Enyimba FC on Sunday exercised their superiority over their NPFL counterparts, Kano Pillars with a five star Performance in match day 28 encounter.
A brace from man of the match, Joseph Atule and one goal each from Eze Ekwutosiam, League top scorer, Chijioke Obaoma and substitute, Balogun Alade condemned the the Pride of Kano who flew from Kano through Port Harcourt International Airport early hours of Wednesday for the ‘Zobia’ derby.
The league defending champions exerted their authority in the game early in the first half as they were quickly rewarded at the 13 minute when Ekwutosiam pounced on a lose ball after Pillars keeper had kept Atule’s shot to give the Abia giants the lead.
Soon after the People’s Elephant’ made their ball possession count when league top scorer made his goal tally 13 in 28 games after rounding the keeper following a swift exchange of play.
A goal in each half from Atule who continued his goal scoring form from the Abia FA cup games at the 44th and 69th minute of play gave the home side insurance before late substitute Balogun added icing on the cake during the added minutes.
Coach Finidi George who was in charge for Enyimba after his absence with the National team expressed satisfaction with the players commitment noting that the intensity of his team went down after the first half goals but that the substitutions helped to raise the tempo again in the second half.
While commending the players efforts he acknowledged the resurgence of Atule whom he said is beginning to show the signs that made Enyimba sign him urging him and other to give more of that.
“It was a good game l loved the temp of the first half, I think second half may because of the goals the tempo dropped a bit but at the last part of the game we picked it up, so am quite happy with the victory.
“Yeah it’s never easy playing Kano Pillars, I think today we dominated the game so we must give kudos to the players.
When asked how it was preparing for the Zobia encounter with lots of players injured and suspended, Finidi said;
“Yeah the way we play I think players can fit in any position, you Chibuike I think for me that’s his best position you can give to him at this point in time, definitely he is going to improve even though he is not a defender. He gives us the quickness at the back and he is getting better, he has played a couple of FA cup games and in the league, we will still keep him there till others recover from injuries.
“He has been doing well, we just have to focus on picking points from away that’s our focus, this team is strong enough at home this season, if we can pick the away points it will help us.
Reacting on the goal scoring form of Atule, Finidi said Enyimba wants him to score more;
“Yeah we need those goals at this point in time and he is responding, we are quite happy with him and we will continue to encourage him to do more.
“We know this is the Atule we saw and bought, it has taken him so much time to get to that form but if he can give us this same form in the last 10- 11 games, i think i will sign him any day any time.
Source/ Enyimba Media/Samson
