Enyimba put up a not too inspiring performance especially in the second half but were still able to grind out a result by beating Plateau United with a solitary goal in a Match Day 8 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture on Thursday at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Playing their fourth game this season and almost at the foot of the table, the Peoples Elephant started like a house on fire pressurizing their opponents in their own half. As early as the third minute, Nzube Anaezemba stole the ball in the opponents' box and fed the ball into Joseph Osadiaye's path but his effort missed the target narrowly.
Hungry for the opener, Enyimba's Dare Ojo sent in a cracker on a half volley from about 20 yards but Innocent Ndem, goalkeeper of Plateau United, went down quickly at full stretch to parry for a corner. Ifeanyi George also took a curling freekick on the edge of the box to force another good save from Ndem; all in the first 10 minutes of the game.
It took the Zachary Baraje-led boys from Jos 13 minutes to have their first sight at goal; Myep Bulus was on the end of a flick but his effort over the keeper went over the bar. The visitors had a glorious rare opportunity in the 26th minute when Bulus slipped Ingbede Sunday through but Theophilus Afelokhai saved comfortably.
In the 29th minute, the homers intense pressure paid off and they scored a beauty of a goal that can be a contender for the goal of the season; Chima Akas won possession in Enyimba's half and hit the ball long to Osadiaye who started the move. He took the ball on the run to the edge of the opponents' box, he gave a pass to substitute Leonard Ugochukwu who in turn squared it for Christian Pyagbara who laid it for Osadiaye to finish neatly to give Enyimba the lead.
Enyimba almost doubled their lead in the 32nd minute but Leonard's header was comfortably saved. The chances began to dry up as the clock ticked and Plateau United were the happier as it ended 1-0 at half time.
Enyimba gaffer, Paul Aigbogun, not impressed with the scoreline made changes in the second half bringing on Andrew Abalogu and goal machine Mfon Udoh but Baraje and his lads tamed the Peoples Elephant all through the second half and the game ended with the slim 1-0 scoreline for the defending champions.
Enyimba next face Enugu Rangers in match day nine on Sunday in an oriental derby that dates back in time.
Match details
Enyimba: Theophilus Afelokhai, Ifeanyi George, Chima Akas, Dare Ojo, Emma Anyanwu, Chinedu Udoji, Ezekiel Bassey, Stephen Chukwude, Christian Pyagbara, Nzube Anaezemba, Joseph Osadiaye
Subs: Femi Thomas, Uwadiegwu Ugwu, Ifeanyi Anaemena, Razak Aliyu, Andrew Abalogu, Mfon Udoh, Leonard Ugochukwu
Coach: Paul Aigbogun
Plateau United: Innocent Ndem, Anaziem Emeka, James Itodo, Saleh Hamisu, Bitrus Wash, Fan Lazarus, Isah Lengkat, Ngbede Sunday, Bala Reuben, Myep Bulus, Victor Namo
Subs: Segun Ayo, Okafor Charles, Obadiah Longji, Nuhu Julius, Haruna Mumuni, Silas Bright, Emmanuel Odafe
Coach: Zachary Baraje
Stats
Enyimba 1-0 Plateau United
Osadiaye 29'
Shots (On target): 13 (5)-6 (3)
Corners: 7-2
Fouls: 21-25
Offside: 3-3
Bookings: 2-1
Enyimba 1-0 Plateau United
Osadiaye 29'
Shots (On target): 13 (5)-6 (3)
Corners: 7-2
Fouls: 21-25
Offside: 3-3
Bookings: 2-1
Man of the Match: Dare Ojo (Enyimba)
