Good Morning, Everyone,
A few months ago, we were labeled Enemies of the club. Some “respected” colleagues took it upon themselves as Trumpeters of the establishment, branding anyone who dared to highlight the club’s failings as disloyal. Today’s post, I would like to appeal to whatever sense of humanity remains among us.
At the beginning of last season, the goalkeeping competition was between Nathaniel Asibe and Ani Ozoemena. But as the season wore on, Ozoemena became the sole contender. Asibe disappeared completely from the matchday squads—both starting XI and bench.
With a little digging, we discovered the reason: Asibe had suffered an injury. That’s not unusual in football. But the concerning part is what followed or rather, what didn’t. Asibe wasn’t offered medical support by the club. Instead, he was allegedly told to raise the funds for his treatment on his own. A professional footballer, injured while representing the club, now had to beg for help just to recover.
During the State FA Cup finals, one of my favorite players, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele, suffered a horrific injury. Since then? Radio silence. No updates. No word on his condition. No timeline for recovery. Has he even started treatment?
And then there’s Eze Pinto Ekwutoziam—injured in the first half of the season and, according to sources within the club, told the same thing: find the money yourself. A key player, someone who brings undeniable quality to the pitch, has now spent nearly a year sidelined. Without support.
What frustrates me even more is the silence from the players. Maybe they’ve been silenced—formally or informally. But if you’re expected to fund your own treatment, surely you need to speak up? Ask for help? Raise awareness?
I don’t claim to be an expert on player contracts or how health insurance works in Nigerian football. But I do know this: someone who once relied on life-saving heart surgery to continue his own career and has since become a vocal advocate for access to such care, should be doing far more for player welfare.
It is unacceptable for Enyimba FC to abandon it’s injured players; especially when those injuries were sustained in service to the club. Football careers are short. Many of these players are the sole providers for their families. It is inhumane to watch them suffer simply because a club won’t cover basic medical expenses.
Perhaps this is standard practice across the league. But should that excuse it? Where has our humanity gone? These are the very things that make fans view club administrators as enemies of the very institution they claim to serve.
Let me end with this: CAF recently doubled the participation fees for its competitions—from $50,000 to $100,000. Even without state or private sponsorship, just showing up earns Abia Warriors ₦150 million. With strong performances, that figure grows.
If you fix this club—standardize its operations, hire competent professionals on and off the pitch, and care for your players—you’ll find the financial success you dream of. If not, you’re on the same path as Heartland FC, whose recent specialty is relegation. Maybe that’s the new target for Kanu, Ekwueme and co?
Back tomorrow.
‘EnyimbaEnyi
