As the Nigeria Premier Football League enters its dramatic final stretch, Enyimba’s midfield maestro, Olasunkanmi Quadri, has emerged as the heartbeat of the People’s Elephant, inspiring a late-season surge that could see the Aba giants reclaim their place on the continental stage.
Since his mid-season switch from Heartland FC, Quadri has been nothing short of sensational, racking up six assists and a goal in just 10 appearances.
His silky touches, incisive vision, and relentless work ethic have added a new dimension to Stanley Eguma’s side. But it was his commanding display in the heated Oriental Derby that truly announced his arrival — a pinpoint assist for the winning goal sealing a vital 2-1 triumph over Enugu Rangers in enemy territory.
Now, with the league race tightening and just three games to go, Enyimba sit within striking distance of the top three — and a coveted CAF interclub ticket. Their next hurdle? A potentially season-defining clash against Kwara United on NPFL Matchday 36 this Wednesday in Aba.
“I think I’m feeling at home now,” Quadri told reporters with a confident smile. “It was tough adjusting at first, but I’ve settled in. We know what’s at stake, and picking one of the continental tickets would be a massive achievement for me and the team.”
Indeed, the 22-year-old Ibadan-born engine room has become a symbol of Enyimba’s late resurgence. With the club’s passionate fanbase behind them and momentum building, Quadri knows the job is far from done.
“We’ve worked very hard to get to this point,” he added. “But we must keep pushing. The race isn’t over. We want to be in the CAF competition next season, and we’re ready to give everything to make that happen.”
As Enyimba prepare to lock horns with Kwara United in a high-stakes midweek showdown, all eyes will be on Quadri — the midfield metronome driving the People’s Elephant towards a continental ticket. One game at a time, he’s not just writing his own story; he’s helping restore Enyimba return quickly back to the continent.
The People’s Elephant’ have met with the ‘Harmony Boy’s’ on 26 occasions with Enyimba winning 14 times while the Ilorin based side has 9 victories in their kitty as 3 ended in a draw.
The last time both sides met this season in the first stanza, Kwara United won 2-0 in Ilorin and the Stanley Eguma tutored side would definitely want their pound of flesh on Wednesday.
