Good morning Everyone.
In the Spring of 2014, I got a job with the League Management Company. My first job was to go watch Abia Warriors vs Warri Wolves in Umuahia. It was my first time watching Warriors and there was something quite fascinating about this team. My dominant thought was – These ones are Enyimba wannabes.
Then at halftime. The Public Address system bellowed –
“Abia Warriors, Abia Warriors,
Abia Warriors are on the prowl,
Set and ready to wear the crown
And bring the trophy to Umuahia”
Sitting at whatever chair that was designated for the LMC Delegate. I always mused at this song and wondered whatever Trophy this “wannabe Enyimba” team would ever win. Weeks prior, they had stunned Enyimba in Aba, no thanks to a wicked Cletus Itodo strike. In the weeks that followed, I would write about them on my blog, nicknaming them, “The Small Boys in Umuahia.
Thursday afternoon, my respected senior colleague and Supersport Presenter Aikhoje Ojeikere sent out a tweet that left more questions than answers. His tweet –
After #Matchday 23,
@AbiaWarriors (36pts) 4th
@EnyimbaFC (31pts) 10th
Can #AbiaWarriorsFC finish ahead of #EnyimbaFC for the first time in their #NPFL history this season?
Theimpulsive response was a definite ‘No way’! How could they? Impossible. Then that tiny voice of reason sprang to the surface – ‘Why Not?’. How can’t they finish above us? They have a better club management, they have a more technical coaching crew. They have better players. And most of all, they have happier players.
Many judge Enyimba today primarily on our League position. Our League position at this stage of the season is a disgrace, no doubt. But the true reflection of where our club is, is in things like the atmosphere around the club, the morale among the players and fans measured from match attendance numbers.
Warriors on the other hand are in dreamland. No club in Nigeria should have their players better taken care of than Enyimba players. A successful club ought to have a structure in place for continued success. Our travails all come down to vision deficiency. The blind leading the blind, they will fall into the ditch.
I heard we have a game today and you know Rivers United on Sunday. Maybe we should ask the Abia FA why this is so. Vision deficiency.
Back tomorrow
‘EnyimbaEnyi
