We had to settle for a point against Enyimba on match day 29 of the Nigeria Premier Football League courtesy a late equalizer from Ayomide Cole.
LINEUP: Aina Oluwadamilare; Waliu Ojetoye, Chibuike Oheagbulam, Freedom Marvelous, Harrison Austin; Moses Shodeinde, Tosin Oyedokun, Salau Yusuf; Toyeeb Ajeyigbe, Emmanuel Solomon & Okechukwu Nwanna.
Looking to pick maximum points from a side that stole all three against us in the previous meeting, we were missing players in certain positions but that didn’t stop the boys from taking the game to nine times Nigerian league winners Enyimba.
Tosin Oyedokun was the first to work the home based eagles goalkeeper, Ani Ozoemena, forcing him to a save from a long range strike before Waliu’s cross into the box was cut out by the goalie.
We continued to press and for a second time from range, Ani was sharp to deny Tosin before Chineme’s strike beat the keeper but not the crossbar as we kept knocking on the door of a goal.
Third time lucky it was for midfielder Tosin Oyedokun in the 41st minute, this time from inside the box and he found the breakthrough, slamming a volley into the ground and beating the keeper and taking us into the break with lone a goal.
A double change to the forward line for us saw Ayo Cole and Toyeeb Ajeyigbe come on at the start of the second half. Seven minutes later, we unfortunately lost centre back Freedom Marvelous to an injury and he was replaced by Victor Ejukah.
While the team tried to settle with all the changes, Enyimba took advantage with two quick goals in six minutes to take control of the game. Further changes from the boss in a response saw Shola Adelani, who passed a late fitness test to make the matchday squad after being out to illness and Rivio Ayemwenre join the fray.
Ayomide Cole thought he had scored the equalizer when his strong header from point blank range was kept out by Ani. Rivio as well saw his header saved as we played through additional time, looking like we had lost all points.
A moment of quick thinking salvaged the point for us. A foul on throw from Enyimba was committed and the throw awarded our way. Tosin rushed to a loose ball and quickly released Ayomide Cole from the throw in behind the opponent defense who were asleep. One on one with Ani, Cole wasn’t to be denied as he slotted past the goalie to bring us level in the last minute of stoppage time.
UP NEXT:
It’s busy schedule for the lads and we first face Sunshine Stars U19 in the President Federation Cup round of 64 in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday 19th March before making the trip to face Rivers United in the league on Sunday 23rd March.
SUBSTITUTION
OUT: Chineme Chinonso IN: Toyeeb Ajeyigbe 46’
OUT: Okechukwu Nwanna IN: Ayomide Cole 46’
OUT: Freedom Marvelous IN: Victor Ejukah 52’
OUT: Emmanuel Solomon IN: Shola Adelani 80’
OUT: Salau Yusuf IN: Rivio Ayemwenre 80’