Enyimba FC head coach Stanley Eguma has revealed that despite receiving offers from several other clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League, extending his contract with the “biggest club” in the country was a no-brainer, Footynaija.com reports.
Eguma pulled off something of a rescue job at the Aba based club after arriving mid-way into the 2024/2025 season on a short-term arrangement back in December 2024, following the sacking of Yemi “Yemaster” Olarenwaju.
When Eguma came on board, The People’s Elephant were languishing just outside the top half of the NPFL table in 11th place. However, by the end of the campaign, they had climbed up five places into sixth, coming agonizingly close to securing continental football.
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Eguma’s impact at Enyimba didn’t go unnoticed as a number of rival NPFL clubs tried to poach his services ahead of the coming season. In the end, the 55-year-old, who tasted continental success with Enyimba in 2004 as an assistant coach, opted to stay put in Aba.
What Stanley Eguma said
“At the end of last season, so many clubs actually came for my services, but Enyimba is the biggest club in Nigeria and when such a club wants you to stay, you just have to say yes,” Eguma told Enyimbafc.net.
“I had a good stint, and the management was happy, though we didn’t pick a continental ticket or win the league, but at least, they were happy with my performance.
“There was a clause in my contract which states that Enyimba will have the first option of negotiation at the end of the season before any other club.
“That means if they are okay with me and interested in extending the contract, they will have the advantage of negotiating with me before I discuss with any other club.
“So, when those other teams were coming, Enyimba was discussing with me, and at the end of the day, I am happy to stay here because I have already known the terrain and they were happy with me. That was actually what happened, and I am happy with my decision.”
Heading into the 2025/2026 season, Eguma will be looking to lead the nine-time Nigerian champions back to the summit of the NPFL and subsequently secure their return to Africa’s top continental competition.
