Enyimba Will Go Far In The Continent But They Need To Sit Up- Chidi Okonkwo

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-Michael Chukwuebuka

Chairman of Delta Force football club of Asaba, Mr Chidi Okonkwo believes that Enyimba football club will go far in the continent but the team needs to sit up. He made this known while fielding questions from journalists after Enyimba vs Rahimo game in Aba in the second leg of CAF Champions League first Preliminary round of which The People’s Elephant went through to the next round.

According to the well experienced football administrator, he is of the opinion that the level between so called big teams in African football is being bridged and now more than ever, Enyimba needs to cave a niche for themselves as part of the continental juggernauts.

“It is too early to judge because what is important for them is the first hurdle which they crossed over today. Even Rivers United would have preferred to win 1-0 than go through the pressure of penalty shootout. But that’s football for you.”

“For Enyimba, there next game will be a different ball game altogether. It won’t be like what they saw today. I think they need to sit up because when playing against all these Sudanese and Arab teams, they are well equipped and have enough money to throw around. For me if you ask me, Enyimba will go far. I believe this match will be an eye opener for them. They now know there is no small team in African football anymore”

The former Chairman of Berekum Chelsea who doubles as Chairman of Vermad Football Club Africa gave his candid opinion on why we have not seen a big transfer move for a player in a club resident in Africa to a top European team since Thomas Partey made the move from Berekum Chelsea to Athletico Madrid under his watch as the Chairman of the club.

“You see, running football in Ghana was a joy because there is a system in Ghanaian football. Thomas Partey, Samuel Cherrey those are the boys I raised that time that left for Spain. So, I am looking to replicate that in Nigeria.

“You can see the number 17 in Enyimba; Anayo Iwuala, he will be another major coup that I am about to make. He too just like Partey, I nutured him from the nursery to where he is now. So in Nigeria, I am just trying to stamp my feet very well in the country and my next target is to prepare Delta Force in the NNL and so if you have another Thomas Partey, you can give me” he jokingly concluded.

Enyimba Football Club of Aba will play Al Meirikk of Sudan in the second preliminary round of CAF Champions League group stage qualification away in Sudan in the first leg in late December and return leg at home in the second weekend of January 2021.

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