At least five key players of Enyimba FC, including club captain Alalibo Somiari, have parted ways with the Aba-based side by mutual consent, Sports247 exclusively reports.
The players, Alalibo Somiari, Ezeh Chidera Collins, Nwaodu Chukwudi Justin, Onyemaechi Austin, and Onyirimba Odinaka, have opted to pursue their careers elsewhere following limited playing time under head coach Stanley Eguma.
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According to a reliable source, the players were dissatisfied with their reduced roles under Coach Eguma, which ultimately influenced their decision to seek new challenges.
“I believe this is the best decision for all parties involved. These are exceptional talents, some of whom have had national team call-ups in the past. Unfortunately, they have not been regulars for Enyimba for quite some time, possibly due to the coach’s selection policy,” the source said.
He further added:
“This is their passion, and if they’re not getting the opportunity to showcase their abilities, it naturally leads to frustration. Enyimba is one of the biggest clubs in Africa, and with the current results not going in the club’s favor, it is only expected that changes would be made in both the coaching staff and playing squad.”
The source emphasized that the players opted for a mutual contract termination early on to avoid prolonged disputes and legal issues, a common challenge in Nigerian football.
“Given the lengthy and often ineffective litigation and dispute resolution processes in Nigerian football, exploring the mutual termination of contracts in accordance with Article 31 of FIFA’s RSTP was the most pragmatic solution,” he explained.
With the 2024/2025 NPFL season set to conclude in the coming days, the players are now free agents and open to offers from interested clubs ahead of the new campaign.
Enyimba’s season has been underwhelming, with a disappointing exit from continental competitions.
The termination of Coach Yemi contract earlier in the season led to the appointment of Stanley Eguma, but the team’s fortunes have failed to improve.
The two time CAF Champions League winner has been knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup and Federation Cup and has also fallen out of the NPFL title race, eliminating any hope of securing continental football for the 2025/2026 season.
