Dazzling Champions

By Victor Ugborgu
Monday, August 02, 2004

Rangers, Enyimba swallow their opponents move in soccer matches

Rangers of Enugu and Enyimba of Aba, two Nigerian clubsides in the continental championships, recorded outstanding victories July 25. At the Nnamadi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, Rangers International FC defeated the Patriotic Army FC of Rwanda 3-0 to qualify for the league stage of the competition. Rangers qualified on 3-1 aggregate having lost the first encounter by 0-1.

Oluwole Johnson opened scores for Rangers in the second minute of the game. Okey Odita and Ugochukwu Okeke scored the second and third goals. Rangers dominated the game.

At the Aba township stadium, it was a goal feast for Enyimba FC, Nigeria's representative in the 2004 CAF champions league. They walloped the Bakili Bullets of Malawi 6-0. That was Enyimba's second match in the group stage of the championship Their first match against Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire July 10 at Abidjan ended 3-0 in favour of the Peoples Elephant. With this victory, Enyimba are leading group A with six points and nine goals advantage. They also have $29,000 in their kilty for the two victories.

The July 25, match was the first time the club was with such a goal margin in their international matches. Five minutes into the game, Joetex Frimpong, Ghanaian-born Enyimba striker scored the first goal. In the 19th minute, Ndidi Anumnu, another Enyimba striker made it two. In the second half Enyimba became more aggressive in their attacking pattern which resulted in the third goal scored by Onyekachi Okoronkwo. The fourth and fifth goals were scored by Muri Ogunbiyi and Chibuzor Ozurumba respectively.

Ozurumba scored the sixth goal in the 88th minute. That was how the "elephants swallowed the bullets."

Christian Chukwu, Super Eagles chief coach said the two victories confirmed Enyimba's supremacy over other clubs in the championship. "Enyimba have really shown that they are really the champions. If they continue this way, nothing can stop them from retaining the cup they won last year," he told Newswatch.

Ejikeme Ikwunze, a sports commentator, is also confident that Enyimba would retain the cup. "Many factors point to that direction. Last year, they played 14 matches, won nine, drew two and lost three. They scored a total of 31 goals and conceded 15. So far, in this year's edition, they have won four matches, drew one and lost none. They scored 11 goals and conceded two." he told Newswatch.

Enyimba are enjoying the support of all Nigerians. Some state governors are already rooting for them. Peter Odili, governor of Rivers State gave the team N10 million.

Enyimba are to meet Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in Tunis August 7.