Enyimba FC Technical Adviser Stanley Eguma has heaped praise on his players for their resilience in securing a 0-0 draw against Barau FC in Kano, despite being reduced to 10 men.
Coach Eguma commended the team’s fighting spirit, saying they fought hard for the point. This hard-fought draw showcases the team’s determination and grit, which will likely serve them well in their pursuit of a continental spot .
The nine-time Nigerian champions, who were without seven key players, showed remarkable resilience at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday as they held firm against a determined Barau side in their debut topflight outing.
Speaking after the tension-soaked clash, Coach Eguma lauded the discipline and character of his team, stressing that the single point earned was worth celebrating given the difficult circumstances.
“One point is better than zero, especially considering the situation we found ourselves in. We had to adjust our original game plan and some players featured outside their natural positions, but their commitment and discipline made the difference. I must commend their fighting spirit”, he said
Enyimba could have taken an early lead when forward Bassey John found himself one-on-one with the Barau goalkeeper, only to be denied in the first half. The People’s Elephant, however, were forced to dig even deeper after defender Mujeed Odufeso was shown a red card late in the encounter.
Coach Eguma, one of the longest-serving tacticians in the NPFL, admitted that he had to instruct his side to switch into a defensive shell to protect the result.
“We had no choice but to retreat and defend with everything once we went a man down. The boys did exactly that and I’m proud of them. We will build on this performance and target maximum points at home against Niger Tornadoes next weekend.”
Captain of the day, Chinedu Ufere, echoed his coach’s sentiments, insisting that the squad was fully determined to leave Kano with a positive result.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we came here with the mentality to fight. Even with all the challenges, we followed the coach’s instructions and gave everything. We fought like lions, and this point feels like a victory for us”, Ufere said
With the curtain raised on the 2025/26 NPFL season, Enyimba’s gritty display in Kano sends a clear message of intent: the People’s Elephant are ready to charge for glory, no matter the odds.
Source/ Enyimba Media
Pics by Bright
