Nine-time NPFL champions hand coach Stanley Eguma a two-match deadline to fix the crisis.
The tide is turning stormy in Aba as Enyimba International FC, nine-time champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), find themselves in serious trouble. Under coach Stanley Eguma, the People’s Elephant have slipped into a three-game losing run, and the club’s hierarchy has responded with a stern ultimatum; raising questions about the direction of Enyimba’s NPFL 2025/26 campaign.
From Early Promise to Mounting Pressure
Previously unbeaten in their first seven matches (with a record of W3 D4), Enyimba have now lost to three different opponents in succession. The latest being a 2–1 away defeat to Plateau United FC in Jos on Matchday 10. The result further deepened the Enyimba poor run of form in NPFL 2025/26, as the Aba giants continue to struggle for consistency in both defense and attack.
The management’s patience has given way to alarm. In a statement issued following the internal review, the club stressed the size of their ambition: “Enyimba FC is a club with a proud winning tradition and a strong expectation of excellence,” the management declared.
This underscores the increasing pressure on Stanley Eguma at Enyimba, as supporters demand quick answers to the club’s current slide.
What’s Gone Wrong for Enyimba FC?
A closer look behind the scenes reveals several interconnected issues contributing to the current Enyimba slump in NPFL 2025/26:
Defensive lapses and conceding crucial goals at bad moments. The Jos defeat followed home losses to Warri Wolves in Aba and Kun Khalifat FC in Owerri, showing cracks in an otherwise experienced backline.
A goal-scoring drought: Coach Eguma has admitted the team’s conversion rate is “very low,” emphasizing that rebuilding and confidence restoration remain ongoing challenges.
Rising pressure of expectations: Enyimba began the NPFL 2025/26 season targeting either the league title or a continental slot.
These problems have raised debates across Nigerian football media, with analysts questioning whether Eguma can turn Enyimba’s NPFL season around before management’s patience finally runs out.
The Two-Game Ultimatum
In response to the downward spiral, Enyimba’s management has reportedly handed Eguma and his technical team a two-match ultimatum to reverse the trend. The upcoming fixtures are now crucial to his future:
Enyimba vs Kano Pillars – at home in Aba.
Abia Warriors vs Enyimba – in Umuahia.
Both games are seen as must-wins to restore confidence and stabilize the Enyimba NPFL campaign. Failure to deliver positive results could force the board to take drastic measures.
What It Means for the NPFL 2025/26 Title Race
This isn’t just about one club; Enyimba’s struggles could reshape the balance of the Nigeria Premier Football League 2025/26 title race. A faltering People’s Elephant opens the door for rivals such as Rivers United, Kano Pillars, and Remo Stars to tighten their grip near the top.
For Stanley Eguma, who previously guided Rivers United to domestic glory, the coming weeks could define both his legacy and his coaching career. The NPFL 2025/26 season is proving unforgiving and every dropped point counts.
As Hot Sports Scoops continues to bring Nigerian football news from a local perspective, this Enyimba story captures the shifting dynamics of coaching pressure, fan expectation, and elite club ambition within the NPFL.