Enyimba defeated Kano Pillars 2-1 in Nigeria Professional Football Leaguu match played in Aba on Sunday.
Enyimba went into the match on the back of a 2 – 0 defeat to Heartland in Midweek, while Pillars came in after a 1 – 0 win over Plateau United.
Fatai Osho made nine changes to the side that lost at Heartland.
Only left back Imo Obot and forward Samad Kadiri retained their places in the starting XI.
Goalkeeper John Noble also made his Enyimba debut.
Kano Pillars on their part, made just two changes to the side that defeated Plateau United in midweek.
Centre back Abdullahi Musa came in for the injured Gerome Henchong while Nyima Nwagua started in place of Umar Hassan who drops to the bench.
The first real chance of the game fell to Pillars after Rabiu Ali sent a pass to Yusuf Maigoro whose shot was on target but goalkeeper, Noble Young parried his effort away for a corner.
Enyimba responded with a chance of their own minutes later, Dayo Ojo narrowly shot wide with Kano Pillars goalkeeper Idris Ibrahim already beaten.
After the early exchanges, Enyimba finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, Anayo Iwuala got away from two Kano Pillars defenders before releasing his shot past Idris Ibrahim.
Kano Pillars came close restoring the parity in the 26th minute, Rabiu Ali again sent a delightful pass to David Ebuka who failed to hit the target from close range.
Enyimba scored the in the 37th minute after Dayo Ojo set up Gabriel Orok from a brilliant counter attacking play and the forward made no mistake.
Kano Pillars were unlucky not get a goal in the 40th minute, Fahad Usman agonizingly watched his ferocious freekick come off the cross bar.
In the 52nd minute, Orok had the opportunity to put the game to bed, but the forward failed to beat Pillars goalkeeper Ibrahim in a one on one situation.
Kano Pillars finally got their deserved goal in the 86th minute when Fahad Usman curled in a perfect freekick that left Noble Young in goal for Enyimba flat footed.
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