Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has congratulated Enyimba International of Aba, for emerging champions of the 2022/2023 season of the Nigerian Premier Football League, NPFL.
Ikengaonline reports that Enyimba on Sunday drew 1-1 against Rivers United, but came top by superior goal difference to emerge winners of the league after the Super Six play-offs held in Lagos.
Otti dedicated the victory to Abia people, saying “it was the second most important thing to happen to Abians this year, after the March 18, 2023 election” that brought him to power.
Otti in a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Kazie Uko, said: “This is a victory for Abia people, who have for a long time been traumatised. We are glad this is happening early under our watch. It is a sign of better things to come for our state and its people.
“I want to congratulate the People’s Elephant, as Enyimba is called, on this exciting victory. I would also like to congratulate its management and the Senior Special Assistant on Sports, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, for their resilience in ensuring that the club participated in that competition in Lagos.
“At a point, it looked like their participation was not going to be possible, due to paucity of funds. We had only just assumed office. But we rallied round to raise money for the club.”
According to the statement, Gov. Otti had shortly before the players filed out to the pitch for the final match, spoken with the players, who showed great excitement hearing the voice of their governor. That conversation apparently provided the needed tonic that inspired the boys to victory.
The latest victory by Enyimba was the ninth time the people’s Elephant will be winning the NPFL title.