By Fisayo Dairo

It was a result that extracted contrasting reactions from Coaches on both sides of the bench in the fixture between Enyimba International and Nasarawa United at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.

While Assistant Coach of Enyimba, Deniran Ortega celebrated his side’s win in the five goals thriller as a deserving birthday gift, the Head Coach of Nasarawa United, Bala Nikyu cut the figure of a subdued fighter.

Nkiyu may have been stunned by the outcome, he was philosophical in his response to www.npfl.ng submitting that there would always be a winner and a loser in the game.

“The game has been played and concluded and the result is there. It’s not everyone that will win in football so I think it was okay.

“I won’t talk about my players but anyone that is here today can testify that they did what is expected of a team so I don’t make comments about players,” said Nikyu.

Enyimba assistant coach Deniran Ortega was satisfied with the win on his birthday but was left worried about his defence.

“The game played out very well. My boys did well and I must congratulate Nasarawa as well because they did well too,” Ortega told www.npfl.ng after the game.

“It was an interesting game and I thought as much so we prepared the players for it, to score more goals.

“It’s my birthday today so it’s a double win for me,” added the former Warri Wolves coach.

Former champions Enyimba had dug deep to see off a resolute Nasarawa United side 3-2 in the interesting NPFL MatchDay 30 encounter.

The People’s Elephant, playing in the absence of their head coach Finidi George who is away on national team duties were made to work hard for their money by Nikyu’s wards who twice pegged their hosts back in the game. 

After a cagey opening, Enyimba got their noses in front in the 44th minute when Samuel Stone Onukwube poked home a rebound before Nasarawa United equalised four minutes after the break through Sunday Okereke who finished off a King Osanga free kick.

Enyimba restored their lead three minutes later when Emeka Obioma rounded off a team move with a side-footed finish to Sadiq Abubakar’s cross but the visitors once again pulled level, this time from the penalty spot through Michael Tochukwu after Abdullahi Aliyu was upended.

The 2019 league champions would then miss a spot kick after captain Austin Oladapo saw his take saved by goalkeeper Godwin Ameh but the points were claimed three minutes from time when Ghanaian midfielder Farouk Mohammed converted another spot kick after Obioma was upended.

Match Day 31 action comes up in midweek with Enyimba staying at home once again to welcome Sunshine Stars while Nasarawa United will host Abia Warriors in Jos.

Match Lineups

Enyimba XI

21. Sabirou Bassa-Djeri 32. Bilal Yakubu

3. Daniel Darkwah 16. Philip Ozor

18. Pascal Eze 6. Nabil Yarou 14. Samuel Kalu 20. Cyril Olisema 9. Emeka Obioma

8. Samuel Stone Onukwube 13. Sadiq Abubakar

Subs

 1. John Noble 7. Christian Ekong 17. Chigozie Obasi 19. Orok Gabriel Ibitham

26. Austin Oladapo 27. Farouk Mohammed 28. Abel James 36. Abdulwasiu Mahmud 38. Godwin Emmanuel

Nasarawa United XI

34. Godwin Ameh 2. Afeez Bankole

33. Ini Edem 37. Joshua Ogbole

14. Victor Collins 16. Manga Mohammed

13. King Osanga 30. Michael Tochukwu

18. Adamu Hassan 31. Sunday Okereke

23. Aliyu Abdullahi

SUBS:

40. Danjuma Mustapha 6. Abubakar Abdullahi 5. Bello Abdullahi 17. Ifeanyi Ejeh 10. Dauda Maigishiri 20. Ikenna Offor 9. Chinedu Ohanachom 8. Shammasu Mohammed

19. Charles Eguavon

Nasarawa United were looking for a back-to-back NPFL win for the second time this season but it would be a tough task as they were hosted by a Warri Wolves side looking to move into the top ten position following a 3-0 home win against Katsina United a week ago.

The hosts made a flying start and it took them just twenty-one minutes to land the first blow as Uche Ihuarulam benefitted from a Jumbo Wisdom’s cross to head home from a close range beyond the reach of Danlami Umar in goal for United.

Evans Ogenyi’s charges continued to pile the pressure on the visitors as they looked to pull away with the match at its infancy.

Efe Yarhere’s long range shot was well dealt with by Danlami Umar just minutes after the opener.

Nasarawa United’s first clear chance came through Ikenna Ofor in the 26th minute after he forced the host goalkeeper, Richard Ocheayi, into action from close range, but his shot came with little power.

Shortly after, Silas Nwankwo used his energy brilliantly as he ran past his marker, but his left footed effort could only neutralize the goalkeeper, as the ball swept past the goal mouth.

Both sides looked to absorb the pressure as best as they could and ushered in the half time break with the hosts leading 1-0.

It was game on in the 63rd minute as the visitors gave themselves a lifeline with Silas Nwankwo chesting down Haggai Katoh’s killer pass in the box before lashing a right footed low shot to undo Richard Ocheayi’s heroic saves as he penned his name on the scoresheet.

Moments later, the Coach Bala Nikyu-led wards increased their tally in spectacular fashion as substitute, Chinedu Ohanachom, turned in a Tebo Franklin’s miskick with great improvisation.

The Solid Miners held on to see a much needed victory, their first ever win against the Seasiders at their home ground in all competitions, and returned them to the top of the NPFL summit with fourteen points as they stretch their unbeaten run this season to six, with Silas Nwankwo voted Man-of-the-Match, for a second time this season.

The Solid Miners will be hosted by border neighbours, Plateau United Fc, in a week’s time in Jos, in what has been dubbed as local derby.

POST-MATCH REACTIONS:

BALA NIKYU(NASARAWA UTD): “We have our traditional way of playing, which is keeping the ball on the ground. But my wards seemed not to get the grip of the game in the first half.

“So, I gave them the go-ahead to play our traditional game, even if it means losing the game, and our plans worked for us.

“Our main ambition is to win anything God can afford us this season, be it the league or federation cup.”

EVANS OGENYI(WOLVES): “Football is an unpredictable game. It’s unfortunate that it ended this way.

“I never prayed for this. You saw the anxiety in my boys.
“It’s a bad development for my side because we didn’t take our chances. But I have taken the positives from this defeat and we will work on the attitude of our players.”

SILAS NWANKWO(MVP WINNER, NASARAWA UTD): “I feel very great. This is the second time I will be scooping this award, and I must thank my teammates for always being there for one another – It’s our collective award.”

BARR. ISAAC DANLADI(CHAIRMAN, NASARAWA UNITED):
“We are still focused. We have been able to blend youth and experience together and this is working for us.”

NASARAWA UNITED LINE UP: Danlami Umar, Abubakar Abdullahi, Ini Edem, Abdulrazaq Sadiq, Uzochukwu Austin Chigozie, Franklin Tebo, Aliyu Abdullahi Adam, Haggai Katoh, Ehiaghe David(Chinedu Ohanachom 47′), Silas Nwankwo, Ikenna Ofor(Adamu Hassan 47′)

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Ameh Godwin, Emeka Onyema, Ibrahim Matthew, Ebuka Anaekwe, Victor Okoro, Dauda Maigishiri, Edward Okhoya.

CAUTION(YELLOW CARD):

WOLVES: Jumbo William(84′)

NAS UTD: Ini Edem(90+3′)

Eche Amos
Media Officer,
Nasarawa United FC.

24/01/2021