NPFL: Mfon Udoh Confident Enyimba Can Reclaim Title

By Concise News Correspondents 

Enyimba captain and record goalscorer, Mfon Udoh, believes the Peoples Elephant can challenge for the title, as the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League season begins this weekend.

The seven-time Nigerian champions finished 10th in the 2016 campaign, after a title-winning feat the year before.

And Udoh, who joined the Aba club from Akwa United in 2014, is confident his side have the quality and ability to return to the Mount Everest of Nigerian league football.

“I strongly believe Enyimba can reclaim the league title. It is possible and we are ready for the challenge. This is a target we must work towards.

Spirit in camp high, says Udoh

“The team is highly motivated. The technical crew and players have been doing a great job in pre-season. The spirit in camp is high and we are committed to this course,” Udoh said.

Asked if he is worried over the departure of some big names from the team and its resultant impact on the new campaign, Udoh told npfl.ng, the team had since moved on and are already looking forward to a new challenge.

“We will surely miss them, because most of us have been together for a long time. But the team has to move on. I wouldn’t say their absence will affect us, because we are playing with a different technical adviser and a new tactical approach.

“I must confess the responsibility is huge, but I see it as a big task for the new season. The players have been awesome, adapting quickly to tactics introduced by the coach,” he explained.

At least 15 players departed the two-time CAF Champions League winners in pre-season, in what was described by pundits as massive restructuring at the club.

The Peoples Elephant will play their home games away from home, having adopted U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

They will open their season against Akure side Sunshine Stars on Sunday in the People’s Paradise.