It is customary in sporting climes for a club and a departing player to exchange notes of appreciation – detailing eventful and memorable moments during their time together and highlighting remarkable contributions made in the course of the union. However, when the parting of ways seems frosty and acrimonious, the end is barely confirmed with a terse statement – a simple and direct official release to formally draw the curtains. In Alalibo’s case, with few games to the end of the season the news broke thus; “Captain Alalibo Somiari And Four Others Depart Enyimba On Mutual Terms.”
It was sudden as it was shocking. And it left me wondering.What was the hurry to end it at the crucial time – the business end of the season, with so much to play for? What would have prompted a captain to abandon his troops before the end of a war,with a share of the spoils not completely out of sight?
While we know that he had been largely hampered by injuries,which reduced his involvement to 12 starts in all competitions and conferred a ceremonial rank of non-playing captain on him.What we do not know is the terms of his contract.Did he fall short of the numbers to trigger a break or renewal of his contract? These are posers and questions that would fetch no answers anyways and at best remain rhetorical.
Waiting for an answer would amount to paying no heed to Samuel Beckett literary acclaimed critique in “Waiting for Godot”, who never arrives. Hence the need to move on and place Alalibo’s Enyimba scorecard in perspective to ensure some form of closure.
Alalibo’s Enyimba legacy is forged on three solid planks –
Longevity woven with patience.
Winning Mentality as ingrained in club ethos.
Leadership by example.
These are not mere words or superlatives being bandied around but my conclusions after an exhaustive review.
LONGEVITY AND PERSEVERANCE – Stems from his half-a-decade spell in Aba. It’s no news that players hardly stay with a club for more than two seasons,save for the exclusive group of NPFL treasures and assets in the mould of the Rabiu Alis. Alalibo joined Enyimba FC at the start of the 2020/21 season as part of the club’s rebuilding process following the exit of some notable players like the towering defence strongman – Ifeanyi Anaemena.
He endured a difficult start on account of injuries, which kept him out for about two months. When he did finally start a match, he gave away, not one but two penalties in a 2-0 loss to Rangers International in Enugu. Then he was hurled off at halftime at Wikki Tourist. He never folded nor despaired. He kept knocking until he came into his own, emerging as one of the first names on matchday team sheets. He played almost a century of games across competitions for the Aba giants in Nigeria and Africa, scoring two notable goals.
WINNING MENTALITY AND SUSTENANCE OF CLUB VALUES
Playing for Enyimba FC was a dream come true for Alalibo as reported in his first words with the media at his unveiling ceremony.And a resolve to carry on the legacy of winning. A promise that was fulfilled in the 2022/23 season, when the club added a ninth NPFL trophy to a crowded cabinet. Alalibo was key to that success. Largely forming a formidable Centre Back pairing with either Pascal Eze or Chikamso Okechukwu. Starting four games in the Super Six championship playoff, before an injury kept him out of the fifth and final match with a point to confirm the title triumph.
LEADERSHIP AND EXEMPLARY CONDUCT.
Alalibo was made club captain at the start of the 2024/25 season,following a familiar path walked by remarkable central defenders – Romanus Orjinta, Obinna Nwaneri, Okey Odita and Chinedu Udoji. While he did not deliver a trophy as captain like the aforementioned skippers did, he embodied the leadership and exemplary acts of his predecessors. He was elegant on the ball, dependable on the pitch and exuded moral authority off it.
HIGH POINTS
His dramatic and late goals to secure maximum points in NPFL matches in Aba will live long in memory.
2023/24 :Matchday 3
Enyimba FC 3-2 Akwa United
After squandering a two -goal lead at home, the stage was set for Alalibo, as he struck to restore our lead and ensure maximum points .
2023/24: Matchday 9
Enyimba FC 1-0 Lobi Stars
A frustrating stalemate in Aba looked to drawing to a close. “Cometh the hour, cometh the man” – Alalibo rose highest to head home at the death via a corner expertly delivered by Uwana Asuquo. Rapturous scenes enveloped the stadium.
LOW POINTS
A debut to forget. And an Enyimba career bookended by injuries.
Now that we have reached the point where we turn the page, we say – THANK YOU, Alalibo.
We move.
Enyimba Enyi!
