Still basking in the euphoria of defeating arch-rivals, Heartland of Owerri 1-0 on Saturday to win the South-East zonal play-off for a place in the inaugural edition of the season-ending Naija Super 8, players and officials of Enyimba of Aba will be accorded a reception by Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti for their heroics.

A statement from the Abia State Government House, made public on Tuesday noted that the Chief Executive of the state, Dr Otti will host Enyimba FC on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the Governor’s Lodge in Umuahia.

At the reception scheduled for 5pm, players, officials and supporters of the Peoples’ Elephant are expected to be rewarded for winning the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.

Following the dissolution of the boards of Enyimba and Abia Warriors by the immediate past administration in the state, Enyimba was on the verge of missing the NPFL Super Six, before Dr. Otti intervened on the eleventh hour, following a spirited appeal by long-term chairman of the club, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu.

At the NPFL championship play-offs, Enyimba won the title on superior goals difference, after being held to a hard fought 1-1 draw by deposed champions, Rivers United on the final day, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos.

In addition to a brand-new giant trophy and medals, Enyimba received cheque of a hundred million Naira, for winning a record extending ninth NPFL title, which also guaranteed them one of the two tickets to fly the flag of Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League.

Only last week, Governor Otti named an interim Chairman to run affairs of Abia Warriors, but refrained from appointing one for Enyimba, making pundits to believe the governor will do so at the reception, on Thursday.

The other clubs to represent Nigeria in CAF’s Inter-Club Championships next season are Remo Stars of Ikenne (Champions League), while Rivers United and newly crowned Federation Cup kings, Bendel Insurance of Benin are to complete in the Confederation Cup.