Good Morning Everyone,
At last, Enyimba’s Chairman Kanu has decided to speak publicly. According to him, his administration deserves commendation not criticism. Before I share my thoughts, here’s what he had to say:
“I met an Enyimba that had no proper office, no players’ camp, no clubhouse, no dedicated training pitch, no feeder teams — even the trophies won by the club were packed in someone’s office.
People are not informed about the true state of Enyimba internally. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re putting sustainable structures in place.
We now have genuine youth teams to groom future stars, and work is ongoing to unveil a formal club office and clubhouse.”
Off course! What were we thinking? A formal club office and clubhouse. Excellent. Just perfect.
You know, setting up an office and a clubhouse solves the need for professional standards at Enyimba. Only yesterday, we discussed how injured players are being told to fund their treatment themselves. Others are leaving in droves due to unpaid bonuses and poor welfare.
A few days ago, I tweeted about how Enyimba no longer attracts the very best players in the country. There was a time when this club was the top destination and the best players all wanted to be here. Sadly, that era feels like a distant memory.
Today, we are lining up to sign players who’ve struggled elsewhere; you know them, Bayelsa United and the rest. It feels like we are just signing players to make up the numbers. What percentage of players signed in the first half of last season went on to become valuable cogs in the Enyimba machine?
And what about the empty stands at Enyimba games, do you think fans are staying away because they are insisting a new office and clubhouse is built before they return? You can build structures and run a successful team on and off the pitch. This administration has had the reins at Enyimba a few years now. How much longer until real, visible progress is seen?
When I saw that headline, I expected more, perhaps an honest reflection or concrete plan. Chief Anyansi wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but at least success on the pitch offered fans something to hold onto. In your case, it’s hard to point to one area where meaningful change has occurred.
Maybe, once again, I’ll write about the five key areas this club needs to focus on—areas that will continue to draw criticism until they’re properly addressed.
Back tomorrow.
‘EnyimbaEnyi
