Enyimba of Aba’s Head Coach, Yema Olanrewaju, has shared high expectations for his club, stating that People’s Elephant is a club where everyone expects you to win always, Completesports.com reports.
Olanrewaju spoke at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday after the nine-time NPFL champions were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts Bayelsa United in a thrilling Matchday 10 encounter.
Ekene Awazie gave the two-time African champions the lead at the half-hour mark, but Magbisa Wisdom brought Ladan Bosso’s side level seven minutes later.
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Olanrewaju remarked that if not for a slip by his goalkeeper, Enyimba would have won, just as they did at the same venue during their last visit in the 2023/2024 campaign.
“I don’t think we can start celebrating this draw [at Bayelsa United],” the young tactician began. “This is Enyimba FC, where everyone expects you to win always. Last year, we won here and took all three points. That’s why I was frustrated with our goalkeeper, as it was a ‘cheap’ goal to concede.
“If we had ended the first half with a one-goal lead, they [Bayelsa United] would have had to push forward in the second half to equalise, which would have given us the chance to score more.
“That was our plan: get the first goal, draw them out, and then get another. It’s one of those things. We’ll manage this one point and head home to prepare for Remo Stars.”
Enyimba thought they had wrapped up a win late in the game when Nweke’s strike was parried by Bayelsa United’s goalkeeper, Godgift Elkanah. A defender attempted to clear the ball frantically but ended up diverting it into the net. However, the offside flag went up against Enyimba’s Sarki.
Asked his thoughts on the disallowed goal, Olanrewaju said he refrains from criticising referees. “It wasn’t offside, but as I’ve always said, I don’t like discussing officiating, as it’s out of my control. This wasn’t an offside goal, you know, but the referees see better and know better. So, it’s not in my hands to decide.”
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Enyimba seemed to “park the bus” early in the game, and Olanrewaju explained the reason his team sat back in the first half.
“We knew they [Bayelsa United] would rely on long balls in the first half. So, I told my players to stay calm and play from the back because our strength lies in that. We allowed them to play long balls, and when we regained possession, we bypassed their midfield to reach the final third.
“I believe this was a game we could have won, but we didn’t capitalise on our chances. They didn’t create anything in the second half apart from their long balls, while we played through to the final pass. I think our execution in the final third just wasn’t good enough.”
The result moves Enyimba to third place in the NPFL table with 18 points as they prepare for their Matchday 11 home game against Remo Stars.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa United, with 10 points in 18th place, will travel to Rivers United for the South-South Derby.
By Sab Osuji
