Good morning, beautiful people.
Apologies for not being here yesterday. No excuses, so I won’t offer any. This post has been sitting patiently in my drafts, waiting for the right moment. Today feels like the right time.
This one is about Solace Chukwu’s book, Elusive — a detailed account of how Enyimba conquered Africa 23 and 24 years ago.
When Solace first shared the idea with me, I didn’t hesitate for a second. If I were to nominate anyone to document this chapter of our history, he would be my pick. A sharp writer, thoughtful researcher, and someone who understands the inner workings of Enyimba beyond the surface. I applauded the project immediately and started looking forward to it.
He sent me parts of the script to preview, and I did read a little. But I stopped. Like a good meal, I wanted to wait until it was fully ready before diving in properly. I also shared some contacts that could help with his research. If this story was going to be told, it had to reflect as many lived experiences as possible.
One thing Solace made very clear was his audience. This book wasn’t written for the seniors who lived through those years. It was for the younger generation; those who were too young, or not even born, when Enyimba ruled Africa. We all know the headlines: Enyimba, the only Nigerian club to win the CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004. Elusive tells the story behind those headlines.
The amount of work Solace put into speaking with former players, officials, and key figures is remarkable. I love Enyimba deeply, but I won’t lie; I don’t have that level of investigative patience. From the club’s early beginnings to its historic rise, the roles of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, the personalities, the politics, the pressure; it’s all there.
Some people chose not to speak with him. And honestly, I’m glad he didn’t force it. Their voices might have shifted the tone of the book. Instead, what we get is a narrative that feels honest, focused, and free from unnecessary political correctness.
One of my favourite parts is how Solace also captured moments like this. Imagine being at Kadiri Ikhana’s training sessions, watching him publicly scold Ogbonnaya Okemmiri while privately encouraging his tough tackling style. Or reading about the different coaches who each played a role in shaping Enyimba’s golden era. Excellent work.
Then there’s the famous mystery many fans have asked about over the years; the absence of photos of Enyimba lifting the CAF Champions League trophy in 2003. Elusive explains it. That chaotic night in Ismailia, the post-match tension, and why a proper trophy presentation never happened.
Think about it. Enyimba won Africa’s biggest prize, but never got the chance to pose with it. If we hadn’t retained the title in 2004, history would have looked very different. Solace paints that night vividly, and it stays with you.
This is not just a book for Enyimba fans. Anyone who truly loves Nigerian football should own a copy. It is the kind of book you keep for the future. And I must also say thank you to one of my team members, Chief Nnanna Kalu, for his valuable contributions.
So there you have it; my thoughts on Elusive.
Why haven’t you gotten your copy yet? We’re offering a 50 percent discount to ten people using our promo code. We’ll share it tomorrow.
Oh, and one more thing.
On my second night reading the book, I dreamt of David Tyavkase. I was cleaning his boots. What does it mean? I have no idea. Any dream interpreters here?
Enyimba Enyi.
