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By Anthony Nlebem.
Enyimba head coach Finidi George is delighted after his side were crowned champions of the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League season and is already looking at making an impact in the CAF Champions League next season.
The People’s Elephant played a 1-1 draw with Rivers United in the final game of the Super Six Playoffs on Sunday to emerge champions for a record ninth time and win the historic N100m prize money, the highest ever paid to the league champions, and a CAF Champions League ticket.
Finidi’s side were unbeaten and finished with nine points from five matches in the competition in Lagos.
In his post-match comments, the 52-year-old coach said the two-time African champions deserved their title win.
“I am very happy. I think we deserve to win it, we played good football and I must give kudos to the boys for their efforts throughout the season and the Super Six,” Finidi said.
After struggling to make an impact in his first season, the ex-international reignited the team’s form in his second season, delivering a silverware and a return ticket to the continent.
“The management believed in me, even if last season was not a successful one for us, but we played some good football and the management decided to let me have another season and that is the result we are seeing,” Finidi added.
The Port Harcourt-born manager added that winning the NPFL league was special to him and urged the country’s coaches based abroad to also return and help develop the league.
“This trophy is special to me, I have done it here in Nigeria. This league is very difficult and we all know it.
“I will advise my colleagues to come back and try to improve the league. That is what I did.”
The former Super Eagles winger is, however, not in relaxation mood and is looking to make an impact with the Aba-based giants in the CAF Champions League next season.
“It’s a big thing for us to return to the continental football, that’s where we belong,” Finidi stated.
“We won’t relent, we will continue to work hard to make an impact next season in the CAF Champions League.”