It is not always the loudest teams that make the loudest statements. Sometimes, greatness begins in whispers, in the quiet accumulation of points, the patient building of belief, and the steady rise of a team learning to trust itself. That is exactly where Enyimba find themselves. Under Stanley Eguma, this rookie side is not chasing headlines; they are writing their story one result at a time, quietly but confidently staking their claim.
Enyimba sit proudly at the top of the NPFL table, unbeaten since the new campaign kicked off. With no Continental distractions this time around, focus has been total, and the results speak for themselves. They are not blowing teams away, but they are collecting points with calm regularity and growing stronger with each passing week. The performances may still be rough around the edges, but there is purpose behind them, a quiet determination to stay competitive, to build something lasting, and to keep themselves firmly in the conversation at the top.
If there was ever a single snapshot that captured what this Enyimba team has become, it was the opening match of the season in Kano. An administrative glitch meant they could only name two substitutes from a possible seven. Minutes into the game, a nasty injury forced Eguma into an early change. With no other help coming from the bench, the players simply rolled up their sleeves and went to work. A second half red card tried to derail them, but the focus never wavered. They dug in, fought for every ball, and left Kano with a hard earned point. That is what Enyimba look like nowadays, a team that refuses to bend regardless of the odds.
This weekend’s trip to Lagos to face Ikorodu United is the next and perhaps most revealing chapter of this early story. It is more than just another fixture; it is a test of character, ambition, and identity. A positive result, be it a hard fought draw or an authoritative win, will silence the doubters and prove that this team is not just enjoying a good run, they are here with intent. This is the kind of match where reputations are forged, where belief deepens, and where the first real outlines of a contender begin to emerge.
Egumas approach this season has been refreshing in its simplicity. There has been no grandstanding, no bold proclamations, no pressure laden promises. Instead, he has focused on the essentials: organisation, structure, discipline, and consistency. His players know their roles, the system is clear, and the mindset is collective. That quiet, understated leadership has shielded the team from noise and allowed them to grow without fear. It has also created a foundation that can sustain momentum deep into the season.
Beyond tactics and structure, what stands out most is the unity of purpose within this group. Every game shows a team that is committed to the collective over the individual, that understands the importance of building something step by step rather than chasing quick glory. The defensive discipline, the growing control in midfield, and the gradual confidence in attack all reflect a side evolving together. It is this cohesion, more than any single talent, that could define Enyimba’s season.
This group may not yet boast the household names that once defined Enyimbas golden eras, but that is precisely what makes this chapter so exciting. Every tackle, every goal, every narrow win is a chance for new heroes to emerge. The opportunity to carve out a place in the clubs rich history is there for the taking, and those who seize it now will become the stories we tell in the years to come. This is how legends are born, not in the glare of expectation, but in the quiet persistence of those who believe their time will come.
For now, the job is simple: keep going quietly. Keep stacking points, keep building chemistry, keep the momentum alive. The road to glory is often paved with routine wins and unspectacular performances that no one remembers at the end of May, but they are the ones that make champions in June. If Eguma’s men can stay within touching distance of the top by the mid season mark, they will be right where they want to be: ready to turn quiet progress into something much louder.
Ssssh, do not say it. Do not jinx it. “It” might happen this year.
