Brown Ideye has voiced his strong belief that Enyimba can secure a top three finish in the 2024/2025 NPFL season, beginning with a crucial win against Bayelsa United in Aba this Sunday.
The experienced 36 year old forward, who joined the two-time CAF Champions League winners in December 2024, highlighted how the team’s lighter fixture schedule is now working in their favour. “Since November last year, the team never had proper rest, playing every three or four days,” he explained. “Right now, it’s better we players have our rest and play weekly. That gives us the edge to plan and win games.
Enyimba and Bayelsa United have faced off eleven times since 2010, with the People’s Elephant winning five, the Restoration Boys two, and four matches ending in draws. Last season, Bayelsa United held Enyimba to a draw in Aba, and the two sides also shared points in their earlier meeting in Yenagoa this season.
Coach Stanley Eguma’s men will be eager to claim maximum points and avoid another home slip-up. Ideye acknowledged the challenge, saying, “The game against Bayelsa United won’t be easy. You know how difficult it has been playing at home we drew a lot of games here. But if we approach the game positively, I see us winning.”
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Despite his confidence, Ideye may miss the fixture due to family emergencies but remains optimistic. “It’s really sad I won’t be available for this game. I have some family emergencies to take care of. I still have friends in the Bayelsa team, and it would have been nice to play against them, but my family needs me now.”
Ideye believes Remo Stars are in pole position for the NPFL title but insists Enyimba can still secure continental qualification. “For me, I think Remo Stars have a better chance of winning the league, but in football, you can’t predict what happens. The title is theirs to lose,” he said. “For Enyimba, picking a continental spot is possible. If we win all our remaining home games and get good results on the road, I see us getting back to the continent.”
Enyimba, currently sitting eighth, will welcome 13th-placed Bayelsa United to the Enyimba International Stadium on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Editorial
We are encouraged by Brown Ideye’s confidence and honesty. His belief in Enyimba’s ability to finish among the top three this season speaks to the spirit and ambition running through the club. Despite recent struggles and tight fixtures, the team now has breathing space and with that comes the opportunity to regroup, plan, and push forward.
This is the time for Enyimba to show resilience. The team’s strong home record, though marred by occasional draws, can be turned into a fortress. Ideye’s acknowledgement of the challenge ahead is refreshing. It would have been easy to offer empty optimism, but instead, he presents a measured faith in the squad’s potential. That honesty is what the fans appreciate.
We must also recognise the importance of leadership and experience. Ideye’s presence, even in absence, will be felt. His words carry weight in the dressing room, and his confidence can inspire his teammates. Family matters have rightly taken him away for now, but his influence remains.
As we look to Sunday’s fixture, we urge the team to carry Ideye’s words onto the pitch. Play with intent, fight for every ball, and turn Aba into a fortress once again. Every point now matters, not just for pride but for the chance to return to the continental stage. The fans deserve it, the club’s history demands it, and the players are capable of delivering it.
With six home matches left and several away games to tackle, the mission is clear. We believe Enyimba can push through and claim their place among the continent’s elite. Let’s take it one match at a time, beginning with Bayelsa United.
Did You Know?
- Enyimba’s nickname, “The People’s Elephant,” reflects strength and community pride.
- Bayelsa United were the winners of the 2021 Aiteo Cup, Nigeria’s oldest club competition.
- The Enyimba International Stadium in Aba was renovated in 2019 to meet CAF standards.
- Brown Ideye won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
- Remo Stars, whom Ideye sees as title favourites, only gained promotion to the NPFL in 2016.
