Over a decade ago, I developed a habit of hate-watching rival clubs around the world. Not out of deep-seated animosity, but purely for the banter. There was always something amusing about watching their results dip or a key player limp off injured.
Except, of course, when the transfer window was open. Because once reinforcements were needed, the jokes usually stopped. Funnily enough, the reverse has often been the case with the clubs I support. Which brings me neatly to Enyimba and our current inconsistency.
That midweek battering in Ibadan against Shooting Stars didn’t just sting. It highlighted deeper issues that need addressing. Reinforcements are clearly required; not just bodies, but players who fit the profile of the new coach’s philosophy and can quickly adapt to his technical direction. And if that is the plan, it has to happen before this mid-season window closes.
In the past few days, I’ve kept a keen eye on transfer news surrounding the People’s Elephant. Several familiar names have reportedly exited the club, while others are said to be on the way in. At last count, about four players are either signed or close to being announced. Three of them come from the NNL, including the two from Crown FC — players Coach Ayodele Ayeni knows well from his time in Ogbomosho.
Naturally, this has raised questions about our current direction as a club. Have we lost the financial muscle to attract elite players? Is this our new reality? Or is this a deliberate shift towards younger, hungrier players eager to seize their moment? To be fair, the mid-season window is not about wholesale change. It’s about plugging holes. But the profile of players being linked to us still tells a story.
Over the years, Enyimba built a reputation for assembling top talents, especially strikers who delivered titles. What often gets overlooked, however, are the success stories that came from the lower leagues, players who were eased into the first team and went on to leave their mark.
There have been both hits and misses. Let’s focus on the hits.
UCHE KALU
Discovered on the streets of Aba, but polished at Bussdor United in Port Harcourt. His goals nearly took Bussdor to the topflight in 2006 before the infamous Akwa-Cross 13–0 saga derailed their promotion hopes. Back in Aba, Uche hit his stride quickly, firing Enyimba to the 2007 league title. Injuries slowed him down later, but he returned strongly in 2011, scoring crucial CAF Champions League goals as we reached the semifinals.
CHINONSO OKONKWO
A relentless presence at First Bank FC in the NNL in 2011. He wasn’t the most prolific, but his work rate and knack for big moments made him invaluable. Signed to replace Philip Auta in 2012, Nonso will always be remembered for scoring our second goal in the 2014 Federation Cup final against Dolphins.
IFEANYI IHEMEKWELE
Joined from Ijebu United at the start of the 2024/25 season and made an instant impact. Coming off the bench in our opening game at Heartland, he scored within two minutes to spark a 3–1 comeback win. By mid-season, he had eight goals in all competitions before injury cut his campaign short. The good news? He’s back in training for the second half of this season.
These are the kind of stories the new NNL recruits will be hoping to write. For now, they sit on the edge of two lists; the celebrated Hits or the forgotten Misses. Their task is simple: adapt quickly, perform consistently, and prove they belong at this level under Ayeni’s technical direction.
Hope, as always, remains.
EnyimbaEnyi.
