Enyimba of Aba is aiming to win the
Federation Cup for the third time in a row. The competition which was
previously known as the Challenge Cup is expected to begin across the country
next week. The various State FA Cup finals which produced the participating
clubs in the current round were played last month.
The People’s Elephant won the two
previous edition of the Federation Cup beating Warri Wolves and Dolphins in
2013 and 2014 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
Enyimba will file out against
Nasarawa Feeders in the Round of 64 clash in the Osun State
capital, Osogho next week Wednesday.
Disclosing their readiness to defend
the trophy and win it for the third time in a row, Chairman of Enyimba, Felix
Anyansi-Agwu stated that they will not underrate their opponent and they are
primed to retain the trophy.
“We are the team to beat. We know
that the competition will be keen this time around but we shall be ready for
all our opponents as we work towards winning the crown again.” he told Goal.com
Enyimba have had an indifferent
start to the season. They have struggled to put a sustained run together in the
seven week old Nigerian Premier League season. They lost 2-0 to Gabros in Nnewi
last weekend in the recent round of league matches. And they were knocked out of the CAF
Champions League in March when they were ousted by Egyptian side, Smouha 2-1 on
aggregate.
The Aba giants have developed a knack for
starting a season slowly in recent times, but they have in their armoury, a
goal scoring weapon in Mfon Udoh who has scored 4 goals in his last five
matches in the Nigerian Premier League.
Despite the slow start to the season
in recent times, they have managed to finish strongly in the last
two seasons which culminated in their Federation Cup wins in 2013 and 2014, and the fact that they finished in second place behind Kano Pillars last season.
The recent signing of striker,
Christian Obiazor on a season long loan should increase the goal threat of the Aba based side, and his
signing should provide more options for Kadiri Ikhana as the season
progresses.
Photo Credit: Enyimbafc.net
