Enyimba chairman and former Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu has urged the club’s supporters to remain behind the team as they battle a difficult start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
The nine-time NPFL champions are without a win after their opening three matches and sit at the bottom of the league table amid an ongoing leadership crisis off the pitch.
Kanu’s appeal comes ahead of Enyimba’s fourth league fixture against Sporting Lagos in Aba on Wednesday.
Drawing inspiration from a popular jingle by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Kanu acknowledged the team’s difficult situation while appealing to supporters to continue backing the club as they seek to revive their campaign.
“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 victory of the season when they host Sporting Lagos, with Kanu hoping a win can provide the momentum for a turnaround.
“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.”
The Sporting Lagos fixture comes amid a turbulent period for the Aba-based club.
Enyimba’s training session was reportedly disrupted on Monday after Sporting Director Daniel Eke arrived at the training ground accompanied by police officers and some club officials were taken away.
The development followed an alleged attack on Eke by individuals associated with the club on Sunday, reportedly after Enyimba’s home defeat to Inter Lagos.
The leadership dispute at Enyimba dates back to last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by officials of the Abia State Government, despite Kanu having appointed former Nigeria international Uche Okechukwu to the same position.
The disagreement also extended to the technical bench after Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and Commissioner for Sports Nwaobilor Ananaba unveiled Cameroonian coach Emmanuel Deutsch as head coach, despite Kanu’s appointment of Deji Ayeni.
Ayeni and Okechukwu subsequently stepped aside for Deutsch and Eke, but the disagreement over the club’s leadership has resurfaced this season.
Kanu, Eke and some members of the Abia State Government have since been involved in a dispute over the management and leadership of the club.
