There is one unmistakable truth about Felix Anyansi Agwu, the debonair chairman of Nigerian side, Enyimba – ‘his uncommon passion for football’.
Agwu is regarded as the man with the ‘Midas Touch’ behind arguably the most successful club in Africa’s most populous country, ‘the People’s Elephant’ as they are nicknamed, with over more than a decade at the helm.
He derives his longevity partly due to his unprecedented achievements including back-to-back CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2004; and also ranks amongst the longest serving club chairmen in Africa.
“There is no perfect word to describe the management of Enyimba all these years under my watch. It has been sweet and sour,” Agwu, who also sits on the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) poured out to Cafonline.com.
“I say this with all sense of responsibility because there have been some good, exciting moments at this club and there have been some sad, difficult periods as well as very challenging moments.
“It’s a combination of two extreme situations but on the whole, it has been a wonderful, glorious period because since 2001 we have actually won a total of 26 trophies in 13 years,” he recalled with glee.
It all looked like yesterday when Agwu with the tacit support of football aficionado and then Governor of Abia State (south eastern Nigeria), Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, started the ambitious plan that would help a Nigerian club win the continent’s most-sought after club trophy which had hitherto eluded the country for four decades.
Formed as provincial team by Jerry Amadi Enyeazu, a civil servant in 1976, the ‘People’s Elephant’ as Enyimba were then known, became a foundation member upon the launch of the elite Nigerian Professional League in 1990.
But their turnabout will only come nine years later, thanks to the financial backing of the State Government, which saw the arrival of notable players and coaches in Aba, the commercial nerve-centre of Eastern Nigeria.
“Money alone can’t buy success,” noted Agwu as he spoke about factors militating against the team further conquest of the continent since 2004.
“There are a lot of factors that come into play before a team can win a continental title be it in Africa or Europe. We have been semi-finalists on four other occasions after our last triumph in 2004.”
In 2011, the Aba-based club saw their 10-match unbeaten run in the CAF Champions League ending at the semi-final, losing 1-0 on aggregate to Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.
“It is usual for clubs to experience such dry periods since life is all about ups and downs. You can’t win everything, every time but our determination is to continue to give our best all the time.”
This term marks Enyimba’s eighth stint in the premier continental club championship and Agwu is leading the march for the third title of the ‘People’s Elephant’.
“This season, we are giving the CAF Champions League our best effort and probably, this is going to be our time to win it for the third time,” sounded Agwu as confidently as Hercules.
“We want to go as far as winning the trophy and that is our priority this year because we have waited for so long but I believe the moment is here with us again. All over Africa, our pedigree ranks among the best. We really mean business this year.”
Agwu has reasons to be optimistic following Enyimba’s success in a pre-season tournament involving all the four team representing Nigeria in continental clubs where they beat Bayelsa United (3-0); Warri Wolves (2-0) and Kano Pillars (1-0).
After scaling over Togolese champions, Anges Notse, at the preliminary round, elimination is staring in the face of the two-time champions after a shocking 2-1 loss to AS Real of Mali in their first leg clash of the 1/16th round at home. Not only does the result blight their chances of progress, it also served their first loss at home since 2005 in the CAF Champions League.
“Certainly this is a big disappointment, not just for the club, but for the country as a whole. We are one of the biggest teams in Africa and naturally everyone expects us to do well at this stage of the competition, but football can produce results like this when you least expect it,” said Agwu.
The Enyimba Chairman is very much aware of the arduous task that awaits the only Nigerian surviving club after Kano Pillars crashed out at the preliminary round, in Bamako (Malian capital), against a side that eliminated 1985 winners AS FAR of Morocco at the previous round.
“I know we are now in a tough position and the game in Mali will not be easy, but I believe we can still qualify. It will be difficult, but certainly not impossible.
“It is going to be difficult but it is not an impossible mission. If we go there with the right attitude and give it our best, I’m sure we can win. Management will provide the platform that they need to do well but at the end of the day,” Agwu concluded.
Enyimba titles under Agwu
Premier League: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010
FA Cup: 2005, 2009, 2013
Super Cup (Nigeria): 2001, 2003, 2010, 2013
CAF Champions League: 2003, 2004
CAF Super Cup: 2004, 2005
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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