Sometimes football feels like it has a mind of its own. It could be seen as a living, breathing thing that chooses who gets joy and who gets heartbreak.
For us, Jos has always been that unkind city that smiles before snatching the laughter away. Yesterday was no different. The People’s Elephant battled, bruised, and even briefly believed, but when the dust settled, Plateau United were the ones walking away with a 2–1 win, leaving us with that all-too-familiar feeling of “almost.”
Let’s be honest, Jos has never been generous to us. Nine previous visits, no wins, and only two draws. The altitude, the weather, the crowd, the turf, everything all seem to conspire to make sure the blue of Enyimba never quite shines bright up there. But even beyond the history, this one hurt a bit differently because it wasn’t a game Plateau United won; it was one Enyimba lost by being caught in the same traps over and over.
The opening minutes were encouraging — the kind that make you think, “maybe today’s the day.” Fabian Nworie looked fearless on his debut, Atule buzzed with intent, and Bassey John worked the lines as always like a man desperate to change the narrative. For once, there was some rhythm, some composure, and you could sense that Plateau were uneasy. But just when it seemed Enyimba were growing into the game, the familiar patterns reappeared. Second balls went unchallenged, long throws treated like surprises, and those tiny lapses that become massive problems.
Coach Stanley Eguma’s men have not been utterly terrible this season to an extent. They’ve relatively shown grit, discipline, and flashes of genuine quality. But what they’ve lacked is that cold-blooded concentration that wins tight away games. And Jos, with its thin air and thick pressure, punishes even a second of hesitation. The first Plateau goal came exactly like that, a long throw, a flick, a scramble, and boom! we went behind.
Even when Jacob Jonathan came off the bench to level things, it didn’t feel safe. The team celebrated, yes, but you could tell they knew they were walking a tightrope. One more slip, one more ball watched instead of attacked, and the home side would take advantage. And that’s exactly how it ended with another header, another moment of lost focus, another lesson served cold.
The truth is, this wasn’t not just about poor tactics or lack of effort, it was about a team that hasn’t quite learned how to handle ugly football in ugly places. And that’s what Jos demands, sheer stubbornness. Plateau United didn’t just outplay us; we were outlasted.
For now, all we can do is dust off, reset, and remember that even the biggest elephants stumble, especially when the ground itself seems determined to trip them.
With a 2-match ultimatum handed to the gaffer this morning, let’s hope it is the fix we crave. I look forward to what will be handed to the players as well.
EnyimbaEnyi
