Tag: Enyimba

  • NPFL: Enyimba pip Niger Tornadoes 1-0 in Aba

    NPFL: Enyimba pip Niger Tornadoes 1-0 in Aba

    Enyimba International FC of Aba defeated visiting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna 1-0 on Sunday during the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day two at Enyimba FC stadium, Aba.

    Joseph Abiodun scored the only goal in the 4th minute, bringing joy to the home fans.

    In spite of many missed chances by both teams, the hosts missed more opportunities to increase the lead.

    Enyimba Coach Stanley Eguma said in a post-match interview that he wished his team had scored more goals to boost their confidence ahead of the season’s upcoming matches.

    “We played well but were not at our best converting chances.

    “Against free-scoring teams, this could have been costly. The league is just starting, so we must improve in training,” Eguma said.

    Niger Tornadoes Coach Majin Mohamed, explained that fatigue from their long journey to Aba affected his team’s performance in the match against Enyimba on Sunday.

    “This was our second match this season, and the long trips from Ilorin to Minna and then to Aba took a toll.

    “I hope our stadium will soon be ready to host home matches,” Mohamed said.

    NAN reports that the result moved Enyimba up to fifth place in the league standings, while Niger Tornadoes remained in eighth position after two matches.

    Meanwhile, Enyimba FC management unveiled some newly signed players to the enthusiastic home fans who attended the match in large numbers at the stadium.

    The club also introduced Nigerian businessman, entertainer, philanthropist, and CEO of Obi Cubana, Obinna Iyiegbu, known as “Obi Cubana,” to the cheering fans during the event.

  • NPFL: Obichere talks tough ahead of Enyimba-Katsina United clash

    NPFL: Obichere talks tough ahead of Enyimba-Katsina United clash

    Enyimba International FC defender, Odinaka Obichere, has fired a strong warning to their host, Katsina United FC, saying that the People’s Elephants were in Kastina to win.

    Obichere’s warning is contained in a statement issued by the Media Officer of the club, Samson Orji, and made available to newsmen in Aba on Wednesday.

    The player stated that Enyimba players were brimming with confidence and set for victory in the match day 25 encounter.

    The match between Kastina United and Enyimba will take place at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina by 4pm on Thursday.

    Obichere, who is already in Katsina with his teammates, said “we will be going for the maximum three points.

    “Players are ready for the game and coming all the way from Aba to Katsina, we are not here for a joke.

    “We are going for the points and with God on our side, we can achieve the result,” he said.

    Obichere, who has been a revelation in Enyimba’s defence this season, also had a message for Enyimba fans.

    “The fans should keep believing in us and keep supporting us, because that is what we need right now.

    “For me, I will continue to give my best as long as I find myself on the pitch to ensure my team finished the season well,” he said.

    NAN

  • Enyimba condemns attack on ex-boss, Anyansi Agwu

    Enyimba condemns attack on ex-boss, Anyansi Agwu

    The Chairman of Enyimba Football Club, Kanu Nwankwo, has condemned the armed robbery attack on the former boss of the club, Anyansi Agwu.

    NAN reports that Agwu, who currently serves as Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Vice President, was on Tuesday, attacked in his Abuja home by suspected armed robbers.

    The armed robbers, who inflicted injuries on him, was said to have carted away his belongings which included his car, phones and money.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Aba on Thursday, Kanu described the incident as unfortunate, urging security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the ugly act.

    While praying for Anyansi’s quick recovery, he called for a better secured society especially to enable the football industry and other sports and social activities strive in the country.

    The chairman said that football had the capacity to boost the country’s internally generated revenue for nation building.

    “I am utterly disturbed by the ugly news of the home attack by armed robbers on my elder brother and critical football stakeholder.

    “It is indeed sad that such unholy act can befall him at this time he is contributing to the growth of the nations football.

    “I urge the security agencies to quickly unravel the mystery as well as fish out the perpetrators of such wicked act and bring them to book.

    “My thoughts and prayers are with him as I pray for his quick recovery and for God to replace his lost items,” he said.

    According to him, we all at Enyimba wish our former Chairman speedy recovery.

  • NPFL Match Day 7: Niger Tornadoes draw with Enyimba in Aba

    NPFL Match Day 7: Niger Tornadoes draw with Enyimba in Aba

    Enyimba International Football Club of Aba drew 1-1 with visiting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna in a 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 7 fixture on Wednesday.

    From a quick counter-attack in the 41st minute, Godstime Joseph beat Somilari Alaribo before pushing the ball past Enyimba’s goalkeeper Ani Ozomena to hand the visitors the lead.

    Enyimba players quickly fought back to draw level before half time, but this was fruitless until the introduction of new legs in the 75th minute.

    This was when Imo Obot’s corner-kick got to Ufere Chinedu who scored with a header to even scores.

    During the post-match interview sessions, Yemi Olanrewaju, the Enyimba coach, expressed dismay with his team’s performance.

    He said his team was not in the game within the first 20 minutes.

    “In fact, we came into the match almost at the tail end of the first half as all the goal scoring chances were missed.

    “However, this draw is a setback and we need to get the lost points elsewhere, probably against our next NPFL opponents, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri,” the coach said.

    Maaji Mohammed, the Niger Tornadoes coach, on his part however praised his team, even though he expressed regrets about the goal scoring chances they missed.

    He said those scor8ng chances should have given them the edge against their hosts if they had utilised them.

    “My players did well, but it’s just that we have not gotten it right at home this season.

    “Maybe it is because we have not played in our stadium for long.

    “But Enyimba are a big team and picking a point against them is an added advantage.

    “I believe this will uplift the players’ morale ahead of our next match against Rivers United,” Mohammed said.

    Speaking also, a Niger Tornadoes player, Pappaa Daniel, said his team planned to get the available three points.

    He however said he felt happy that they did not lose the game.

    “We have to continue doing well away, so that when we will start getting the result at home, the sky will be our limit,” Daniel said.

    NAN reports that Enyimba FC are now occupying the third position in the league with 14 points, while Niger Tornadoes remain sixth with 10 points.

  • CAF CC: El -Kanemi, Enyimba to play West African opponents in preliminary rounds

    CAF CC: El -Kanemi, Enyimba to play West African opponents in preliminary rounds

    Federation Cup  Champions, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri has been drawn in the preliminary round with Beninoise outfit, Dadje FC.

    The Maiduguri based clubside  will play their first game on the continent after over two decades.

    According to CAF, the first leg will be played between 16-18 August, 2024, while the second leg will hold between 23-25 August, 2024.

    El-Kanemi will face former champions, RS Berkane of Morocco in the second preliminary round should they overcome Dadje FC.

    However, second Nigerian representative, Enyimba, who were drawn bye will come up against the winner of Guinea’s Haifa FC and Rahimo of Burkina Faso in the second preliminary round.

    No Nigerian club have won the CAF Confederation Cup since inception few years ago.

  • Sudanese clubside, Al Merreikh unveil Super Eagles goalie, Ojo Olorunleke

    Sudanese clubside, Al Merreikh unveil Super Eagles goalie, Ojo Olorunleke

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke has been unveiled by new club in Sudan, Al Merreikh Omdurman.

    Olorunleke recently penned a two-year contract with Al Merreikh.

    The 28-year-old, however, had to wait until the end of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season before officially linking up with the Red Devils.

    Olorunleke spent three seasons at Enyimba and won many laurels with the Aba Elephants.

    It would be recalled that the Nigerian goalie made his last appearance for Enyimba in the 2-0 victory against Plateau United last month.

    This is the first time the Nigerian would be plying his trade outside the shores of the country.

    Olorunleke featured for top NPFL clubs, Kano Pillars, Sunshine Stars, Akwa United and Abia Warriors in the past.

    He was Nigeria’s third-choice goalkeeper at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

  • NPFL: Mbaoma beats Alimi to golden boot award with 17 goals

    NPFL: Mbaoma beats Alimi to golden boot award with 17 goals

    Enyimba striker, Chijioke Mbaoma on Sunday claimed the Nigeria Professional League Golden Boot award after adding to his tally in the game Enyimba vs Plateau United.

    With this feat, Mbaoma finished the 2023/24 season with 17 goals and has now won the Eunisell Boot as the top scorer in the league.

    He succeeds another Enyimba striker, Emeka Obioma, who was top scorer last season.

    Mbaoma netted his 17th goal of the season in today’s final game against Plateau United in Aba to beat Sikiru Alimi on 15 goals.

    Mbaoma scored the second goal of the evening and his 17th overall in the 78th minute to add to Enyimba’s tally.

    The Aba Elephants defeated Plateau United by 2-0 to finish 3rd on the log, thus grabbing a continental ticket.

  • NPFL: 2023/24 season ends as  Rangers, Remo, Enyimba grab continental tickets

    NPFL: 2023/24 season ends as Rangers, Remo, Enyimba grab continental tickets

    Rangers, Remo and Enyimba will represent Nigeria on the continent next season.

    Remo Stars and Enyimba won their final games of the season today at home to finish second and third respectively on the log.

    This is the second time in a row that Remo  stars will be finishing second at the end of the season.

    Remo Stars beat visiting Katsina United 2-1 to finish as runners-up on 65 points, five points adrift of champions Enugu Rangers.
    Enyimba defeated hard fighting Plateau United 2-0 in Aba to finish on 3rd position with 63 points.
    Rangers and Enyimba will play in the CAF Champions League while Enyimba and eithor of Abia Warriors or El Kanemi Warriors will feature in the second tier CAF Confederations cup.

  • NPFL: Olorunleke Ojo to dole out N250,000, 50 jerseys to  Enyimba fans today

    NPFL: Olorunleke Ojo to dole out N250,000, 50 jerseys to Enyimba fans today

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke has planned to reward Enyimba fans in last game of the season for Enyimba.

    Eyinmba will clash with Plateau United on matchday 38 in Aba.

    The goalkeeper will be donning the shirt of the Aba Based clubside for the last time before moving to his new club in Sudan.

    Ojo  has already signed a two-year contract with Sudanese giants, Al Merreikh.

    The 28-year-old spent three seasons at Enyimba.

    The goalie promised to give out N250, 000 and 50 jerseys and to the club’s fans as a mark of respect to them.

    Ojo made this known via his Facebook account on Saturday.

    “In Celebration and to show my sincere gratitude to Almighty God for his unconditional love, mercy and grace upon my Life throughout my stay with Enyimba,” he wrote on his X account.

    “Yeah on sunday I shall be giving out five thousand Naira to fifty persons randomly, again fifty Enyimba Jerseys will also be won by fifty Persons.

    “All you need do Is to be at the Stadium to witness my last match for my darling Club, Enyimba.”

    Olorunleke won the 2022-23 NPFL title with Enyimba.

  • NPFL: Mbaoma, Alimi contest for golden boot as season ends on Sunday

    NPFL: Mbaoma, Alimi contest for golden boot as season ends on Sunday

    All is now set for one of Chijioke Mbaoma of Enyimba FC, and Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi to laim the top scorer’s prize on the final day of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season on Sunday, June 23.

    Enyimba’s Mbaoma currently sits at the top of the log with 16 goals, while Alimi of Remo Stars  is second on the scorer’s chart with 15 goals.

    Incidentally, both teams will be playing their last match of the season at home.

    Enyimba will entertain Plateau United in Aba  while Remo Stars will be home to Katsina United.

    All NPFL matches will be played on Sunday and at the same time.

    Plateau United’s Albert Hilary and Jonathan Alukwu of Sporting Lagos also have an outside chance of claiming the top scorer honour.

    Hilary and Alukwu have scored 12 goals each.

    Godwin Obaje of Rangers and Niger Tonardoes’ Bashir Usman have registered 11 goals each.