Thursday's draw against Rivers United means that the defending champions and seven time winners have now collected a point from a possible nine following defeats at Wikki Tourists and Nasarawa United.
However Rivers United will have to thank their goalkeeper Rotimi Sunday, who denied Enyimba any hope of scoring by making brilliant and world class saves.
Enyimba got the game to an electrifying start, when a trademark cross from Daniel Etor was kept out by an onrushing Rotimi, in the first minute. The visitors almost took the two-time African champions off balance in the 10th minute, when Ovoke's low strike clipped the side of the net.
Ovoke's free kick 25 yards out, in the 11th minute, rattled Femi Thomas, but the former Akwa United man recovered in time to stop what would have been a cracker of a goal. Seconds later, Pyagbara wasted a glorious opportunity to put his side in control, failing to tap in Udoh's cross from six yards.
Just after the half hour mark, Rotimi again, stunned the home fans, when he produced an acrobatic save from Pyagbara's header, much to the delight of a few travelling fans. The former Dolphins safehands further denied Etor and Leonard before the break.
Rotimi resumed from where he left off in the first half, diverting goal bound strikes from Udoh and Pyagbara in the 48th and 50th minute respectively.
Enyimba pushed for a breakthrough, in a fascinating manner, throwing in more resources and committing more men forward. Unleashing Ezekiel Bassey and Musa Najare in the flanks, with hopes of diffusing the opposing defence. But the gamble almost paid off before the hour mark, when Udoh scrambled the ball above Rotimi's head, only for Festus Austin to head clear to safety, before anyone could get a touch of the ball.
Rotimi also denied Udoh in quick succession in the 55th minute. Moments after Rotimi's heroics, Kuemian almost stole the show, at the other end, when he struck the woodwork from 12 yards.
Enyimba's frustration accumulated in the closing stages, as Rotimi bundled out a goal bound strike from substitute Onyekachi Peter. Rivers United had their manager, Eguma, dismissed five minutes to time, for dissent.
The result means Enyimba with 31 points occupy the sixth position with a game in hand while Rivers United into third position with 35 points.
Enyimba will travel to arch rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club, Ibadan, on Sunday for a match day 22 fixture while Rivers United welcome MFM at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt.
On Target 5-3
Fouls Won 21-17
Corners 7-2
Yellow 0-2
Red 0-0
Offsides 4-3
Possess 61%-39%
Rotimi Sunday - Man of the match
Stats:
Shots 9-5On Target 5-3
Fouls Won 21-17
Corners 7-2
Yellow 0-2
Red 0-0
Offsides 4-3
Possess 61%-39%
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