Sports
Matching Enyimba’s Success, Challenging – Coach Ogunbote
The new head coach of Enyimba FC of Aba, Gbenga Ogunbote, yesterday said that matching the club’s previous success under him was challenging due to the club’s daunting pedigree.
The Tidesport gathered that Ogunbote was employed by the management of the Elephants of Aba to replace Paul Aigbogun, citing poor results.
The seven times league winners, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015, had an uninspiring campaign in the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with 12th place finish on the log.
The people’s Elephants, four times champions of FA Cup 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014, also lost to Nasarawa United in semi-finals of the FA Cup in Ibadan in 2016.
The two-time back to back CAF Champions League winner could not replicate their earlier competition results crashing out in the group stage, winning just one game.
The management of the Aba Warlords have given Ogunbote charge to get the team back to its winning ways.
Ogunbote said that it would be most challenging replicating the success Enyimba had recorded giving the pedigree of the club.
“Enyimba is a club with a rich history and pedigree, it will be challenging replicating those successes but I think it is achievable with the right attitude.
“Other clubs are also jealous of Enyimba’s successes and they are trying to emulate us. It is also a challenge to them because of the team’s status.
“The pedigree is so great because they are known to be winning laurels both locally and internationally, so, we will have to work harder to keep the tradition.
“The pre-season training is how to get them back on track because many of the players left and we have employed the services of better
replacements,’’ he said.
Ogunbote said that the Enyimba’s coaching job had been on the table about four seasons’ ago, adding that he was ready to give his best to reposition the team.
“The contract for Enyimba’s job has been in the pipelines for about four seasons ago; I thank God it materialised this season.
“Anytime the management comes for me, it is either I have been contracted by other clubs or something beyond me.
“Going to Enyimba is a good challenge for me and I am ready for such with my vast experience about the league,’’ he said.
It would be recalled that Ogunbote had previously coached Sunshine Stars of Akure, the team he helped to become runners-up in the NPFL, he also
coached Giwa FC of Jos.
The highly experienced gaffer also coached Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, while he last handled Shooting Stars Club of Ibadan (3SC), helping them out of relegation twice in the NPFL.
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.