Enyimba FC players had a feel of the grass again in a league match at the Pantami Stadium Gombe on Saturday against Doma United, almost a fortnight since our league opener in Minna. It was another defeat that placed the Aba giants near the foot of the table. Though it’s too early to be looking at the league table, or even reading too much meaning of the ridiculous red line drawn to separate the last four teams from the rest. Please there should be some form of moderation to mischief this early into the season.<\/p>\n
Coach Emmanuel Deutsch ran some changes to his starting teamsheet from the last match. From the complete team of debutants in Minna to a mix of the new and the not too new in Gombe. In a bid to spark a response, familiar faces Emeka Onyema and Okoh Moses started in central defence, as Wonah Williams -an impact sub and goal scorer against Tornadoes- was fielded from the start. There was also a spot for former Remo Stars attacker – Samuel Anakwe to make his Enyimba debut. We hope Deutsch finds a good mix and strikes the right balance soon, before we lose sight of the early pacesetters.<\/p>\n
Eighteen months since he last kicked a ball in a competitive match, due to a long injury layoff that kept him away for a full season and half, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele came off the bench in Gombe to the delight of Enyimba fans. He looked like a new signing again, though his return did not match his memorable debut for Enyimba when he also came off the bench, in Owerri against Heartland with the People’s Elephant trailing in the Oriental derby. He scored two minutes after his introduction to spark a famous 3-1 comeback win to open our 2024\/25 season. A fully fit Ihemekwele offers more attacking options and dynamics in the final third.<\/p>\n
We can only imagine what would have been the outcome if the Assistant Referee had tarried before flagging for an offside against Enyimba at the crucial attacking phase in the encounter on Saturday. A decision that invalidated our goal. A good goal.The NFF Referee Development Committee after a review suspended Assistant Referee Aliyu Yakubu Bana indefinitely following a controversial offside decision. The NFF stated that Bana did not follow the \u201cWait-and-see protocol\u201d which led to the cancellation of a valid goal scored by Enyimba. The federation added that the mistake affected the result of the match. As a result Bana has been delisted from the league roster of referees and assistant referees for the 2026\/27 season. While the suspension represents a significant disciplinary action by the NFF on erring match officials, it leaves us with nothing but regrets.<\/p>\n
After the storm that almost consumed Enyimba last season, we thought lessons had been learned and the forces contending for power and influence would sheath their swords and work in the overall interest of the club. But it seems the overriding aim of some power mongers is to finally see to the relegation of the club, in a bid to score cheap ego points. Prior to the match against Doma United, instead of pre-match reports to generate attention towards the match, what dominated the media space were distributed articles of interference in the management of club affairs. The author pointed fingers at the ministry of sports in the state and made sundry claims of sabotage from within. I initially dismissed such a mere media war in high places, until Coach Deutsch did lend his voice to the reported distractions swirling at the club but reaffirmed the resolve of the team to stay focused. Distraction and Focus hardly coexist without the former getting the better of the latter. I deduce this is deeper than has been reported, and it’s likely getting in the way of the team’s concentration. I hope it doesn’t spiral into affecting the wellbeing and welfare of the team. The unnecessary tension at the management level seems to distract from the sporting objective of the club. Let peace reign.<\/p>\n
After two losses away from home, Enyimba fans look to some comforting results at home next week. Starting from the two consecutive home fixtures against Inter Lagos on Sunday,20th and Sporting Lagos on Wednesday,23th. The People’s Elephant will play host to the two Lagos sides in a space of four days. With the postponed Matchday Two fixture against Shooting Stars SC rescheduled for the 30th,all in September. Perhaps September will be a month to remember, if we can turn Aba to a fortress again and make the home comfort count for something worth helping us move up the log.<\/p>\n
Enyimba Enyi!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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