the past, 3-1 last Wednesday at Abuja and have a date with Nasarawa United that stopped Sunshine Stars 1-0 at Lokoja in the Round of 16.

    The head Coach of the Aba side, Salisu Yusuf has told SportingLife that they have opted to arrive Abeokuta well ahead of the tie to allow them to prepare well enough for the Lafia side and also dislodge them when the game comes up on Wednesday.

    He added that Enyimba stayed behind at Abuja after their defeat of 3SC and only leaving the city today for Abeokuta.

    “We are going to do our best to beat them. We know they are not going to be easy prey but with the level of our preparation and efforts we have put into this competition and the league we expect to beat them.

    “We already know them having played against them during Week 22 and held them to. 1-1 draw in Lafia. We hope to repeat it again on a neutral ground. We are leaving for Abeokuta from Abuja today after our win over 3SC. I have the full confidence in my boys that we shall excel at the end of the day,” Yusuf, a former Coach of the Super Eagles, disclosed.

     

  • Nasarawa hopes to consolidate

    Nasarawa hopes to consolidate

     •Seek three points against Enyimba 

     

    Nasarawa United host Enyimba today in one of the match day 22 ties, of the Nigeria Professional Premier league.

    The Solid Miners are fresh from a 4-0 demolition of City of David, in the round of 32 of FA Cup will be hoping to consolidate by enjoying another victory against visiting two time champions’ league heroes Enyimba.

    On paper, the Aba landlords who occupy the 4th place on the log with 34 points in 21 matches, should have the upper hand against their opponents who are 10 places down the ladder with 28 points in 21 matches. But with Alphosus Dike tutored Nasarawa charged and boosted after their victory over COD, it may not be a tea party for the visitors. Dike who incidentally handled Enyimba in the past may want to rely on some of the privileged information he has about the side, though this may not serve as

    Magic wand as a lot of water has passed under the bridge since he coached the side over six years ago.

    The former U-17 coach, who was recently charged by the clubs management to win more matches, had shortly after the victory over COD, cautioned his boys not to rest on their oars, but maintain the tempo, adding however, that the team will “take the matches one at a time to maintain maximum concentration”

  • Enyimba will respect Remo Stars-Salisu Yusuf

    Enyimba will respect Remo Stars-Salisu Yusuf

    Enyimba of Aba’s Technical Adviser, Salisu Yusuf, says despite the huge difference in class and cadre between the Peoples Elephant and their Federation Cup Round of 32 rivals, Remo Stars. He has instructed his players to respect them as they strive to get the job done during the regulation time on Wednesday.

    Remo Stars are one of the forerunners in the National League where they are currently third on the league table with 40 points, and a point adrift of leaders, Abia Warriors and Crown FC while Enyimba are fourth on the premier league table with 34 points from 21 matches.

    Yusuf, who had a telephone chat with SportingLife Monday shortly before their departure for Lokoja stressed that the only way his wards could progress to the next round is to accord their opponents including Remo Stars their regard but must be businesslike as soon as the tie commences.

    He said the technical crew has striven to work on the little piece they got of Remo Stars, he admitted the information would not be sufficient but was confident Enyimba would beat the National League side for a berth in the Round of 16.

    “As I speak to you, we are on our way to Lokoja. We are going with our spirits very high that we shall conquer Remo Stars. We know they are a good side and also play good football. Besides that, I don’t have much details about them. I have already told my players to respect them but, they must get the job done within regulation time.” Coach Yusuf, who was Super Eagles former Assistant Coach under the reign of Samson Siasia, explained to SportingLife.

    Enyimba will seek to add to the two titles they previously won in 2005 and 2009 after wins over Lobi Stars and Sharks in that order. They lost twice in the final as well in 2010 and 2011 when they were beaten by Kaduna United and Heartland respectively. Lightweight, Prime of Oshogbo defeated them 2-0 in the quarter final last year at the Lekan Salami Stadium,Ibadan.

  • Enyimba expect to claim NPL title

    Enyimba expect to claim NPL title

    Felix Anyansi Agwu, the chairman Enyimba International Football Club, Aba said that the club players and management were committed to return the 2013 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Cup to Enyimba supporters in Aba and the state at large.

    Anyansi in a media chat said that in order to make sure that the club leave up to its promise, the club would use the current break period of the season to fortify the team ahead of the remaining part of the season which he noted would be more intriguing.

    He said: “In spite of not having so much good results away, I think our worst period is over when it comes to away games. I am looking at our future games including the game against Heartland in a few weeks’ time in Owerri.”

    Commenting on the position of the club on the table and plans to step up the game of the team, Anyansi said: “Our form is a worry to all and not an individual thing; a player might not perform in a particular match. You do not hold it against him. What matters is the overall performance of the team and not that of a player. We will beef up the team; no doubt about that.

    “The league is very young. The difference is very marginal. It is not like the team has not been playing well. We had a lot of meeting recently and they have resolved to recommit themselves. We are going through some phases which people didn’t understand.”

    He added: “It is not financial because this is the most equipped team in Nigeria now. Fund has been made available for the management to buy more players in order to strengthen our squad. We are going to make good signings.

    “No player is complaining of anything. Everything has been payed to them. They have gone through their worst period. We expect them to start doing well when the season resumes.”

    Anyansi, who has been the club’s chairman for over 10 years, went further to call on the team supporters in Aba and the State at large to continue in their support for the club, stressing that their loyalty and support for the team in all their matches would motivate the players to worker harder.

  • Aigbogun wants a focused Enyimba

    Aigbogun wants a focused Enyimba

    Enyimba coach Paul Aigbogun has implored the Peoples Elephant’s players to be clinical and resolute when they face Police Machine of Nasarawa in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday if they are to advance to the next round of the 2013 Federation Cup competition.

    The Aba Millionaires exited the competition in the quarter final after a 2-0 loss to 2012 surprise package Prime of Oshogbo and Aigbogun in a chat with SportingLife after Enyimba’s narrow win over Heartland at Aba on Sunday acknowledged that Police Machine team must not be taken for granted.

    He said the technical crew would continue to do its part while also expecting the players to complement the work by interpreting the instructions giving to them well at match situations.

    “We have a game against Police Machine of Nasarawa in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday and that is what all our focus is on now. We expect the players to remain as professional as possible to get the vital victory because of the track record of Enyimba in Nigerian football.

    “The club lost out in the quarter final to less fancied Prime of Oshogbo last year after playing in three successive finals from 2009 to 2011 and winning it for the second time in 2009. We must come all out to demolish Police Machine to send a strong warning to our opponents that Enyimba is back and better.

    “The game against Heartland was very tough. We knew it would be tough. We had a young team against our opponent and I believe they played very well despite the prevailing circumstances(the wet pitch).

    “We have few players out with injuries but by the time we visit Heartland in two weeks time, we hope that all injured players would have returned and do well against them.”

    He bemoaned Enyimba’s disappointing outing in the first stanza particularly away from home but reckoned that the coaches of the club have planned to have a meeting as soon as they return from their Federation Cup Round of 64 tie against Police Machine team to do a thorough reappraisal of the first stanza and thereafter chart the way forward.

    “We are going to review our first round outing and from there look for the solution ahead of the second stanza. We know we don’t have much time to fix our shortcomings but we shall strive to look for the best options with what we have,” the former Warri Wolves and FC Cape Town of South Africa told SportingLife.

    Enyimba will be seeking a third title in the Federation Cup this year having won the competition in 2005 and 2009. They beat Lobi in 2005 on penalties 6-5 after the regulation time had ended 1-1 while the Aba Millionaires pipped Sharks of Port Harcourt 1-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium,Owerri in 2009 for their second triumph. They have however lost twice in the final also to Kaduna United and Heartland in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

  • Enyimba, Heartland set up ‘Oriental Derby’

    Enyimba, Heartland set up ‘Oriental Derby’

    THE FIREWORKS will fly inside the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba when Enyimba host Heartland today in another ‘Oriental Derby’.

    Six-time champions Enyimba are still struggling with their form, while Heartland have been on a fine despite their financial troubles.

    Last season, Enyimba won this fixture 1-0, but Heartland captain Chinedu Efugh told MTNFootball.com that with good officiating, they will beat Enyimba in Aba.

    “It is obvious we are in good form now and can beat any team anywhere. Enyimba are not unbeatable and so we are going to Aba with the target to beat them,” he declared.

    “If the officiating is good, I am upbeat they will fall.

    “We lost to them 1-0 last year courtesy of referee’s biased officiating.

  • Enyimba’s injured players return to action

    Enyimba’s injured players return to action

    Enyimba International of Aba will have their injured players back, a top official of the club has disclosed ahead of their Globacom Premier League Week 19 tie against Heartland of Owerri on Sunday.

    The Peoples’ Elephant have had it rough with injuries to their key players this season but the news emanating from the club’s treatment table showed that Ayo Saka, Sibi Gwar and others who have been nursing different forms of injuries have resumed full training session.

    The Aba Millionaires’ media officer, Farriel Allaputa in a brief chat with SportingLife opined that Enyimba would prosecute their weekend tie against Heartland with a full squad as the club dig in deep to get all points against Heartland and thus improve their standings on the league table.

    Enyimba have been a threat at home at Aba to visiting teams but they have been unimpressive at away games with only two away points against Nembe City and Lobi Stars this season.

    The club has also lost four points at home after playing draw against Warri Wolves and Kwara United.

    “We have all our players back from injuries ahead of our match against Heartland. They are our next door neighbours and we are not going to take the game lightly at all. We need all the points to move up the league table,” Allaputa said.

  • Enyimba target away win in Bauchi

    Enyimba target away win in Bauchi

    Enyimba International of Aba’s coach, Paul Aigbogun has tasked the People’s Elephant players to claim all points in Bauchi at the expense of Wikki Tourists to show their resurgence in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season after some uninspiring results at the beginning of the season.

    The Aba Millionaires inflicted another heavy defeat on league reigning champions, Kano Pillars last Sunday at Aba and coach Aigbogun in a post-match press conference disclosed that a road win against Wikki would confirm that Enyimba are steadily rising on the league log.

    The former Warri Wolves and FC Cape Town of South Africa gaffer noted that Enyimba before now found goal-scoring difficult, but that their impressive display against Pillars has brought back the never-say-die People’s Elephant’s spirit. He stressed that the only way to sustain that momentum is to go to Bauchi and brave the odds to get a win.

    “The players were awesome against Pillars. They did what the coaches instructed them. We could have easily won by as many as five goals to nothing against the league defending champions. It showed that we are gradually regaining our confidence and in no time we shall get back to where we belong.

    “We do not want the win over Pillars to get into the heads of the boys. We must not lower our guard at all. We want them to go to Bauchi with a desire to win the three points at stake to show we are back to reclaim what is ours,” coach Aigbogun expressed.

    Enyimba are 8th on the log with 16 points from 11 games and are up against Wikki who are courting relegation with only 11 points from the same encounters in 19th position.

  • Enyimba set to trample Pillars

    Enyimba set to trample Pillars

    Enyimba attacking midfielder, Ayo Saka has said his side will smoke out the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leaders, Kano Pillars in their Matchday 11 clash at the Enyimba Stadium today.

    The former two-time African champions picked a heart-warming barren draw at Lobi Stars in NPFL Matchday 10 in Katsina-Ala going into the weekend’s unarguably toughest match.

    Saka, who acknowledged the pyramid City side’s excellent form at the moment, however, insisted that the Aba clubs are not in the mood to respect any side standing out but to go all out to grab the maximum points at stake.

    “Kano Pillars have severally proven themselves to be hard nut to crack to many clubs but that won’t have any effect on us as we’re going to pocket the three points at stake.

    “The sing-song among my teammates at the moment is victory all the way not only on Pillars but every other team coming on our way. Pillars will be turned back empty-handed not just by a slim goal margin but a wide score line.

    “The point at Lobi Stars has boosted our confidence and we’re on the march to reclaim our rightful position on the log.

    “I think we’ve overcome the hindrances that have limited our efforts now we’re determined to re-enact the form that made us African champions for two consecutive times,” said the Nigerian player-maker to supersport.com.

    The former Nigerian champions have picked 13 points from possible 30 in the 10-week old NPFL.