The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture scheduling has again afforded us a week-long period to reflect on the last match and other happenings at Enyimba. The tales of poor conditions at the club are capable of hampering optimal output, hence it’s a cause for serious concern.
The Peoples elephant seems a shadow of it’s old self. Far from the era we fell in love with the club and religiously followed its activities, because of the feel-good vibes that emanated from the club – both on and off the pitch. A time when no club in the land rarely won a bidding war for a player against the Aba giants. When the creme de la creme of players were attracted to Aba with the best welfare package on offer and the opportunity to win trophies and trade tackles with the best players in Africa. How are the mighty fallen? It’s not my endeavor to dwell on the gloom that currently pervades at the club, but to avert your minds to some pondering in view of a boom someday.
The stalemate in Yenegoa came in a weekend largely headlined by the top performances of returnee marksmen- Ahmed Musa and Godwin Obaje – both previous winners of the NPFL golden boot for their unrivaled goal-scoring exploits in seasons 2010 and 2016 respectively. Last weekend, we were witnesses to Musa scoring a last gasp winner for Kano Pillars against Plateau United, to take his impressive tally to four goals this term and deepen his legacy. While Obaje’s brace secured a win for Enugu Rangers and improved his standing on the log of NPFL all-time goal scorers.
I couldn’t help but envy these clubs for the instant return on investments recorded thus far. On further reflection, the question posed by BigSam in one of his profound blog posts here resonated. He asked – “Don’t we have a currently unemployed former Enyimba International who can come in and add something to our attack mix? Mfon Udoh? Sibi Gwar? Peter Onyekachi? Anayo Iwuala? The more i think about this, the more comical the idea gets especially from an Enyimba point of view.”
Yeah, it seems comical. And I initially dismissed it as rhetorical. However the remarkable outings of Musa and Obaje on Sunday, elicited further introspection.
A name popped up.
Where is he? I asked.
He was last seen in the colours of Shooting Stars of Ibadan last season, where he notched up goals in double figures.He has also had notable stints at Sharks FC, Enyimba FC, Akwa United, and Heartland FC, with over 30 goals in the NPFL under his belt. Although his over 30 goals in about 6 seasons is not the most prolific of returns, but he is one player with the ability and reputation to pull chestnuts out of the fire at hostile away grounds. His knack for scoring the crucial winner away from home remains an enduring highlight of his time at the clubs he has played for. No player has unnerved home defences and stunned home fans like this former youth international.
Six notable times he hit the bull’s eyes.
2014/15: Kwara United 0-1 SHARKS FC
2014/15: Bayelsa Utd 0-1 SHARKS FC
2015/16: Akwa Utd 0-1 ENYIMBA FC
2016/17: Kano Pillars 0-1 AKWA UTD
2019/20: Kwara United 0-1 HEARTLAND
2023/24: Kano Pillars 1-2 3SC (90+4)
Is someone still without a clue who I’m raving about? His name is Christian Pyagbara. Pyagbara’s affiliation to Enyimba lasted only one season -2015/16. Although he did not paint Aba blue with goals but his industry and work-rate earned him plaudits. The fans fondly remember the televised floodlit matchday 13, late kickoff encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo between Akwa United and Enyimba, where his well taken winning goal sent Enyimba supporters to rapturous and gave them bragging rights over their rivals.
Imagine if we had a famed slayer of home teams in Yenegoa,perhaps a share of the spoils would have been a return with the full booty. Wild thoughts though. A quick search showed Pyagbara is in some club in Iraq. Dead End? You never can say. The dynamic nature of football and transfers always leave a room for possibilities.
This is not by any stretch of imagination a vote of no confidence on the current crop of strikers at the club. But a somewhat call for improvement as a team to nip the goal-scoring issues in the bud. Like John Obi Mikel’s criticism of Nicolas Jackson triggered his monstrous performance for Chelsea this season. I would want to let out a boisterous roar – Christian who? at the end of most matches, knowing that what we craved in Sokoto dey here in our Shokoto.
