The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • NPFL 2016/17 SEASON: Enyimba to play home matches in Calabar

    NPFL 2016/17 SEASON: Enyimba to play home matches in Calabar

    • The People’s Elephant  have no problem facing Sunshine in season opener

    Enyimba have chosen to play their home matches for the next league season at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar as their permanent home as the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba is still undergoing repairs and won’t be ready for the start of the season.

    The Chairman of the People’s Elephant, Felix Anyansi Agwu who revealed this to SportingLife on Saturday  during the NPFL 2016/17 season draws held at the Golden Royale Hotel, Enugu, said they will feel more at home in Calabar than any other alternative available to them.

    He said they would like to play where it is devoid of competition and where they will be fully concentrated on the game and not other distracting things.

    Anyansi Agwu pointed out that there was nothing special in being drawn to face Sunshine Stars in the season’s opener and that they would prepare for the Owena Whales the same way they will do to other clubs they will trade tackles with after the Akure Gunners.

  • Pillars sign goalkeeper Femi Thomas from Enyimba

    Pillars sign goalkeeper Femi Thomas from Enyimba

    • Drop Danladi Isah

    Goalkeeper Danladi Isah did not make the final cut for Kano Pillars squad.

    The former Plateau United goalkeeper was dropped at the Pillars training camp in Lokoja days after he quit the Akwa United training camp in Uyo.

    However, Enyimba goalkeeper, Olufemi Thomas made the final squad.

    Kano Pillars retained goalkeepers Yusuf Muhammed and Pius Ibrahim from last season.

    Two players from relegated Ikorodu United made the final cut.

  • Ogunbote: Why I joined Enyimba

    Ogunbote: Why I joined Enyimba

    Enyimba head coach Gbenga Ogunbote has said his plans to restore the People’s Elephants to their former glory was a motivation to join them.

    Before joining the Aba based outfit, the tactician had handled Gateway United, Sunshine Stars, Sharks FC, Giwa FC and Shooting Stars SC.

    “I feel great because I am in a great team. Enyimba is a big team not just in Nigeria but also Africa. For any coach to come here is always something to cherish,” Ogunbote told Goal.

    “All we need to do is to see things as collective responsibilities. When a team that is used to winning laurels doesn’t get it once it will be like heaven has dropped down. We want to see what we can do and make the club come back on track.

    “Barcelona, a club that is adjudged the best team in the world, is never satisfied otherwise there will be no need for them to reinforce their team. We won’t be satisfied until we achieve our dreams and objectives.

    “We will see what we can do. I know that Enyimba isn’t a bad side and will never be. The club has always signed the best in the land and for sure we will try our best to make the team great again.”

  • Ibrahim Mustapha completes Enyimba move

    Ibrahim Mustapha completes Enyimba move

    The striker has started training with his new team mates and is expected to lead the Elephants’ charges as they target to reclaim the Nigeria topflight crown.

    “I will be playing for Enyimba next season. It is a dream come true to have agreed to join one of best clubs in Africa.  Aba city is a cool place to play football. I can’t wait to get started here,” Mustapha told Goal.

    “My major aim is to help Enyimba perform in all competitions and also win trophies too.”

     

  • Dimgba agrees terms with Enyimba

    Dimgba agrees terms with Enyimba

     Stanley Dimgba has agreed personal terms with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) giants, Enyimba FC.

    His rise to prominence saw him included in the Nigerian U-23 team’s  provisional squad for the Rio Olympic games. He was listed among the four alternate players for the tournament.

    “We have agreed personal terms with Dimgba who will be part of our team for next season,” a top official of Enyimba told Goal.

    “He is expected to form part of our rebuilding process as we aim to redeem our image.

    “The club is delighted to have won the right to sign Dimgba and it’s a transfer coup as far as we are concerned. More players are expected to join us to make the team stronger for the challenges ahead,” he added.

  • Enyimba beat Rivers Utd to Sunshine defender, Oladuntoye

    Enyimba beat Rivers Utd to Sunshine defender, Oladuntoye

    Former league champions, Enyimba International FC of Aba, have sent a forceful message of intent to recapture the Nigeria Professional Football League title by beating off challenge from Rivers United to take in Sunshine Stars defender, Isiaka Oladuntoye.

    Rivers United wanted the Offa-born defence trojan but “Elephants”, determined to return to dominance in Nigeria football, folded their sleeves and homed the former Kwara United ace to Aba.

    Enyimba, sportstalkafrica.com gathered, were aware of Rivers United’s strong interest in landing Oladuntoye and pushed on stronger and faster to snatch the reliable centre back.

    Oladuntoye joined Enyimba on Thursday evening and had his first training exercise with the Aba side this Friday morning.

    The tall and leggy defender has played for Offa United, defunct Ila United, Kwara United and Sunshine Stars.

  • Chinedu Udoji leads 4 Enyimba stars to Pillars

    Chinedu Udoji leads 4 Enyimba stars to Pillars

    Four  top Enyimba stars led by skipper Chinedu Udoji have stormed Kano to sign       a deal with Kano Pillars for the new season.

    The other players are midfielders Kamal Salaudeen, Razak Aliyu and long-serving defender Emmanuel Anyanwu.

    “It will be great to reunite with my former coach (Kadiri Ikhana), who believes in me and knows what I can do. He is a coach who knows what he wants. I am ready to play for Kano Pillars” said Salaudeen.

  • Nigeria vs Algeria: IfeanyiUbah goes spiritual, prays for Ezenwa, Eagles

    Nigeria vs Algeria: IfeanyiUbah goes spiritual, prays for Ezenwa, Eagles

    Still basking in the euphoria of their Federation cup victory, premier league side IfeanyiUbah have intensified prayers for their goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and entire Super Eagles team as they prepare to face Algeria on Saturday.

    Apparently eager to extend the party mood the Anambra Warriors are praying for the odds to favour Eagles come Saturday to act as garnishing to Confederation Cup ticket already in their kitty.

    Good luck to @NGSuperEagles & our GK, Ezenwa Ikechukwu as they prepare for the FIFA WCQ against Algeria on Saturday.#SoarSuperEagles,”” the club dished out Monday.

    Although IfeanyiUbah clinched the Federation Cup after defeating Nasarawa United 5-4 on penalty, many however hailed the Lafia based side for putting up a good fight. Sunday’s final some say looks more like a repeat of the 2013 edition between Enyimba and Warri Wolves which equally ended 5-4 on penalties in favour of Enyimba after both sides had settled for a 2-2 score line at regulation time.

    Desert Warriors of Algeria are expected to hit Nigeria on Thursday ahead of the weekend showdown billed for Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

  • Enyimba target Ogunbote shuns Pillars interview

    Enyimba target Ogunbote shuns Pillars interview

    Coach Gbenga Ogunbote, who has been widely tipped to take over Enyimba, has so far shunned an interview for the top post at Kano Pillars.

    Kadiri Ikhana and Samson Unanuel have so far been grilled for the Pillars post with Ogunbote penciled as the third coach to be interviewed.

    “Ogunbote has yet to show up and the Pillars board plan to name a new coach this week as they promised,” a club source informed.

    “He has a big chance to land the job, but he has not shown interest.”

    Ogunbote comes highly recommended and he is seen as one coach who could truly change the fortunes of an ageing Pillars by infusing young and committed players to the club.

    He made his mark at Sunshine Stars and has also posted stints at Sharks, Giwa FC and Shooting Stars.

    However, the no-nonsence tactician is believed to be the man to take over from Paul Aigbogun at Enyimba and that may well explain why he has not bothered to pursue the Pillars interest.

    He was also considered for the top post at Akwa United before Abdu Maikaba was given the job.

  • Enyimba: Mfon Udoh in talks with Al Merriekh

    Enyimba: Mfon Udoh in talks with Al Merriekh

    Enyimba has confirmed striker Mfon Udoh is discussing a possible transfer to Sudanese giants, Al Merriekh.

    Enyimba chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu said the striker is in talks with the club, but would prefer the details are kept away from the media.

    “Let him go there (Al Merriekh) first. We don’t want to discuss it in the newspapers, it will send a wrong impression,“ Anyansi said

    “If they have invited him, Enyimba will not stop him from joining Al Merreikh, he is free to go.”

    A transfer to Tunisian side Club Africain crashed over a failed medical when the player set a new goals record of 23 goals in a single season in the Nigeria Professional Football League three seasons ago.

    He finished as top scorer of this year’s CAF Champions League with nine goals.