The dust is still settling after Sunday’s intense battle in Aba. Many hoped for all three points against the Pride of Rivers, led by our former managers Finidi George and Yemi Olanrewaju, but in the end it was a game of no victor and no vanquished.
A draw at home against one of the best sides in the league, who also arrived with an unbeaten record of their own, is no small achievement. Most Enyimba fans will agree that there is no reason to throw the boys under the bus after such a performance.
Football often has a way of disguising the truth behind a scoreline. Enyimba controlled the tempo from start to finish, dictated the rhythm, and created the better chances, but luck deserted us in the final third. As the minutes ticked away, you could see the frustration growing on the faces of the players and the bench. This match pushed us to our mental limits and tested our patience, but we showed strength and discipline to hold firm. The unbeaten run lives on.
Speaking after the game, Coach Stanley Eguma praised both teams for their spirited display but admitted his frustration with the missed opportunities.
“Yeah, it was a good game, a very interesting one that looked like a Premier League grade A match,” Eguma said. “My lads worked hard but failed to finish. We carved out clear chances in the first half and could not take them. We also had a few decisions go against us, including a penalty call that was not given, but all in all it was a fair game.”
He also congratulated Rivers United for their effort. “I have to give credit to Rivers United. They came out strong, especially in the first half, and showed great resilience and smart tactics. It was a tough battle, and games like this are exactly what make the NPFL so thrilling and competitive.”
One lingering concern is the lack of goals from our attacking players, particularly John Bassey. Coach Eguma addressed this, revealing that injuries have limited his options. “Some of our strikers like Atule Joseph, Ekene Awazie, and Ifeanyi Ihemekwele are currently out injured. Bassey has been getting his chances, and we are exploring other options. Unfortunately, Chidera also picked up an injury today, and we will assess how serious it is soon,” he explained.
With that said, we march forward. The unbeaten record remains intact. Despite the rain and a slippery pitch that made the ball unpredictable, the boys showed real hunger and gave everything to find a winner. It just did not come this time. What matters now is building on this foundation, turning resilience into consistency, and transforming belief into victories.
Enyimba stay steady in second place on the NPFL table with 13 points from eight matches, just three behind leaders Nasarawa United. Abia Warriors moved into third after their away win in Ilorin, matching Rivers United on 12 points, though Rivers still have a game in hand.
Next up is the exciting Oriental derby as Enyimba take on newly promoted Kun Khalifat FC. Both sides share the Enyimba Stadium, and it promises to be another thrilling contest.
Till tomorrow,
EnyimbaEnyi
