Eguma: Photo Credit: Enyimba FC.
Enyimba FC’s new handler Stanley Eguma has said it is premature to celebrate the Nigerian Professional Football League team’s improved displays as ‘it is not yet uhuru [freedom].’
Eguma said this in a post-match interview after a 2-1 win over Nasarawa United on Wednesday afternoon in Uyo, a second consecutive victory for the new man in charge.
“Since we began, we have been rebuilding, so it's not yet uhuru; it's not yet time for celebration. I think a lot has to be done in the team. I thank the management for giving me the opportunity to rebuild,” he said.
The man, who replaced Yemi Olarenwaju two weeks ago, saluted his players for responding positively to the new way of playing.
"I’m happy the players are giving me maximum cooperation. I can assure you they are doing well, though some are yet to meet up. Injuries have also troubled the team, but we’ll work hard to get the injured players back and harness the squad to create what we can call a perfect team," he added.
During the game, former West Bromwich Albion striker Brown Ideye, who rejoined his childhood club on December 30, 2024, restored Enyimba's lead with a 63rd-minute strike.
The hosts had gone ahead through Joseph Atule's goal in first-half added time as they went to break holding on to a slender lead. However, Eguma's men were stunned when the table anchors refused to go down without a fight as Anas Yusuf restored parity 13 minutes after the resumption.
Just when the game seemed to be petering out for a damaging 10th league draw for Enyimba, the 36-year-old ageless forward Ideye struck to make it their sixth league win in 17 games this season.
The afro-haired former Premier League star debuted for Enyimba with a goal last Sunday in the 4-1 triumph over Black Bulls to revive a wayward CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign.
Enyimba are in seventh place, nine points behind leaders Remo Stars but with two games in hand due to continental football engagements. Enyimba can always count on their hero Ideye again when they resume the Confederation Cup assignments with Egyptians Al Masry visiting Uyo this weekend.
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