“Enyimba are ready for an encore” Excerpts: Nigeriasports – How did you cope with the irate spectators in Malawi against the Bullets? Emordi – Em--being an Africa champion, every team uses intimidation to weigh us down, but due to the experience acquired by Enyimba we’re able to overcome the fracas although I don’t blame them because they want to qualify as well as us; it is not their fault, it is part of the game.
Nigeriasports- You brought yourself into this difficult situation by losing in Aba, which made it mandatory that the team needs a draw to qualify, When you were leaving Nigeria for Malawi did you ever think Enyimba would qualify? Emordi- My premonition was that we would survive the Malawi “battle” because we worked for it, although the task ahead is enormous as l said earlier we are Africa Champions and every team is working hard to dethrone us but it is not going to be easy but what l don’t like is the violence emanated by the fans. I think it is high time they (fans) are educated to shun violence at match venues. Football is not a do or die affair but should be accepted in a friendly manner whether teams lose or win. Nigeriasports - Considering the fact that you are meeting Esperance a strong side in Africa, and in the last five months you have not won a match. Are you still sure about this game? Emordi- I believe this not a ticket for winning as far as l am concern because it happens in every team in Europe, even Manchester United and the other teams in Europe suffer what is called ‘Goal Draught.’ Everybody is struggling and teams are improving .I am not worried. Esperance have not met Enyimba in any match and they are aware that they are playing the Africa Champion so they (Esperance) should be worried and be afraid of Enyimba. Em—by the time the two teams meet, it is going to be a different scenario and a nice game between both teams. As the adage goes ‘when two elephant, it is the grass that suffers.’ Nigeriasports - Incidentally, you are going to play the first leg at home and taking you back when Rangers won the Cup Winners in 1977; you were part of that success story. what is your expectation? Emordi -(laughs) Well, l believe that the reverse will be the case in this aspect because we’re place in an advantageous position playing home first but the most important thing is to win by 3 to 4, then Playing in Tunisia will be a mere formality. The players are determined to win this Cup for the Second time and playing Esperance will not be a problem because we’re not playing underdogs like Bakili Bullets of Malawi, so we are determine to win and l am promising that its going to be a nice game. Nigeriasports- Presently, you are working with Coach Stanley Eguma, how would you describe your relationship with him?
Emordi- l always have a cordial relationship with any coach that l have worked with because you don’t know where you will meet tomorrow. The job of coaching is not a man business but where l received my training in Hungary, in a team you will have about 6 or 8 coaches and only a person heads the coaching crew but the case is different in Nigeria where one person takes the job. Remember, when the job is shared, it will not be burdensome to the coach, so where you have sectional training it makes the job easier. In addition, working with present Super Eagles Chief coach Christain Chukwu in the past was fantastic because we understood our deficiencies and were able to cope since we are conscious that success is our desired goal so there was that cordial relationship between Chukwu and I. However, at present l am working with Stanley Eguma and l have not experienced any problem from him since nobody can predict the future so l am not anticipating any problem. Nigeriasports - What was your experience like at Gabros FC of Onitsha? Emordi - Eguma and l never worked together in Gabros. I was with the club before him, meanwhile Eguma just left Gabros this season but l was on a rescue mission to Gabros in 1999, when the club was facing relegation and by the special grace of God we escape relegation. In 2000, l was retained as the coach of the club, although were cheated since we almost came fourth but a protest from Plateau United which was supported by Rangers FC robbed us the position and we’re placed 6th on the league table that year. It was after the 2000 League season that l left Gabros for Rangers. Nigeriasports - While you worked with Christain Chukwu, in Rangers, there were reported incidents of Power tussle, between you. What was it about? Emordi- This is not an issue for discussion. As far as I’m concerned, we had a good working relationship although one or two things made us to go down, you see whenever you are relating with another human being you’re to be careful because where you start showing nonchalant attitude it affects the team but when you come out with every amount of seriousness and discipline, it will definitely yield results on the team as you could see Chukwu doing with the Super Eagles. Yesterday is gone, and Today is here, l wish Chukwu success in his endeavour. Nigeriasports – Looking back at your passion for Rangers, it is surprising that you left them for Enyimba. Is it the money, challenge or what? Emordi- (Laughs), Money is not everything in life it is true that l was with Rangers for three consecutive seasons before l left the club for greener pastures. My main purpose of leaving Rangers and moving to Enyimba is that l want to find out what makes them (Enyimba) thick since the ‘Peoples Elephants’ have won the Nigeria League three times and no other club have beaten that record in Nigeria. Recently, they won the Africa Cup of Champions so seeing that they had achieved a lot in Nigeria, this is why l want to be part of this successful club since other coaches achieved their desired aim with Enyimba. I pray not to disappoint Nigerians too. Nigeriasports – What is your observation with the Enyimba Management team, having worked with them for about 8 months or thereabout?
Emordi — My observation is very simple. The Enyimba Management is very serious with whatever they are doing because their plans are always executed, unlike other clubs l have worked for that only plan but never get it executed. The success of Nigeria in any competition has to do with planning and execution because if you have good plans without finances made available, definitely there must be a flop because goods plans go with good execution and better finance. Nigeriasports –Why did you leave Rangers when the club was in dire need of your service after taking them to semi-finals of the CAF Cup (now CAF Confederations Cup)? Emordi – Em--l think it has to be vice versa; l believe that if I left Rangers because of money they should have come to my assistance knowing well that l need the money for my family upkeep. But l tried putting my experience to help the club. However l have to confess to you that the joy of any coach is to improve in his coaching career. Remember that I came to Rangers from Gabros without strings attach to money and, still managed to put the team in a better position in the Nigeria league. I don’t work because of money, but for the success of the team. By Onyinyechi Anyanwu 1
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