It was Adiukwu Moses late minutes header that turned out as the stick that led Enyimba across the red sea of another home draw at the Enyimba International Stadium as they host NPFL new entrants, Ikorodu City on Sunday.
The already boiling nerves of the Aba fans were calmed by the 92nd minutes lifesaving header which left the game at 2-1
The Aba Millionaires seem to have retuned to Victory ways with the defeat of the hard fighting Ikorodu Boys.
The former Plateau United center back headed off Imo Obot’s Conner kick to ensure that the People’s Elephant secured victory after two unpleasant results.
Ifeanyi Ihemekwele had given the Aba giants an early lead in 6th minute but every effort to increase the lead proved abortive.
The Oga Boys pushed by the slim score line, continued probing for equalizer but CHAN Eagles invitee, Ani Ozoemena showed glimpses of why he was called up with eye catching saves.
The Lagosians were later gifted a chance which they took gracefully as Ajayigbe Tayoobe cancelled the home side slim lead at the 89th minute of play.
But like the Biblical Moses, came Adiukwu in the 92nd minute to forcefully nod home a swift Conner by Imo Obot.
Coach Nurudeen Aweroro blamed his sides loss of concentration at the dying moments to Ikorodu City’s loss but congratulated Enyimba FC on their Victory pointing out that his team did come to Aba to get something but it didn’t work out as planned.
Reacting on the game, Coach Yemi Olanrewaju expressed worry over some calls during the encounter that was characterized with very elementary offside mistake calls especially by the Assistant Referee 1 which many fans including neutrals felt were deliberate to cut off Enyimba’s potential goal attacks.
The Young Gaffer and former Golden Eaglets Assistant Coach however gave credit to his boys for reacting quick enough to restore their lead noting that fatigue also contributed to their teams poor sharpness.
“Ikorodu had nothing to lose, they were good and I knew they will come all out on us, we are the ones that had something to lose.
“If we had drawn or lost this game it would have been hell, personally I won’t be happy but the most important thing is we got the job done and I commend the boys.
When asked how he feels about the results in Port Harcourt and Owerri were Rivers United played draw at home and Remo Stars lost to Heartland FC, he played it down noting that he rather concentrates on the duty at hand as it is usually a distraction.
He commended Eze Ekwutoziam and Ani Ozoemena on their call up to CHAN Eagles urging Nigerians to support the team hoping they get victory over Ghana for the CHAN 2025.
Enyimba will next travel to Yenegoa for a date with Bayelsa United on Sunday November 3rd in match day 10 encounter.
