Still basking in the euphoria of a remarkable 2-0 win at Bayelsa United to go top of the log, preserve our unbeaten run and extend our clean sheet record this term.
With the league in full swing,and the matches coming quick and fast. I would like to cast some light on Enyimba’s start to the 2025/26 season after a full month of league football, before Insurance of Benin come calling on Sunday in Aba.
Coach Stanley Eguma may not be the favorite around here, nor is he the desired tactically astute coach. But he has adroitly managed the players and matches played so far.
He will be judged this season by the performance and results of the team. Because about 90% of the players on the team roster, including all but three – Joseph Atule, Ufere Chinedu and Kalu Nweke – fielded so far were signed in the last nine months of his time in charge.
He has had pre-season games to tune up for the season, and a week interval between league games to fine-tune strategy and find the right mix of players to execute his match plans.
Kelvin Ogunga has started in goal, and the former Heartland FC goaltender has done his chances of retaining the Number 1 gloves no harm. Keeping a clean sheet in all four games while amassing 360 minutes of action. As the experienced Chinedu Anozie and Nathaniel Asibe (who has returned to training after a long injury layoff), ramp up competition for the sole place between the sticks.
In central defence is the pair – Afolayan Peters and Mohammed Hussaini. The duo has clocked in the entire 360 minutes too. Complemented in a back four by Joel Ezra at right-back and Solomon Ogberahwe on the opposite flank – with three matches apiece to forge the most stingy backline this season.
The midfield is still in search of consistency, however the only constant one in all matchday team sheets is Bright Emmanuel – who has put in decent shifts in a deeper role, leaving Ufere and Quadri Olasunkanmi to affect play higher up the pitch. The first appearance of Nweke from the start in Bayelsa added a new impetus to the midfield, as he brought his undoubted talent, skill-set and guile in offensive transitions to bear on the team. He capped his first game of the season with a well-taken strike from distance to seal the remarkable victory.
It will be interesting to see Nweke and Ufere play together again, as both players racked up the most minutes in midfield last season, weighed in a combined 5 goals and doubled that tally in assists in all competitions.
Attack remains a sore point in the team. Joseph Atule’s early injury in the first match against Barau FC robbed us of his brute force in the attacking phase from the flank. Joseph Abiodun took his place and quickly warmed hearts with an early goal in the 1-0 win over Tornadoes.
However, the focal point of our attack is still without a goal or assist. The gaffer has kept faith with Bassey John in all four matches. Perhaps his trained eyes see what we fail to see. With more opportunities, his imposing height and hold-up play will count for something soon. John’s sidekick in our first three games – Edidiong Ezekiel lost his place in the last game to Alao Dabani. This competition for places should keep the players on their toes.
The task of staying atop the league table is enormous. And coach Eguma has had the experience of steering teams to the title. However, to compete for honours this season, he will need to find the right combination and pattern to deliver the goods in attack for the overall success of the team.
