The new season is almost upon us. Here we continue the build up to the beginning of the 2025/26 season.
The wait for the official list of Enyimba players and squad numbers for the new season continues. However, my thoughts today will focus on shirt numbers and the recurring number with more notable success at Enyimba.
A shirt number is more than a form of identity on the pitch. It transcends that, and adds to image branding and recognition. Globally, top players have incorporated the number they have been identified with over the years into their brand and commercial offerings.
Some numbers have become legacy numbers. The wearers beholden to uphold the high standards set by previous wearers, and maintain the sanctity and greatness associated with them. Just consider the iconic status conferred on the no10 shirt, made popular by the great Pele, Diego Maradona, Abedi “Pele” Ayew, Zinedine Zidane, Jay Jay Okocha, Ronaldinho, Messi, Neymar etc . In some clubs it’s the no 7 or no 9 shirt.
At Enyimba, the shirt number that has been worn with distinction more than any other in the last two decades is an unconventional number and outside the 1-11 boundaries.
Twenty -six (26), a number rooted in the high return of notable star performers, who have worn the shirt number with distinction in history. It is a number with more Hits than Misses.
They are:
ONYEKACHI OKONKWO, blazed the trail when he wore the no 26 shirt in Enyimba’s back-to-back CAF Champions league triumphs in 2003 and 2004 seasons. The pivotal role he played in those successes made the somewhat awkward number a near permanent fixture on matchday teamsheets and an enthralling feature on the pitch.
RATING : HIT
PRINCE OLOMU, joined in 2004 and took the shirt freshly vacated by Okonkwo. He quickly endeared himself to the fans with his craft, industry and eye for goal, as we cantered to a league and cup double in 2005.
RATING : HIT
JOHN OWOERI, was a flying wide man, who thrived on both flanks. Caused chaos in the final third with his blistering pace and trickery. Spent only one season in Aba, as the People Elephants reached the semifinals of the CAF Champions league in 2008.
RATING: AVERAGE
CHINEDU UDOJI, started out slowly due to the formidable pair ahead of him. Then emerged as not just a regular but the captain and emblematic leader of the club. Skippered the team to back-to-back Federation Cup final victories in 2013 and 2014. And crowned it with leading the club to the NPFL title in 2015, all with the no 26 shirt on his back.
RATING: HIT
SAMSON GBADEBO, signed in 2017 as a direct replacement for Udoji and was assigned the no 26 shirt. However he didn’t quite hit the heights reached by his predecessor. His solitary season at the club saw him contend with Ifeanyi Anaemena, Nelson Ogbonnaya and Isiaka Oladuntoye for one of the two positions in central defence.
RATING : AVERAGE
AUGUSTINE OLADAPO, walked straight in to the starting eleven of the team from the 2018 CHAN tournament with a runners -up medal around his neck..A midfield player of immense quality. In his debut season, appeared in all 14 matches as Enyimba reached the semi final of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup. And followed that up with assured midfield display as we romped to the NPFL title in 2019. Served as captain in the final season of his 5- year spell in Aba.
RATING : HIT
CHIKAMSO OKECHUKWU, became the third centre-back in a decade to pull on the no 26 shirt when he joined in 2022. Despite sharing game time with Pascal Eze and Somiari Alalibo in central defence, he did contribute to the NPFL title victory in his debut season – 2022/23. A fourth season with the club would determine an uptick in rating or otherwise.
RATING : AVERAGE
These great players have sewn a rich footballing tapestry of goals, dynamism in the middle of the park and defensive tackles. Intertwined with these moments of greatness are the shirt numbers of the history makers, immortalizing them in our minds for ever.
In Enyimba, the no 26 is a heritage number. Hence deserves reverence. Whoever gets to wear it next season should be made aware of the historical standing of the number on his back, as he steps into a spotlight, but without letting it weigh heavily on his back.
‘EnyimbaEnyi
