By: Tony Ademodi
Enyimba FC returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win against Kwara United in their rescheduled MatchDay 22 fixture played at the Enyimba stadium Aba on Wednesday.
Enyimba went into the fixture on the back of three consecutive home draws, knowing that they needed to win to stand a chance of pitching for the title.
Both sides started well early on, and took the battle to each other with Kwara United growing in confidence.
But they were also cautious at that early stages, though it was Kwara United that had a sniff at goal in the 4th minute after Ayobami Junior found himself close to Enyimba’s box, then fired blanks.
The momentum of the game increased and Enyimba’s Reuben Bala got his sides first real chance of the game in the 8th minute when his freekick went inches over the bar.
Kwara United responded immediately in the 10th minute after Kabir Balogun met Alao Babani’s cross but his shot was blocked by Nelson
People’s Elephant went into half time leading 1-0.
The second half started with Kwara United looking for an equalizer, with Kabir Balogun, Afeez Nosir, Alao Danbani and Ayobami Junior missing a couple of chances in the 58th, 63rd and 70th minute.
There was little to see in the 18 yard box for both teams as they struggled to keep possession.
Ruben Bala came close again in the 73rd minute for Enyimba, but his shot freekick shot went wide.
Enyimba’s late surge almost resulted to another goal in the 79th minute, but Victor Mbaoma could not connect well from Emmanuel Ampiah’s cross.
The “People’s Elephants” held on till the final whistle was blown.
Enyimba will be guests to League leaders Akwa United on Sunday, while Kwara United will take a shot trip to Okigwe to lock horns with Abia Warriors in their matchday 32 fixture.
Man of the match: Nelson Ogbonnaya.
