Match Report: Enyimba F.C vs Shooting Stars SC

Recap

An 86th-minute goal by Emmanuel Godwin, was all Enyimba FC of Aba needed to beat hard fighting Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan 1-0.

The matchday five encounters, played at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, saw the Peoples’ Elephants, expectedly, swooping on the Oluyole Warriors in the opening stages of the match, with Ekene Awazie, Chigoozie Obasi and Victor Mbaoma spearheading the onslaught.

For the largest part of the first 45 minutes, the host threw in all they had into the game, but found the 3SC defence, comprising, Isiaka Mutiu, Ezeala Uche, Amodu Nurudeen and Bafan Augustine, who was later substituted for Ghali Falke due to injury, too hard to break.

As the game went on, the Oluyole Warriors upped their game, with Ebenezer Odeyemi, Gafar Olafimihan and Alalade Wasiu, supported from the middle by Aniete Uko, Dare Olatunji and Akilu Mohammed.

Having succeeded in holding the Peoples’ Elephants in the first half, the Edith Olumide Agoye tutored Ibadan soccer lords, pushed forward in the second half, trying to penetrate the homers’ goal area.

Desperate to get the maximum points after two straight defeats, including a home loss to Rivers United, the coach Finidi George tutored Enyimba, put in everything to find the back of the net, t but goalkeeper Charles Tambe and his defenders stood their ground.

3SC had a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 76th minute, but Dare Olatunji’s shot was too weak to beat Enyimba goalie, Ojo Olorunleke.

With six minutes left, the homers broke the deadlock, in a controversial circumstance though, as Emmanuel Godwin, who appeared to be in an offside position, tucked in the ball, off a pull out by substitute, Abdulwasiu Mahmud.

Referee Bashir Salihu turned deaf ears to the protest of the Oluyole Warriors, who claimed that the goal was scored from an offside position.

Laterally by the visitors to level up did not materialise, as the homers defended well to run away with the lone goal.

Up next for Shooting Stars is a matchday six clash against Sunshine Stars of Akure, in Southwest derby billed for next Sunday at the Lekan Salami Stadium.