It’s unlikely that Enyimba fans have recovered from last Sunday’s trashing of Katsina United. Forget about the lights out at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday night, the People’s Elephant have now climbed to second place on the standings of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). That’s as good as a young coach leading a young team would have dreamt his team’s start to the season.
This season one player has been directly involved in five out of Enyimba’s nine goals in the NPFL (G2 A3). He has played three out of five league matches against Heartland, Lobi Stars and Katsina United, totalling 257 minutes. And he is yet to lose a game whenever he pulls on an Enyimba shirt. Those stats belong to Jephtha Clinton. So far this season, he is averaging a goal contribution per game in the league.
Clinton’s return to the Enyimba setup for the Katsina United after being away with the Nigeria Under-20s surely added zest in their attacking line. The forward who has played as a right and left winger in his three league appearances practically dragged the defence of Katsina United everywhere in Enyimba’s final third with his pace, dribble runs, trickery and crosses.
I think Clinton has shown that he is an excellent addition to the Enyimba playing personnel since making the switch from Niger Tornadoes in the off-season transfer window. He showed how fleet and nimble-footed he is in the Katsina United game and made life difficult for Mansoor Saleh and provided two assists in the game. First, his mazy run at the defence of Katsina United and quick pass into the centre of the opponents’ box freed up Ifeanyi Ihemekwele to score Enyimba’s second after Ekene Awazie had opened scoring with an eye-catching finish. Clinton then showed how good of crosser of the ball he is, when he whipped in the ball onto Kalu Nweke’s head to make it three-nil before halftime.
One thing I noticed from this performance is that Clinton and Ihemekwele appear to have struck some kind of telepathic understanding on the pitch. Clinton did provide the assist for Ihemekwele’s first goal in Enyimba’s colours at Heartland in almost same fashion. And then, you’d wonder why Daniel Daga hits those long balls whenever he sees Clinton free on the flanks. Well both of them used to play together at Carabana Football Academy in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State back in the day so the understanding is still there. Add Unwana Asuquo to that mix of boys from same academy as well.
Now I am not taking away the credits from the like of Awazie, Nweke, Daga, Imo Obot, Eze Ekwutoziam and co who also put in massive performance for the win. One thing was certainly clear in Enyimba’s attacking style on Sunday before the lights went out – Clinton was the creator and tormentor in the team in the final third. He simply stood out and not even the lights out could deny him that honour in my opinion.
