Kanu urges Enyimba fans to stay strong during tough times

Enyimba chairman and former international Nwankwo Kanu has called on the club’s fans to keep supporting the team during their rough start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The nine-time NPFL champions have not won any of their first three games and sit at the bottom of the league table. They are also facing a leadership crisis off the pitch.

Kanu's message comes before their fourth game this season against Sporting Lagos in Aba on Wednesday. He took inspiration from a popular jingle by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State.

Kanu recognized the club’s challenges and urged fans to keep supporting the nine-time NPFL champions as they work to improve their situation. "The times have not been most favourable. We understand the weight of the disappointing losses and we are determined to make things right," Kanu said.

"In the rain, you came out to support us against Inter Lagos. Though it did not go our way, you supported us till the final minute and we do not take that support for granted. We implore you to stand with us as we wriggle our way out of this labyrinth."

Enyimba is looking for their first win of the season on Wednesday when they face Sporting Lagos. Kanu believes a victory could be the start of a turnaround. "Next for us is a home game against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday as we seek our first win of the season. A win can be a propeller," he said.

"We are used to victories and we are proud of that culture. Come, cheer us to victory as we kick off a resurgence. We will get it right. Indeed, hard times are not forever, they come and go."

The match against Sporting Lagos comes after a tough time for Enyimba. On Monday, the club’s sporting director, Daniel Eke, disrupted a training session. He came with police officers and arrested some officials.

Eke was reportedly attacked by some men connected to the club on Sunday during a celebration of their home defeat to Inter Lagos. The club's crisis began last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by officials from the Abia State Government, even though Kanu had named Uche Okechukwu for the same role.

The conflict also affected the coaching staff when Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and Commissioner for Sports Nwaobilor Ananaba introduced Cameroonian coach Emmanuel Deutsch to lead the club, despite Kanu appointing Deji Ayeni.

Ayeni and Okechukwu later stepped aside for Deutsch and Eke, but the power struggle has come back this season. Kanu, Eke, and some members of the Abia State Government have been in conflict over the leadership of the club since then.