Yema: we will have to cope

Enyimba Head Coach Yemi Daniel has said his side will cope with the absence of some key players who have left the Aba side to seek greener pastures abroad.

In the upcoming 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League which starts on 31 August, the 2-time African champions will be without last season’s top scorer Chijioke Mbaoma, captain Ojo Olorunleke, hard as nails defender Chibuike Nwaiwu and all-action midfielder Ikenna Cooper, who have all secured moves away from Aba.

However, the gaffer, who recently signed a new deal till the end of the upcoming campaign, stated the club has recruited well, but admits the departed players will be missed.

“It’s a tough one; no coach wants to lose his best players,” he said. “And losing four key players: Ojo Olorunleke our influential captain, Ikenna Cooper, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Chijioke Mbaoma, the highest goalscorer, Eze Ekwutoziam is almost going for greener pastures too, it is difficult. Chibueze Izuogu is also leaving too. Losing six or seven players, the team looks empty in any standard.

“But we are going to be fine, we recruited a lot of good players. I think we did a decent job during the transfer window, and we have some good players, even though it’s taking them time to adjust to the level and tempo of Enyimba Football Club. Some of them have confessed that playing for Enyimba is different from other clubs, in terms of demands, the training, everything.

“So, they are trying to find their feet. We’ll help them to settle down quickly so we can get the job done, because I don’t think the fans want to listen to excuses.

“So, it is tough losing six to seven important players. In fact, if you look at a team like Man City, when Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri are not playing, they look ordinary, let alone losing six first team players who are starters.

“But like I said, we are not going to give excuses. We’ll be ready and fine at last.”

Coach Yema, as he is fondly called, led Enyimba to a 3rd place finish in the NPFL last season, securing a CAF Confederation Cup spot as a result.

The record 9-time Nigerian champions will kick-start the 2024/25 NPFL season with a clash against Oriental rivals Heartland.