Hello, Enyimba faithful!
Sunday’s derby in Umuahia gave us an entertaining 1-1 draw against our neighbors, Abia Warriors. It also extended our unbeaten run for November but highlighted a worrying trend—just one win in our last seven matches. Sobering, right? But is it all doom and gloom? Absolutely not. Here’s what we learned:
1. Wins, Not Draws, Are the Currency of Champions
It’s been far too long since we last grabbed a win—Ikorodu City, anyone? Sure, it’s impressive that they’ve only lost that one game under Nurudeen Aweroro, but let’s not delude ourselves. Enyimba is built for bigger things. Draws might pad stats, but they don’t scare opponents. If we keep sharing the spoils with teams we should be crushing, we’ll lose that aura of invincibility that makes rivals tremble at the mere mention of Enyimba.
Missed chances at home against Tornadoes and Remo have cost us dearly. Forget the “ifs” and focus on the now. Winning needs to become our mantra—urgently. Let’s bring back the fear factor, because Enyimba is meant to dominate, not negotiate.
2. Yema: The Genius in the Making
When Yema was handed the reins, even the most optimistic fans were skeptical. Was it too big a leap for him? Maybe. But look at him now—standing toe-to-toe with the NPFL’s most experienced tacticians. Ogunmodede, Ogunbote, Amunike, Imama—none have outfoxed him. That’s no small feat. Again, we have managed to score in almost every away game we’ve played so far in the League. We lost in Maidugiri but got back from Ibadan with a point.
Yema’s philosophy is clear, and while the goals aren’t exactly pouring in (let’s be real, they haven’t been for a while), his brand of football is refreshing. It’s progressive, and it’s got potential. He, like his team is a work in progress, yes, but when this project clicks, it’s going to be special. A star coach in the making? Absolutely.
3. Quality + Quantity = Winning Formula
A strong squad is a blessing. A strong and deep squad? That’s how you win titles. Enyimba used to have a team where no one could sleep easy because the guy on the bench was just as good—or even better. But that edge seems to have dulled.
Case in point: Eze Ekwutoziem was expertly neutralized in Umuahia, and it took two substitutions to get the midfield back on track. Atule struggled to make an impact before the ever-classy Kalu Nweke came on and turned things around. We need more of that bench strength. January should be about recruiting quality and trimming the fat. Let’s return to the days when every position had a gladiator waiting in the wings.
4. Fans: The Secret Ingredient
If you were in Umuahia on Sunday, you saw it firsthand—an almost packed stadium, a raucous atmosphere, and players feeding off the energy. Fans aren’t just spectators; they’re catalysts. The louder we get, the harder our players push.
And yes, they hear us. The cheers, the groans, the critiques—they take it all in. Many are determined to improve, so let’s keep showing up and cranking up the volume. The players perform for us, and when we’re behind them, they rise to the occasion.
We’re approaching a critical phase of the season. Sunshine Stars await, and then there’s the small matter of Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup. It’s time to crank up the intensity, tighten our focus, and get back to what we do best—winning.
Keep the faith, and hopefully, we’ll have more reasons to smile soon.
Enyimba Enyi!
