Enyimba of Aba head coach, Stanley Eguma, has stated that the People’s Elephant are still in strong contention for a top-three finish in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Completesports.com reports.
The nine-time domestic top-flight champions are currently eighth on the log with 46 points—14 behind leaders Remo Stars, 10 behind second-placed Rivers United, and four adrift of third-placed Abia Warriors.
Following their 2-1 victory over state rivals Abia Warriors in a Matchday 32 fixture in Aba on Sunday, Eguma told reporters that Enyimba would not give up the chase for a CAF inter-club competition ticket next season. He insisted the league and the Federation Cup both offer realistic opportunities to actualise their ambition.
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“The league is still open. As far as I’m concerned, Enyimba are in strong contention,” said Eguma, a former Rivers United manager.
“Forget our past flaws. We dropped points here against Bayelsa United. In Lagos, we were close to getting the three points but ended up dropping them too. I think we’re learning from those mistakes.
“It hasn’t been long since we started working together. I believe that in the nearest future, we’ll get it right. But for now, it’s not yet over. We’ll continue to keep our sights on the top until it’s finally over.”
Enyimba are also still in the hunt for Federation Cup glory, with Round of 16 matches scheduled across the country on April 16. They will face Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Abakaliki FC.
Asked which of the two routes to continental football Enyimba would prioritise, Eguma said they would pursue both with equal commitment.
“Both windows are open, and we’re giving our all to both,” said the man fondly called ‘Capelo’ by his admirers.
“We’re not losing sight of either the league or the Federation Cup. Whichever one comes, we take. We’re working hard and praying to God that one of them comes through for us.
“We strongly believe we are fit and capable of picking either the league or Federation Cup ticket for a return to the continent.”
Enyimba came from behind to defeat Abia Warriors 2-1, with Man of the Match award winner Kalu Nweke cancelling out Anthony Ijoma’s early opener before the break. Joseph Atule struck the eventual winner midway into the second half, in what was arguably Enyimba’s best performance of the season.
When asked what inspired the team’s turnaround, Eguma cited the players’ determination, the management’s support, and improved understanding of his football philosophy.
“We have players who are determined now. The management is really backing the team and motivating the players, who are eager to make a name for themselves and lift the club.
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“You know I only recently joined the team. The players are gradually understanding the philosophy. It’s a gradual process, and I think we shouldn’t rule ourselves out of a possible top-three finish because the league isn’t over yet. We keep working hard. As you can see, we’re improving game by game. It’s not over until it’s finally over.”
Reflecting on the match, Eguma also praised Abia Warriors, calling it the best NPFL game he has witnessed in recent times.
“It was a good game. As a derby, we expected a tough and difficult match. Both teams are very good. The game lived up to expectations and, in my view, it’s the best NPFL match I’ve seen in a long time.
“Abia Warriors were strong and had a solid tactical approach. They dominated possession, but we capitalised on counter-attacks to get our goals—and that’s important.
“The most crucial thing is getting the goals. Overall, I think it was a great game.”
By Sab Osuji
Enyimba International Football Club, gevestigd in Aba, Nigeria, is een van de meest succesvolle voetbalclubs in het land. Met meerdere Nigeriaanse Professional Football League (NPFL) titels en continentale successen op hun naam, blijft Enyimba streven naar een top-drie finish in de NPFL en een terugkeer naar de CAF-competities.
Het afgelopen seizoen was een uitdagende voor Enyimba, met ups en downs in de competitie. Ondanks de moeilijkheden slaagde de club erin om zich te handhaven in de top vijf van de NPFL-tabel. Dit seizoen hebben ze echter hun zinnen gezet op een top-drie finish en een mogelijke titelwinst.
Om dit doel te bereiken, heeft Enyimba hard gewerkt aan het versterken van hun team en het verbeteren van hun prestaties op het veld. Met ervaren spelers en getalenteerde nieuwkomers in hun gelederen, gelooft de club dat ze de kwaliteit en diepte hebben om te concurreren met de beste teams in de competitie.
Naast hun streven naar een top-drie finish in de NPFL, heeft Enyimba ook hun zinnen gezet op een terugkeer naar de CAF-competities. De club heeft een rijke geschiedenis van succes op het continent, met twee CAF Champions League-titels en meerdere deelnames aan de CAF Confederation Cup.
Een terugkeer naar de CAF-competities zou niet alleen een kans zijn voor Enyimba om hun reputatie te versterken, maar ook om Nigeriaanse voetbal op internationaal niveau te vertegenwoordigen. Met hun ervaring en talent geloven ze dat ze kunnen concurreren met de beste clubs op het continent en misschien zelfs een derde CAF-titel kunnen toevoegen aan hun prijzenkast.
Al met al blijft Enyimba vastberaden om succes te behalen in zowel de NPFL als de CAF-competities. Met hard werken, toewijding en vastberadenheid hopen ze hun doelen te bereiken en hun positie als een van de topclubs in Nigeria en Afrika te versterken.
