Kanu rallies Enyimba fans amid crisis

Enyimba chairman and ex-international Nwankwo Kanu has rallied the club’s supporters to remain behind the team amid their difficult start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The nine-time NPFL champions are winless in three games so far this season and are rooted to the bottom of the league table amid a leadership crisis rocking them off the field.

His message comes ahead of their fourth game of the season against Sporting Lagos in Aba on Wednesday (today).

Drawing inspiration from a popular jingle by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Kanu acknowledged the club’s struggles while urging the fans to continue backing the nine-time NPFL champions as they seek to turn their fortunes around.

“The times have not been most favourable. We understand the weight of the disappointing losses and we are determined to make things right,” Kanu said.

“In the rain, you came out to support us against Inter Lagos. Though it did not go our way, you supported us till the final minute and we do not take that support for granted.

“We implore you to stand with us as we wriggle our way out of this labyrinth.”

Enyimba will be seeking their first win of the season on Wednesday when they host Sporting Lagos, with Kanu believing victory could provide the spark for a turnaround.

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“Next for us is a home game against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday as we seek our first win of the season. A win can be a propeller,” he said.

“We are used to victories and we are proud of that culture. Come, cheer us to victory as we kick off a resurgence. We will get it right. Indeed, hard times are not forever, they come and go.”

Sporting Lagos’ visit comes off the back of a rough period for Enyimba, who had their training session disrupted on Monday by the club’s sporting director, Daniel Eke, who stormed the training ground with police officers and arrested some officials.

Eke was allegedly attacked by some men associated with the club on Sunday while he was said to be celebrating their defeat at home to Inter Lagos.

The crisis at the club dates back to last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by officials of the Abia State Government, despite Kanu naming former Nigeria international Uche Okechukwu to the same position.

The tussle also spread to the technical bench when Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and Commissioner for Sports Nwaobilor Ananaba unveiled Cameroonian coach Emmanuel Deutsch to lead the club, despite Kanu’s appointment of Deji Ayeni.

Ayeni and Okechukwu subsequently stepped aside for Deutsch and Eke, but the power struggle has resurfaced this season.

Kanu and Eke, as well as some members of the Abia State Government cabinet, have been at loggerheads over the leadership of the club since then.