KANU RALLIES ENYIMBA FANS AMID CRISIS

Enyimba chairman and former Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu has urged the club’s supporters to remain behind the team as they struggle at the start of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The nine-time NPFL champions are without a win in their opening three matches and sit at the bottom of the league table amid an ongoing leadership crisis at the club.

Kanu’s appeal comes ahead of Wednesday’s home fixture against Sporting Lagos in Aba, with the chairman hoping the team can secure its first victory of the season.

Acknowledging the club’s difficult run, Kanu thanked supporters for standing by the team, including during their home defeat to Inter Lagos.

He urged the fans to continue supporting the players as they seek to recover from their poor start, saying a victory against Sporting Lagos could provide the momentum needed for a turnaround.

“We are used to victories and we are proud of that culture. Come, cheer us to victory as we kick off a resurgence. We will get it right. Indeed, hard times are not forever, they come and go,” Kanu said.

The appeal comes amid renewed tension off the pitch. Enyimba’s training session was disrupted on Monday when the club’s sporting director, Daniel Eke, arrived at the training ground with police officers and some officials were arrested.

Eke was reportedly attacked by men associated with the club on Sunday while celebrating Enyimba’s home defeat to Inter Lagos.

The leadership dispute dates back to last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by Abia State Government officials, despite Kanu having appointed former Nigeria international Uche Okechukwu to the same position.

The disagreement also extended to the coaching position after Abia State officials unveiled Cameroonian coach Emmanuel Deutsch, despite Kanu’s appointment of Deji Ayeni.

Ayeni and Okechukwu later stepped aside for Deutsch and Eke, but the leadership dispute has resurfaced this season, with Kanu, Eke and some Abia State Government officials remaining at odds over the running of the club.