Good morning, folks!
It’s midweek once again, and with a long pause before our final game of the season, time suddenly feels slower — maybe because we’re already walking around with our tails tucked neatly between our legs, watching our Umuahia-based wannabes celebrate their first-ever continental ticket.
Now, if I were to count the number of times Enyimba has flown the flag in Africa, I’d need a calculator and a strong cup of coffee. That alone might make this season’s stumble feel like something we can brush off. But should we?
Truth is, nothing should be excused if we truly want to return to being the top dogs in the land.
One major issue? Perception.
We’re no longer the fearsome Enyimba that commanded respect across the board. The fear factor is fading — and with it, the aura that once made us untouchable. Banter that used to bounce off our badge now sticks. Babies are taking turns poking the elephant.
And yes, results haven’t helped, but beyond the pitch, we’ve stopped looking the part. Presentation matters. You can dress up the devil in silk and folks would still queue for selfies. That’s what smart packaging does.
Case in point:
Last month, a friend messaged me after spotting the Enyimba team bus along the Benin-Asaba expressway. His words? “That bus doesn’t do justice to Enyimba.” I slightly brushed it off—until I saw the squad return from Gombe yesterday. He was absolutely right.
The bus looks tired. Branding faded. Colours washed out. Edges peeling. It’s not just a vehicle — it’s a moving billboard. And right now, it screams “former glory.”
If the Abia State Government can’t afford a new bus yet — which might be understandable, given the season we’ve had — the least we can do is give the current one a facelift. Slap on some fresh paint. Replace those worn photos. Restore some pride.
You don’t carry the 9-time domestic champions and 2-time kings of Africa in something that looks like it was fresh out the colonial museum very close to Bata junction.
I’m glad the players arrived Aba safely — that’s always priority. But that eyesore on wheels needs urgent attention. Let’s start fixing the little things that tell the big stories.
Back tomorrow.
EnyimbaEnyi
