By Bethel Kalu and Henry Nna
Just as life and many endeavors have their ups and downs, football has its good moments and trying moments. For coach Finidi George and his boys, these are truly trying times
The team started well this season, winning five games out of five and playing well in the process. They were on the ascendency on the continent until the unfortunate incident that happened where they could not honour their away fixture. Since then, the fortunes of the team have undulated. Coach Finidi George is in the eye of the storm. This is his first season coaching an NPFL side but it has not been easy.
The team has lost a home game and drawn games at home too. They have won two away games and that is fair enough. But the they have not performed to the expectation of fans.
When Finidi George took over the helm, he was as saddled with the responsibility of returning the team’s supposed lost glory and he was and is still on course
As for his boys, they are doing what they could but it is not enough. Enyimba’s major problem this season has been failure to convert begging chances. No matter how well a team plays, goals make the difference
Since the unfortunate CAF incident, the team’s morale has been low and this is where a psychologist comes in. The team is creating chances and that means that the coach has done his job well, alongside his assistants but the confidence to score is obviously lacking
Emeka Obioma, Victor Mbaoma, Ekene Awazie, Samuel Kalu, Gabriel Orok, Godwin Emmanuel and Abdulwasiu have bolstered the team’s attack but the team has not been clinical in front of goal. This, some analysts say is a result of low confidence or that they need time
For coach Finidi, he barely sits during games and is on the touchlines, giving out instructions to his boys who also work hard. The team’s determination is there but the results are not a true reflection of their efforts
This is where the management comes in. The team needs a psychologist who can help them banish the memories of their unfortunate CAF Confederation Cup ouster.
The team needs to forget the past and focus on the present and return to where they should be. Fans and analysts have expressed concern and rightly so. When an Elephant is seen in an unlikely habitat, it is not wrong to raise eyebrows.
Finidi and his boys are not resting on their laurels. They are working hard to return to their glory days.
The team is not lacking in quality; from the bench to the players on the pitch, they are qualified for the task
For coach Finidi George, he can work on a favourable combination in attack to get the goals.
If there is anything the boys needs, it should be provided by the management. Granted, the team is one of the best managed in the country and has a veteran achiever–Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, as an administrator. still, more could be done to build the morale of the boys
Once Enyimba’s goal scoring problems have been fixed and a perfect pairing is found in defense, the team would march on like an elephant, marching on to victory. Finidi and his team will click soon and the results would be plainly seen
The team will get it right. They are passing through a phase which even the strongest of teams have passed and became victorious. This too–tribulation, must pass and the team will get it right