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By: Tony Ademodi
Coming from a disappointing nil all draw in Aba against Nasarawa United on MatchDay 28, Enyimba Fc knew they needed to secure a win to stand a chance of remaining title contenders this season.
Abia Warriors on their part lost their previous game away to Sunshine Stars
1-2 in Akure, and looked condemned to returning to winning ways in the rescheduled MatchDay 20 fixture, an “Abia Derby”.
The game started with the home team looking promising in the early stages until the 12th minute, when Victor Mbaoma scored with an assit from Austin Oladapo flick. This was after Abia Warriors defenders failed to clear their line.
The “People’s Elephant” almost made it two, when Victor Mbaoma’s low kick which was destined for the back of the net was stopped by the water logged pitch in the 15 minute.
The game was later disrupted & subsequently stopped in the 23rd minute, due to a heavy downpour in Okigwe, with the game rescheduled for the next day at 8am.
The restart of the game in the 23rd minute the following day, saw Abia Warriors looking better on the pitch than the previous day, but Enyimba had Goalkeeper John Noble to thank, as he made several saves to keep his team leading 1-0 at half time.
The second half started with the home team still pushing for an equalizer, as in the 67th minute, Paul Samson’s effort was tipped over the crossbar by the impressive Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble.
In the 83rd minute Abia Warriors almost equalised after a goal mouth scramble was cleared off the line by Enyimba’s Daniel Darkwah.
The “People’s Elephants” held on to thier lead till the referee blew the final whistle, ensuring that Enyimba did a double over Abia Warriors this season and recording thier 5th away win of the season.
Man of the Match: Daniel Dakwah (Enyimba).
