Nigeria’s most decorated football club, Enyimba FC, has opened up about what they described as an underwhelming 2024/25 NPFL season, finishing sixth in the domestic league and failing to go beyond the CAF Champions League group stage.

In a statement shared by the club’s sports director, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, the Aba giants admitted they fell short of their goals, but took consolation in helping Nigeria retain two CAF Champions League slots.

“Last season wasn’t quite a pleasant one for us,” Ekwueme told Completesports. “We didn’t actualise our target. But then, we’re grateful to God for reaching the group stage of the CAF Champions League and finishing in third place, which was good enough to ensure Nigeria still has two spots in the continental competitions.”

🇳🇬 A Bitter-Sweet Campaign for the People’s Elephant

While domestic rivals Remo Stars and Rangers International outpaced Enyimba in league standings, the People’s Elephant still carried the weight of Nigeria’s continental reputation, earning just enough to keep the country competitive on the African stage.

Despite not advancing past the group stage in the CAF Champions League, Enyimba’s presence alone was strategic — preserving Nigeria's dual representation on the continent and setting the stage for future qualification chances.

🗣️ Opinion: Enyimba’s Season Wasn’t a Failure — It Was a Wake-Up Call

Some may call it a “disappointing” season — and rightfully so, by Enyimba’s high standards — but it would be shortsighted to ignore the silver linings. The team still flew Nigeria’s flag high in Africa, showed glimpses of squad depth, and avoided a complete collapse.

The lesson here is clear: big names and past glories are no longer enough in today’s NPFL. As smaller clubs become more structured and competitive, giants like Enyimba must rethink their game plans, deepen grassroots scouting, and invest in tactical evolution.

⚽ What’s Next?

As the club prepares for the next season, fans will be expecting more aggressive transfer moves, a reshuffled tactical approach, and better consistency at both home and continental levels.

Enyimba remains a pillar of Nigerian football, and though 2024/25 might have dimmed their shine slightly, the club’s pedigree still positions them as a major threat for the coming season.

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