Good morning Everyone,
What a week it has been. Sunday/Monday’s win over Katsina United set us to a beautiful start and then we learned our CAF Confederations Cup foes. We got Zamalek and Al Masry two from Egypt and Black Bulls from Mozambique. “Pretty tough Group from which we stand absolutely no chance” – as many Nigerian Couch Coaches have warned us. Unlike the other three teams representing Nigeria in the CAF Competitions, who should make it all the way to the finals, thanks to their very easy draws. The trouble is – we are the only ones left and we deserve some little bit of respect.
The team touched down in Ibadan yesterday, fully rested and prepped for what promises to be an epic showdown! Shooting Stars will claim their most intense Oriental foes is Heartland and while we wont begrudge them of that, we also know that for most teams, beating Enyimba on home turf is their hallmark result of the year. That nice little preceding sentence means we are up for a tough game and the players must be completely switched on from the start, otherwise, we would return empty handed.
Meanwhile, why is this game so important? I have four points.
- Title Push:
Yes, we’re only five weeks into the season, but the NPFL isn’t a marathon you can afford to jog through. After our setback in Port Harcourt, we need to bounce back strong and get back to winning ways. Confidence is key, and so is staying high on the table. The quicker we pile on the points, the better—before external forces (natural or otherwise) start playing their usual roles later in the season. - Unbeaten Run:
Here’s a tasty stat: we’ve not dropped points to Shooting Stars all year, and that’s something worth bragging about. Imagine wrapping up 2024 with a flawless record against them—it’s more than just points; it’s pride! We’ve already cemented ourselves as the most feared team in the country, and they’re considered the big dogs in their region. What better way to remind them who’s boss? - Continental Preparations:
Sure, you can argue that playing a Nigerian team doesn’t exactly prep you for an Egyptian side—but think bigger. Tomorrow’s game in Ibadan will have that classic hostile, noisy atmosphere. Shooting Stars’ fans will be loud and relentless, and that’s the perfect rehearsal for the kind of cauldron we’ll face in Egypt. If you can handle the noise, the jeers, and still play your game, you’re ready for anything. If sabi play, you sabi play—simple. - Yema’s Credentials:
Let’s be honest: some Enyimba fans have raised an eyebrow or two over our coach. “Nna eh, this Yema sef, can he really do it?” Gbenga Ogunbote, Shooting Stars’ gaffer, is one of the NPFL’s most respected and experienced coaches. Beating him for the third straight time would be a massive boost for Yema’s street cred, especially among fans who feel he was lucky to get the Enyimba gig. A win here can help silence the skeptics, one victory at a time.
While our minds may wander towards our upcoming trips to Egypt, tomorrow is a golden opportunity to send a message—to our NPFL rivals and our continental opponents. A statement win in Ibadan could catapult us to the top of the log by Sunday night.
Let’s go out there, play our hearts out, and take home all three points!
Enyimba Enyi!
