Enyimba coach Lawrence Ukaegbu says “the storm is over” as the club attempt to recover lost ground in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The struggling giants are currently 18th in the NPFL standings, but Ukaegbu believes the club’s recent difficulties have been resolved and that the team can still mount a strong challenge.

“The crisis really affected the players and our output on the field. But now everything has calmed down,” Ukaegbu said.

The former junior international described the problems as part of the pressure faced by leading clubs, while insisting that Enyimba’s players and staff had responded by working together.

He said chairman Kanu Nwankwo had helped settle the situation after a misunderstanding over responsibilities within the club.

“The chairman, Kanu Nwankwo, has asked everyone to calm down and work together. It was a misunderstanding of roles, which should not have arisen in the first place,” Ukaegbu said.

“But Kanu is a calm man, who does his thing with all sense of responsibility. He has been able to galvanise the team, hence the results people are beginning to see.”

Although Ukaegbu acknowledged that there are still outside ambitions to control the club, he said Kanu remained focused on guiding Enyimba towards success.

The club’s low position in the table has not weakened Ukaegbu’s belief in their prospects. He pointed to the strength of the squad and the experience of Cameroonian Technical Advisor Emmanuel Deutsch as reasons for his confidence.

“Ask any of the teams that have faced us this season, even in matches we lost. They will tell you that Enyimba is the team to beat,” Ukaegbu stated.

He also backed the influence of Deutsch, who he believes can help the team compete for major honours.

“We have a perfect technical advisor, Emmanuel Deutsch from Cameroon. He is well experienced. And the quality in the players we have makes me feel and believe that we will carry the league,” Ukaegbu said.

“Even if we don’t win the league, we will play on the continent next season.”

Enyimba now have the opportunity to turn that renewed confidence into points when they travel to Lafia this weekend to face Nasarawa United.

The trip comes as the club seek to move away from 18th place and begin making up ground in the NPFL after their troubled start.