Enyimba’s new head coach Deji Ayeni is eyeing his first victory in charge of the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions as they take on Niger Tornadoes at Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna this Sunday. The match marks the start of a tough away stretch for the People’s Elephant in the 2025/26 NPFL season.
Ayeni has had a mixed start since taking over, with his tenure beginning in a 2–0 loss to Shooting Stars followed by a goalless draw with Barau FC in Aba. Those results have only strengthened his resolve to get a positive outcome in Minna.
The club flew to Abuja on Friday before proceeding to Minna, with Ayeni stressing that the team is fully focused on securing points on the road. He also highlighted the importance of the current period, calling the upcoming away fixtures — including a midweek trip to Nasarawa United in Lafia pivotal to shaping Enyimba’s momentum in the second half of the campaign.
“I want our fans to remain positive and prayerful for us,” Ayeni told the club’s media ahead of the Minna clash, insisting his squad has turned the page after the disappointing stalemate against Barau.
Historically, Enyimba have had the upper hand over Tornadoes, winning 10 of their 20 meetings since 2009, with Niger Tornadoes winning six and four matches ending in draws. The reverse fixture in Aba last season ended in a victory for Enyimba.
EDITORIAL
There comes a point in every season when narratives shift from preamble to purpose, when matches become defining markers of identity and intent. For Enyimba and their freshly-installed head coach Deji Ayeni, the encounter against Niger Tornadoes in Minna is such a moment a litmus test of conviction and cohesion as much as of tactical acumen.
It bears remembering that Enyimba are no ordinary participants in the NPFL. Nine-time champions, storied in tradition and rich in heritage, they carry history not as an anchor, but as expectation. Yet even giants must recalibrate even the most decorated clubs can find themselves in seasons of transition. Ayeni’s early results a loss followed by a stalemate have not been disastrous, but they have revealed a side still searching for rhythm and certainty under new stewardship.
Away fixtures often reveal more than results do. They test mentality, adaptability and belief under conditions far from familiar comforts. In Minna, against a Tornadoes side that will be equally eager to assert itself, Enyimba face not just an opponent but a narrative challenge can they transform potential into performance, and pressure into precision?
History, of course, offers perspective. The People’s Elephant have a favourable pedigree against the Ikon Allah Boys, but football’s statistics are at best a backdrop to the realities of a single afternoon’s battle. What Enyimba need is not simply legacy but agency the ability to imprint their style, to rectify errors and to translate intent into points.
And that is why this fixture matters. It is not merely Ayeni’s first chance at victory as head coach it is a litmus for a team striving to anchor its season in results rather than reputation. In the intensity of NPFL competition, where every point feels earned and every away goal carries weight, the capacity to deliver when it matters most distinguishes contenders from pretenders.
DID YOU KNOW?
- This will be Ayeni’s third league match in charge of Enyimba after a defeat and a draw in his first two outings.
- Enyimba have won 10 of the 20 NPFL matches against Niger Tornadoes since 2009, while Tornadoes have six wins.
- The upcoming Minna clash kicks off a two-game away run for Enyimba, followed by a midweek trip to Nasarawa United in Lafia.
- The Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna has a capacity of just around 5,000, often creating an intense atmosphere for visiting sides.
- Enyimba are one of the most successful clubs in NPFL history, with nine league titles and multiple continental appearances, making them a benchmark for success in Nigerian football.
