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Tag: Ibenegbu

  • Ibenegbu denies attack on Etu

    Ibenegbu denies attack on Etu

    Enyimba attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has described  the claims of attack by Warri Wolves top shot, Moses Etu as an outright smear campaign on his person .

    Etu said the Nigerian ace viciously attacked him over sundry club matter after his side’s 1-2 loss at Enyimba in the rescheduled Nigerian top-flight matchday 10 clash at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    “There is absolutely no reason or truth behind his claim that I attacked him after the rescheduled league match  in Umuahia. I only walked to him to know why he has refused to pay me my hard earned five-match bonuses as a player of the side.

    “Prior to  Sunday’s incident in Umuahia he had told me pointedly that he will not pay me the outstanding should I leave the club. He actually pleaded with me to play for him but I told him that I have made up my mind to leave the club.

    “Already, I have it on good authority that he has paid the match bonuses in question and even the current ones to the serving players yet he never stopped telling me that government has not released money to the club. So I merely walked to him to get answers for his refusal to pay me only for him to harshly ask me to leave his path.

    “I insisted on an answer as he made for the substitution board to hit I quickly held his hand before the timely intervention of people around. I was shocked to hear him say I attacked him, collected his phones as well as other unnamed personal effects.

    “That was all that happened; it never degenerated to attack on anybody and the people around the scene could attest to it. The attempt to rubbish my name will not stop me from insisting on being paid my entitlement. I worked for the bonuses and deserved to be paid like other players,” said the former Warri Wolves star to supersport.com.

  • Warri Wolves report Ibenegbu, Osadiaye, Aziz to LMC

    Warri Wolves report Ibenegbu, Osadiaye, Aziz to LMC

    • Etu, players lost valuables in Aba 

    The management of Warri Wolves has reported Enyimba trio of Ibenegbu Ikechukwu, Osadiaye Joseph and Abu Aziz to the League Mangement Company (LMC) for assaulting their General Manager, Etu Moses at the Umuhaia Stadium during a rescheduled league match on Sunday.

    The club’s media Media Manager, Azuka Chiemeka told SportingLife that Etu reported the case immediately after the incident on Sunday.

    It is understood that the players vent their anger on Etu to protest their outstanding signing on fees, and some of their match bonuses while with Warri Wolves last season.

    Chiemeka accused the management of Enyimba FC for not providing enough protection for officials, players and fans of Warri Wolves.

    ” Before the team left their hotel to the venue of the match, Mr Etu got a call from Ibenegbu  threatening to deal with him for not paying the said owned salaries and warned him not to come anywhere near the stadium. Our GM informed the chairman of  Enyimba (Anyasi Agu) on the purported threats but he gave Etu the assurance that all was well and that the players have been cautioned to desist from carrying out their threats and that was the reason Mr Etu went to the stadium and he was eventually beaten up and in the process lost valuable personal properties, and beside the attack on our GM, some of our players and officials and supporters that made the trip equally sustained injuries and  lost their valuables such as phones, jewelries e.t.c.”

  • Ibenegbu gearing up for Charity Shield

    Ibenegbu gearing up for Charity Shield

    • Happy to return to Enyimba

     

    Returnee Enyimba ace, Bartholomew Ibenegbu is ready for action should coach Paul Aigbogun decide to unleash him against Akwa United in today’s Charity Shield billed for the Abuja National Stadium.

    Ibenegbu, who is making his second return to Enyimba having played for the Aba side from 2007 to 2008, told Sportinglife Tuesday that he is happy to return to the two time champions league winners and current league champions, adding that he looks forward to a fruitful season.

    The former Heartland, Warri Wolves and Elkanemi Warriors midfielder ,who was heading for training with his teammates ahead of the Charity Shield showdown, revealed his resolve to put in his best whenever handed the opportunity to play.

    “I am happy here and I am ready to play,” said the veteran beach Eagles player

    Ibenegbu, who recently called on the League Management board to take matters concerning players’ welfare seriously, said it is one way of upgrading the standard of the league as a conducive atmosphere is likely to ginger players to put in their best.

    “Players welfare is one area I will like the league management to always pay attention to because if the players are not taken care of , it will surely affect the standard of the league,” he said.

    Enyimba fans and their Akwa United counterparts are already making permutations over their chances in today’s clash. While some believe Akwa United, who sprang a surprise by pulling a lone goal away victory against Vita Club of Congo, may also attempt to spring another surprise. Others say the Peoples Elephants despite losing their own Champions league opener against Vipers Sports Club of Uganda will not be an easy meal the Federation Cup champions.

  • Enyimba capture Ibenegbu

    Enyimba capture Ibenegbu

    Attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu on Thursday successfully completed his switch to Nigerian champions, Enyimba.

    The Super Eagles midfielder was offered a two-year contract deal at the People’s Elephant.

    The former Heartland ace helped Warri Wolves finish second on the log behind Enyimba in the past season and gain the handsome reward of a CAF Champions League ticket.

    Ibenegbu said he is excited heading off to Enyimba and promised to bring added value to the side’s quest for laurels on the domestic and continental fronts.

    “I have successfully completed my move to Enyimba for a two-year deal so I hope to join them at Uyo on Saturday as they prepare for the CAF Champions League clash against Ugandan side Vipers.

    “ I was registered for the CAF Champions League campaign and that’s a huge plus for me. The deal package is satisfactory; that’s why I appended my signature on the contract documents.

    “I will give the side 100 per cent of my time just as I have done at past clubs to ensure the club succeeds on the continent and in the domestic league. I will miss the relationship with Wolves players and supporters, but that’s life. There is always time to move on, which is what I have just done,” said the former El Kanemi Warriors playmaker to supersport.com.

    Ibenegbu was a key player in the Super Eagles’ futile campaign at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda.

  • I have no time for scouts now -Ibenegbu

    I have no time for scouts now -Ibenegbu

    CHAN Eagles and Warri Wolves midfielder, Batholomew Ibenegbu says the only thing occupying his mind now is to see Nigeria finish on a good note here in Kigali.

    He said even though he is aware that scouts have invaded venue of the championship in search of legs to buy, the challenge in African football demands that players have maximum concentration in Championships like this if they hope to do well.

    H e said: “I am aware of course that there are scouts here but I am not really thinking about them,  the only thing I want to see is Nigeria have an impressive outing here, every other thing can come later.”

    Although Ibenegbu, dubbed mosquito, who was pulled out in the first match and also saw about 30  minutes action against Tunisia on Friday, did not want to talk about any other thing other than the on-going CHAN, SportingLife however got him to speak about issues bothering him concerning the league back home.

    “The league management board must look for a way of ensuring that players are paid as at when due.  The players are the actors of the league and you don’t expect the best from them if they are not treated well. We talk about strong leagues in Africa they did not just spring up, it was attention and support that got them there and I think we can equally do that,’” he said.

     He attributed the draw against Tunisia to hard luck saying that they had grip of the game and had the intention to earn qualification even before the last match against Guinea on Tuesday.

  • Ibenegbu calls Niger CHAN tie crucial

    Ibenegbu calls Niger CHAN tie crucial

    Super Eagles attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has described as crucial the first match against the Menas of Niger at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda.

    Eagles will open their title account against West African neighbours, Niger on Monday at the 22000 seats Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali.

    Ibenegbu said Eagles will not treat any opponent as pushovers or walkovers but will strive to win each match as it comes.

    “We will treat every team as good as ours as we intend to give everything to ensure we kickoff our CHAN campaign against Niger on Monday on a winning note.

    “The first match is quite crucial in our determination to surpass past performances so we will give the Nigerien side all the respect they deserve off and on the pitch but we know victory will not be compromised.

    “Right now we are not thinking of the CHAN trophy but the first match then we move on to the next matches against Tunisia and Guinea.

    “Our game plan is to take each game as it comes never underrating or overrating any opponents.

    “We understand the expectations of Nigerians we will try our very best to ensure we meet their expectations at the end of the championship.

    “I believe we have prepared adequately well for the championship right now we need mother luck and prayers to excel on each match day,” said the Warri Wolves ace to supersport.com.

    Nigeria won bronze in the immediate past edition of the biennial championship in South Africa.

    Eagles will campaign in Group C together with the 2011 CHAN winners, Tunisia, Niger and Guinea.

  • Ibenegbu says CHAN duty first

    Ibenegbu says CHAN duty first

    Super Eagles B attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said he is wholly focused at the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda.

    The biennial football championship is expected to kick off on Saturday, January 16 through to February 7 in Kigali.

    Ibenegbu said other matters including his club’s future career will be given undivided attention after the side are done with the football showpiece in Kigali.

    “Right now I’m not thinking of any other thing than the coming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda thereafter I can now give other things including my club’s future some attentions.

    “So I’m not thinking of Warri Wolves, league or any other thing at the moment but the CHAN. I want to give my all to the team to ensure we do not miss the podium dance when the CHAN curtain falls on February 7.

    “We came close to winning the title the last time in South Africa but ended up with a bronze so we want to win the title for the first time for Nigeria.

    “Our preparations both at home and South Africa have been excellent we hope to take the winning mentality to Kigali.

    “The first match against neighbours, Niger is quite crucial as a win will put us on good stand going forward in the next two matches to Tunisia and Guinea,” said the Warri Wolves goal poacher to supersport.com.

  • Ibenegbu denies Pillars victory in Kano

    Bartholomew Ibenegbu’s last minute goal denied hosts Pillars victory on Sunday when they played a 1-1 draw in Kano in a Nigeria league Week 31 game.

    Pillars have 45 points from 31 games, while Wolves keep up the pressure in third place with 52 points, six points behind leaders Enyimba.

    Ubong Ekpai broke the deadlock when he scored from the penalty spot in the 44th minute after Mine Ojo brought down goal-bound Gambo Mohammed.

    Beach Eagles stars Bartholomew Ibenegbu scored on the 90th minute to earn Warri Wolves a point.

    Ibenegbu had a free kick parried by Pillars goalkeeper Yusuf Mohammed who struggled to keep it away from goal in the 86th minute.

    Wolves players protested after they believed the ball had crossed the goal line, but the referee waved play on.

  • Preparation key to Wolves’ Confed Cup glory-Ibenegbu

    Preparation key to Wolves’ Confed Cup glory-Ibenegbu

    Warri Wolves attacking midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said adequate preparation is key to the side’s performance in the CAF Confederation Cup competition.

    The Seasiders will confront Burkinabe side Racing Club de Bob-Dioulasso (RCB) on the road in the preliminary round of Africa’s second tier club football showpiece.

    Ibenegbu said the fact that none of Nigerian representatives were deemed worthy for exemption at the preliminary round of the continent football showdown means the campaigners must work extremely hard to reclaim their lost glory among Africa’s football family.

    “None of African team is a small team anymore, the truth is there is no small team anywhere in the continent at the moment. I don’t know much about the strengths of clubs from Burkina Faso but the fact that their senior national team did very well at the last Africa Cup of Nation in South Africa showed that their club sides must be good too.

    “Things have not been too rosy for Nigerian clubs in the continent in the recent past – neither in the CAF Champions League nor the CAF Confederation Cup. So not only Warri Wolves but other Nigerian representatives like Kano Pilllars, Enyimba and Dolphins owe it to Nigerians to excel in their respective engagements.

    “Excellent performances will help the clubs to reclaim their lost glories in the football fraternity. It’s not befitting of Nigerian clubs that none were considered worthy for exemption in the preliminary round of either the CAF Champions League or the Confederation Cup.

    “The underlining word is adequate preparations which will be the key for excellent performances in any of the African clubs competitions. Early preparation is important. I know we’ve the men to deliver the goods, but we must equip ourselves adequately to be able to face the rest of Africa,” said the former Heartland playmaker to supersport.com.

    Warri Wolves will be joined by Garden City side Dolphins to campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup competition while Nigerian champions Kano Pillars and Enyimba will contest the CAF Champions League.

  • Ibenegbu excited with Enyimba’s participation at Copa Lagos

    Ibenegbu excited with Enyimba’s participation at Copa Lagos

    Warri Wolves midfielder, Bartholomew Igbengbu has disclosed that he is excited with the participation of Enyimba at this year’s edition of Copa Lagos.

    Ibenegbu who has played in all editions of the tournament since 2011 noted that it is the right step to involve local clubs like Enyimba in such a big competition like Copa Lagos.

    “I have participated in all the editions of the tournament and I must say that Enyimba will further create the awareness for the competition.

    “The participation of Enyimba will also encourage local clubs to participate in Beach Soccer tournaments.

    “You can be sure that if Enyimba plays very well and their supporters troop out to support them at Copa Lagos, other clubs would want to take part next year.

    “Enyimba is a big club and they can draw the supporters to Eko Atlantic Beach to watch all matches,” Ibenegbu said.