On Tuesday night, I joined a few friends; mostly Chelsea fans to watch the on going FIFA Club World Cup, involving Chelsea and Fluminense in the semifinal for a place in the showpiece match.In the course of the match,we discussed sundry issues at the west London club,from the club’s impressive run in the CWC, to the new signings, transfer strategy and overall outlook at the club going into a new season. We reminisced on the Roman era,when the owner splurged on marque signings or outmaneuvered rival clubs to top targets, and provide us the fans with some banter materials to press necks.
We understand,that era is gone. And the chinos-wearing American owners have chosen a different path and business model. A transfer strategy that prioritize signing young players of not more that 23 years,with resale value,on longer terms and on relatively lower wages. Hence reducing the average age and wage bill of the team in view of future sales and maintaining strict fiscal discipline in adherence to stipulated Profit and Sustainability Rule, without lowering the ultimate sporting bar; Competing and Winning.
Bringing it home to my beloved Enyimba International FC. Like Chelsea, a club in administrative transition. But unlike the London giants, the difference in changing times is staggering. The Aba side is utterly unrecognizable. No one has any idea what they are doing at Aba. Save for the administrators ,who talk about the need for a club house and a new trophy cabinet to accommodate the big trophies won before now. Who says the sporting goals the fans yearn for and the aesthetic vision of the administrators can not coexist.After all,one can chew gum and ride a bicycle, without conflict.
We have moved from the era of having the best legs in the domestic scene, garnished with some standout talents in Africa to throwing the gates open to all but everyone to wear our blue kits. From seeing the preseason camp bubble with new and top players every new season to the disheartening hush tones the affairs of the club is being conducted. The standard has considerably dropped. And it’s sad to see.
We are condemned to cuddle nostalgia, all in a bid to banish the gloomy weather in Aba. A sudden transition from the time ,when we tracked news with high optimism of the star-studded squad,sequestered at the Super Eagles camp in Ota, Ogun State or the coastal city of Eket in Akwa Ibom State, for proper concentration and conditioning in preparations for the season’s onslaught on the domestic and continental fronts.To this forlorn look on the faces of the fans, with little or no expectations for the season.
In all these gathering storm, what positives can one latch onto and use to reset the button for the new season. I tend to find that in the coaching crew. A lot has been heaped on Coach Stanley Eguma, Old-fashioned,archaic,analogue, dinosaur etc. But I see his huge experience, spanning over 25 years as a catalyst for navigating impending turbulence next season. But he needs to step up and be more than a coach.
At this point, Enyimba can not afford to have naive administrators,a rookie coach clothed in dynamic and digital robes,and largely untested players. That would be a recipe for doom of monumental proportions. We have shouted ourselves hoarse on the lack of direction by the administrators.
Now, it’s time to move attention to the man that has their faith and trust – Coach Eguma. However he needs to take up more responsibility outside the technical area. Because poor decisions elsewhere would gravely impact on and undermine even his very best technical decisions.
What more do I want from Eguma , than for him to leverage on his experience, working under some of the best club administrators of his time,from Diepriye Fiberesima in his early years at Dolphins FC to Gabriel Chukwuma at Gabros FC, Felix Anyansi Agwu at Enyimba during his brief stint as assistant to Okey Emordi and Chief Ignatius Okeahialam at Iwuanyawu Nationale, among others, to guide the current administrators to make available the ingredients for fostering a competitive team and forge a successful season.From Players Recruitment to Players Welfare, Travel Logistics to Community and Fan Engagements.
Before questions are asked, if this extra role will not distract Eguma from his primary duty – Coaching. Those familiar with him say, he is not a hands-on coach on the training ground. That is where his trusty 2-i-c – Ndubuisi Nduka, another seasoned and veteran coach,notable for leading Heartland FC to successfully defend their Federation Cup title in 2012 – comes in.
Eguma knows the fabric of the league and the mentality of the players. With no continental distractions or exertions, I think he is well positioned to influence key decisions in the administrative area and as well as in the technical area. His age, experience, calm demeanor and soft spoken disposition equip him for the task ahead and make him capable of winning the confidence of his Bosses and have them entrust more responsibility to him for the overall good of the team and club.
Like the Boehly- Clearlake did when they took over at Chelsea in 2022, they asked Thomas Tuchel to be more than a coach and take on more sporting responsibility. An offer Tuchel declined, preferring to stick to just coaching the first team. A response that strained relations with the new owners, and consequently led to the parting of ways at the slighted slump in results. Eguma, if properly tapped, could be a protagonist in our bid to make a seamless transition into a new order without losing our club ethos and famed winning identity. A little more trust in the gaffer could make a world of difference in these changing times.
