Good morning
An oriental derby always hits different — no matter our spot on the table. And we can confidently say we’ve bossed this region all season: beat them all, lost to none. So if you see our shoulders a bit raised, no worry — we’re just carrying our well-deserved accolades.
Now, let me take you back to Sunday.
I was at the Cathedral — yes, live and direct. Even had time to stroll into the city a couple hours before kickoff. But what I saw? Honestly, it left me deflated. The buzz was missing.
At some point, a guy — who was actually a typical Enugu man in Obiagu of all places, mind you — asked me if Rangers had a game that evening. I laughed, but only because crying in public isn’t cool.
For those who watched on NPFL Live or caught the pictures online, you’d notice it too: more empty seats than fans. More plastic than people. It was jarring.
Just last season, this exact fixture was the poster child for what the NPFL should look like — overflowing stands, bodies pressed against barriers, even the tracks around the turf flooded with fans who couldn’t find seats.
So what changed?
Is it poor fan mobilisation by the hosts? A league-wide failure to make big games feel… big? Or maybe both clubs’ rollercoaster seasons have turned enthusiasm into apathy.
It’s wild when you remember that between Enyimba and Rangers, there are 17 major trophies, pages of rich history, and countless legendary duels. You’d think a potential continental chase would bring people out. But maybe the trauma of last season’s ugly scenes still lingers. The Enyimba Supporters Club sat this one out due to safety concerns — and who could blame them?
The truth is simple: success attracts followers the way jollof attracts Nigerians.
If we want the grounds full again, both clubs need to rise — not just to the top of the table, but back into hearts and headlines. They’ve got the history. The fanbase. The potential. But the magic needs to return — on and off the pitch.
Fans bring the colour, the noise, the soul. Without them, even a derby feels like a scrimmage.
We move again tomorrow.
‘EnyimbaEnyi
