Goalkeeper John Noble upbeat about restoring Enyimba’s NPFL glory days

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Enyimba International goalkeeper John Noble has revealed his determination to inspire the club to regain its fast fading glory days beginning from the coming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The People’s Elephant last season failed to qualify for any continental assignment for the first time in a long while and Noble who doubles as the team captain is optimistic that Finidi George’s team can win the league diadem.

“Enyimba is a team that has always been in the continent and due to what happened last season, we said to ourselves that we’re going to do everything humanly within our strength to bring back the team to where it originally belonged,” Noble told nigeriasoccernet.com.

“The spirit in the team has been high and if you watch the just concluded pre-season in Lagos, you’ll see everybody fighting because we really know what we want. We know the name at stake, the badge and we’re doing everything possible to make sure we bring back Enyimba to the glory days.”

The two-time African Champions recently finished in the second position at the NPFL Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup after a 3-2 loss to Shooting Stars Sports Club in the final. Winning the league title again as well as a top-three finish in the league to mark Enyimba’s return to the continent are top targets for the Super Eagles shotstopper.

“Definitely hoping for a trophy this season and also take Enyimba back to the continent. You know when a team signs a couple of new players, it’s always been difficult for them to come together and play a particular style the coach will want them to play but I’m the case of Enyimba what I did was to call for a meeting,” he continued.

“I made them know here is. Enyimba, we’re known for victory, we don’t accept defeat. We just have to work together, everybody is one. I carried everyone along and to God be the glory we are where we are today and hopefully we’ll get something out of the season. Everyone has been cooperating well.”

Enyimba remains Nigeria’s sole winner of the CAF Champions League, the feat achieved twice in 2003 and 2004.

Noble is hopeful that the Aba-based side can restore those Glory days starting with winning the 2022/2023 NPFL title.