Awazie backs Enyimba in NPFL run-in
Experienced forward Ekene Awazie says he is very confident Enyimba will bounce back from their struggles in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) before the end of the season.
The People’s Elephant have endured a difficult campaign so far, having recorded just eight wins, 9 draws and a disappointing 11 defeats from 28 matches.
The 2-time African champions have won just one of their last 9 NPFL games – a 1-0 win against Bayelsa United in Aba on 1 February, slumping to 15th place in the standings, one point outside the relegation zone.
Speaking after the latest setback for Enyimba – a 1-1 draw against NPFL newcomers Kun Khalifat in Aba on Sunday – the 29-year-old former Remo Stars winger bemoaned the outcome of the match, but stated that it is in the DNA of the Club to surmount challenges.
“It was not the result we wanted, but we’ll keep working hard to get what we want,” he said.
“We are disappointed, and we also disappointed the fans because this should have been the time to start coming up and start getting our points at home, but we’ll still keep pushing to get the results we want.
“We missed our chances in the first half when we were supposed to wrap up the game, but the second half was so difficult. And coming back from a goal down was difficult against a team that just wants to defend and not attack.”
Asked if he thinks the record 9-time Nigerian champions can bounce back from this poor run, Awazie, who scored the equalizer against Kun Khalifat on Sunday, said: “Yeah, sure! That’s what they know Enyimba for. We never say die, we keep fighting.
“It’s just the mindset. If we put our minds together that we are going to get there, we’ll get there. We’ll get the points. It’s just the beginning; we’ll start getting it right.”