Yemi Olanrewaju, the newly appointed permanent coach of Enyimba FC, has voiced confidence in his team’s readiness for the 2024/2025 NPFL season despite a recent 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Rivers United.
At 32, Olanrewaju, who succeeded former Super Eagles boss Finidi George, believes the team is “80% ready” for the upcoming campaign. However, he emphasizes that there is still work to be done, particularly in the attacking sector.
In a post-match video shared by NPFL expert Fisayo Dairo on TikTok, Olanrewaju stated, “The only finishing touch needed is scoring goals. That’s the only thing we need to work on. Defensively, I think we are good.”
The coach’s comments come after a series of pre-season matches, including encounters with Akwa United and Rivers United. Despite struggling to find the back of the net, Olanrewaju praised his team’s defensive performance, noting their ability to limit chances against them even in away games.
Reflecting on the pre-season games, Olanrewaju added, “If you play Akwa United, play Rivers United away from home and nothing was created against your team, I think that’s a decent one from us. But we need to do more offensively, honestly. That’s the only thing lacking.”
The friendly match against Rivers United, coached by Olanrewaju’s former boss Finidi George, ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat due to a deflected late goal. Despite this, Olanrewaju remained positive about his team’s performance and physical readiness.
“This was a good game with a lot of intensity, the same with Akwa days ago. I think we are ready for the league,” he said.
Olanrewaju’s appointment as Enyimba’s permanent coach followed his stint as interim manager after Finidi’s move to the Super Eagles. As he prepares for his first full season in Nigeria’s top flight, Olanrewaju will face a significant test in his opening fixture against Heartland FC, managed by Nigerian football legend Emmanuel Amuneke.
This high-profile matchup will serve as Olanrewaju’s first real challenge and could set the tone for Enyimba’s season ahead.