….Eguma Says It Is A Valentine Gift To The Fans
Enyimba FC reignited their NPFL ambitions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Rivers United in a pulsating Matchday 24 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
A moment of pure brilliance from Imo Obot in the 42nd minute was all they needed to secure all three points, as his exquisitely placed free kick left Rivers United goalkeeper hapless, sending the home fans into wild celebration.
The victory, which ended a two-game losing streak for The People’s Elephant, was met with immense joy by head coach Stanley Eguma, who dedicated the win to the passionate Enyimba faithful.
Speaking after the match, Coach Eguma hailed his players’ determination and acknowledged the importance of returning to winning ways, especially against a formidable Rivers United side.
“I feel very happy, it’s a sweet victory considering the magnitude of the match. For some time, we haven’t been winning our games, so coming back home with this victory, we are giving it to the fans as a Valentine gift.”
He admitted that while the performance was commendable, there is still room for improvement, especially with crucial fixtures ahead.
“Well, we are still working. I won’t say it’s over because we still have lots of games to play. Our position on the log is not good, and we are not happy. We want to move up, and that means we have to keep working hard.”
The highly anticipated clash lived up to expectations, with both sides engaging in a tactical showdown. Rivers United, led by former Enyimba boss Finidi George, responded well after going behind, pressing for an equalizer, but the Aba giants stood firm.
Finidi, who was full of praise for his former side, acknowledged the brilliance of match-winner Imo Obot, describing him as a “free-kick specialist.”
Despite the defeat, he remained optimistic, urging his players to carry their fighting spirit into their next fixture against Akwa United in Uyo.
While Enyimba’s return to winning ways was a relief, Coach Eguma expressed concern over the team’s grueling schedule, which has seen them play multiple games within short intervals.
“The issue has been that we’ve not had enough time to work on the team. The fixtures have not helped us at all. We’ve been traveling and playing almost every 48 hours. We just returned from Benin 48 hours ago and played today, and tomorrow, we are traveling to Katsina. It’s pressure on the team, with its wear and tear, but we have to manage and play better.”
With momentum on their side, Enyimba now shift focus to their Matchday 25 showdown against Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Wednesday. Eguma remains hopeful that his side can build on this victory and continue their resurgence.
“The management is doing everything possible to motivate the players. We will go there to put up a good performance, and hopefully, we can get a positive result.”
As the NPFL title race intensifies, The People’s Elephant have sent a strong message to their rivals—Enyimba are back in business, and they are not backing down.
Source/Enyimba Media
