Enyimba FC have named Crown FC coach Deji Ayeni as their new head coach, with the Ilesa-born tactician taking charge ahead of Sunday’s Nigeria Premier football ootball League (NPFL) game against Rangers in Aba.
Ayeni, who begins his tenure at Enyimba today, brings prior NPFL experience from stints with Sunshine Stars and Akwa United. His first top-flight managerial role came in June 2021 when he joined Sunshine Stars from Ekiti United, then a Nigeria National League (NNL) side.
In March 2022, he moved to Akwa United, replacing Kennedy Boboye, who resigned after a poor run of results. Ayeni’s first game at the Uyo club ended in a 1–1 draw against Rivers United, and he secured his first win a week later, defeating Shooting Stars 2–1.
Photo Credit: X
Over two seasons with Akwa United, he managed 37 matches, recording 15 wins, 12 draws, and 10 losses before parting ways with the club.
Deji Ayeni, whose previous stint ended in disappointment after Crown FC failed to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2024/2025 season, faced a tough playoff campaign. The team managed just one point from three games against Kun Khalifat, Osun United, and Warri Wolves, missing out on promotion.
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Ayeni succeeds Stanley Eguma, who leaves Enyimba after a disappointing run that saw the nine-time Nigerian champions win just one of their last eight games.
Deji Ayeni during his time at Akwa United. Photo Credit: X
Eguma’s assistants, Ndubuisi Nduka and Joseph Boma, have also been relieved of their duties. Under Eguma, Enyimba won four, drew five, and lost six matches this season, leaving the team 14th on the league table with 17 points.
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In the interim, assistant coach Lawrence Ukaegbu led the team to a 3–2 defeat against Katsina United on Matchday 14, highlighting the struggles that prompted the managerial change.
