By Telema Davies
The delightful play with which Enyimba International dispatched bottom-of-the-log team Nembe City, was reminiscent of the dominance of the Aba based club. A brace from Mfon Udoh and an early goal from Abdulrahman Bashir was enough to shoot Enyimba into third position on the table. It was the second biggest win for the two-time African champions in the current campaign. It however, is early days in the season in the Glo Nigeria Premier League but a lot can change.
The acquisition of ex-Super Eagles midfielder Sani Kaita, has added some extra bounce to the strides of coach Zachary Baraje’s wards. The experienced midfielder by international reckoning, has shown superb class and steel since he joined up with the Elephant. The results in the last couple of games since his debut, prove the vital statistics of Kaita’s involvement in the team. Many will quickly recall how the midfielder was sent off for Nigeria during the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa in a group encounter against Greece which the former lost.
Kaita’s return to the Glo Premier League and his splendid performance, has thrown open the discourse on the return of Nigerian footballers plying their trade with foreign based clubs. But it will take much more than requests and talks to secure their (these players) return to Nigeria’s elite league. Sani Kaita is however, not the first to grace the stage of the premier league. The likes of Mutiu Adepoju and a leading scorer for Nigeria’s senior men’s team, Rashidi Yekini have made similar homecoming.
The People’s Elephant of Aba may have woken out of their early slumber, a display that is quite far from the club’s pre-season participation. The Super Four saw Enyimba claim the prize money after disposing of league rivals Warri Wolves, Bayelsa United and reigning champions, Kano Pillars. But after week 15 fixtures, it is safe to conclude that the 6-time Premier League winners have had it patchy on the go. Not the champion stuff many would have anticipated for the stumping club side.
With a stabilizing force in Sani Kaita whose aura motivates his teammates, Enyimba can go on to shake up the top of the table and compete hard for the title. The last time the team ever had their hand on the league title was in 2010 under the watch of Okey Emordi. Their most recent trophy win was the Federation Cup back in 2013. This season, the Aba club know pretty well that they’d need to up the ante if they will earn anything significant.
Regardless of their home defeat to state rivals Abia Warriors – their only defeat at home so far this season – Enyimba are picking up from where they left off last season not losing a single match at the Enyimba International Stadium. A feat only achievable by a highly competitive club. That said, with 6 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses, the former CAF Champions League victors will have to change the tide if they will be crowned league champions…again!