Good Morning, Beloved Enyimba Disciples!
We’ve set up camp in Uyo, and all eyes are on the must-win showdown this Sunday against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou. The Godswill Akpabio Stadium will host the battle at 4 pm. If you’re like me, memories of our last continental outing at this venue are still painful, the Innocent Gabriel jersey drama and that deflating defeat still sting. But hey, Sunday’s a new day, and we need to step up on the right foot.
Now, let’s switch gears for a second: remember that loss wasn’t in the CAF Champions League, where we’ve already won twice or the CAF Confederations Cup (which, fingers crossed, we’ll win soon). It was in the African Football League (AFL), a fancy new tourney for Africa’s top clubs. Yes, we deserved our spot, but let’s be real: we didn’t exactly light up the show.
So, here’s some breaking news, CAF’s director of competitions just confirmed that there will be no AFL this year. Instead, it’s coming back next year, bigger and better. And you know what? That might just be a blessing in disguise. Why? Because let’s face it, we’re not quite where we need to be to mix it up with Africa’s elite just yet.
Sure, we’ve got nine NPFL titles under our belt—more than anyone else. But besides that, our biggest continental achievement is something we pulled off nearly 20 years ago! It’s time to start building for the future. So, what should we do before the AFL returns next year? Here’s my take:
- Conquer the Continent Again
First up, we need to make a statement. Beating Étoile Filante on Sunday is non-negotiable. Let’s get to the CAF Confederations Cup group stage, and then go all the way. A deep run, say, the semifinals or even the finals would do wonders for our reputation. Am I dreaming? Maybe. But a little ambition never hurt anyone. Let’s remind everyone why Enyimba is a force to be reckoned with. - Spruce Up Our Home Ground
CAF wants the AFL to be a glamorous affair, hosted in a state-of-the-art stadiums. We’ve already got one of the best playing surfaces in West Africa, but our stadium could use a serious glow-up. How about some landscaping, a revamp of the old courts, and an upgrade to the stands? Throw in a mixed zone and a proper tunnel, and suddenly we’ve got a venue that can host any continental final. Let’s put the “International” back in Enyimba International Stadium. - Reignite the Enyimba Brand
Just this morning, I saw a Coca-Cola ad on TV. They’re the biggest soda brand in the world, but they still keep pushing their message. Enyimba is Nigeria’s biggest club, no debate there, but other clubs are catching up. Our marketing team needs to kick into high gear. Let’s tell our story, share our triumphs, and rebuild that aura. We’re the kings, and it’s time to remind everyone
We may not be ready for the AFL right now, but we’ve got time to fix that. Growth is all about small, deliberate steps. One year won’t transform everything, but it’s enough time to lay the foundation. With a little patience and a lot of hard work, Enyimba will be back at the top of African football and this time, we’ll stay there.
Now, all eyes are on Sunday. Yema and the boys have a job to do. Let’s make it to the group stage and keep marching forward.
Enyimba Enyi!
