Enyimba FC, Nigeria’s last-standing representative in the 2024/2025 CAF interclub competitions, will host Black Bulls of Mozambique on Sunday, 5 January 2025, in Uyo in a crucial CAF Confederation Cup Group D Matchday 4 encounter, Completesports.com reports.
The two-time CAF Champions League winners, currently bottom of Group D, must secure victories in all three remaining fixtures, starting with Sunday’s clash, to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. Two weeks ago, the Mozambican side delivered a shocking 3-0 defeat to Enyimba in Maputo, a result that led to the sacking of head coach Yemi Olanrewaju.
“We Were Never Stranded in Maputo” – Enyimba Management
As the decisive clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo approaches, Enyimba’s management has firmly denied reports that the team was stranded in Maputo following the first-leg loss. Team Manager, Prince Okey Nwabeke, dismissed the claims as unfounded and an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Nwankwo Kanu-led administration.
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“Sometimes you read some reports in the media which were not only untrue but also not investigated and completely fake and unacceptable,” Nwabeke, a veteran football administrator, said.
“We’ve even read in the media where it was insinuated that Enyimba were ‘stranded’ in Maputo due to alleged improper travel arrangement by the club’s management. We also read that the team travelled in batches and all sorts of stories planted in the media without verification with the sole aim of discrediting the management of Enyimba led by Nwankwo Kanu, UNICEF/FIFA Ambassador.
“This is untrue. How can Enyimba be stranded? Are we new to international games and trips?”
Nwabeke went on to clarify what actually transpired to set the record straight.
“Ordinarily, we do not have time and energy to begin to respond to critics. But when you consider the fact that silence could, at times, be taken for admittance of guilt, in most cases, it becomes expedient that we let the people know the truth and nothing but the factual truth.
“Enyimba management did everything possible to get a particular flight to Mozambique. Don’t forget, this is festive period and most flights get fully booked three months, four months, five months or even more ago. We did our utmost best to get enough seats in the flight. Tell me, which club management would like their players to travel for a competition as huge as the CAFCC in batches? Certainly not Enyimba.
“At the end of the day, we were able to get a flight that was able to fly the team to Mozambique. What they erroneously termed as two batches was two of our players whose tickets were mismanaged by the airline, and Enyimba management made sure they were promptly flown to Mozambique. Even national teams do experience such situations which could be regarded as force majeure.”
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The Enyimba Team Manager further clarified reports of the club being stranded.
“Because of the manner the airline scheduled their flight, we had to spend a few days in Maputo. It wasn’t as if we were stranded. We were put in a hotel, we ate, and we trained within the period.
“We don’t have a private jet, or do you expect Nwankwo Kanu to go and buy a private jet? With what? It would have been different if we, Enyimba, as a club, had a private jet. Yet, the club’s management did everything possible, including providing every logistic to ensure things went well.
“We find it most strange that people would be complaining and crying wolf even when those of us in the team are not complaining. So, truth is that we were not stranded in Mozambique.”
Support for Kanu’s Leadership
Nwabeke also praised the efforts of Nwankwo Kanu, Enyimba’s Chairman, in improving the club’s operations despite recent challenges.
“As a matter of fact, Nwankwo Kanu and his Enyimba management team have, and continue to, put in their utmost best within the 18 months he’s been in office. Since he came on board as Chairman, he’s made tremendous marks. Forget about the fact that results haven’t really reflected his input and efforts.
“Kanu has done quite a lot since he came on board as Executive Chairman of Enyimba. It’s on record that Enyimba travels to league matches by flight, except perhaps, where there is no airport.
“Enyimba under Nwankwo Kanu has a jersey branding deal and still has some programmes in place for the club.
“Kanu has also initiated other programmes or projects. As we speak now, Enyimba has viable U15, U17, and U19 teams. They even have a camp. Kanu has even built an ultra-modern gym for the team. Our U19 team is currently doing wonderfully well. Even the main team, Enyimba FC, within Kanu’s first six months in office, played in the first edition of the African Football League, AFL, and we’re still in the CAFCC.
“Forget about our position in the NPFL table, we’ll certainly come up, especially as we have three games in hand. Teams do go through some moments of rough patches. Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea in the English Premier League are experiencing such a dip in form now. But it’s not about drop in form or result, it’s all about the ability to bounce back, which we’re promising our fans that Enyimba will bounce back strongly.
“What Kanu needs at this point is everybody’s support, encouragement, and prayer because, with what he has on ground for the club, I can tell you that Enyimba will bounce back much better than it is at present.”
By Sab Osuji
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