Ihemekwele looks forward to better season after injury comeback
Enyimba striker Ifeanyi Ihemekwele is already looking forward to a better 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League [NPFL] season following a return from an injury that kept him out of action for nearly five months.
The 21-year-old former Ijebu United goal poacher scored 8 goals across all competitions for the People’s Elephant before suffering an ankle injury in the second stanza of last season that ruled him out of the remainder of the campaign.
Speaking to EnyimbaFC.net, Ihemekwele disclosed that the injury prevented him from achieving his target in the last campaign, as he hopes to do better in the upcoming season.
“I had a lot of targets last season, but unfortunately I couldn’t achieve them due to injury. However, I’m still grateful to God,” he said.
“I am hoping that next season is going to be better – much better by God’s grace.
“I had some targets. Playing for the national team was one of them, but the injury was kind of a setback for me. But that’s not the end of the road. I can still make it.
“The home-based Super Eagles list is out. I didn’t make the list due to my injury. But I still give thanks to God. We still have the U23 team to come. So, hopefully I can still make it and secure a move abroad.”
Ihemekwele recently returned to personal training to the delight of his teammates and the coaching crew. On his return to training, he said the team was pleasantly surprised to see him.
“They were kind of surprised and were happy at the same time to see me,” he added. “They received me well, although the team is still being reshuffled. But they were happy to see me back on my feet. That’s good.”
Ihemekwele and the rest of the team are expected back in action when the new season commences on 22 August.
Enyimba finished 6th in the NPFL last term, with 55pts, missing out a CAF Confederation Cup spot by five points.