Who Is In Charge of Enyimba FC?

‎Who Is In Charge of Enyimba FC?

‎This is a genuine question asked on behalf of the fans, media and football enthusiasts across the South East and Nigeria at large.

‎This question is begging for answers from the stakeholders – Abia State Government, the Management of Enyimba FC and the Coaching Crew, because we have speculated as the media, made permutations and are coming up short in terms of asserting without mincing words or goofing, who is truly in control of the soul of the most successful football club in the West African sub-region.

‎LETS ESTABLISH SOME FACTS

‎Upon the assumption of the current Government, under Dr. Alex OTTI, there was a massive overhaul of the management of the club, which enthroned one of Nigeria's Greatest of All Times - Nwankwo Kanu on the 12th of July, 2023. Kanu in turn appointed the likes of erstwhile Sporting Director Ifeanyi Ekwueme and a few others, but let's stay with the key actors.

‎Kanu inherited Finidi George and Coach Yemi Olaruwaju at the time, and worked with them, Finidi left his role for the Super Eagles job, and Yemi Olaruwaju, rounded off the 2023/24 season.

‎Yema as he is fondly called became the substantive coach of the 9-time Champions, Enyimba FC. before the start of the 2024/2025 season, however his tenure was short-lived.

‎Stay with me, it's only a timeline that I am providing, I am not concerned about the results, I am staying true to my first question about power, organization and decision making at the foremost Nigerian club.

‎Following the sack of Yema, one of Nigeria's longest serving NPFL Coaches - formerly of Rivers United took over the reins - Stanley Azunda Eguma [December, 2024], and he too barely changed the fortunes of the club, and so his tenure was but a lit match-stick.

‎Off went Azunda Eguma, and Deji Ayeni was then put in the driver's seat – first on Interim basis on the 28th of November, 2025, until the club confirmed his role as substantive on the 18th of January 2026.

‎Deji masterminded a few matches, and the media space became saturated with a Press Release that the Governor had approved the appointment of Deutsch Gustave Emmanuel as the Head Coach of the 4-time FA Cup Champions on the 25th of January, 2026. - "The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has approved the appointment of Coach Deutsch Detchoua Gustave Emmanuel as the new Head Coach of Enyimba International Football Club, Aba." that release stated.

"Enyimba International Football Club remains Nigeria’s most decorated football club and one of Abia State’s most prominent sporting brands across Africa. As a two-time CAF Champions League winner and multiple-time domestic league champion, Enyimba has historically projected Abia State on the continental football stage and inspired generations of footballers and supporters." It added.

‎This appointment [Deutsch], after Deji had been confirmed only some weeks earlier raised eye brows, in skit tone [What's going on here?], that appointment to some of us, didn't look like "government interference", given the decline the club had experienced in the last few seasons, it just looked like a Government fed up by excuses, and wanted to act decisively, but in another occasion, critics and experts would stand their ground and call that interference.

‎Seconds turned to Minutes, and Minutes to Hours, and Hours precipitated into Days, and Days married Weeks and so far, Enyimba FC have yet to announce Deutsch as their coach.

‎Wait, in-between Ekwueme resigned, or was he sacked? whatever, that's at reader's discretion, but the Government stepped in again, this time, it appointed Daniel Eke as Sporting Director, and Uche Okechukwu as a Board member of the club on the 1st February, 2026 - "In line with the resolve of‍ the Abia State Gove‌rnment to rest⁠ore Enyimba FC to its ri‍ght‍ful place among Africa’s elite clubs, repos‍ition the club for su‍st‍ainabl‌e‌ growth, and s‍trengthen its bus‌iness and profess‌ional struct⁠ure, His Excellen‍cy,‍ Dr. Al‌ex Chioma Otti, OFR, the Executive‍ Governor of Abia‌ State, ha‌s app‍roved the a‍ppointment of MR. DANI‍EL EKE as the new SPORTING DIRECTOR of E‍ny⁠imba Internation⁠al Football Club, Aba."that release read in part.

‎Despite the Government of Abia State announcing the appointment of Deutsch, Deji Ayeni has remained in charge of their last two matches, and it reminds me of a chat I had with someone close to the club, who said, "you know this is politics, they have not formalized the take over" [para-phrazing], 

‎I ask again, who is IN CHARGE at Enyimba FC of Aba?

‎All the club requires at this point are the right people with the right ideas, initiatives and acumen to return this club to where it's meant to be.

‎We will continue to monitor developments at the club, and see it to a logical conclusion!

‎BY Wisdom Thomas