Enyimba FC U-19 team today at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne rekindled their winning fireworks with a victory over struggling Eagle Star Football Academy.
The Young Elephants added more misery to the Lagos base team who are yet to win any game this season in the League.
Enyimba’s coach, Coach King Joe, didn’t make any changes to the team that lost 0-1 to Bucknor FC.
Enyimba U19 showed character and why they are currently the team to watch in the league. They dominated possession from the kick-off to the final whistle.
It took the Aba boys 13 minutes to threaten the goalkeeper, as Chibudem fired the ball towards Eagle Star’s goalkeeper, who made no mistake in keeping the ball. Enyimba defender Kelechi Mba ensured he won and cleared all long balls played by Eagle Star.
The Aba boys were once again unlucky not to go ahead in the 26th minute, as Goodluck Nkem sent the ball into the box from his side of the pitch. His teammate Nelson Sule’s effort was eventually blocked by an Eagle Star defender. It was Enyimba attacking again from the left side, as Stephen Okechukwu sent a wonderful cross from the corner in the 35th minute, but Harrison failed to hit the ball well.
The first real attempt for the home team came in the 41st minute after Eze Matthew of Enyimba made a double save to keep the score goalless. The first half ended goalless.
Enyimba’s Stephen Okechukwu thought he had won his side a penalty in the 46th minute when he was pulled down by the returning defender. The Aba boys opened the scoring in the 48th minute through a well-placed effort by Nelson Sule.
Enyimba could have doubled their lead in the 55th minute, but a misplaced pass by Victor Umeh gave the ball away for the home team to attack on a counterattack. Thanks to Enyimba’s Kelechi Mba, who ensured the home team didn’t pass the centre line with a well-timed tackle.
Enyimba made a double substitution in the 60th minute, replacing Nnadi Stephen and Nathan Chinedu with Victor Ledee and Samuel Okorie. The substitutes were quickly involved in the match, as Victor’s perfect move earned his team a corner.
Enyimba once again came close to doubling their lead through Nelson Sule’s half-chance, but his header in the 71st minute was denied by the frame of the post.
Enyimba won a penalty in the 85th minute after a challenge on an Enyimba attacker. The referee, having shown the defender his first caution, sent him off in the 85th minute. Samuel Okechukwu made no mistake in sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and scoring his sixth goal of the campaign.
The match ended 0-2, and Enyimba will play against Shuffle Select FC on Wednesday.
Source/Enyimba U19 Media
