Kano was always going to be tough, and in the end, it proved just that.
After the team flew in on Thursday, there was hope among many of us that Enyimba could grind out something from the trip. But once the game started, it quickly became clear that Kano Pillars wanted it just as badly. This ZoBia Classic was never just another fixture. It was a survival battle, a pride contest, and a six-pointer in everything but name.
Pillars landed the first blow in the 11th minute through Chidozie Okorie, and once again Enyimba’s soft underbelly in defense was exposed. At this stage of the season, that is deeply worrying. With just seven games left, a team fighting to stay clear of danger cannot keep defending like this. Conceding 34 goals while scoring only 31 is a poor return, and it shows exactly why we are where we are on the table.
Then came Ahmed Musa’s goal just before the break, and truth be told, it was a beauty. The former Super Eagles captain produced a finish of real class, one that left Dede helpless. At 33, Musa still looks like a player operating on a different level from most of the league. His quality, decision-making, and ability to influence games remain exceptional. There is a reason he is still so respected. He is not in this league to make up numbers.
But while Musa deserves praise, Enyimba must look inward.
The bigger issue is that this team keeps making life hard for itself. The defense is unreliable, the attack is not clinical enough, and the margin for error is now almost gone. Every dropped point brings more pressure. Every mistake drags the club deeper into anxiety. If Enyimba are serious about preserving their NPFL status, then the improvement has to start immediately.
There is no need for sugarcoating. The team has to defend better, compete harder, and take chances when they come. Survival will not be handed to us. It has to be fought for.
On a separate note, one thing I have observed closely in the NPFL is how coaches carry themselves on matchday. Emmanuel Deutsch may still believe he can steer Enyimba away from relegation, and that optimism is welcome, but his appearance on the touchline leaves a lot to be desired.
For a manager of one of Nigeria’s biggest clubs, showing up in shorts regularly is simply not good enough. Others around the league understand the weight of presentation. Fidelis Ilechukwu, Finidi George, Yema Olanrewaju, even Imama Amapakabo all carry themselves with a sense of authority and professionalism. Their appearance matches the seriousness of their role.
Deutsch, on the other hand, often looks too casual for the occasion. And yes, that matters.
This is not about vanity. It is about standards. It is about looking like the man in charge of a giant club. It is about inspiring confidence and reflecting the stature of Enyimba. When you manage a club of this size, everything counts, including how you present yourself. Leadership is not only in tactics and team talks. It is also in image, discipline, and the standards you embody.
The season is not over yet, but Enyimba must wake up quickly. There is still enough time to fight back, but only if everyone raises their level. The club needs resilience, urgency, and proper leadership on and off the pitch.
The road ahead is difficult, but the fight is still there. If Enyimba stay united and respond with purpose, survival is still possible.
