Enyimba head coach Emmanuel Deutch has urged Abia State and Enyimba supporters to stand against what he described as selfish interests and distractions around the club ahead of Saturday’s EuroMatch NPFL clash with Doma United in Gombe at 4 pm.
Deutch expressed concern over developments surrounding the club but insisted that his players remain calm and focused on their crucial league assignment.
“I think that this game tomorrow will show a sign, a new face of Enyimba. For tomorrow’s game, we are calm for the game; the pitch will show this reality,” Deutch said.
The coach said the team had enjoyed good accommodation and hospitality in Gombe, with the major concerns coming from developments away from the playing environment.
“We got good accommodation, good hospitality in Gombe, there are no distractions. But the only distraction that I’m not happy about is at home,” he added.
Deutch, who appeared visibly concerned about the situation, pointed to reports and discussions in the media and online, warning that such developments could affect the mentality of the players.
“If you see everything happening in the papers and on the internet, we can’t imagine the kind of power some people want.
“There’s a chairman there. You can cooperate with him and work. Because the distractions affect the mentality of the players,” he said.
The Enyimba boss, however, praised the club chairman for his efforts towards the welfare of the players, particularly his personal support for members of the squad.
“But thank God the chairman is doing his best. He adds his own resources to make sure the players are well fed.
“He shows personal interest; those who lost their parents, he tries to boost their morale that he would take care of all those things.
“This is the kind of thing we need, not selfish interests. Because there are people with selfish interests around the team, but we are calm,” Deutch stated.
The coach further appealed to Enyimba supporters to protect the club and resist actions capable of disrupting the team as it seeks to rebuild.
“I want all the Abia fans to understand this. You cannot succeed without discipline.
“I want Abians and Enyimba fans to stand up against those who want to distract the team because Enyimba is a very big team. I’m talking like this because I’m not happy,” he said.
Deutch also referenced Enyimba’s rich continental history, reminding supporters that discipline played an important role in the club’s two CAF Champions League triumphs.
“Enyimba are double CAF Champions League champions. The people who made this happen had discipline.
“Now we want to rebuild the team, some people want to come to take over the team due to selfish interests.
“Enyimba fans should rise and demand an end to the distractions because Enyimba must succeed.
“For now, we concentrate on tomorrow’s game,” Deutch concluded.
Enyimba will now turn their attention to Doma United as they seek to secure a positive result in Gombe and keep their EuroMatch NPFL campaign on track despite the off-field concerns raised by the coach.