The 2025/26 NPFL season is finally underway,with Enyimba FC chalking a point on the board after a resilient performance in Kano against new boys – Barau FC. Attention now shifts to the matchday 2 fixture,as Enyimba look set to host Niger Tornadoes in Aba for our first home match of the season.
Our season’s opener in Kano gave us a glimpse of the assembled squad for the season. And did properly situate the earlier exaggerated narratives of some rookies and untested players being lined-up,straight from the dusty playground of Ngwa High School to don our blue kit this season.
However, I saw in the first draft of the squad,a mix of rookies and seasoned campaigners. Heartland FC did lose some weight with the exit of four of the players that helped them get a share of the spoils in Aba last season. The Emmanuel Amunike-coached side then paraded Goalkeeper Kevin Ogunga, Centre-back Christian Molokwu, Striker Bassey John and defender Samuel Agu. All four swapped the red jersey of the relegated Owerri side for the blue kit of Enyimba, and made the cut for the trip to Kano last week.
Aside the ex-Heartland boys, another notable name any keen follower of Enyimba in recent times will not forget in a hurry is a certain Edidiong Ezekiel Enobong, who in the colours of Dakkada FC scored against us in his club’s victories in Uyo and Aba ,as the Uyo side completed a double over us in the 2021/22 season.
Top officials of the club have talked tough about the ‘revamped’ squad, that one is moved to think they also undertake a self assessment of their management style and output ,and ‘revamp’ the organizational and operational structures to attain optimal performance.
Fan engagement should be top on the list, to engender better relations and restore confidence among the teeming supporters of the club. The first home game sets the stage to lay down the marker for the season. How about for a start, fans are informed to get to the stadium a few hours ahead of kick-off to enable them witness the formal unveiling and introduction of the new players to the supporters and the media. Have their names announced via the public address system, as they walked out to the cheers of the fans. The Eberechi Eze kinda introduction at Arsenal. That’s how to create a buzz .
The ultimate ‘revamp’ will be that of results. Resetting the button that saw us drop 19 points at home last season,to making Aba a fortress again for the Elephant to thrive this season.
The last time Niger Tornadoes came calling, we trailed 1-0 till a former Tornadoes player – Ufere Chinedu came off the bench to rescue a point for us. Ufere will relish the opportunity to start on Sunday, as he did in this season’s opener in Kano, where he captained Enyimba to a creditable goalless draw.
This time,another recognisable face in blue would be Mohammed Hussaini. Hussaini spent the last two seasons at Tornadoes- amassing over 50 league games and weighing in with 5 goals from his central defence position. The match in Aba will offer him the platform to show his defensive fortitude in one end and the goal threat he carries in the other end.
Hopefully these ex-Minna men will find extra motivation to set us on the way to victory on Sunday in Aba
