‘The People’s Elephant’ have been Nigeria’s most successful club in the last decade or so.
They won the CAF Champions League twice in 2003 and 2004 and have also won the Nigeria Premier League six times.
They have also clinched the country’s FA Cup twice.
Based in Aba, southeast Nigeria, Enyimba were founded in 1976.
The team have produced top-class players like Philip Osondu, Vincent Enyeama, Ahmed Garba aka Yaro Yaro, Obinna Nwaneri, Ezenwa Otorogu, Stephen Nworgu and Onyekachi Okonkwo.
It was during the tenure of former Abia Governor Orji Ozor Kalu that Enyimba enjoyed their most successful spell to date, winning the CAF Champions League back-to-back as well as five league titles and two FA Cups.
Football nut Kalu provided the funds and the personal support to his boyhood club to reign over Africa.
Such support has waned under the new Abia State government of Theodore Orji and this could well have caused the club’s indifferent start to the defence of their NPL championship this season.
However, continuity personified by club chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu who has supervised all the victories of the club has held the team together and they are now back contesting for Africa’s foremost club title.
Enyimba top stars are gifted forward Josiah Maduabuchi, defenders Nnaemeka Anyanwu, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Valentine Nwaebili as well as strikers Uche Kalu and Victor Barnabas.
Raja Club Athletic player SOUFIANE RAHIMI
(L) and Enyimba FC player ISIAKA OLADUNTOYE (R) fight for the ball during the African Confederation Cup match between Raja Club Athletic of Morocco and Enyimba FC of Nigeria, on 24 October 2018 at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco
Raja Club Athletic player ZAKARIA HADRAF (R) and Enyimba FC player ANDREW ABALOGU (L) fight for the ball during the African Confederation Cup match between Raja Club Athletic of Morocco and Enyimba FC of Nigeria, on 24 October 2018 at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco
Raja Club Athletic player ZAKARIA HADRAF(r) and Enyimba FC player ISIAKA OLADUNTOYE (L) fight for the ball during the African Confederation Cup match between Raja Club Athletic of Morocco and Enyimba FC of Nigeria, on 24 October 2018 at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco
Raja Club Athletic player ABDELILAH HAFIDI (R) and Enyimba FC player AUGUSTINE OLADAPO (L) fight for the ball during the African Confederation Cup match between Raja Club Athletic of Morocco and Enyimba FC of Nigeria, on 24 October 2018 at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco
Raja Club Athletic player ABDELILAH HAFIDI (R) and Enyimba FC player AUGUSTINE OLADAPO (L) fight for the ball during the African Confederation Cup match between Raja Club Athletic of Morocco and Enyimba FC of Nigeria, on 24 October 2018 at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco
Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup match between Enyimba FC of Nigeria v Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on October 3rd 2018 at Enyimba International Stadium,Aba
© Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora
Andrew Abalogu of Enyimba evade tackle from Sakaria Hadraf of Raja during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup match between Enyimba FC of Nigeria v Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on October 3rd 2018 at Enyimba International Stadium,Aba
© Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora
Sunday Adetunji of Enyimba against Abdulrahim Achchakir of Raja during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup match between Enyimba FC of Nigeria v Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on October 3rd 2018 at Enyimba International Stadium,Aba
© Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora
Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba challenged by Abdulrahim Achchakir of Raja during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup match between Enyimba FC of Nigeria v Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on October 3rd 2018 at Enyimba International Stadium,Aba
© Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora
Abdullahi Hafidi of Raja against Ikoumen Udo of Enyimba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup match between Enyimba FC of Nigeria v Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on October 3rd 2018 at Enyimba International Stadium,Aba
© Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora
Stanley Dimgba of Enyimba against Baye Ibrahim Niasse of Raja during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup match between Enyimba FC of Nigeria v Raja Club Athletic of Morocco on October 3rd 2018 at Enyimba International Stadium,Aba
© Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora
Siaka Bakayoko of Djoliba challenged by Ikouwem Ntim of Enyimba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Freedom Omofommen of Enyimba and Moussa Sissiko of Djoliba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Siaka Bakayoko of Djoliba challenged by Ikouwem Ntim of Enyimba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba challenges Emile Kone of Djoliba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba against Yossouf Traore of Djoliba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Bengali Dounbis of Djoliba against Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba challenged by Boubacar Traore of Djoliba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba challenged by Emile Kone of Djoliba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Austine Oladapo of Enyimba during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup football match between Enyimba and Djoliba at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria on 6 May 2018 ©Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix
Oladuntoye Ishaka of Enyimba challenges Thobani Mncwango of Bidvest Wits during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ibrahim Mustapha of Enyimba challenges Daylon Claasen of Bidvest Wits during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Augustine Tunde Oladepo of Enyimba challenges Daylon Claasen of Bidvest Wits during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Reeve Frosler of Bidvest Wits is challenged by Francis Benjamin of Enyimba during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Augustine Tunde Oladepo of Enyimba challenges Daylon Claasen of Bidvest Wits during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Nelson Ogbonnaya of Enyimba challenges Daylon Claasen of Bidvest Wits during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Nelson Ogbonnaya of Enyimba challenges Thobani Mncwango of Bidvest Wits during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Nelson Ogbonnaya of Enyimba challenges Thobani Mncwango of Bidvest Wits during the CAF Confederation Cup match between Bidvest Wits and Enyimba FC on 06 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Leonardo Castro of Mamelodi Sundowns tackles Oahimijie Kelly of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Khama Billiat of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Tiyani Mabunda of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Anaezemba Nzube of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Tiyani Mabunda of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Anaezemba Nzube of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Hlompho Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns (right) is challenged by Daniel Etor of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match
Leonardo Castro of Mamelodi Sundowns tackles Oahimijie Kelly of Enyimba during the CAF Champions League match Mamelodi Sundowns and Enyimba on 29 June 2016 at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Ejike Uzoenyi of Rangers is challenged by Ugwu Uwadiegwu of Enyimba
Ighodalo Osagona of Rangers is challenged by Semiu Liadi of Enyimba during the Glo Nigeria Premier League 2014 match between Enyimba and Rangers on March 16, 2014 at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, Abia state
Ayo Saka of Enyimba is challenged by Pape Ousmane Sane and Ugonna Uzochukwu of Rangers during the Glo Nigeria Premier League 2014 match between Enyimba and Rangers on March 16, 2014 at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, Abia state
Emeka Eze in action for Rangers
Pape Ousmane Sane of Rangers challenges Sibi Gwar of Enyimba during the Glo Nigeria Premier League 2014 match between Enyimba and Rangers on March 16, 2014 at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, Abia state
Skipper Chinedu Udoji of Enyimba (middle)
Ugonna Uzochukwu of Rangers in aerial challenge with Rasheed Olabiyi of Enyimba during the Glo Nigeria Premier League 2014 match between Enyimba and Rangers on March 16, 2014 at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, Abia state
Ugwu Uwadiegwu of Enyimba challenges Chinedu Sunday of Rangers during the Glo Nigeria Premier League 2014 match between Enyimba and Rangers on March 16, 2014 at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, Abia state
Ugwu Uwadiegwu of Enyimba
Ugonna Uzochukwu of Rangers in aerial challenge with Ayo Saka of Enyimba
Mathew Etim of Rangers tackles Andrew Abalogu of Enyimba during the Glo Nigeria Premier League 2014 match between Enyimba and Rangers on March 16, 2014 at Enyimba Stadium, Aba, Abia state
Enyimba
