Enyimba’s quest for maximum points at the Enyimba International Stadium on Sunday ended in frustration as the People’s Elephant were held to a goalless draw by ten-man Barau FC in their NPFL Matchday 21 clash.
Under the watching eyes of the Aba Faithful, both sides cancelled each other out, just as they did in Kano earlier in the season. Even with Barau reduced to ten men in the second half, Enyimba could not find the breakthrough.
Speaking after the game, Technical Adviser Coach Deji Ayeni admitted the result was disappointing but stressed that the focus must now shift toward fixing what went wrong rather than dwelling on regret.
“I feel so bad indeed,” Ayeni said. “Football has three outcomes – you win, you draw, or you lose. But the reason behind the result is what really matters.”
“We have played the game and we can’t reverse it. So we will go back and start thinking about how to fine-tune the things that went wrong. The team needs strong psychology to regain a winning mentality, and we will work on that ahead of our next game.”
Enyimba pushed harder after the red card, piling on pressure and creating chances through Ayeni’s substitutions. However, nerves in front of goal proved costly on the day.
“The boys were nervous because they were eager to win,” the gaffer explained. “The substitutions brought positives, we sustained pressure and created chances, but that anxiety in front of goal affected us. There were also some calls that didn’t go in our favour, which I don’t really like talking about.”
Despite the frustration, Ayeni remains optimistic about what lies ahead.
“I am a very positive-minded person,” he said. “I don’t believe in stagnation, I believe in progression. There is a pendulum to every situation.”
“When you are working hard and not getting the desired results, you look inward to find the cause. I will go deep to fish out the solution. With 17 games to go, I am convinced we can work on the issues and get it right. We have won games with these same players, and we are still fortifying the team.”
Attention now shifts to a challenging run of away fixtures, starting with Niger Tornadoes in Minna on Sunday, followed by a midweek trip to Lafia to face Nasarawa United.
The draw in Aba may feel like two points dropped, but under Ayeni’s leadership, Enyimba remain confident that better days are still ahead.
Enyimba Enyi.
