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By Abiodun Adewale.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, said he is surprised by the gesture of his former club, Enyimba, who gave him a warm reception on his return to the city with Kwara United on match-day four of the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League season on Sunday.
Aiyenugba was given a guard of honour and also presented a plaque of jersey by Enyimba, ahead of the game against Kwara United, in appreciation of his remarkable services to the club between 2001 and 2007, a period which saw the goalkeeper win two CAF Champions League titles in 2003 and 2004, two CAF Super Cups in 2004 and 2005, one FA Cup title in 2005 as well as four NPFL titles in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007 with the club.
Enyimba won the game 3-0.
The experienced goalkeeper said the gesture brought back memories of his days at the club.
“I felt really honoured. I wasn’t even expecting such from them. It was very thoughtful of them to honour me that way. We did great for the club and put it on the map in Africa and I’m glad the club recognises our effort.
“The second CAF Champions League in 2004 was particularly memorable for me, and I won several other trophies as well. In all, I would say my my most successful days were at the club,” Aiyenugba told our correspondent.
After 13 seasons in Israel with four teams, Aiyenugba returned to Nigeria ahead of the 2020/21 season to play for Kwara United, where he is currently in his third season.
He described his return to the NPFL as a well-timed homecoming, with the hope that Kwara United would be out of their woes soon.