Yemi Olanrewaju, Head Coach of Enyimba, has explained to Completesports.com the rationale behind the team’s relocation to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, in preparation for their November 27 CAF Confederation Cup Group D match against Al-Masry of Egypt.
Arguably the youngest coach in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Olanrewaju stated that since the match in Egypt will be played on a grass pitch, it made sense for the team to practise on a similar surface before travelling.
“It’s been good. That’s why we came over here to Uyo to prepare for our continental match. We’re going to play on a grass pitch in Egypt,” Olanrewaju said.
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“Our ground in Aba is synthetic, and ball movement is quite different. That’s why we’re here. Kudos to the management of Enyimba for bringing us here early so we can get used to the grass.”
Enyimba are in Group D alongside another Egyptian giant, Zamalek, and Mozambican champions, Black Bulls.
Olanrewaju admitted the group is a “group of death” but emphasised his comfort with Enyimba being seen as underdogs.
“Yes, we’re in the toughest group, but this is Enyimba FC. We want to scale through the group hurdles. I’m happy when people say Al-Masry and Zamalek are favourites. That’s my preferred position as a coach. I don’t like to talk or brag much,” he said.
“I prefer staying low so that, on the pitch, we activate the spirit of Enyimba.
“For us, it’s a tough group, but we have a chance to qualify. However, we need to perform much better tactically than we’ve done in the league.
“We need to be disciplined because if you fail to position yourself well or close down opponents, you’ll pay for it.”
Olanrewaju added: “That’s why we’re here in Uyo, fine-tuning our tactics, correcting some mistakes from the league, and preparing for the challenges at this level. Hopefully, we’ll scale through the group. We’re very optimistic.”
He also urged Enyimba’s fans to continue supporting the club, boldly promising to “get the job done for them.”
“We need our fans. They’ve been supporting us as our 12th player. Personally, I appreciate the love I’ve received from Enyimba supporters all over the world.
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“I want them to keep backing us. The season won’t be smooth sailing. Even Manchester City and Arsenal, two top clubs in England, are facing struggles.
“Sometimes, we may falter, but on those occasions, we need their support to recover quickly. They are our strength, and we’ll never let them down. By God’s grace, we’ll deliver for them.”
Reflecting on Enyimba’s performances in the 2024/2025 NPFL season after 12 matches, Olanrewaju admitted the team has underperformed relative to his expectations.
“So far in the league, we haven’t done badly, but it’s not exactly what I wanted,” he admitted.
“I expected us to be top of the table by now. Being three points behind the leaders isn’t bad, but it’s below my expectations, considering our pre-season preparation and efforts.
“We’ve had too many draws. In our last three away games, we scored first, which is rare in the Nigeria League, but then conceded cheap goals due to lapses in concentration. That’s an area we need to address.
“Thankfully, we’re making these mistakes now. The league will get tougher in the second round, and at that stage, every point dropped could cost us the title,” Olanrewaju concluded.
By Sab Osuji
