Our next opponents in the CAF Confederations Cup, Etoile Filante d’Ouagadougou, may come with the name “Shooting Stars,” but let’s be honest—we’re not here to make wishes on falling stars. We’re here to stamp our authority and remind everyone what Enyimba FC is. They should ask their namesake from Ibadan. It was all 6 points in the kitty, JSYK.

Étoile Filante qualified by the skin of their teeth, winning a tense penalty shootout against Rahimo FC. Remember Rahimo? We brushed them aside 5-1 on aggregate back in 2019. These are familiar waters for us. And while they scraped through the last round on away goals after a 1-1 draw with Hafia FC, we sat comfortably on a first-round bye, patiently waiting to show why we belong at the top of this competition.

Now, history is on our side. The last time we faced a Burkinabé team, we gave them a 5-0 masterclass in Aba after a narrow 1-0 loss away. And guess what? This time we’ll play the first leg away again, on September 13, before bringing them to our “fortress” in Uyo. This is where we’ll show them that Enyimba isn’t just another team—they’re walking into the home of the two-time African champions.

Let’s not forget that in all the CAF Confederations Cup match rounds we’ve completed (not competed in), we’ve always made it to the group stages. That’s the level of consistency that makes us proud to be Enyimba fans. On the flip side, Etoile Filante have never made it past the quarterfinals in any CAF competition. So, while their name suggests they’re shooting for the stars, we all know they’ve yet to break through the clouds.

Yes, we’ve seen changes in our squad and management, but let’s be clear—Enyimba’s goals remain the same. This season, under “Star Coach” Yemi Daniel, we expect to shoot beyond the stars. We expect to finish stronger in the league, and we expect to make a deep run in this competition. Anything less isn’t good enough for Enyimba, and we all know that.

To the new boys wearing our badge on their chest, our home must be a fortress—just as it has always been. When Etoile Filante step onto our pitch, let them feel the weight of Enyimba’s legacy and the power of the True Blues. But let’s do it with class and not like amateurs—a good display of our brand of football that makes us a joy to watch. We must send shrills down the spine of possible opponents (after we make the group stages).

So, let’s all get ready. Let’s remind the rest of Africa that Enyimba is a force to be reckoned with.