Defeat always leaves a bitter taste, doesn’t it? And Sunday’s loss was one that has refused to go down. It wasn’t only about the result, it was about who gave it to us. Losing our unbeaten run to that lot feels heavier than a simple setback. Painful doesn’t even begin to describe it.
I’ve replayed that match again and again, and to be honest, it felt like this loss had been waiting for us all along. The signs were there. Small cracks, tiny lapses, brief moments of sloppiness. But as long as we kept getting results, we found reasons to ignore them. Now that the streak is gone, maybe that is not such a bad thing. Sometimes, a defeat forces you to confront what you have been sweeping aside. Maybe this was that moment for us.
Coach Stanley Eguma made some brave calls on Sunday. John Bassey, who has often been our go-to man up front, started from the bench, while Chidera Michael got the nod. To be fair, it was a decision that made sense. Chidera has shown more hunger and sharper finishing in recent games. But even that change didn’t alter the rhythm of the match.
The ever-energetic Kalu Nweke gave his all once again. He has easily been our standout player this season, but football is a collective game. You can shine as an individual, but if the team isn’t clicking, even your brightest light fades. Still, we take it all in stride. There is grace even in defeat. We pick ourselves up and move.
While we were still trying to shake off the pain from Owerri, chaos was unfolding in Kano. Shooting Stars grabbed a late equalizer against Kano Pillars, and the home fans completely lost control. What followed was embarrassing to watch, another moment that drags our league’s reputation through the mud.
Both clubs reacted quickly. Pillars’ General Manager even issued an apology, and the NPFL stepped in with sanctions. But let’s be honest, the punishment felt light for something so serious.
This is not new either. This was the eighth major fan-related incident involving Pillars in six years. Eight times. At what point do we finally say enough is enough? If we are serious about reforming our football culture, we have to issue punishments that hurt. A ten-game banishment to Katsina might sound tough, but it is not enough of a deterrent. Real change requires courage, not comfort.
Let’s also be real about something else. The referees are not completely blameless. Yes, they are human and mistakes will happen, but match management is not luck. It is a skill. Too often, poor officiating pours fuel on already heated games.
Referees hold the key to balance. Their calls can calm a match or push it into chaos. The earlier they understand the weight of that responsibility, the better for everyone. Players, fans, clubs, and the league all depend on it.
At the end of the day, football is a shared space. Players, fans, referees, clubs, and the league itself all have a role in making it better, safer, and more enjoyable. Passion drives the game, but passion without control is not loyalty, it is chaos.
We can’t keep repeating the same mistakes and calling it passion. Real love for the game protects it. It doesn’t destroy it.
So as we move on from this defeat and prepare for the next challenge, let’s remember who we are. The People’s Elephant stands taller after every stumble. We fight, we learn, we grow.
Back tomorrow.
EnyimbaEnyi 💙
