If you are a Nigerian and an Enyimba fan, how are you holding up? It’s been one frustrating draw after the other in the last four days. While the Super Eagles underwhelming draw against South Africa, further dimmed any glimmer of hope for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The stalemate in Aba against Nasarawa United was a missed opportunity to deepen the gains of the win in our penultimate home match against Tornadoes.
For Enyimba, it’s still early days in the league, with so much to play for in the next nine months. So, more opportunities will come to regain lost ground or strengthen our march forward. We stay patient and hopeful that the new team will come good.
The newness of the team was evident in the last match, as no player in the starting eleven was in the squad at the start of last season. However, three of them – matchday captain – Afolayan Peters, Solomon Ogberahwe and Olasunkanmi Quadri joined mid-way last season. And perhaps the not too new a face – Bright Emmanuel, who had limited chances during a brief spell at the club in the 2018/19 season, but is back to stake a claim to a starting spot this time.
As we gear up for the three testy matches scheduled for the reminder of the month of September, I’d like to reflect on the key stats that have kept us in positive conversations so far this season.
First, the early unbeaten run gang. A fast-depleting rank of clubs that remain unbowed after three rounds of matches in the league. There we have – Enyimba FC, Remo Stars, Wikki Tourists, El Kanemi Warriors, Rivers United and Ikorodu City.
Second, of the six clubs still standing tall, two – Enyimba and El Kanemi Warriors are yet to concede a goal, with three successful clean sheets thus far. As stated earlier, it’s still early days but it’s worth highlighting the early promise shown by the team.
While the defensive fortitude of a team is the collective effort of eleven players on the pitch. The last line of defence – primarily saddled with the responsibility of warding off the onslaught of the opposing teams offense – deserves worthy mentions. Hence the need to give early and worthy kudos to goalkeeper – Kelvin Ogunga, the centre-back pair ahead of him, Afolayan Peters and Mohammed Hussaini. Left-backs – Samuel Agu/Solomon Ogberahwe and Right-backs – Joel Ezra/Christian Molokwu, for ensuring our rear is unbreached in the first three games of the season.
“Attack wins you games, but Defence wins you titles.” – Sir Alex Ferguson
Nonetheless, I think you need to win matches to win titles. You win games by scoring goals, which is not currently the case with our attack. One goal in three matches is a poor return. That is worrisome and deserves the attention of the coaches. Things need to shake up in the final third to enable the solidity at the back to count for something.
Our next match at Bayelsa United will provide a stern test for our team.Coach Stanley Eguma knows the terrain so well and should be up to the huge task on Sunday. But he will be up against a man,who has been around in the NPFL for a long time too,in Monday Odigie – now at the start of another spell at Bayelsa United. Odigie’s time at Enyimba as assistant to Head Coach Zachary Baraje in the 2013/14 season was brief and listless. As both men were given the boot after an early run of poor results.
September fixtures look set to shape Enyimba’s start to the season. I hope they emerge better equipped for the challenges ahead.
Enyimba Enyi
