Enyimba FC on Sunday in their battle against familiar foes, Shooting Stars maintained their invincibility forcing the Oluyole Warriors to a goalless draw in match day 6 of the 2024/25 NPFL encounter.
The People’s Elephant with the result at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan are yet to concede a goal in three consecutive league games since after their loss at Port Harcourt against Rivers United.
Shooting Stars Gaffer deployed three former Enyimba employees, Utim Ikouwen, Desmond Ojietefian and Anthony Okachi to undo the Aba Giants while Coach Yema on his side gave former Shooting player, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele full time to get his pound of flesh as both sides cancelled out each other in the first half without real chances.
The second half proved more entertaining as Enyimba relied on winning the second balls and counter moves to try and hurt their host forcing the Oluyole Warriors to long balls which keeper, Ani Ozoemena had equal answers to all the time especially with a water tight defence marshalled by skipper, Somairi Alalibo and hard tackling Paschal Eze.
Reacting after the encounter, Coach Gbenga Ogunbote commended his players for a good performance but rued their missed chances.
He urged the fans to remain committed with the team insisting that after losing so many players and recruiting fresh ones, that they will get better as the league progresses.
He however praised the match officials for their performance and handling of the game noting that with such performance he would have won in some of his away games earlier.
In his reaction, Enyimba’s Coach, Yemi Olanrewaju said his boys played according to their game plan knowing that after 3SC’s loss last season to them, the match would be difficult.
“Yeah it was a good game, I knew it was going to be a tough game.
“I told the boys, I had to preempt their mind set because last season when we came her we won. And I don’t think they would close their eyes for it to happen again.
“So I knew we were going to play against everything, and that the crowd will be behind their team.
“And that’s exactly what happened but we prepared for it forcing them to play the long balls then had to pick the second balls and try to catch them on the counter, one or two times we got that but we couldn’t capitalize on it.
When asked if Enyimba was lucky not to have conceded, Coach Yema quickly replied that;
“I wouldn’t say that because we created more scaring opportunities, they didn’t really creat much except for the set pieces, unlike us, we played to the last third to creat one, two chances.
“They resulted to long balls and Conner kicks and that was their only threats but I have to give it to Shooting Stars they had a good game today, a fantastic performance from them against us.
On his magic following his unbeaten run in Ibadan in two visits, Yema said;
“There is no secret, as a Coach I have all my game plans for all away games, we try to stay compact and deny them the opportunity to creat chances.
“They result to long balls and we practiced to win the second balls, in all I think we have to give kudos to 3SC, they had a good game, you know this is Enyimba.
On Shooting fans, he said;
“Great, the support was good, I think they were not hostile, the last time we visited, there were a lot of abuse and other stuff but today, I think they love good football.
“They were behind their team, despite the draw there was no harassment, I have to give it to the fans, they did a massive job and this is good for our football.
