The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • Continental: Enyimba lose opener Pillars win Tornadoes fall to Santoba

     

    Nigeria’s CAF champions league flag bearers Enyimba lost by a lone goal in their opener against Rahimo of Burkina Faso on Saturday in Ouagadougou.

    The peoples Elephants had started the match in high spirit, taking the war to their opponents all their way.

    Tenacity of the two time Champions League winners however was called to question in the 30th minute when the hosts through a rampaging Zonon shot into the lead. Zonon had prior to the goal become a tormentor in chief forcing Enyimba goalkeeper Afelokhai to dive full length to make a couple of saves. Enyimba returned in the second half mounting pressures and hoping to cancel the lone goal with Guera and Mbaoma making massive impacts and putting the hosts under serious pressure.

    Olatunji was thrown into the battle in place Farouk all in an effort to make a last minute push to turn the table but that was not to be as Rahimo stood their ground gingered by their supporters till the final whistle.

    Reminiscent of the of Late Bob Marley’s track “He who fights and run away lives to fight another day” Enyimba via their verified twitter handle hailed their performance away while vowing to double effort to turn the table during the return leg at the  Aba township stadium August 22.

    While Enyimba have cause to be hopeful of a table turning return leg, same cannot be said of Niger Tornadoes competing in the CAF Confederation Cup.  The Minna landlords lost in Kaduna on Saturday to Santoba of Guinea.

    The visitors who appear to be in a hurry to sing victory song, shot into the lead in the 37th minute of the game and maintained their lead till the closing of first half. On resumption of hostilities in the second half Tornadoes came out smoking and their increased pressure earned a penalty which Godwin Zaki did not hesitate to convert.

    The equaliser did not however last the distance as the visitors reclaimed the lead to leave final score line at 2-1.

    Tornadoes will have to dig deeper to reverse their fortune away to Conakry August 22.

    Niger Tornadoes lost 2-1 to Santoba inKaduna

    Kano Pillars competing in the CAF Champions league however sang resounding victory song after overcoming very hard fighting Ashati Kotoko 3-2 in Kano.

    Kano pillars battle Ashanti Kotoko of Ghana

    Despite the victory Pillars will have to work extremely hard as the Ghanaian side fought really hard an indication that they will not be a walk in the park in the return leg in Kumasi.

  • New NPFL Season: Enyimba eager to get cracking

     

    *Olatunbosun set to debut for Plateau Utd

    With less than 24 hours to the kickoff of the New Nigeria professional football league season, seven times league winners Enyimba can hardly wait to get started. The two time CAF Champions league winners are opening the season against MFM and after training Saturday, the Aba based side believe they are good to go

    “With thumbs up like these after training, we are in for a cracking game tomorrow” the team enthused while dishing out some training pictures to show their battle readiness. While the Peoples Elephant will be slugging it out with MFM, Heartland of Owerri will be guests of Kano Pillars who are eager to begin their season on an impressive note especially after the missed the continental ticket by whiskers.

    In other ties lined up for tomorrow in what could be dubbed flag off Sunday, Akwa United will host Elkanemi, Nasarawa United battle Abia Warriors. Kwara United lock horns with sunshine Stars while last Plateau United open shop with FC IfeanyiUbah. The new season will for the first time feature 24 teams as against the usual 20 teams.

    For fans of Plateau United, it will be interesting to see former MFM ace Siriru Olatunbosun made his debut for the Jos based side. He had earlier sent social media message thanking the management and fans of MFM for the opportunity given to him adding in what could pass emotional farewell ” I want to use this channel to appreciate the management, fans, & the coaching crew led by a brother, a father figure, Fidelis Ilechukwu.

    I know the supporters & the fans wanted me to remain & I would have loved to but I had to leave for good reasons” The reason for his exit did not take long in coming following further disclosure via @Skolatunbosun.

    “Now I am @plateauutdfc for the new season that will be starting tomorrow. The reception was massive & the atmosphere is great & I am loving it here.

    I want to be successful & achieve with this team, I want to win the league & be among the history makers at the end of it all” he submitted.

     

     

     

     

     

  • World Cup largess for Enyimba and Ifeanyi Ubah

     

    The 2018 world Cup in Russia may have come and gone but the financial blessing from it is still rolling in.

    Premier league clubs Enyimba and Ifeanyi Ubah are to pocket $118,860 N42.7million each for having their one and only player Ikechukwu  Ezenwa at the world cup.

    Ezenwa it will be recalled was the only player from the local league that made Coach Gernot Rohr’s 23-man squad to Russia where Nigeria failed to go beyond the group stage.

    While the Nigeria professional football league could boast of just one player, the Tunisian league and Egyptian leagues respectively provided more players thus earning more.

    Formidable clubs like Zamalek, Ah Ahly, Club Africain, Esperance, Etoile sportive known for making waves in the continent all earned millions of dollars for parading local players.

    Prior to the world cup the need to include more of the local players in the team for exposure and blend took the center stage among fans and analysts alike in Nigeria, but the national coach stood his ground.

    In a recent interview however the German tactician said the local league players remain in his plan adding that his assistants have been mandated to keep track of the players doing well in their clubs with a view to giving them a chance prove their skills in the national team especially ahead of the 2019 Nations cup and the 2022 World cup in Qatar respectively.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Enyimba settles down in Kigali set for Nyamirambo clash

    After settling down comfortably on arrival in Kigali, Confederation cup campaigners Enyimba early Saturday held a press conference ahead of the first leg quarter final clash against Rayon sports on Sunday. 

    The Aba side sounding very confident said they are ready for the match expected to attract fans in full to the 22,000 capacity Nyamirambo Stadium.

    “After landing and settling in Kigali, today’s pre-match meeting and press conference have been concluded. All eyes now firmly focused on the action tomorrow. #TOTALCAFCC” the team confirmed on social media Saturday.

    Meanwhile Rayon sports defender ABDUL Rwatubyaye may have indirectly warned Enyimba not to expect a tea party when action takes the centre stage on Sunday. The 23 year old has reportedly told his teammates to hold their nerves and step up performance against visiting Peoples Elephant.

    Describing Enyimba as one of the best clubs in the continent, Rwatubyaye said it would be a mistake to treat the team with kid gloves, adding that Rayon must adopt a fight to the finish approach.  

    “We have to fight and make the most of home advantage, “he was quoted telling his teammates by The New Times of Rwanda Rayon sports by all standard cannot be said to be a soft nut to crack and playing in front of their vociferous supporters will pose a huge challenge for Enyimba who are hoping to get at worst a draw in the game before the return leg September 23.

    The 8- time Rwanda National Football League Champions have 9 Rwandan Cup in the kitty, a Rwandan Super cup and a CECAFA clubs cup to their credit among other laurels, an indication that they can on a good day give any opponent a run for their strength and skill.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Confederation Cup: Enyimba hit Q/F beat CARA 1-0

    *await Q/final opponents

    Confederation cup campaigners Enyimba marked their return to the newly renovated Aba Township Stadium with a last minute victory over visiting CARA on Wednesday. 

    The peoples Elephants survived what could pass like an initially scare play entire 90 minutes without a goal in a match which they had been condemned to win to stand a chance of progressing in Group C of the Confederation cup.

    The much needed goal came in the 93rd minute of the match when Mfon Udoh’s curled free kick came off the post and Wasiu Alalade delivered home the rebound.

    The goal could not have come at a better time to cool the nerves of teeming fans that turned out in large numbers to cheer the home side to victory.

    The fans prior the match had made several permutations with some predicting that the homers will be gingered by the return to their traditional ground to go for a goal feast.

    The victory shot Enyimba to the top of the group with 12 points pushing CARA to the second position on 9 points.

    In the other tie, WAC and Djoliba settled for a goalless draw to remain at 8 and 5 points respectively.

    Wednesday’s result and quarterfinal slot has put Enyimba in vintage position to earnestly eye a Confederation cup title, one trophy that has been conspicuously missing from cabinet of the two time champions league winners.

  • Enyimba intensifies training ahead Djoliba clash

    Confederation cup campaigners Enyimba are doubling efforts in training in preparation for Sunday’s clash against Malian side Djoliba in Bamako.

    The two time Champions league winners occupy the third position in Group C with six points same points with second placed Carra Brazzaville who however boast of better goal difference.

    Group leaders Williamsville Athletic Club (WAC) are on Seven points and a billed to face Carra Brazzaville same Sunday.

    Enyimba were hosts of WAC last month but managed a lone goal victory in a tie some of their fans believe they should have increased the goal tally to better their standing in the group, the return leg saw the Peoples Elephants losing by two goals. Sunday opponents Djoliba equally lost away by a lone goal to Carra Brazzaville going into Sunday’s match.

    Although the Coach Sidi-Usman Abd’Allah led side still have a home game against Carra Brazzaville on August 28, fans of the Aba based side are hoping the boys can up their game in Bamako to stand a chance of turning the table and progressing from the group.

    The 7-time Premier league winners took to the social media Wednesday to reveal their readiness for the all important clash

  • Enyimba set for return to Aba Stadium

    *Gov Ikpeazu leads Stadium inspection

    Confederation Cup campaigners Enyimba are on the verge of returning to their base after Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu led a team that includes former Super Eagles defender Uche Okechukwu to inspect the Aba Stadium on Friday.
    The Aba Township Stadium which has been under renovation for some time now forcing the Peoples Elephant to play home matches away looks set for action not only for the remainder of their Confederation cup campaign but also ahead of resumption of the premier league season currently in the cooler following the ongoing brouhaha at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The league had initially been put on hold to accommodate the World cup in Russia but is yet to resume 12 days after the end of the World Cup.
    Enyimba who will be facing Ivorian side WILLIAMSVILLE ATHLETIC CLUB (WAC) on Sunday in continuation of the Continental campaign, are leading the Group C with 6 points and will be aiming to consolidate when they file out against the Ivorians on Sunday.
    Enyimba in the first leg defeated WAC by a lone goal at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Port Harcourt, a result considered in some quarters to be too slim for comfort ahead of Sunday’s return leg. Ibrahim Mustapha who scored the only goal in Port Harcourt will hoping convert another opportunity in Abidjan if the Aba side is to have a smooth passage.
    Paul Aigbogun who was in charge when Enyimba claim the slim victory against WAC only recently resigned his appointment with first Assistant Usman Abd’allah now charged with the responsibility of piloting the team.

  • Conf cup: Carra daze Enyimba in Brazzaville

     

    It was baptism of fire for Nigeria’s lone campaigners in the CAF Confederation cup Enyimba as they suffered a 3-0 defeat Wednesday in the hands of Club Athlétique Renaissance Aiglon Brazzaville popularly called Cara Brazzaville.

    The peoples Elephant who left the shores of the country Saturday on a high ahead of the battle of Brazzaville conceded three goals in less than 28 minutes.  The goal rain for the Carra began as early as the 14th minute when Racine Louamba reacted quickly to a rebound after a Dauda missed save.

    As if that was not a enough headache for the Aba landlords Dicha Liema compounded the problem with a 19th minute goal just before the 28th minute mark Enyimba again conceded a third goal and played out the entire half three goals down.  More purposeful moves by the Frank Aigbogun led Enyimba aimed at turning the table or reducing that tally proved abortive as the homers held the ground till the final whistle.

    A disappointed Enyimba admitted that it was indeed a poor outing taking to the social media to describe it as a day to forget.

    “A day, and performance, to forget. Our fans deserved so much better. #CARAEFC #CARENY #CAFCC”the club dished out shortly after the match. Enyimba with three points in two matches will next host Williamsville Athletic club of Cote’d ivoire at a later date.

    There are four groups of four teams each and only two teams will advance from each group.

    Enyimba had prior to Wednesday’s match been hosted by Nigerian ambassador to the Congo Her Excellency Hon Deborah Iliya in Brazzaville.

  • Enyimba off on consolidation mission

     

    Nigeria’s only flag bearers in the CAF Confederation cup Enyimba jetted out of the country Saturday to keep a date with Carra Brazaville.

    The peoples Elephants carrying the hope of the entire nation after Plateau United, Akwa United and MFM all kissed the exit door, started the group stage on a victorious note with a 2-0 defeat of Djoliba AC Bamako of Mali at the U J Esuene stadium on May 6th.  The two time Champions league winners are hoping to consolidate either by picking the entire points away or holding their hosts to a draw.  The Aba landlords are currently leading their group with three points and superior goal difference to second placed Williamsville of cote d Ivoire who equally have three points after beating Carra Brazaville by a lone goal in Abidjan. Djoliba and Carra both playing at home this Wednesday are seeking their first point after losing the opener. Sportinglife.ng gathered that the spirit in the People’s Elephants camp prior

    to departure is very high with players determined to put up a good show.  Most fans and analysts who reacted following the mass bundling of Nigeria club sides out of the continental competition expressed optimism that Enyimba will perform citing their wealth of experience on the continent and their exploits in the past as reason for their confidence in the

    Paul Aigbogun tutored side . The elated team revealed their departure to Brazaville Saturday on social media even as they urged their fans to wish them well. “Off we go: to Brazzaville via Addis Ababa. Send us your love, #Elephants! #CAFCC,”

    Chairman of the club Felix Anyansi Agwu in a recent interview assured that Elephant will fight to the finish in the championship adding that it is not only with a view to doing Nigeria proud but also to include the Confederation Cup trophy in the club’s cabinet noting that it is the only trophy that is missing in their collections.

    “We have taken the challenge and we will give the championship the maximum attention it deserves.  We have other trophies in the cabinet but this is one trophy that we are yet to win and we are determined to clinch it,” he enthused. At the local scene Enyimba’s last match going into Wednesday’s tie was a 1-1 NPFL tie against Ifeanyi Ubah.

  • Plateau United FC ready for 2017/2018 NPFL season

    Plateau United FC ready for 2017/2018 NPFL season

    Defending champions, Plateau United Football Club of Jos on Wednesday said they were fully prepared for the new 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ) season which begins on Sunday.

    Albert Dakup, the club’s Media Officer, said in Jos that the management has put in place all necessities for a successful outing.

    He recalled that the club had shortly after the end of last season released 12 players whose service were no longer needed.

    “In their stead, the club has recruited 12 new players to strengthen the team for the new NPFL season, as well as its continental engagements.

    Read also: Ikoyi Club fetes ‘Elders’ for 2018

    “Experience was a key factor which was considered in the recruitment of new players, taking into cognisance the continental matches.

    “Based on that, some experienced players like Terna Suswam from Enyimba, Amos Gyang from Kano Pillars, Charles Henlong from Rangers of Enugu, Raphael Ayagwa of Lobi Stars, amongst others, were recruited,” Dakup said.

    The spokesman said also that Plateau United played two pre-season tournaments and some friendly matches as part of its preparations for the new season.

    “We played the NPFL invitational tournament and the Ahlan pre-season tournament.

    “The club began closed camping in Abuja on January 2 and played a friendly match with a Nationwide League One side, Water FC of Abuja.

    “Our first match of the season is away to Nasarawa United of Lafia on Sunday and we are confident that with our level of preparations, we will get a positive result,” he said.

    NAN