Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the appointment of Mr Daniel Eke as the new Sporting Director of Enyimba International Football Club, Aba.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who said the move aligns with the state government’s resolve to restore Enyimba FC to its rightful place among Africa’s elite football clubs.
Kanu said the decision is part of efforts to reposition the club for sustainable growth while strengthening its business, professional, and administrative structure.
He also disclosed that the former Sporting Director, Mr Ifeanyi Ekwueme, has resigned.
According to the statement, Eke is a product of Enyimba FC’s feeder team and has built an impressive career in football management and player development.
“Over the years, he has served in several technical and managerial capacities across top Nigerian clubs,” the statement read.
It added that his professional excellence has earned him notable recognitions, 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 further noted that Eke has consistently demonstrated strong capacity in strategic career planning, helping players progress from lower leagues to top-flight football, building a solid 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 expressed concern over the club’s declining competitive status, noting that Enyimba, Nigeria’s most decorated football club, has struggled to replicate its historic successes in recent times.
“Once a dominant force in Nigerian and continental football, Enyimba FC has in recent times struggled to replicate its historic successes,” he said.
He added that the club’s current 12th position on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2025/2026 table falls short of expectations, underscoring the need for urgent strategic reforms in management, administration, and technical direction.
Kanu reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to restoring Enyimba’s pride and leveraging sports as a tool for youth empowerment, economic growth, and enhanced global visibility for Abia State.
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