Enyimba fought their way to a earn a point in the 1-1 draw against Warri Wolves at the Ozoro stadium on Wednesday.
Before the kick off, Wolves made four changes to the team that lost at Kwara United on Sunday with Wisdom Jumbo and captain Goodluck Onamado returning to the starting XI.
Daniel Ijeh and Emeka Udoh were also handed rare starts due to the suspensions of Chimezie David and Innocent Orukpe.
For Enyimba, Coach Fatai Osho also made four changes to the side that drew at Jigawa Golden Stars on Sunday.
Midfielders Anthony Omaka and Cyril Olisema as well as winger Anayo Iwuala returned to the starting lineup while Victor Mbaoma earned his first start since Match Day 4.
Warri Wolves were unfortunate not to go in front after 15 minutes, Wisdom Jumbo’s corner kick was heading into the net before Enyimba’s goalkeeper John Noble reacted quickly to tip the ball over the bar.
Three minutes later, Enyimba’s Cyril Olisema played a through pass for Anayo Iwuala but the winger’s effort was blocked by Goodluck Onamado.
Warri Wolves finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Jackson Eru headed home Efe Yarhere’s sublime cross after a very good.
Warri Wolves goalkeeper Bulus Pwadadi brilliantly denied Victor Mbaoma from equalizing in the 37th minute as he parried away his volley from point blank range.
With two minutes left to play in first half, Warri Wolves were reduced to ten men as Efe Yarhere picked up his second yellow card following an aerial challenge.
Enyimba took charge of the game after the red card and leveled the scores three minutes into added time after a brilliant piece of play down the left.
Oladapo found an overlapping Emmanuel Ampiah whose cross was headed home by Mbaoma.
First chance of the second 45 minutes also fell to the People’s Elephant, Austin Oladapo’s miscued effort fell for Mbaoma whose over head kick went over the bar .
Enyimba had another chance two minutes later through Oladapo who fired from 30 yards but it was deflected twice on its way to goal but before Pwadadi made a save.
After much defending, Warri Wolves went close in 66th and were unlucky not to get a goal as Sunday Williams cut inside his marker but his effort went inches wide.
The hosts became more adventurous late on in the game and in the 82nd minute, Daniel Mark popped a strike from range, but his effort also went over.
Uche Ihuarulam almost scored the winner for the Seasiders in the added time of 90 minutes when he got to the end of David’s low cross, but the striker could not bundle the effort over the line, before Enyimba cleared.
The game however ended in a draw and both side shared the points.
COMMENTS