.. As People’s Elephant vows to trample on Gombe Utd

STORIES BY PAUL

EREWUBA

The Enyimba of Abaare already talking tough ahead of their encounter today.

The People’s Elephant are hosts of Gombe United in today’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 3 clash at their adopted ground, UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Enyimba’s attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has told whoever cares to listen that  his side would come hard  the Desert Scorpions when they meet today

Ibenegbu said his side would pull their weights against the Gombe outfit aimed at amassing the whole three points at stake in the clash.

“It was really unfortunate the loss at Plateau United in the midweek game in Jos we worked hard to pick at least a point to no avail.

“Right now we have shifted the whole attention on the matchday 3 clash against newcomers, Gombe United.

“We will come out strong to attack from the blast of the whistle to ensure we claim the whole three points at stake.

“Already, we quite understand that there is no small team in the top-flight so the idea of underrating the side will not come up at all, we will be hard and tough throughout the encounter.

“We must assert ourselves strongly to be on the right path towards achieving our lofty dreams for the on-going season.

“And the path to send the right signal across to other top-flights is a convincing victory against Gombe United so that we can comfortably take it up from there to other matches on the calendar,” said the former Heartland and Warri Wolves goal poacher to supersport.com.

The six-time Nigerian champions were beaten 1-3 at Plateau United during the midweek clash heading into  today’s tie against Gombe United while the debutants outplayed fellow newcomers, Remo Stars.

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MFM tries Lobi for size

MFM FC midfielder, Chukwuma Onua is upbeat the club will recover from last Wednesday’s demoralizing 4-0 defeat by FC IfeanyiUbah when they face Lobi Stars in their  Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, matchday-three fixture today at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium in Lagos and the manager has said that his side have no option other than winning.

“We can’t expect anything less than winning because we can’t lose 4-0 and come to our home and draw or lose.”

The Olukoya Boys started the new season on a high thrashing Niger Tornadoes 3-0 at the Agege Stadium last Sunday, but were totally annihilated by FC IfeanyiUbah who had a commanding performance in the midweek tie.

The game against Lobi Stars provides a big opportunity for the Fidelis Ilechukwu led side to banish the memory of that unfortunate defeat, and it is one the talented Onua is eagerly looking forward to.

“To lose by that big margin was totally disgraceful and unacceptable,” Onua told Completesportsnigeria.com.

“It’s not the type of result we wanted, but we have to move on and concentrate on the next game.

“ I know our fans are still feeling disappointed, but we will do everything we can  to make them happy today.

Meanwhile, the Head Coach of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club, Mr. Fidelis Ilechukwu has taken full responsibility for his wards’ 4-0 defeat to FC Ifeanyiubah in Matchday 2 fixture of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played in Nnewi last Wednesday.

“For that game, I have to take the blame because I introduced new players to the starting line-up who didn’t start against Niger Tornadoes and that was the problem.

“I did that because of the marathon nature of the league, so I decided to start new five players so that I can rest some players for the next game but at the end it turned that way.

“Secondly, in the first half, two of our players were injured and that forced me to change the game plan by bringing in two players and the changes really affected my tactics and game plan but at the end of the day excuses can’t help the situation.

“So I take the blame for everything that has happened and the loss against FC Ifeanyiubah,” he said.