PEOPLE’S ELEPHANT MARCH INTO NEW YEAR IN STYLE, Ukaegbu Confident Of A Stronger 2nd Round Title Push_

 

Enyimba FC rounded off the first stanza of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season in emphatic fashion, dispatching Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan 3–0 in a pulsating Matchday 19 ‘WABIA Derby’ at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

Backed by passionate supporters who turned out in their numbers for the club’s final home game of the year, the People’s Elephant delivered a Yuletide delight with a dominant performance that underlined their growing momentum.

Ufere Chinedu set the tone early, firing Enyimba ahead in the 16th minute after calmly finishing off a fine assist from Issah Mohammed. The Aba giants maintained control for large spells, creating chances and pinning the Oluyole Warriors deep in their half.

Despite Shooting Stars’ resistance, Enyimba’s pressure paid off late in the game. Edidiong Ezekiel doubled the lead in the 85th minute with his fourth goal of the season, latching onto a well-weighted pass from Nwaorisa Onyebuchi.

Deep into stoppage time, Chidera Michael sealed the victory, netting his sixth league goal of the campaign following a selfless assist from Edidiong to complete a convincing 3–0 win.

The encounter lived up to its billing as a classic derby, with intensity, quality and moments of flair. Enyimba’s goalkeeper, a former 3SC shot-stopper, was outstanding on the night, notably saving a penalty and marshaling his defence superbly to ensure a clean sheet.

One of the highlights of the evening came after Edidiong’s goal, when he recreated Chairman Nwankwo Kanu ‘Papilo’s’ iconic celebration from Nigeria’s famous semi-final victory over Brazil at the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games — a moment that sent the home crowd into raptures.

Speaking after the match, Interim Head Coach Lawrence Ukaegbu praised his players for executing the game plan and expressed strong belief in Enyimba’s prospects going into the second round of the season.

“Yeah, the scores and the winning was for us to step up on the table. That’s what we planned, to step into the new year with victory, and as God may have it, we scored the desired three goals,” Ukaegbu said.

On the team’s improved attacking consistency, the Enyimba gaffer revealed that tactical adjustments have been key;

“We went back to the drawing board and made some twists in our tactics and formation. You can see that even in the away games we score goals, and we intend to consolidate on that,” he noted.

Looking ahead to the title race, Coach Ukaegbu was optimistic, insisting that the nine-time champions are primed for a strong second-round push.

“The league is just starting. We’ve just ended the first phase and Enyimba will explode in the second round. We will aim to finish very high on the log,” he concluded.

Enyimba placed 8th on the log with 26 points from 19 games will now turn their attention to the second stanza of the NPFL season, with a trip to Ibadan to face Shooting Stars once again in the reverse fixture, a clash that promises another fierce chapter in the historic rivalry.