With a game left to wrap up the 2016 Nigerian Professional Football League season, FC Ifeanyi Ubah safe hands, Ikechukwu Ezenwa believes his side can still overtake Rivers United to finish second on the log and secure a place in the Champions League.
Ezenwa won the league title in 2006 with the defunct Ocean Boys and would later join Heartland FC Owerri before moving up west to keep the post for Sunshine Stars. But he made the switch midway this season to team up with the Anambra Warriors where he has helped the club rise from outside top 10 to join the running for continental campaign next season.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper spoke to npfl.ng of his desire to be part of a continental challenge next season. In the chat shortly after his side’s 1-0 win at home to visiting Enyimba FC of Aba, Ezenwa spoke in glowing terms of a seemingly rewarding season that has seen his side defy bookmakers and are on the verge of earning a prestigious continental ticket.
“The season has been quite challenging, coming from 11th position at some point in the middle of the season to be placed third. Despite the fact that we only have a game left, hope is still alive and our aspiration is to get the second champions league ticket. The race is still very open and we will strive to ensure this is achieved.
High Spirit in Camp
Ezenwa captained a star cast of NPFL Club players to a tour of Spain where he ended the favourite of fans in Cadiz city where the NPFL All-Stars participated in the Carranza Trophy tournament. His saves and theatrics sold him to the fans that kept chanting his name and rooted for the Cadiz fc managers to sign him on.
Speaking about the mood in the FC IfeanyiUbah camp few days to the deciding fixture in Agege, Lagos, Ezenwa said they are highly motivated and in high spirits.
“The players are in high spirit. I believe we can get the job done. Before the game against Enyimba FC, we tasked ourselves and resolved to give out our best to grind out a result against a formidable side like Enyimba.” Ezenwa told npfl.ng.
Asked how his experience with the Senior National team has helped his career, Ezenwa said his time with the Eagles has been rewarding, adding that it played a key role to his transformation as a player and the team at large.
“My experience with the Super Eagles has really changed my perspective as a player. I have been exposed to quite a lot of things, that has helped me develop massively, but the most important thing is bringing that wealth of experience back to help the team which I believe has actually made the difference.”
Ezenwa’s dream of finishing second with FC IfeanyiUbah in the current campaign will become a reality if the Nnewi side secures a win away at MFM, and Rivers United fail to defeat Akwa United in Uyo on the final match-day.