By Bethel Kalu
“4-3? Not too bad. They will come to the Elephants Park and be trampled.” That was the thought of many Enyimba fans. That loss in Benghazi was not a sign of doom. Home is home and home must deliver.
The countdown began. The boys began training for the big day and for the fans, it was a good time to see their team again after that triumph in Lagos for their ninth league title.
It was a delight listening to sports shows in the city. Radio presenters had a good time and the confidence from fans was amazing. A new Government is on seat. Kanu Nwankwo, a Nigerian legend is now chairman and his first home game should start with a victory.
For a 3pm game, fans were already trooping into the stadium at 11.am. Some had forgone meetings and other pleasures so as to get the choicest spaces and to have a feel of the much talked about refurbished stadium. Stake.com, Enyimba’s new sponsor had their presence. Men and women wore the Enyimba jersey and one could feel how much the fans has missed their club.
It was a mini carnival. Outside the main bowl, there was sponsorship activation for Stake.com. Soon enough, fans trooped into the stadium in their thousands, yes, thousands. Al Ahli Benghazi would know that just like they do, Enyimba also has fans.
Enter Kanu Nwankwo. He arrived in glory, flanked by his aides and the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emet. The crowd roared in adulation. They had waited to see him after his appointment and this was his first public appearance and it met expectations as to fanfare.
Let the game begin! Finidi George and his assistant, Olarenwaju Yemi Daniel were not on the touchline again. It happened in Benghazi and it is happening again. The goalkeeper trainer was in charge and one could feel the disappointment in Finidi and Yema’s spirit as their boys struggled to break down the stubborn Benghazi defense.
For the Butchers, their job was complicated yet simple–to defend with their lives and defend with it and for their lives they did. Joseph Atule, Enyimba’s new beautiful bride was everywhere. He dazzled, went to the left, right, midfield and just everywhere, unfortunately his efforts were not complemented.
Fans asked for goals and supported their club loyally. All they asked for a was goal. How would a club that scored three times in Benghazi fail to score just one at home? Football happens, does it not?
Minutes became seconds and the North Africans were ready to celebrate. They had done their job on the pitch and their time-wasting tactics was brought to an A-level and perfectly executed. They withstood everything thrown at them and at the final whistle, they ran like they won the World Cup. Yes, they had every reason to celebrate, they had done it and sealed passage to the next round of the CAF Champions League.
The stadium went silent, the fans looked on in disbelief and Enyimba players? Dejected. They had their destiny in their hands: just a goal. They had been getting alerts recently and this win would have brought more alerts but…
Finidi and Yema would have thought things had gone differently. How sad to see them dejected. There was nothing they could have done. It was like watching players on TV and no amount of shouting from home would make a difference. They watched their boys whom they had drilled all these weeks, but could not speak to them. The new CAF rule about UEFA licensed coaches in CAF competitions shut them out, sadly
Would Enyimba see that massive turnout again? It was the largest they had seen this post Covid19 era. The prospect of a new management, NPFL champions, and a new Government winning their first home game was gone. The Elephants bowed at the park, where it tramples and takes glory.
The fans could not quickly leave. It was like a dream. This is not what they wanted. This is not what would have crossed their mind. This is not what they signed up for.
Elephants bowed at the park. It is one loss, too many. As the sun lowered in the western sky to usher in the dusk, the fans wished to wake up from this nightmare at dusk. It was too late, a mighty elephant has bowed out.