Ogunbote says Enyimba will fight for title
By Promise Etim
Having stormed their way to the third place on the log after an indifferent start to the season, Enyimba FC handler, Gbenga Ogunbote seems to be smelling blood in the title race and now says his team can put up a good fight to win the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.
Enyimba have won the title seven times and were dethroned last season by Rangers International. Midweek, the former champions hit El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 4-0 to move to third from 8th position on the log, with Chinonso Okonkwo bagging a brace. On 41 points, the Peoples Elephant are seven adrift of league leaders, Plateau United and two behind second-placed MFM.
Ogunbote in a chat with npfl.ng on the heels of their midweek success sounded confident about his side’s fortunes and rued the absence of team captain, Mfon Udoh in the squad that defeated Ladan Bosso’s lads.
Gunning for an eight title
“We have 12 games to decide the league. The players are equally aware of the fact that we need to step up our game. We are really determined to win and win big, and we will take our chances.
“The title is very much within reach and we can measure up. Securing wins away from home will be crucial. We expect tough games henceforth, because it is getting more critical. I am confident, we have all it takes to go for the title,” said Ogunbote.
Mfon Udoh’s absence
On the absence of Udoh in their win against El-Kanemi on Wednesday, Ogunbote admitted his team missed their captain and believes that they would have scored more than four if the striker was in good shape to feature.
Ogunbote still could not confirm if the Enyimba captain will be fit for their trip to Uyo where they will face Akwa United.
“Actually we missed Mfon. We cannot say we did not miss him. If he played, maybe we could have scored more than four.
“We are waiting on the doctors. He has resumed training. I wouldn’t know for sure if he will be in consideration for the next game (against Akwa United),” he told npfl.ng.
Enyimba travel to Uyo to face Akwa United on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.