Enyimba force FC IfeanyiUbah to 2-2 draw in ‘Oriental derby’
Enyimba FC came from behind to secure a well deserved 2-2 draw in their rescheduled Week 14 fixture against ‘Oriental brothers’ FC IfeanyiUbah at the Aba International Stadium, Aba,
The ‘Oriental Derby’ saw Enyimba make three changes to the team that lost at Rivers United on Sunday.
Sadiq Abubakar returned after weeks of layoff while Anthony Omaka and Victor Mbaoma were restored to the starting lineup.
The first 28 minutes of the game saw both sides seeking to hit first but the visiting side drew the first blood in the 29th minute through Saidu Adamu who poked home from close range after Uche Onuoha had headed Evans Ogbonda’s cross to his path.
With the away side in full control of the game, their confidence grew more leaving the hosts scrambling to get back into the game as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
At the restart of the second half,
IfeanyiUbah continued to press for the second goal and were duly rewarded when Saidu Adamu got his brace after getting Awazie’s square pass over the line in the 61st minute.
Stung to life by the second goal, Enyimba began to throw in everything in their arsenal to get back into the game.
In the 78th minute, their pressure paid off when Reuben Bala reduced the deficit for Enyimba in a rather fortuitous fashion.
His initial header was kept out by Sharp Uzoigwe but the ball ricocheted back to him and over the line.
The goal gave Enyimba some hope as they continued to press in numbers to at least secure a point and this they got in the 90th minute through Imoh Obot.
Following this result, Enyimba have moved up to 5th position with 31 points from 17 games with two more outstanding matches.
Meanwhile, FC IfeanyiUbah are still rooted in the relegation zone with 17 points from 19 games.