“We’re taking things a game at a time. It’s a long season, and we can’t start underrating or overlooking opponents. So for me and the team, it is one game at a time.”
Those were the words of Enyimba head coach Yemi ‘Yema’ Olanrewaju when I spoke to him ahead of the visit of Niger Tornadoes. Honestly every match presents different scenarios. Different tactics. Different personnel. Different match officials. And at times, different weather conditions. Oh the Niger Tornadoes game has been brought forward to Wednesday and not Thursday as earlier advertised according to a new schedule from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Back to the game in focus. The Shooting Stars match was a different kettle of fish and definitely the upcoming game against Niger Tornadoes comes with a different approach since this will be played in front of the home fans.
Once again, Yema will have to navigate this game without two of his key men, Clinton Jephtha and Daniel Daga, both of them away on international assignment. I expecting an attacking approach when Niger Tornadoes come calling. It’s highly probable that Eze Ekwutoziam and Joseph Atule who started from the bench in Ibadan would start at the Enyimba Stadium as their high-press style would suit the attacking tactics I expect Yema to take.
Despite the two absences I have purred on about in Yema’s playing personnel, Enyimba always have the capacity and mentality to win matches especially when they play in Aba. In 15 previous head-to-head league meetings of this same fixture, Enyimba have dropped points only twice when they drew 1-1 in February 2022 and lost 1-2 in November 2007 against Niger Tornadoes (W13 D1 L1). A domineering stats against Tornadoes at home, I must say Enyimba hold.
Anyway I am not expecting a game of two halves. Niger Tornadoes head coach, Majin Mohammed, often sets up his team with a 4-2-3-1 tactics or a defending 4-3-3 style, depending on the strength of the opposition. He did a 4-2-3-1 at Heartland and it backfired, so I am sure he will approach the game in Aba with a more cautious defending tactics.
Whatever Majin decides to go with in terms of tactics, the People’s Elephant should take the full points after I have put the two teams side by side in terms of strength and weaknesses. Last time out, Enyimba won 3-1 in this same fixture and Atule provided two assists for Alade Muyiwa Balogun and Uche Collins to score while Elijah Akanni was also among the goals.
By Thursday morning when I am back, we should be talking about a two-goal margin win for the People’s Elephant. Yes that’s how confident I am of this team!
