By Okoro Okoro Okagbue
Enyimba FC — Nigeria’s footballing pride, the People’s Elephant — has never been a club for the faint-hearted. Nine-time NPFL champions, double CAF Champions League winners, and Africa’s household name, Enyimba has over the years carved its greatness not just in Nigeria, but across the entire continent.
Today, under the leadership of football icon and two-time African Footballer of the Year, Kanu Papilo’ Nwankwo, the club has embarked on a daring but innovative new journey. One that is powered by vision, innovation, and an unflinching desire to return ‘The Aba Giants’ to the summit of African football dominance. Yet, ironically, just as the club strides forward, a noisy minority has found its voice only when the team stumbles — the so-called “supporters” whose love for the badge seems conditional upon immediate perfection.
Let’s get the facts straight: since assuming the helm, Kanu and his management have not merely coasted. They have dared to dream big. Within a year, Enyimba competed in both the CAF Champions League and the prestigious inaugural African Football League (AFL) — a tournament reserved for the continent’s elite clubs and it was a worthy test run, one which the organizers were delighted to work with Enyimba FC led by a product that made the continent proud during his playing days. Despite facing immense hostility, unfair officiating, and heavy fixture congestion, the team secured a continental ticket and in this season delivered performances that preserved Nigeria’s prized CAF Confederation Cup double slots — a feat deserving of applause, not disdain.
Yet, when results don’t go Enyimba’s way — a natural, if painful, part of football — these job-seeking critics crawl out of the shadows, masquerading as fans, but really campaigning for positions they neither earned nor deserve. Where were these voices when Enyimba bravely battled African giants like Zamalek SC and Al Masry? Where were the cheers when the team, under the harshest of odds, conquered Black Bulls of Mozambique to fly Nigeria’s flag high?
True supporters understand that football, like Rome, is not built in a day. They stand by their team in victory and in defeat, acknowledging the work-in-progress that greatness demands. Did Enyimba’s former regimes win every title? No. They too had seasons of drought, flirting with relegation even. Yet, their stewardship was allowed the time and space to blossom. Why then must Kanu Nwankwo — a man who has given so much to Nigerian and African football — be judged differently?
Across Nigeria, traditional big clubs are grappling with challenges. Akwa United, Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers — all have stumbled. Yet, their faithful rally behind them. No witch-hunts. No faceless campaigns. Only a resolute belief in the process of rebuilding. Should Enyimba, the pride of Abia, be any different?
Even our mighty and very revered Super Eagles are struggling to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup Tournament to be hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada (that’s if they are not out of it already) with all the array of stars who troop in from various big clubs in Europe and yet no one has called for the entire NFF officials (including one of our very own) to be sacked…..,
Haba!, no be yesterday this new Enyimba FC management under King Kanu take over….., ‘them no go settle down to work before una go begin crucify them…., abi na kwam kwam job una want make them do..,
Biko kwa, make una rest oooh!
Even more baffling are revelations that some of these loudest detractors, when briefly given responsibility to manage club affairs in the past, failed woefully — squandering funds and mismanaging player welfare during projects like the Super 8 tournament. Their current outcry isn’t fueled by love for Enyimba, but by naked ambition and desperate opportunism.
It’s high time true stakeholders of Enyimba FC rise, cloak themselves in the club’s proud colors, and speak truth to these impostors. Loving Enyimba means celebrating progress, encouraging growth, and constructively criticizing when necessary — not orchestrating smear campaigns for personal gain.
Seeking employment isn’t a crime. But undermining a club’s development because of selfish interests is. If these “critics” are as competent as they claim, opportunities abound in struggling NNL clubs desperate for salvation. Go prove your mettle there.
The revolution at Enyimba is only beginning. Under Kanu Nwankwo’s guidance, the People’s Elephant is poised not just to reclaim African glory, but to inspire a new generation. True fans know that greatness is a journey, not a sprint.
To the blackmailers and detractors, we echo the ancient call:
“Pheroh, let my people go!”
Let Kanu and his team work. Let Enyimba soar.
Ka Chineke mezie okwu!
Okoro Okagbue wrote from the UK.
