Former Enyimba midfielder Chinedu Ufere remains optimistic that the People’s Elephant will enjoy a more successful campaign in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) next season, reports Completesports.com.
The nine-time champions secured their NPFL status on the final day of the 2025/26 season with a commanding 3-0 home victory over El-Kanemi Warriors.
The loss condemned El-Kanemi Warriors to relegation from the NPFL to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
The People’s Elephant ended the campaign in 11th position with 49 points from 38 league games.
Ufere On Disappointing Campaign
Ufere expressed disappointment over the way the season unfolded for the People’s Elephant, but noted that such setbacks are part of the game and not uncommon in football.
“Firstly, I want to thank God that the season has come and gone without any major injury and no life was lost,” Ufere told Enyimbafc.net.
“It was a challenging season because at some point it seemed like the Club was going down. But I thank God that everybody in the team – the coaches, backroom staff, players and fans – showed character, they showed commitment, they fought, and we’re still in the league.
“This was not the season we planned for. This wasn’t where we planned to end, but this is football, and anything can happen.
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“I appreciate the players for all they did – the commitment. They were up and doing despite the challenges. Sometimes, it’s like that – you’ll see a big team falling. After the ups and downs, we came out stronger.
“We believe next season will be better, far better than this season.”
President Federation Cup Ambition
Enyimba will now shift attention to the President Federation Cup where they will face Gombe United in the Round of 32.
Ufere said they will do everything possible to win the competition and secure a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“In the Federation Cup, we are playing Gombe United in the next round, and we are going to give everything because we want to take the team back to where it belongs – in the continent,” added Ufere.
“The Federation Cup is our only chance, and we are not going to take it lightly. We are going all out. Every game is a final!
“And I know if we can replicate our performance in our last home game in the NPFL when we face Gombe United, we are going to come out victorious.
“In subsequent games, if we show the commitment we showed in our last game, winning the trophy won’t be beyond us.”
By Adeboye Amosu
