It’s another NPFL weekend on the horizon and for those of us still shaking off the sting of last Sunday this one couldn’t come any sooner.
The international break gave us a brief escape and what an escape it was. Tuesday’s national team performance was pure joy. Four unreplied goals, the kind of football that makes you forget every league frustration for a few hours. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, you could feel it even through the screen. Nigerians everywhere were united in celebration, shouting, clapping, dancing, maybe even believing for a moment that the Super Eagles had just lifted the World Cup. But while the World Cup ticket dream is still a few qualifying playoffs away, that euphoric night reminded us what football joy feels like again.
Now back to our own reality, the one that sits deep in the blue heart of Aba. A derby day defeat always cuts deep. It’s that kind of pain that doesn’t just sting, it lingers. When the defeat comes from an unlikely opponent it twists the knife a little more. The fans I spoke with after the game were heartbroken. None imagined our unbeaten run would end in Owerri and certainly not in the hands of Kun Khalifat. Yet credit where it’s due, Ebuka Nwokorie’s free kick was pure class. If you’re going to lose, at least let it be to a goal that deserves applause.
Still that defeat left a bitter aftertaste. I even forced myself to rewatch the full ninety minutes. In truth we were unlucky not to grab a point. But at the same time we were lucky not to concede another late on. Those final twenty plus minutes after the goal had my heart doing sprints even in the replay with a man down. That’s football for you, unpredictable, cruel, beautiful, all in one breath.
But one thing is certain, Enyimba never stays down. Losing a match, especially to a team still finding its rhythm, doesn’t define us. Derby games are strange beasts, the form book goes out the window and emotions take over. We got burned this time, yes, but it’s fuel for our fire. Sunday is a chance for redemption. We have a fortress to protect and pride to reclaim. Home is where we roar the loudest and nobody leaves the Enyimba International Stadium unshaken.
We haven’t exactly been prolific in front of goal at home this season and yes, it’s a growing concern. But what matters most now is getting back to winning ways. Warri Wolves are next and they must be trampled. The last time we dropped points at home to Nasarawa United we responded by snatching victory on the road. This team, even in its inconsistency, has shown flashes of what it can be and that’s enough to keep the faith alive.
We were disappointed, yes. But our love for this club runs deeper than any single result. We’ve seen triumphs, heartbreaks, controversies and miracles, yet every weekend we still show up. Because that’s what love does. Like the mythical phoenix, Enyimba will rise again, stronger, hungrier, louder.
We are the People’s Elephant. We may stumble but we never stay down.
Back tomorrow.
EnyimbaEnyi 💙
