Enyimba FC reignited their NPFL ambitions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Rivers United in a pulsating Matchday 24 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
A moment of pure brilliance from Imo Obot in the 42nd minute was all the People’s Elephant needed to claim maximum points. His perfectly placed free kick left the Rivers United goalkeeper stranded, sending the home fans into wild celebration.
The crucial win ended Enyimba’s two-game losing streak and was met with immense joy by head coach Stanley Eguma, who dedicated the victory to the club’s passionate supporters.
Speaking after the match, Eguma praised his players for their resilience and acknowledged the importance of returning to winning ways, especially against a strong Rivers United side.
"I feel very happy. It's a sweet victory considering the magnitude of the match. For some time, we haven’t been winning our games, so coming back home with this victory, we are giving it to the fans as a Valentine gift," Eguma said.
Despite the positive result, he admitted there was still much work to be done, with several crucial fixtures ahead. "We are still working. I won’t say it’s over because we still have lots of games to play. Our position on the log is not good, and we are not happy. We want to move up, and that means we have to keep working hard," he added.
The match lived up to expectations, with both teams delivering a tactical battle. Rivers United, led by former Enyimba coach Finidi George, responded well after going behind, pushing for an equalizer, but Enyimba’s defense held firm.
Finidi, who previously guided Enyimba to an NPFL title, was full of praise for his former team and acknowledged the quality of match-winner Imo Obot, describing him as a "free-kick specialist." Despite the defeat, he remained optimistic and urged his players to carry their fighting spirit into their next fixture against Akwa United in Uyo.
While the win was a relief for Enyimba, Eguma expressed concern over the team’s demanding schedule, which has forced them to play multiple matches within short intervals. "The issue has been that we've not had enough time to work on the team. The fixtures have not helped us at all. We've been traveling and playing almost every 48 hours. We just returned from Benin 48 hours ago and played today, and tomorrow, we are traveling to Katsina. It’s pressure on the team, with its wear and tear, but we have to manage and play better."
With momentum on their side, Enyimba now shift focus to their Matchday 25 showdown against Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Wednesday. Eguma remains hopeful that his side can build on this victory and continue their resurgence, stating, "The management is doing everything possible to motivate the players. We will go there to put up a good performance, and hopefully, we can get a positive result."
As the NPFL title race intensifies, the People’s Elephant have sent a strong message to their rivals—Enyimba are back in business, and they are not backing down.
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