Deutsch backs Enyimba to respond against Doma United

Enyimba technical adviser Emmanuel Deutsch believes his side can produce a positive result against Doma United in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday three fixture at Pantami Stadium on Saturday (today).

The People’s Elephant are still searching for their first victory of the campaign after losing to Niger Tornadoes in their opening league match.

Deutsch says the meeting with Doma United will give Enyimba the chance to demonstrate a different character as they attempt to recover from that setback.

“I think that this game tomorrow will show a sign, a new face of Enyimba. For tomorrow’s game, we are calm for the game, the pitch will show this reality,” he told the club’s media.

The Enyimba technical adviser said his players had prepared properly and were fully focused on the challenge in Gombe.

He also praised the welcome the squad had received during their stay, saying the team had been provided with good accommodation and hospitality and had not faced major distractions away from home.

“We got good accommodation, good hospitality in Gombe, there are no distractions. But the only distraction that I’m not happy about is at home.”

Deutsch said he was concerned by matters involving the club that had been discussed in newspapers, on the internet and across social media.

He warned that the issues could affect the players’ mentality, while praising the chairman for continuing to support the squad both personally and financially.

“If you see everything happening in the papers and on the internet, we can’t imagine the kind of power some people want,” he added.

“There’s a chairman there, you can cooperate with him and work. Because the distractions affect the mentality of the players.”

The coach said the chairman had used his own resources to ensure the players were properly fed and had taken a personal interest in those facing difficult circumstances, including players who had lost their parents.

“But thank God the chairman is doing his best. He adds his own resources to make sure the players are well fed.

“He shows personal interest; those who lost their parents, he tries to boost their morale that he would take care of all those things. This is the kind of things we need, not selfish interests.”

Although he acknowledged the presence of what he called selfish interests around the team, Deutsch insisted Enyimba remained calm and focused on their match against Doma United.

He also called on supporters in Abia State to help shield the club from distractions and remain united during the rebuilding process.

“I want all the Abia fans to understand this. You cannot succeed without discipline,” he said.

“I want Abians and Enyimba fans to stand up against those who want to distract the team because Enyimba is a very big team. I’m talking like this because I’m not happy.”

Deutsch reminded supporters that Enyimba are double CAF Champions League champions, saying discipline had been central to the club’s previous success in Africa.

“Now we want to rebuild the team, some people want to come to take over the team due to selfish interests. Enyimba fans should rise and demand an end to the distractions because Enyimba must succeed.

“For now, we concentrate on tomorrow’s game.”