Enyimba head coach Emmanuel Deutsch has praised his players for their fighting spirit despite suffering a narrow defeat to Niger Tornadoes on the opening day of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
The Peoples’ Elephants were defeated 2-1 by the Minna-based side at the Bako Kontagora Stadium on Sunday, with Michael Olalusi scoring late to secure all three points for the hosts.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Deutsch remained positive about his team’s performance, stressing that defeat in the opening fixture would not determine the outcome of the entire league campaign.
“Losing the opening match does not mean you have lost the league. I think it was a very good game,” Deutsch said.
“Overall, I am impressed, especially considering how demanding the pre-season was. Both teams gave a good account of themselves. The league has only just started, so you cannot say that you are winning the league now.”
Enyimba demonstrated resilience after falling behind in the first half, when Aliyu Goyi converted from the penalty spot.
The visitors responded strongly after the interval, with Wonah Williams heading home the equaliser and giving Enyimba renewed momentum as they searched for a winning goal.
However, Niger Tornadoes had the final say when Olalusi struck late to secure victory for the hosts and leave Enyimba without a point from their opening fixture.
Despite the setback, Deutsch was pleased with the mentality displayed by his players, particularly their response after conceding.
“Football is very dynamic; you can lose or win,” he added.
“It was a very good game by both teams. You could see the fighting spirit, and everyone wanted to win the match. However, congratulations to Tornadoes on the victory.”
Enyimba will now regroup and prepare for their next assignment as the 2026/27 Euromatch NPFL campaign gathers momentum.
The Aba giants are scheduled to face Doma United on Matchday 3 as they seek to recover from their opening-day setback.
