Good morning,
As the curtain rises on preparations for the new season, it’s an ideal moment to reflect not only on what went right but also on what went terribly wrong. While player criticism isn’t always pleasant (these are professionals doing an incredibly demanding job), it would be unbalanced to only highlight the stars of the show without acknowledging those who struggled to make an impact.
So, as part of our ongoing review of the season, here is a list of players whose contributions fell far short of expectations. This is not a witch hunt; it is simply a reality check, one that echoes the need for better recruitment policies at a club of Enyimba’s stature.
- Odinaka Francis – The Shadow of a Reputation: When Odinaka Francis signed from Lobi Stars, many saw it as a seasoned solution to our right-back issues. Instead, he became a symbol of Enyimba’s poor recruitment strategy. The Odinaka we signed bore little resemblance to the robust fullback NPFL fans had grown accustomed to.
Match after match, he delivered performances that left fans frustrated and confused. Injuries in the squad and the persistent hope of coaches buying into a “maybe-he’ll-come-good” logic afforded him minutes, but truth be told, 45 minutes might have been enough. This wasn’t the Odinaka of the past—this was his ghost. - Michael Nelson – The Invisible Midfielder: Remember Michael Nelson? That’s the point—most don’t. Brought in during the January window, he was expected to provide competition or perhaps bring stability to a midfield that often flattered to deceive. What followed was a string of forgettable cameos that barely registered on the radar. Coach Eguma, understandably unimpressed, dropped him completely. It’s telling that even in a department crying out for consistency and control, Nelson couldn’t stake a claim.
- Bernard Ovoke – The Winger That Couldn’t On paper, Ovoke’s arrival promised experience and flair. On the pitch, it was all sizzle and no steak. His movement was sharp, his runs intelligent—but there was never any end product. The frustrating part wasn’t just the underwhelming performances but the off-pitch lifestyle that seemed to echo the classic “wasted talent” narrative. He struggled to justify his selections and rarely influenced games. Eventually, after a quiet year, both club and player agreed to part ways, with Ovoke joining Bendel Insurance. One can only hope he finds what eluded him in Aba.
- Divine Ukadike – The Struggler in Disguise: Signed as a backup to Uwana Asuquo, Ukadike got more minutes than anyone anticipated due to Uwana’s prolonged absence. And yet, those appearances often felt like a countdown to the final whistle. While he occasionally flashed potential—particularly on set pieces—he never quite settled. His positioning was erratic, and he often drifted into no-man’s-land, forgetting his defensive responsibilities. A player who worked hard, no doubt, but hard work alone wasn’t enough to paper over the lack of quality. His first season at Enyimba can best be described as underwhelming.
- Usman Babalolo – The Mystery Man: Usman arrived quietly in January and began featuring late in the season. But for all his minutes, few could confidently say what role he was playing. Was he an attacking midfielder? A holding player? A tactical decoy? His performances gave no clear answers. Week after week, his contributions seemed cosmetic—a presence on the team sheet but not on the pitch. In a season where every match mattered, Enyimba couldn’t afford passengers. Sadly, Usman often looked like one.
The common thread tying these names together is that they all joined the club within the last 12 to 18 months—most as stopgaps or hopeful options. What’s glaring is how none of them could displace the players they met, nor raise the competitive bar in their departments. And that’s the real issue here: Enyimba must redefine what recruitment means.
The goal shouldn’t be to merely fill positions or sign names. The focus must be on raising the standard, bringing in players who elevate the team—not ones who struggle to stay afloat. With each misstep in recruitment, the club pays with precious points, frustrated fans, and seasons that promise much but deliver less.
Some of these players have already moved on, while others might soon. Let’s just hope their replacements won’t be “like-for-like.”
As we get set for the new campaign, let us remember: “He who has ears, let him hear.”
Enyimba Enyi.
