Suleiman Anyalewechi, Aba
Following the inglorious ouster of Enyimba Football Club from the lucrative CAF Champions League last Saturday, more woos appear to be in the offing for the Peoples Elephants NewsCritic online findings have authoritatively revealed.
NewsCritic online reports that the two-time winners of the CAF champions league competition and current holders of the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional League diadem were bundled out of this year’s edition by Al, Aly Football Club of Benghazi, from the war-torn Libya on 3- 4 goals aggregated.
The pride of Abia State and Nigeria football had penultimate week lost to the Libyan side 3-4. But a 0- 0 draw at the Enyimba Stadium Aba in a reverse fixture ensured their exit for the first time in many years, in the very first round of the competition.
The shocking exit findings have revealed appears to have begun to exert its toll on both players and officials, with some insider sources predicting more troubles for the team even on the domestic front.
An impeccable source close to the team management told NewsCritic online earlier in the week that although tendencies remain high to attribute the CAF Champions league misfortune on the exit of no fewer than 15 players from the team, before the commencement of the competition. However, facts are that the unceremonious exit of the long serving erstwhile Chairman of the Club, Chief Anyansi Agwu is beginning to take its toll on the team.
According to the source, while it remains true that the inability of the current management to bring in capable hands to replace the players that left the club, as well as inadequate blending among the newly recruited players may have contributed to the woeful performance last Saturday, the absence of a football board room guru will continue to hunt Enyimba.
“Look, what some people don’t know is that football the world over has gone past the level of being a mere entertaining sport.
In today’s world, football is pure business and being business oriented, there are also accompanying politics.
While I am not saying that the former Chairman, Chief Anyansi Agwu should remain in the saddle for ever, I believe that the unceremonious way he was thrown out will surely affect the team negatively.
“It is not an understatement to say that Anyansi, after many years in the system and having attained the height of number two person in football administration in the country knows the intricacies of the system.
“I had expected and many expected same too, that even if you want to remove him (Anyansi) as Enyimba Chairman, you should do so with some respect. This is somebody that served the club for 24 glorious years.
It would not amount to asking for much to take him into confidence, seek his opinion and solicit his continued support for the team, in the process of appointing his successor.
The state could have also used the occasion of the recent celebration of 32 years anniversary of the creation of Abia to honour him and others who have served Abia meritoriously.
It’s not everything one should bring in politics. This is one of the reasons FIFA is against political interference in football matters.
With the way and manner the change of guide was carried out in Enyimba,let us pray that the team should not even struggle against relegation in the league.
This is because I am envisaging more troubles for them. The team as far as the intricacies of football is concerned is now like an orphan,” our source stated.
As at the time of reporting on Friday September 1st, 2023, all efforts to speak with officials of the team were unsuccessful.
However, another insider source insisted that the team for now remains “a work in progress”, adding that with proper blending results will be churned out.
“What is on the ground now is a rebuilding process. With some new players and management in place, all that is needed is blending through hard work ” the source noted.
