Noble Calls for More Commitment From Teammates

Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble has urged his teammates to raise their game and display more commitment ahead of this weekend’s showdown against high-flying Plateau United.

The People’s Elephant, who have endured an inconsistent form recently, hosts Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side in a potentially explosive Week 18 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture in Aba on Saturday.

In contrast to Enyimba’s inconsistent form, former league champions Plateau United are unbeaten in their last 10 NPFL matches, and currently sit second on the log, with 37 points from 17 matches, 13 points ahead of Finidi George’s side, who occupy the 8th spot on the standings.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s cracker, the Super Eagles shotstopper said the onus of performance now lies on the players, as the technical crew have always done their job, adding that he is confident there will soon be a turnaround in fortunes at the 2-time African champions.

“It has been a tough season for us,” Noble told www.enyimbafc.net. “I know I’ve been here for over two seasons now. Last season wasn’t this way.

“But then, I think the only thing we should do is for us, the players, to commit ourselves more, to put in our best because the coach (Finidi George) has been trying his possible best. And he can’t come to field to play with us. He can’t come to the field to play. He’s only giving us instructions, and we should be able to adhere to the instructions and keep working hard, and playing according to the pattern he wants us to play.

“I strongly believe that we’ll get out of this very soon because this is Enyimba. And this is a club that is always known for big games, and also know for the continent. So, we can’t give it up now. This is just the first round (of the NPFL), and there’s every hope that the second round will be a different story.

“It has happened to us before. Last season we were 8th on the log and we ended up in a good form, going to the continent.

“So, I strongly believe that we still have things to do. Everything can still turn around. It’s just the game of football. So, all we need to do is just to be more committed to our game.”