A training session by nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions Enyimba was disrupted on Monday by the club's sporting director, Daniel Eke, and men of the Nigerian Police Force. The incident occurred following Enyimba's home defeat to Inter Lagos on Sunday, which left the team without a point at the start of the 2026/27 season. The disruption happened as club chairman Nwankwo Kanu was about to address the players.
Inter Lagos secured their first Nigeria Premier Football League win on Sunday, edging Enyimba 1-0 at the Enyimba Stadium. Ezekiel Moses scored the only goal in the 18th minute, rising to meet a pinpoint cross with a header. This result further deepened the crisis surrounding the Aba club, which has been experiencing problems on and off the pitch. Enyimba has suffered three consecutive defeats, leaving them at the bottom of the table.
Videos and pictures from the incident showed players and officials in a confused state, while club chairman Nwankwo Kanu was filmed leading the players to the RRS office. An Enyimba Stadium official told The PUNCH that the police officers arrived and arrested some officials, but the reason for the arrests was unknown. The chairman's actions suggested an attempt to resolve the situation.
According to reports, Eke's action was a reprisal after he was attacked by some stadium officials on Sunday. An Enyimba fan/media blog, The Enyimba Fan, reported that Eke arrived at Enyimba training with RRS officials, disrupted training, and whisked away the Stadium Manager and some of his staff. The blog post claimed that Eke was celebrating Enyimba's loss and was subsequently attacked by the officials.
The crisis at Enyimba dates back to last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by officials of the Abia State Government, despite Kanu naming former Nigeria international Uche Okechukwu to the same position. The power struggle also spread to the technical bench, with different coaches appointed by different factions. The current tussle is part of efforts to remove Kanu, who was appointed chairman of Enyimba by Abia State Governor Alex Otti in 2023.
A source close to the club told The PUNCH that the latest incident was part of a larger power play. The source described the situation as a war between someone who is almost untouchable and grassroots politicians. Kanu's appointment by the governor has made him a key figure, and his refusal to yield to the calls of the politicians has led to the current crisis.
Enyimba will host Sporting Lagos on Wednesday, seeking their first points of the 2026/27 season and a way out of the bottom of the table. The team's performance has declined since Kanu's appointment, finishing third, sixth, and 11th in the previous three seasons. The club's situation remains uncertain, with the power struggle showing no signs of abating.
Key points
- Police officers disrupt Enyimba training amid power struggle between sporting director Daniel Eke and club chairman Nwankwo Kanu.
- Enyimba suffers three consecutive defeats, leaving them at the bottom of the Nigeria Premier Football League table.
- The power struggle at Enyimba is part of a larger effort to remove Kanu, who was appointed chairman by Abia State Governor Alex Otti in 2023.
