Nigerian Football
How Enyimba’s Champions League Dreams Crashed
BY CLEMENT NWANKPA Jr
Enyimba’s Chairman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu’s countenance after Rangers forced his boys to a 1-1 draw in Enugu spoke volumes. You would have expected him to be happy after news emerged that Akwa United had lost in Ibadan but he, obviously had other ideas.
Shooting Stars beating Akwa United thrust Enyimba into third position, needing a win of any sort against Katsina United on the last day to book a CAF Confederation Cup ticket irrespective of what happens in Uyo.
That his boys got a result Akwa United failed to get in Ibadan should make Anyansi-Agwu one of the happiest men around the arena but his mood was shockingly different.
He was among the last to leave as he was glued to his seat long after the final whistle. Hands on his jaw, he gazed into space and couldn’t mutter a word.
Obviously, bemoaning a lost opportunity. When he managed to rise from his seat, he took the ‘long’ walk speaking to no one. He was battling hard to subdue his emotions. Men also cry, you know.
His expectations may have been heightened by the fact that his boys led till four minutes of regulation time left.
At that point, the prospect of leaving Enugu with maximum points was more appealing. If Chibuzor Madu didn’t convert the late penalty that shared the spoils, Enyimba was primed to secure a Champions League ticket if they beat Katsina and MFM fails to win in Maiduguri on the last day.
This was Anyansi-Agwu’s ideal scenario. While a return to the continent, whatever competition, is paramount, Enyimba always crave to play in the more illustrious Champions League. Why not?
The People’s Elephants are two-time African champions and are always comfortable mixing with the continent’s best.
The hunger in Enyimba was highlighted in the way they approached the game against Wikki Tourists on match day 36, well aware that only a high score line will boost their ambitions.
The 4-0 score line would have served as a fillip to their quest for the bigger pie.
Enyimba’s emphatic defeat of Wikki made Akwa rue missed chances in the 2-1 victory over Lobi two days earlier.
Suddenly, the teams were tied on both points and goals difference. Hitherto, Akwa had a superior goals difference, an advantage that would have come to the fore if both teams ended up with the same points.
Match day 37 results changed all these. If both teams lost, it would have come down to who conceded or scored more goals. The emphasis on the last match day would have been on the number of goals scored if they record routine wins at home.
But Enyimba’s draw in Enugu places them in third position on 58 points, one ahead of Akwa.
The tie on points and goals difference has been broken. Enyimba is now in the driving seat in the battle for the Confederation Cup ticket.
Akwa must beat Kano Pillars in Uyo while hoping Enyimba doesn’t win against Katsina. But, while Akwa needs favours from Katsina, Enyimba needs no such favours from anyone.
All they need to do is beat Katsina and the ticket is in the bag irrespective of what happens in Uyo. This highlights the importance of that solitary point in Enugu.
So while Anyansi-Agwu might play Oliver Twist, he should also take into cognizance the other possible scenarios. What if Enyimba lost and Akwa won in Ibadan?
What if Akwa had also drawn in Ibadan? What if the Promise Keepers had even won? Enyimba would have been on the back foot. Now, the ticket is theirs to lose.
Not a few believe Akwa has played the best football all season. They are even good enough to pick a Champions League ticket but Enyimba’s experience in season run-ins shone through.
It is not yet Uhuru but the knack to get decisive results at crucial moments has made the task easier for the seven-time Nigerian champions. And it is Akwa’s failure to get such key results that has been their bane.
But, while these teams’ aspirations have been limited to the Confederation Cup ticket, MFM should be grateful to Madu for not missing the late minute spot kick against Enyimba.
MFM coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has been talking tough, fancying his team’s chances of beating El Kanemi in Maiduguri while wishing Plateau bottle it against Rangers paving the way for the Olukoya boys to win the title. Ilechukwu can now concentrate on overhauling Plateau at the top since he has no cause to look over his shoulders.
One man’s meat has turned another’s poison. Anyansi-Agwu’s loss has become Ilechukwu’s gain.
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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