Enyimba FC, at the weekend, beat Rahimo FC of Burkina Faso 5-0 in Aba and 5-1 on aggregate to progress to the next round of the CAF Champions League.

Against the odds, Enyimba Football Club of Aba swam against the tides and got to the shore; they did not play in front of their beloved fans but like coach Abd'llah said, they got the job "done clean."

Bellsnews' Assistant Editor, Bethel Kalu takes us through four lessons he gleaned from the victory in Aba.


1. Enyimba is the best team in Nigeria:

When it comes to playing personnel, Enyimba boast of the best legs in the league. In fact, they have been likened to Real Madrid of Spain. Based on this premise, it is not surprising that Enyimba signs the best legs in the country. Players consider it a privilege to play for Enyimba, who are Nigeria's most successful club.

Every new season, they fortify their team with players who were outstanding the previous season in the league, even from neighbor countries. The match against Rahimo FC demonstrated this submission.

Austin Oladapo, who has been pivotal to the success of Enyimba was out few days before the game. Defensive stalwart, Ifeanyi Anaemena battled with fitness, but Enyimba had capable replacements and hardly improvised. The competition for starting shirts in the team is healthy and the desire of every coach too.Their depth in squad gladdens the heart. Stanley Okorom came from the bench, got a stunning goal, and crowned it with a brilliant performance at right back. Surely, this team is the best in the land.


2. Coach Usman Abd'llah deserves commendation:

Coach Usman Abd'llah has shown bravery as a coach. When he was appointed as coach of Enyimba, many fans asked: "Usman who?" Now they know. He guided Enyimba to the semi-final of the CAF Confederations Cup, and led the Aba Elephants to win a record 8th league title.

Usman Abd'llah's bravery can be seen in the way he tinkers his team. For a coach who manages such a big team as Enyimba to succeed, he must be ready to take decisions that will favour the team without minding whose ox is gored.

Coach Abd'llah tweaked his team and altered the central defensive partnership of Nelson Ogbonnaya and Ifeanyi Anaemena. Instead, he chose Adebayo Abiodun to partner Ifeanyi Anaemena; that looked risky. However, it was the best he could do - to take the bold decision to keep a relatively unfit Anaemena on the bench. Nelson and Abiodun built an impenetrable wall that stiffled any direct attack from Rahimo FC.

Coach Abd'llah did not panic after losing 1-0 in Ouagadougou. His confidence was contagious and he followed it up by working assiduously to make sure his team delivered.

Coach Abd'llah's relationship with his players and his love for them yielded results. Which scenario could better explain the role he plays as a father than his touching reception of Chukwuka Onuwa, after the midfield maestro was substituted! He danced with him and gave him an embrace of approval. He was in effect saying: "Welcome, you did the job, perfectly."



3. Chukwuka Onuwa is the heart and soul of Enyimba's midfield:

Who has not heard? Chukwuka Onuwa is the Nigerian version of Luka Modric. The former MFM midfield artiste is a fan of Real Madrid midfield sensation, Luka Modric. Hence, he patterns his play to the world class midfielder. Last season, he was the favourite player of the fans. No wonder, the fans would always chant his name "Onuwa, Onuwa, Onuwa!" Whenever he was on the bench, fans would always want him to be introduced and when he comes on, they would raise the roof. He is a priceless pearl in midfield - the heart and soul of Enyimba's midfield. His passes are sensational and good for the heart, his vision has no rival. Onuwa does his creative job with ease, orchestrating defense splitting passes, and what the some may call "close-but-not-close" kind of passes - opponents see it but cannot touch it. He rotates in midfield like the earth's seamless orbit round the sun, turns to whichever degree he wants to and with two solid defensive midfielders behind him, he tears defenses apart.

Surely, Onuwa brought his best to the side on Sunday, even Rahimo FC officials had no option but to applaud him in their hearts.


4. Enyimba's attack is blistering:

http://www.bellsnews.com/sports/enyimba-5-0-rahimo-four-lessons-from-enyimbas-victory/

Absolutely bro...
I love that club