Away Win in Lafia: A Good Way to Respond

Take a deep breath; long enough to calm your nerves. That was the kind of relief everyone had on Sunday evening after that spirited display in Lafia where we won our third away game of the season. It may be a challenging season but we are surely showing promise to stage a dramatic finish.

Four players who joined us this January started and that shows just how well they have settled in the team. With Afolayan Peter’s performance against Shooting Stars, it was not out of place to give him another opportunity, this time a starting shirt. It feels good to see different players rise to the occasion when called upon.

What a glowing show of solidarity from the players before that game to Ifeanyi Ihemekwele. The striker is out for the season after that injury in the state FA Cup final in Umuahia. It was also soothing to see the team dedicate the victory to him.

That is exactly how to respond after falling below expectations against Shooting Stars on Wednesday. We could have won by more than a goal but having gotten the maximum points, we return home satisfied. Ani Ozoemena was in his best form as he made vital saves and when we had our fair share of chances, Atule rose to the occasion.

The reaction of the fans says it all. They were proud of their team and it was as if they were hitting their chests and saying “This is who we are, we are winners.”

We are on the threshold of the continent. A good run of form will see us turn the tables in an unbelievable way. We are Enyimba and we have done it many times. This response from the boys is soul lifting.

Next for us is a tricky home game against Elkanemi Warriors. Four points out of six and we would like to make it seven out of nine. The boys will be spurred by our victory in Lafia and the fans will have more reasons to keep cheering them on.