Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved the appointment of Mr. Daniel Eke as the new Sporting Director of Enyimba International Football Club in Aba.
The appointment was announced in a statement made on Sunday by the state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who stated that the action is consistent with the state government’s determination to restore Enyimba FC to its due place among Africa’s top football teams.
Kanu stated that the decision is part of a larger effort to realign the club for long-term growth while enhancing its business, professional, and administrative structures.
He also revealed that the former Sporting Director, Mr. Ifeanyi Ekwueme, had resigned.
According to the announcement, Eke is a product of Enyimba FC’s feeder team and has had a successful career in football management and player development.
“Over the years, he has served in several technical and managerial capacities across top Nigerian clubs,” according to a release.
It went on to say that his professional achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including Most Successful Football Agent in Africa (2020), Most Successful Football Agent in Nigeria (2020), and Highest Goal Scorer Manager (Chijioke Akenato, 2020).
The statement went on to say that Eke has consistently demonstrated strong strategic career planning skills, assisting players in progressing from lower leagues to top-tier football, developing a strong pool of professional and international players, and successfully transitioning academy players into professional contracts.
“The Abia State Government is confident that his experience, industry network, and technical competence will play a pivotal role in repositioning Enyimba FC as a competitive, professionally run, and globally respected football institution,” it said.
Clarifying leadership roles within the club, Kanu stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, the general public is hereby informed that Mr. Uche Ikechukwu is a duly appointed and sworn-in member of the Enyimba FC Board, while Mr. Daniel Eke is the newly appointed Sporting Director of Enyimba International Football Club, Aba.”
The commissioner voiced concern over the team’s decreasing competitive standing, pointing out that Enyimba, Nigeria’s most decorated football club, has struggled to reproduce its past accomplishments recently.
“Once a dominant force in Nigerian and continental football, Enyimba FC has in recent times struggled to replicate its historic successes,” he said.
He also stated that the club’s current 12th place on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2025/2026 table falls short of expectations, emphasizing the necessity for immediate strategic reforms in management, administration, and technical direction.
Kanu emphasized the state government’s commitment to restore Enyimba pride and using sports to empower young people, drive economic progress, and increase Abia State’s global prominence.
