Second half goals from Joseph Osadiaye and Abdulrahman Bashir helped Enyimba to a two-nil win against visiting Go Round FC of Omoku in a rescheduled NPFL fixture played at the UJ Esuene Stadium yesterday.
The seven-time champion was hoping to build on its current form, having gone seven games without losing in all competitions. In contrast the visiting team was languishing in the drop zone.
The home side got the game to a flying start in the 15th minute, and almost went ahead, after Andrew Abalogu’s brilliant flick, drifted towards Osadiaye, who shot straight at goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Five minutes later, the visitors almost stunned the home team when Chinedu Udeh’s 20-yard free kick rattled the underside of the woodwork in what would have been a blistering opener.
Nwabali was on hand again to frustrate another excellent move by the home side on 26 minutes. With three minutes to the break, Go Round thought they had gone in front, when Okon Otop was sent clear, but the striker could only manage to hit the side of the net from six yards.
Five minutes after the restart, Stephen Chukwude spurned a glorious opportunity to put his side ahead after capitalising on a defensive slip, but could not make it count, despite having only the goalkeeper to beat.
The home side would not wait longer for the breakthrough, as Osadiaye raced past his marker to head Enyimba in front on 51 minutes. Ibrahim Mustapha’s defence splitting pass and an inch perfect strike from Bashir would cement the fixture for the home side in the 63rd minute.
Chile Azu thought he had given the visitors a lifeline 12 minutes from time, but the referee ruled Enyimba goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was tripped in the process. A late drama ensued when goalkeeper Ezenwa tried looping the ball over Shedrack Oghali inside six yards. The Super Eagles safe hands was lucky, as the striker got his head onto the ball, but would see his header drift inches off target. The win moves Enyimba to sixth on the log, with 26 points and two games to spare. Go Round slide to 18th.