Enyimba boss Deutsch dismisses crisis talk ahead of crucial Ikorodu City test

Enyimba head coach Emmanuel Deutsch has rejected suggestions that the former champions are in crisis despite suffering seven defeats in their first 12 Euromatch NPFL matches.

The People’s Elephant are 17th in the table with 11 points and will host Ikorodu City in Aba on Sunday, with the match offering an immediate opportunity to respond to last weekend’s loss.

Enyimba were beaten 1-0 by Ranchers Bees at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna last Sunday. Chiedozie Jude Okorie scored the only goal in the 42nd minute, his long-range effort finding the net beyond goalkeeper Dede Dare.

The match also marked the 100th NPFL appearance of Ranchers Bees midfielder Tijani Kabiru against his former club.

The result left Enyimba with three wins, two draws and seven defeats. They are level on 11 points with Warri Wolves and Abia Warriors, while Ranchers sit one point above them in 16th place.

Deutsch confident Enyimba can recover

Deutsch said his side might have scored three times during the opening half in Minna, according to the league’s match report, and described the encounter as a “good but difficult contest”.

The Enyimba manager also praised the officials, rating their performance as “very good”, before dismissing claims that the club is struggling. He said the team would recover.

Enyimba’s home record provides some support for that confidence. They have collected 10 of their 11 points in Aba, beating Shooting Stars 4-2, Plateau United 2-0 and Kun Khalifat 1-0. Their other home point came from a goalless draw with Warri Wolves.

However, Aba has not been an entirely reliable venue this season. Inter Lagos won 1-0 there in September, before Sporting Lagos claimed a 3-2 victory three days later.

Ikorodu City sit 11th with 15 points but have yet to win away from home. They have drawn three and lost three of their six matches on the road, with their latest away fixture ending in a 2-2 draw at Doma United.

Their most recent match was also a draw, as they were held 2-2 at home by Inter Lagos.

Enyimba need points from home

The result carries added importance because of the congested lower half of the table. Warri Wolves and Abia Warriors are level with Enyimba, Ranchers are only one point ahead, while Kwara United and Kun Khalifat are within two points.

With away wins still uncommon in the league, home points are particularly valuable in the battle to avoid trouble. Ikorodu City’s six draws from 12 matches and winless away record make Sunday’s fixture one Enyimba will view as a strong chance to improve their position.

Victory would take Enyimba to 14 points and could move them out of the bottom four, depending on results elsewhere. A draw or defeat would increase the pressure on Deutsch and make his confidence in a recovery appear less convincing.

The match in Aba starts at 16:00 WAT on Sunday.