‘My team is a win away from the title’ - Ikhana assures

Enyimba coach Kadiri Ikhana has said his club need an away win to be crowned Nigeria champions for the seventh time.

Enyimba are top of the table with 58 points from 31 matches, five points clear of closest rivals Sunshine Stars.

Their remaining away games are at Sunshine Stars, Nasarawa United and derbies against Abia Warriors and Heartland.

“We need to win an away game and we will be champions,” said Ikhana after Sunday’s 2-0 home win over fellow title chasers Wikki Tourists.

“We have recorded five draws and won four for a total of 17 points on the road.

“We want to keep the pace and we are doing just that. Last week, we had a four-point gap and this week, five-point gap. So, you can see the difference.”

However, Ikhana maintained the title race remains too close to call.

“Everybody is very far from trophy because we still have seven matches to play. The gap at the top is still close,” he said.

On Sunday in Aba, Ikhana deployed skipper Chinedu Udoji from his familiar central defence position to defensive midfield and he scored the two goals that sunk Wikki.

“We had several chances, we should have been three goals up in the first half. In the second half, we came close too. We created several chances, but did not utilise them,” the coach said.

“Maybe I should take some credit for Udoji’s goals because before now he has not scored playing under several other coaches.

“I am happy about that.”