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Tag: Enyimba

  • AFL: Enyimba’s journey ends after humiliating 4-0 aggregate defeat

    AFL: Enyimba’s journey ends after humiliating 4-0 aggregate defeat

    Nigeria professional League champions, Enyimba International have been sent packing from the maiden edition of the African Football League after a humiliating 3-0 defeat and 4-0 on aggregate to Wydad Athletic Casablanca of  Morocco on Thursday.

    Recall the Aba Elephants got beaten in the first leg 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

    Ayoub El Amloud opened scoring for the home side in just four minute of the encounter.

    Jamal Harkass and Yahia Attiyat Allah scored before half-time as Wydad completed a 4-0 overall triumph and have now scaled through to the semi -final of the money spinning  competion

    Enyimba, the only Nigerian team to win the CAF Champions League, had high hopes of making an impact this season with former stars Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George in key positions.

    Kanu is the chairman and George the coach of a club based in the southeastern city of Aba and popularly known as the Peoples Elephant.

    Despite crashing out early in the competiton, the Nigerian side will still get a whopping $1m dollars as participation fee.

  • African Football League: Moroccan authorities delay Enyimba’s flight by 6 hours

    African Football League: Moroccan authorities delay Enyimba’s flight by 6 hours

    The Moroccan authorities have deployed ugly tactics to frustrate Enyimba FC, Nigeria’s flag-bearer in the ongoing African Football League.

    The Media Manager of Enyimba FC, David Orji, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Eyimba are saddled with the task of cancelling the 1-0 deficit against Wydad AC of Morocco in the second leg quarter-final encounter in Casablanca, Morocco, by 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday.

    As at past midnight Monday, the People’s Elephants were still stranded at Murtalal Mohammed International Airport Lagos as Moroccan officials failed to give authorisation to the team’s chartered aircraft from the international wing of the airport to land in Casablanca.

    The team who were still optimistic of upturning the one goal deficit at the Godswill International Stadium, Uyo, were forced to return to their hotel having spent six hours and 30 minutes in the aircraft.

    They were waiting for authorisation to land from the Moroccan authorities.

    This incident is perceived by the Enyimba management as a deliberate plot by the Moroccan authorities and Wydad AC to frustrate Enyimba FC.

    The management of the team condemned the delay, which has prevented the team from having a smooth trip to honour the second leg tie of the AFL quarter final.

    As at the time of this report Enyimba and NFF Officials had officially lodging complaints to CAF.

  • AFL: Enyimba walk tight rope, lose 1-0 at home to Wydad Athletic Club

    AFL: Enyimba walk tight rope, lose 1-0 at home to Wydad Athletic Club

    Enyimba’s hope of progressing to the next round of the maiden African football League became slimmer  as the Aba based clubside  lost 1-0 to Morrocan side Wydad Athletic Club at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.

    Wydad Athletic Club started the game like a house on fire and played counter-pressing football.

    Enyimba did eventually find their rhythm and almost found the back of the net after forward,  Mbaoma Chijioke’s wonder-strike came off the crossbar in the early opening minutes of the first half.

    The North Africans tried to soak pressure and continued their counter -pressing game and it eventually paid off.

    Wydad Athletic put a spirited dispaly that earned them a penalty after Ayoub El Amloud was fouled inside the box in the 37th minute of the fiesty encounter.

    Captain Yahya Jabrane scored the spot kick to ensure the North Africans go home with the confidence boosting advantage.

    All efforts by the Nigerian champions to level scores in the game proved abortive as the North Africans put up a solid defense.

    The reverse fixture will be held at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca in a week’s time to determine the aggrgate scoreline and the side which will progress between the two sides.

    Enyimba earned qualification into the maiden edition of the lucrative African Football League by virtue of popularity on the continent andlevel of  involvements in CAF competitions in recent years.

  • African Football League: We will beat Enyimba – Wydad Athletic captain, Jabrane

    African Football League: We will beat Enyimba – Wydad Athletic captain, Jabrane

    Yahya Jabrane the captain of Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco,  has said the team is in Nigeria to beat NPFL champions Enyimba FC.

    Adil Ramzi’s side will be up against the Nigerian champions in the quarter-final of the African Football League.

    Jabrane stated that the Red Castle are battle ready for the clash against the two-time African champions.

    “We are happy and proud to be here as the first and only team from Morocco,” Jabrane told a press conference.

    “We are ready for the game here in Nigeria and in Casablanca and we will put in everything to win.

    “It’s a big league, all teams are good and we are ready to give our best. We have the potential to get a good result against Enyimba.”

    The AFL encounter slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, will kick-off at 6pm Nigeria time today.

  • African Football League: Wydad Casablanca depart Morocco to Uyo for Enyimba clash

    African Football League: Wydad Casablanca depart Morocco to Uyo for Enyimba clash

    Moroccan side, Wydad Athletic Club have departed the North African country for the maiden African Football League clash against Enyimba.

    The Moroccan clubside will trade tackle with the two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba in the quarter-final of the competition at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday.

    Wydad Casablanca announced on their official X handle that they are united and prepared for the match.

    “United and Prepared for Our Journey to Nigeria.” The North African outfit wrote.

    The return leg of the two legged encounter will take place in Casablanca on Wednesday October 25.

    In other fixtures, Esperance of Tunisia will take on Congo Democratic Republic side TP Mazembe, Egyptian giants Al Ahly will be up against Tanzania’s Simba, while Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will lock horns with Petro Athletico of Angola.

    Enyimba have recorded one win and a defeat from their opening two games in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season.

  • African Soccer League: Enyimba to clash with Wydad Casablanca in October

    African Soccer League: Enyimba to clash with Wydad Casablanca in October

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba international club of Aba have been drawn to play against Wydad Casablanca in the inaugural edition of the African Soccer League.

    The draw for the tournament was held at the Confederation of African Football headquarters in Cairo on Saturday.

    Both teams are expected to clash over two legs in October, 2023.

    All invited teams will enter the competition from the quarter-final stage.

    Enyimba will play their home games at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

    In other fixtures, Esperance of Tunisia will take on Congo Democratic Republic side TP Mazembe.

    Africa’s most successful club Al Ahly of Egypt will be up against Tanzania’s Simba while Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will lock horns with Petro Athletico of Angola.

  • CAF Champions League: Enyimba, Remo Stars crash out

    CAF Champions League: Enyimba, Remo Stars crash out

    Nigerian Professional League Champions ansd runner up Enyimba and Remo Stars on Sunday kissed the CAF champions League goodbye after both teams failed to overturn first leg deficit on home soil.

    Enyimba were eliminated from the CAF Champions League following a 0-0 draw against Al-Ahly Benghazi of Libya in Aba on Sunday.

    The Libyans scaled through on a 4-3 aggregate.

    The Aba Elephants  were overwhelming favourites to win the preliminary round second tie after a battling display in the first leg.

    Their efforts to score a goal in Aba proved abortive in the encounter.

    Finidi George’s side failed to find the one goal that would have confirmed their place in the second round.

    The visitors put up a spirited defensive display to stop Enyimba from getting the much-needed goal.

    Similarly, Nigeria’s second representative, Remo Stars, have also crashed out of the competition ollowing a 3-2 penalty shootout loss to Ghana’s Medeama SC at the Ikenne stadium.

    Daniel Ogunmodede’s side won the preliminary round second leg contest 1-0.

    Medeama SC’s goalkeeper spilled the ball into his own net from a corner kick 18 minutes from time to hand Remo Stars the lead.

    Samuel Anakwe thought he had won the game for the hosts in stoppage time, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

    The game ended 1-1 on aggregate, and it went into penalties after 90 minutes.

    Medeama prevailed in the shootout, netting three times, while Remo Stars converted twice.

    For the umpteenth time, Nigeria will have no representative in the competition.

  • CAF Champions League: Remo, Enyimba seek second round qualifications on home soil

    CAF Champions League: Remo, Enyimba seek second round qualifications on home soil

    The coaches of Nigerian representatives in this year’s CAF Champions League, Finidi George and Daniel Ogunmodede of Enyimba and Remo Stars respectively  are full of confidence their teams will scale through to the second round of the competition.

    Recall that both teams lost their first leg by slim margins in  Ghana and Libya respectively.

    Remo Stars lost 1-0 to Medeama SC of Ghana whilst Enyinba surrendered to a last-minute goal from Al Ahly Benghazi.

    Medeama SC travel to Nigeria with a slim advantage ahead of their return leg with Remo at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Sunday.

    “We are working towards qualifying for the next round of the competition and we will do everything humanly possible to be in the next round of the CAF Champions League,” Ogunmodede said.

    Finidi, who watched from the stands in Benghazi  said his team should have done better with their defending, asserting that they would bounce back in the return leg.

    “It was a good game to watch but it was unfortunate we conceded those goals, but we will bounce back this Sunday,” Finidi said.

    “Even if we were not there, I felt we should have defended better. We have an opportunity to rectify things in Aba when we play the second leg. We will be much better defensively next match,” he added.

    Enyimba striker Chijioke Mbaoma is also confident that they can overturn the first leg deficit to beat Al Ahly and reach the next round of the competition.

    “We are not satisfied, but we have to be satisfied with ourselves and look forward to the next step. They played and won at home. Now is the time for us to play with our fans and show them what we can do too,” Mbaoma said.

    Both teams will be playing at home and seek qualification to the next round of the competition.

  • CAF Champions League: Remo, Enyimba lose by slim margins

    CAF Champions League: Remo, Enyimba lose by slim margins

    Nigeria Premier League side and one of the representatives of the country in the CAF Champions League, on Sunday lost its first leg of the preliminary round fixture to Medeama SC of Ghana.

    The Ogun based clubside were beaten by 1-0 in Accra.

    Medeama dominated the first leg encounter and would have scored more goals but for their poor marksmanship.

    The home team took the lead through Jonathan Sowah in the 21st minute.

    Sowah beat goalkeeper Kayode Bankole with a superb long range shot.

    Remo Stars worked extra hard to equalise the game in the second half but the host did enough to nullify all their threats as the game ended 1-0 in favour of Medeama SC.

    Daniel Ogunmodede’s side will need to score two goals without conceding in the reverse fixture to scale through.

    The second leg is slated for the Remo Stars Stadium on Sunday, August 28.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria’s second representatine Enyimba of Aba also started on a losing note .

    The People’s Elephant started the match brightly and took the lead after only three minutes through veteran forward Mbaoma Chijioke.

    The visitors’ lead lasted for only eight minutes, though.

    And shortly before the halftime break, it was 2-1 to the Libyans as Imo Obot unfortunately put through his own goal.

    Enyimba, however, refused to surrender the initiative to Al Ahli Benghazi and in the 59th-minute, the nine-time Nigerian champions drew level courtesy of an Eze Ekwutoziam strike.

    Again, Enyimba fell behind in the 75th-minute only for Murphy Ndukwu to scored four minutes from time to make it 3-3 for the George Finidi-tutored side.

    However, the home side struck in the dying minute of the game to snatch victory in the game.

    Enyimba will have another Opportunity to redeem their image next week at the Aba International Stadium.

     

     

  • Kanu Nwankwo set to become the chairman of Enyimba FC

    Kanu Nwankwo set to become the chairman of Enyimba FC

     

    Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, has been tipped to replace the chairman of Aba  based side, Enyimba FC, he will be taking over from Felix Anyansi-Agwu, the longest reigning Chairman of a Nigerian club side.

    The board of  Enyimba board  dissolved last week.

    Recall that Anyansi-Agwu was in charge for a record 23 years, taking the club to lofty heights.

    Kanu, a legend of Arsenal may then be in charge of the club having his former teammate in Ajax Amsterdam and the Super Eagles, Finidi George as the coach.

    Both Kanu and Finidi won laurels for both club and country during their playing days.