Good morning Everyone
Its Matchday again and on the back of our two most recent results, we have an excellent chance to add another brick on our recent good fortune. The away result in Bauchi was a very welcome fresh breath, another 3 points on hostile territory will do even more wonders.
Akwa United is the hosts today and what a relationship we have had with them. There has been very hostile and intense battles – quite literally between the two cities. One time it even led to destruction of businesses owned by Igbos in Uyo. There indeed were times when both cities were sworn enemies. How much of that ill feeling remains till today? Dunno.
On the pitch, Mfon Udoh is a name that turned the tide in the relationship between the two teams. Once upon a time, he ran the Enyimba defence ragged at the Old Uyo Township stadium that the blessed Chinedu Udoji (RIP) had to kick on a campaign for the club to bring Mfon to Enyimba. And when Enyimba calls, you answer.
Mfon ended up not only gaining Legendary status at Enyimba and the NPFL but also currently holds the record of the highest goals Scored in a League season. He also is Enyimba’s highest Goalscorer in a CAF Competition. Safe to say he was one “hell-of-a-signing” for us. Beyond a doubt.
While there has been such successful transactions, including a certain Ezekiel Bassey that went on to play for/train with Barcelona in Spain, the story on the pitch is a different story. As with many NPFL teams, the home wins abound but once in a while, this matchup serves some tasty results. Like Christian Pyagbara firing us to a win in the Spring of 2016.
It would be unjust to forget that Akwa United has lent us their facility for our use in the Continent for a few years now. For that, they deserve our gratitude. In a sense, they are the friendly foe, the frienemy. And one of the few away grounds (like Umuahia and Owerri) where we are able to get the most away fans to.
Akwa United is on unfamiliar territory on the log and for most fans, there are genuine fears that they could go down this season. Those Relegation concerns are very legit if you ask me, because there doesn’t appear to be alot of talent in the team this season. That said, Akwa United is a different proposition when faced with Enyimba.
That means form gets thrown out the window and every point has to be very well earned. Eguma had alot of his first team play against Junior Warriors on Friday but hopefully they should be fresh enough for this one. Particularly fascinating is the return to action and form of Clinton Jephtha who started this season on a high. Hopefully he gets among the goods today.
We have an excellent opportunity to get another three points on the road today. But we would be fooling ourselves if we think this will be anything short of a feisty encounter. Let’s hope the boys are up to the challenge.
See you tomorrow with good news i hope.
‘EnyimbaEnyi
