Urukalo slams critics

The Australian in an e-mail message to Nigeriasports.com, stressed that his side has come under severe criticism from the press. Adding that he has also been distracted from doing a proper job by the insatiable cynics.

“I have not quit Enyimba or walked out on them....even though the thought has crossed my mind...but I am too professional for that” he wrote Nigeriasports.com

“Ever since I joined Enyimba, it has been one unfair write up about me and the club. This is bad for the club and the country” said Urukalo.

“I went to Australia to attend to a medical emergency but instead the press speculated that I have quit Enyimba while others said I had been sacked” he fumes

But amidst all the fuss and harsh comments, Urukalo said that he started his job with high hopes.

"I started with a lot of ambition despite all the odds, and such drive is still inside of me" he said.

"Nigeria is a very special football country... it has a lot of good players and fantastic people but the critics sees something different.

Despite the huge criticism and sceptics Urukalo was quick to dismiss claims of disloyalty.

"I am a very principled coach, I only ask for what I believe in and already agreed with Enyimba management but the whole thing is always blown out of proportion" he said.

"I love my work, but if I don't have good conditions for my job it is impossible to do my work."

Meanwhile, Urukalo and his troubled Enyimba elephants will travel to face an acid test in Petro Athletico of Angola this weekend in the Caf champions league preliminary stage, with the hope of making the group stage of the competition.

The defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw by the Angolans a fortnight ago in Aba and risk a third round exit from the competition they won last year.

"We are capable of turning things around and only our greatest critic will think otherwise" Urukalo concluded.

Report by Bibian Onwugbolu