It’s the weekend once again.
Fridays, for many, are the official launchpad into relaxation mode. For civil and public servants, it’s the start of the weekend. For the average Aba trader, it’s the penultimate day of hustle or the last, if there’s a big Saturday event. Either way, Friday carries its own magic. The fuller your purse or the more satisfying your week, the better your chances of treating yourself.
Interestingly, that’s the same energy the average fan brings into his relationship with football. A win? Pure vibes. A three-point haul? Suddenly, the club becomes “my darling.” Success makes the heart grow fonder and fatter too. No wonder victory has so many relatives.
Failure, on the other hand, is that poor cousin nobody wants to claim. Football loyalty is one of the strongest bonds you’ll ever see. It is stronger than most marriages, even but when a string of poor results hits, the bond stretches thin. Some fans live in denial, others pretend they’ve “moved on,” but we all know: too many failures and the connection weakens dangerously.
Let’s take a hard look at our own Enyimba over the last three seasons: Champions. Third place. Sixth. That’s not quite the stable powerhouse we’re used to boasting about. It feels like we’ve been stuck in this same cycle for nearly a decade. Almost the same pattern: up one year, down the next, fighting inconsistency more than any rival. And yes, this yo-yo trajectory has played its part in those empty seats we now see at the Aba Stadium.
Because here’s the thing: the average Aba man loves his football. If the display is good, he’ll gladly forfeit his favorite evening beer to rush to the stadium. But if the football doesn’t excite him, that same beer suddenly becomes the better company. For him, “enjoyment” means one thing and that is results. Just keep winning at home, throw in a little flair, and watch the stands fill up like a gospel crusade.
The truth? You can create the best off-field matchday experience like halftime shows, celebrity endorsements, and every other stuff but if the team doesn’t get it right on the pitch, it’s like pouring water into a basket. Fans won’t stick, and worse, the loyal ones who should be your ambassadors won’t proudly wear your merch or defend you in the beer parlors.
The formula is simple: results on the pitch unlock everything else, be it packed stands, buzzing merchandise sales, corporate partnerships, revenue growth. Results are the master key. Which brings us to the million-naira question: do we have the squad to deliver consistent results this season?
Because at the end of the day, results keep the fans, and the fans are the lifeblood of Enyimba.
Back tomorrow with the build-up to the Bayelsa United game.
EnyimbaEnyi
