Enyimba FC head coach, Stanley Eguma, expressed his disappointment after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Katsina United in their NPFL Matchday 25 clash at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Thursday. The loss marked a frustrating night for the People’s Elephant, who failed to capitalize on their dominance.
Despite controlling large portions of the game, Enyimba struggled to convert their opportunities, allowing the home side to take full advantage of their chances. Katsina United, fighting to secure crucial points in their battle for survival, punished the visitors with clinical finishing.
Lukeman Bello opened the scoring for the Chanji Boys in the 40th minute, giving the home fans something to cheer about. He doubled his tally just after the restart in the 49th minute, putting Katsina United in a commanding position and leaving Enyimba with an uphill task.
The Aba-based side pushed for a way back into the game and found a late goal through substitute Ekene Awazie, but it was too little, too late. Enyimba’s lack of precision in front of goal ultimately cost them the match.
Speaking after the game, Eguma lamented his team’s wastefulness, stressing that they had enough chances to secure a different outcome. “It’s unfortunate we lost this game. Actually, we prepared to get a better result or to win, but it has come and gone,” he said. “We created some chances but we couldn’t convert them, and the opponents got their own and they converted them. That was the difference—not that they outclassed us. We lost a lot of chances.”
With the NPFL title race intensifying, Enyimba’s inability to capitalize on their dominance could prove costly. They now face added pressure to recover quickly, with crucial fixtures ahead.
Eguma remains optimistic about his team’s ability to bounce back, acknowledging the need to address their shortcomings. “We will take the positives from the encounter and go back home to work on the negatives,” he stated. “We need to ensure we come out stronger in the next game.”
For Katsina United, the victory boosts their survival hopes, adding valuable points to their tally. For Enyimba, however, the defeat is a wake-up call as they continue their quest for league glory.
The People’s Elephant must now shift their focus to the Abia State final of the President Federation Cup, where they face Ahudiyanne FC of Abiriba. A win in that fixture could provide a much-needed morale boost before they return to NPFL action.
As the season heads into its decisive stages, Enyimba must improve their finishing if they hope to remain in the title race. The next few games will be crucial in determining whether they can recover from this setback and mount a serious challenge for the NPFL crown.
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