Good morning!
The new NPFL season finally got underway, and truth be told, the board deserves credit. They set a kickoff date early, stuck with it, and delivered. That consistency is refreshing, and it set the tone for what we hope will be a better-organized season overall.
For us at Enyimba, it was also a steady start. We went away to Kano, faced a very motivated side in the mould of newly promoted Barau FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium, and still came home with a point. That in itself is no small feat—getting something on the road in Kano has never been easy. It wasn’t flashy, but it showed resilience and character.
Of course, opening day wasn’t without its lessons. We had an unusual situation where 22 players were released just before the start of the season, and the replacements are still settling in. Naturally, that affected squad depth on matchday. We also had a few administrative hiccups with player availability, and one of our starters unfortunately picked up an injury. These are details that can—and will—be corrected as the season progresses.
But beyond the challenges, the positives are clear. Even with limited options, the boys stood tall in front of a hostile crowd, refused to be overrun, and came back with a result. That’s the spirit Aba fans love to see. With more players expected to be available in the coming weeks, the competition for places will only make the team stronger.
This weekend offers us a timely advantage too. While we are at home in Aba, Niger Tornadoes will be involved in a midweek clash against Nasarawa United in Ilorin. By the time they arrive in Aba, they’ll be coming off the back of another demanding fixture, and that could play into our hands if we approach the game with intensity and focus.
So yes, it was a bittersweet beginning, but one that holds promise. The lessons are already there, and if we tidy up the little details, I believe this squad, like the typical Enyimba, will have enough fight to make us proud. The road to glory is never without its bumps, but we’re hopeful that we will move in the right direction.
EnyimbaEnyi!
