Greetings, All and Sundry!
We can’t seem to catch a break from the gloomy effects of maladministration at Enyimba FC. Just when you think the sack of Coach Stanley Eguma might inject new energy into the team and rekindle enthusiasm among the fans, the stench from the Management manages to thicken the air even more.
What should be routine administrative tasks are handled with such embarrassing tardiness that those at the helm come across as unprepared—or worse, underprepared. And the ripple effect is everywhere. Performance, results, image, identity—everything is taking a hit.
The players, who should be the center of football conversations, have become a footnote. And that’s because everyone knows where the metastasized rot began. The league table paints the picture clearly: we are closer to the drop zone than to the continental positions. That alone tells the story of how far and how fast we’ve declined.
For decades, Enyimba built its reputation on defensive solidity. Our resilience at the back was our trademark. Today, we concede almost a goal per match and look frighteningly vulnerable to every set piece the opposition wins. We must urgently rethink our defensive strategy if we intend to look anything close to formidable again.
Still, it’s worth noting that Afolayan Peters is quietly chasing a record of consecutive starts. His appearance against Remo Stars last weekend was his 16th this season—level with Pascal Eze’s run in 2022/23 and just one short of Chinedu Udoji’s 17-match streak in 2015/16.
Peters, who arrived midway through last season to strengthen a backline of Somiari Alalibo, Chikamso Okechukwu, and Eze, has seen his role elevated with the exit of Alalibo and Chikamso. What once looked like a sure partnership between Peters and Eze simply hasn’t materialized this season. Eze, the team captain, has found himself on the fringes—no starts, and only brief cameos in the last three games after Eguma’s exit.
Peters, meanwhile, has been the constant. Whether paired with Mohammed Hussaini or Fabian Nwaorie, he has been the anchor in defence. He even captained the team against Nasarawa United, a leadership responsibility central defenders of note have traditionally carried at this club.
As we inch closer to the midpoint of the season, clarity on the managerial change must come quickly. The team needs direction—tactical, technical, and structural—if we hope to produce something coherent on the pitch. And beyond clarity, we need reinforcements. Quality ones. The second half of the season will demand more than excuses and crossed fingers.
We host Kwara United this weekend.
Let’s just win.
