Eguma, Nweke Hail Enyimba’s Grit As People’s Elephant Maintains Unbeaten Run

Enyimba’s unbeaten start to the season stretched to six matches on Sunday after the People’s Elephant were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Ikorodu City in a pulsating NPFL Match Day 6 encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

The nine-time Nigerian champions took the lead as early as the 13th minute when Joel Ezra’s ferocious long-range strike took a deflection that wrong-footed the goalkeeper, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling fans. However, the resilient “Oga Boys” capitalized on a rare lapse in the Aba giants’ backline just four minutes later, as Joseph Arumala ghosted into the box to level scores in the 17th minute.

From then on, it was end-to-end football with both sides creating chances, but profligacy in front of goal, particularly in stoppage time when substitute Mujeeb Odufeso failed to keep his composure one-on-one with the Ikorodu keeper, denied Enyimba what could have been a dramatic late winner.

Despite the result, Head Coach Stanley Eguma praised his players’ mentality and composure in what was a difficult away test.

“It was a good game although we wanted all three points, but a draw isn’t a bad result,” Eguma told Enyimba Media.

“For me, we have to commend the home side for playing good football, especially here at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, but we were better. We knew they play well at home and that’s why we prepared well to even win the game. The league is still young and we are bracing up to work harder as this season looks tough. For you to be champion, you have to get results everywhere you go.”

Stand-in captain, Kalu Nweke, echoed his coach’s sentiments, stressing that the clash brought the best out of the People’s Elephant.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match, and that’s exactly what we got. But the coach has been preparing us from day one on what it takes to be champions, and that mentality is what has brought us this far,” Nweke said.

With six games played, Enyimba remain unbeaten and firmly in the mix at the top end of the NPFL table. Next up is a blockbuster clash at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, where the People’s Elephant will lock horns with bitter rivals Rivers United — a side who were busy at the continent and managed by two former handlers of the Aba giants.

The stage is set, the momentum remains, and the champions-in-waiting continue their march.