Elephants dwarf all to double glories

Barely a match to draw the curtains on the 2005 Nigerian Globacom Premier League, Aba-based 'Peoples Elephants', Enyimba FC have returned home to their base with the two most prestigeous football glories in the country.

With 69 points and an outstanding match left, the former continental kings, are sure of lifting the league trophy at the close of events.

They have Rangers International FC of Enugu on their heels; but even if the 'Antelopes' (as the Enugu Coal City Boys are known) succeed in winning their last encounter, they would still have to make do with their second- place finish - not with Enyimba's outrageous goals aggregates cushion.

Earlier, the Aba Boys had beaten Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi on penalty shoot-out after a draw at regulation time, to become the 2005 FA Cup kings. In a duel fought in Port Harcourt, Enyimba was almost reduced to kids by a robust and ambitious Lobi Stars. But it was not to be ... it was not just the day for the former National Team handler, Tunde Disu-tinkered players.

Tried as they did, they had to fall to the more experienced and exposed Aba boys after shooting into the lead.

Down the ladder are Gateway FC of Abeokuta with Zamfara FC tailing behind. Lagos State sole representatives in the Globacom Premiership, NPA FC are so far, third from the bottom.

But the real battle on the league bottom ladder, would be between old reliables Insurance of Benin, Edo State and either Wikki Tourists of Bauchi or Zamfara United of Gusau.

The Benin Boys known by their teeming and irrepressible followers as, Benin Arsenals, would be doing all within and if possible, outside their arsenals to keep afloat in the Nigerian elite league when the roll is called in 2006.

But a slip ... just a slip could be all that, would dash their "stay afloat" dream. On their part,either Wikki or Zamfara, could be looking good to keep a position on the Premiership next year.

Gombe has refused the earlier ruling of the NFL, directing that their match against leaders Enyimba FC, be replayed. Enyimba on their part, had accepted to pay a fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) to Gombe United FC.

This was to represent expenses incurred by Gombe in a match for which the Aba boys failed to turn up - no thanks to their claims of being attacked by robbers on their way for the match.

If feelers reaching us are anything to go by, there indications that the December 12 date for all re-scheduled matches to be played, may not be afterall.