Enyimba FC huffed and puffed to a goalless draw against Warri Wolves in Aba on Sunday. It was two points dropped, and eight points lost after five home matches in Aba. With one point from four travels this season, the People’s Elephant sit in 18th place on the table, with eight points from a possible twenty-seven. The stark reality is that the Aba giants have frittered away 19 points and are nine points adrift of the pacesetters after nine opening league fixtures of the season.
Coach Emmanuel Deutsch made two alterations to the starting eleven from the last match. Restoring captain Stanley Dimgba and defender Chibueze Damian to the starting roster, to mirror the team which delivered consecutive home wins against Shooting Stars and Plateau United. But the similarities in the starting teams did not extend to the results, as the Hassan Abdallah boys held off our challenge for a share of the spoils. The Seasiders remain unbeaten against the Elephants,since their return to the topflight last season.This draw adds to the remarkable double they achieved over us last term.
The new season is shaping up, and teams are making hay while the sun shines. Which brings to these questions . What is really happening in Aba? Is it still early days in the season? Is it too early for the financiers of the club to pay a visit to the team? What are the real issues holding back the team? League points are not served on a platter, it’s fought for and won or lost on the day. The position of clubs on the league table is a reflection of the strength and points earned on the pitch. The creditable point Enyimba got in Kano has been cancelled by the stalemate against Wolves at home yesterday. While the two early losses at home against Inter Lagos and Sporting Lagos are yet to get checked with an away win or two. We are running in deficit, and even adding to it with every dropped point.
While we were drawing at home, our next opponent was winning away. A contrast in outcomes that has elevated the dynamics and complexities of the match against Nasarawa United in Lafia next Sunday. Adding to the mix, is the hosts coach – Mbwas Mangut, a former Enyimba player who is unbeaten against us in the last two years of handling Plateau United and Nasarawa United. Recording a famous last matchday win in Aba in the 2025/26 season with the Peace boys.
Last weekend the NPFL recorded two away victories, and several remarkable draws . A pointer to my earlier assertion that league points are there for the taken. However, a bold match plan,a well-drilled team play and a dash of the rub of the green are needed to pluck the full points or a share of it. That is largely lacking in the Enyimba of today. A team in need of leadership and charismatic personalities, to show exemplary output and call for the same across the pitch and even the bench.
Some results serve as a reality check and call for introspection. This result against Wolves is one and should not be allowed to go away like the ones before it. If this is taken quietly without swift and significant adjustments to the structure and direction of the team, then we might be slipping into dangerous grounds that would be late and difficult to pull away from. The alarm bells are not sounding just yet, but the red lights are blinking at imminent danger lurking around, if not speedily averted. The best time to look for a black goat is in the daytime. A word is enough for the wise.
We extend our goodwill to goalkeeper Dare Dede, who barely lasted 10 minutes on the pitch yesterday, before a heavy collision had him substituted. We wish him a quick and full recovery. We need all our players available and at peak physical levels to defend the pride and honour of Enyimba international Football Club in a season that is poised to be a challenging one.
Enyimba Enyi!
