Sports
Enyimba’s Win Against CARA, My Happiest Moment – Anyansi Agwu
The Chairman, Enyimba International FC of Aba, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, says the team’s victory over CARA Brazzaville of Congo on Wednesday marked the happiest moment for him as a football administrator.
Anyansi-Agwu made the assertion at a post-match news conference at the Enyimba FC Stadium in Aba shortly after the Peoples’Elephants defeated Cara Brazzaville 1-0 in their CAF Confederation’s Cup in Group C on Wednesday.
According to him, his team’s victory in the tension-soaked match was pleasant because they have qualified for the CAF Confederations Cup quarter-finals, adding that the win was a delightful way to dedicate their remodelled stadium.
He said he was optimistic that Enyimba would win because of his firm faith in God, noting that they got the last minute victory because God wanted to show His hands were upon the club.
Anyansi-Agwu, however, expressed displeasure with the attitude of the Enyimba fans immediately after the match ended, saying that football administrators globally frown at such a rush onto the field of play.
He said steps would be taken to check a repeat of the undesirable attitude by fans which could earn the club some sanctions.
Speaking, Cara Brazzaville Coach, Jacque Ontsira, said that his team knew Enyimba would fight hard to defeat them so they adopted a defensive game.
He, however, expressed delight at the effectiveness of the tactics as his team also qualified after the group’s second match between Williamsville and Djoliba ended in a goalless draw.
Enyimba FC Coach, Usman Abdullah, said that his team played their heart out because only a hard fight would ensure their victory and qualification.
“We did not come out to depend on the result of the other teams. The result came out positively for both teams that played in Aba today. Our game plan was to win.
“I am happy we got the three points not only because this is the first continental game in Aba but because it feels so good to dedicate the stadium with a win”, he said.
He described the return of the peoples’ elephant to Aba, their home ground as “a positive thing” that would pay dividends, adding that this was the first time they were playing in the stadium in three years.
The coach said that since the last three years, they had never played with their home support, but added that now such a support would enhance their performances.
Abdullah says his team begins preparation immediately against the semi-finals by working harder than ever before.
The Team’s Captain, Mfon Udoh, said the pitch was pleasantly different from those in Calabar and Port Harcourt where they played their matches in the last three years.
He said Enyimba walked on a tight rope playing against their opponents to qualify for the quarter-finals, expressing joy that they eventually won.
Tidesports source reports that the goal which came through Wasiu Alalade in the third minute of extra time was made possible through a free kick by Mfon Udoh which bounced off the cross bar.
Enyimba has booked a place in the quarter-finals stage of the competition, with 12 points, which is three points higher than Cara that now occupies the second position.
Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke has praised his players for not losing focus at the crucial moment in Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Shooting Stars in a NPFL Matchday 24 fixture in Owerri.
The Naze Millionaires defeated the Oluyole Warriors through Chukwuma Agor and John Bassey goals in the 31st and 88th minutes with Mustapha Adam’s 80th minute spot kick a mere consolation for the visitors.
Amuneke while speaking to journalists shortly after the encounter, said his boys showed the zeal and determination to seal the three points and that despite the shenanigans of the centre referee, Kolawole Emmanuel, the boys were never troubled.l
“We were eager to get the three points and we were aware Shooting Stars are a good side and won’t allow us to have our way easily,” Amuneke told journalists in Owerri.
“We planned for them and almost throughout the entire game, they were never a threat to our team. We were able to control the game from the beginning. It was unfortunate how the game ended. We were just focussed on the three points and we are thrilled we got it. It was a very good game from both sides but we subjected them to constant pressure almost throughout the game.”
While he was asked if he believed his boys could finish the season impressively, Amuneke was evasive but noted that he and his players would continue to work harder.
“Everything in line is possible but we know that nothing happens without hard work. We will continue to work harder and continue to see how we can grow as a team. We have a lot of young players in the team. Some of them just got their topflight breakthrough.
“We didn’t lose focus at the time of the controversies. We continued to do the same thing we have been doing and taking the game to them.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, turned the sod of the new Olympic-standard 25,000-capacity Bayelsa Stadium project at Igbogene, Yenagoa, as part of the activities marking the fifth anniversary of the Senator Douye Diri administration.
The former Nigerian leader performed the ground-breaking ceremony as Governor Diri restated his appeal to the federal government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), oil firms operating in the state and the private sector to join hands with his administration to develop sporting talents.
The Federal Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) equally thumped up Governor Diri for initiating the project.
Dr. Jonathan expressed delight over the project, saying as a Bayelsan, he was duty bound to celebrate with the state government for the progress so far achieved.
He lauded Diri’s developmental strides, urging him not to rest on his laurels and that the contractor and the state government should ensure the project met the highest standards.
Jonathan also called on the state and federal governments to set up a sports fund to cater for sportsmen after their active days and encourage younger ones to be involved in sports.
He said: “This is my state and I have to celebrate with the government for the progress so far made. This is an iconic project that will develop the state. Please do not rest on your laurels as we want this stadium to meet the best standards.
“I am happy with the presence of relevant federal government officials. I hope they will guide the state well and support where necessary.
“As a country, we must have a fund to care for sportsmen. The federal and state government can think about it so that the younger generation will be interested in sports.
“I am happy that you gave a target of 24 months and I hope that by that time I will escort President Tinubu to Bayelsa to inaugurate it.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has condoled the family of former Nigeria international midfielder, Ayo Ogunlana, who died in Kaduna on Friday after observing his early-morning walk.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, showered tributes on the departed midfield pearl, who was a star attraction during a number of important Nigeria FA Cup battles in the 1980s and held sway in the middle for the Super Eagles in the late 1980s, and at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria.
“We are very sad to learn of the sudden passing of Ayo Ogunlana, only a couple of weeks after the demise of another former Eagle, Moses Effiong (a member of the 1980 AFCON-winning Green Eagles squad, in far-away USA). Ogunlana was a great midfielder who made playing football look so easy with his majestic touches and turns, and his magnificent free-kicks.
“We pray that the Almighty will grant both of them eternal rest and grant the families they have left behind the fortitude to bear the losses.”
Ogunlana was magisterial in the midfield as Nigeria overhauled Guinea and Zimbabwe to qualify for the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, and was imperial against Cameroon in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Ibadan that the Super Eagles won with an emphatic 2-0. He also played in the 1990 ECOWAS Cup competition that Nigeria hosted in Kaduna.