Happy Sunday!
It’s the first Sunday of September and in many places, a day of thanksgiving. September always feels like a reality check because it is the beginning of the final stretch of the year. Some are busy strategizing, chasing down goals they set back in January, while others are firmly camped in the “don’t pressure me” gang, sipping their soft life gently. Whichever side you belong to, one thing is certain for all of us: today, football takes center stage.
Our Elephants welcome the Solid Miners of Nasarawa United to the Elephant Park this afternoon. History tells us this fixture is rarely dull. Since 2022, goals have been a constant whenever we meet them with just three of the last 21 clashes ended scoreless, and the last six alone produced a staggering 21 goals. In a league where goals are often scarce, this fixture almost always guarantees drama.
Nasarawa’s start to the new season has been a mixed bag: one win, one loss, one goal scored, and one conceded. Classic NPFL “home and away” rhythm. But if there’s one thing about them, it’s that they’re always tricky opponents, regardless of form. They’ll arrive in Aba with confidence, determined to upset us in our own den.
On our part, we come into this game unbeaten after two matchdays. We’re one of just eight teams yet to taste defeat this season, and while that’s encouraging, we’re hungry for more than just “unbeaten.” We want wins, momentum, and a proper title charge. Last season, we strung together a run without defeats but too often settled for draws. This year, that story must change because an unbeaten run this time, must mean a winning run.
Between the sticks, Kelvin Ogunga is expected to continue in goal. While some fans may still be weighing their confidence in him, the gaffer clearly trusts his ability. Ahead of him, the defense looks set with Hussaini and Afolayan anchoring the backline and Solomon offering that adventurous drive from left-back. Their job? To keep Nasarawa’s biggest threat, last season’s top scorer Anas Yusuf, as quiet as possible. At the same time, they must support our own attacking surges.
Midfield will again revolve around our stand-in skipper, Chinedu Ufere. Fresh off his birthday celebration yesterday, Ufere is set to lead from the middle of the park with that mix of grit and composure we’ve come to expect. His leadership will be vital in dictating tempo and keeping us on the front foot.
Up front, however, lies the real question. One goal in two games is hardly reflective of the chances we’ve created. Joseph Abiodun is the only new signing to have broken the deadlock for us so far, and we’ll need more bite from the final third. Could this be the game where Joseph Atule joins the scoring party and we see the “double Joseph” combination flying down both channels? After all, history smiles kindly on our Josephs—the last of the name to light up our flanks, Joseph Osadiaye, still lingers in memory.
As the clock ticks to 4pm, Aba will come alive once again. The fans, the noise, the energy—it all builds into the kind of atmosphere that makes the Elephant Park special. Our mission today is simple: start September strong, protect our unbeaten record, and send the Solid Miners back home empty-handed.
Here’s to another victory. Here’s to a September of wins.
Enyimba Enyi!
