After starting the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season losing all three of their opening matches, Enyimba will test their resolve to navigate out of their current form against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday in Aba.
It was at the same Enyimba Stadium in Aba over the weekend that another Lagos club, Inter Lagos stunned them to claim the three points which caused an uproar among their faithful as to which direction the club was heading.
Sporting Lagos present another hurdle for the People’s Elephant, who have struggled to score just once and conceded five times in their three outings, leaving them at the foot of the NPFL table as the only team without a point this season.
This season represents the worst start in Enyimba’s history in the top division.
The last time Enyimba failed to win in their opening three matches in the league was in the 2000/01 season (D1 L2). They lost at Gombe United (0-1) and Lobi Stars (1-2) and drew 1-1 at home with Rangers International.
The People’s Elephant also started the 1999 season without a win. They failed to win in their first four matches (D2 L2). They draw 0-0 with Gabros at home on the opening day and followed with a 1-1 draw at Kwara Stars before losing 0-1 at home to Plateau United.
On the fourth matchday they lost 0-1 at Kano Pillars.
Emmanuel Deutsch and his men can avoid a total chaos if they can ape the squad of 2024 which saw off Sporting Lagos 2-0 through goals from Ekwutoziam Eze and Elijah Akanni.
Sporting Lagos have also not had a sparkling start to the campaign since returning to the top-flight except for a 3-0 bashing of their city rivals, Inter Lagos which was followed by a 2-0 humbling by Abia Warriors over the weekend in front of their supporters.
On the opening day, they lost at Doma United 0-2 which leaves their contest at Enyimba finely balanced.
Despite a 1-4 defeat in the hands of Kano Pillars on Sunday, Doma United still kept top spot and will now hope they can recover from that the thumping when they play hosts to Plateau United at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
Last time out, Doma United edged past Plateau United through Andrew Majalisa’s first half goal.
Champions Rangers will aim for a third straight win when they play hosts to Ranchers Bees at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
They will also have to keep an eye on free-scoring Ranchers midfielder Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu who has scored five goals in three appearances.
Bendel Insurance face Ikorodu City who are unbeaten in three matches (W1 D2). When they met in this same fixture, Alex Oweilayefa scored a hattrick in Bendel Insurance’s 4-0 win.
Wednesday’s schedule will also involve Kwara United versus Nasarawa United while Niger Tornadoes welcome Warri Wolves to the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna. At the Lekan Salami Stadium, Shooting Stars go head-to-head with Katsina United.
The match between Rivers United and Kun Khalifat FC on Thursday wraps up the match week.
