Enyimba, Warri Wolves Cruise to Big Wins
Glo Premier League title contenders Enyimba and Warri Wolves sent out statement of intent to their rivals as they won by 4-0 outcomes in yesterday’s Match Day 27 games
Six-time champions Enyimba defeated FC Ifeanyiubah in a southeast derby while Wolves eased past 3SC in a game of two halves.
Peter Onyekachi and Andrew Abalogu gave Enyimba a two-goal lead inside the half hour but at the Warri City Stadium, Wolves and Shooting Stars were still level-pegging at 0-0.
Wolves, however, began the second half sharper than Shooting Stars as they scored twice in the space of six minutes. First, Michael Egbeta’s free kick was deflected wickedly past 3SC goalkeeper Danladi Isah in the 48th minute.
Six minutes later, Sikiru Alimi, who only replaced Nigerian international Gbolahan Salami in the first half after he got injured, made it 2-0 to Wolves.
The next goal update also came in Warri as Kufre Ebong scored in the 59th minute from Alimi’s assist.
In Aba, winger Ezekiel Bassey ghosted past three FC Ifeanyiubah defenders to plant the ball past Chidiebere Eze in goal in the 81st minute.
It was back to Warri again, as Alimi produced a sublime finish in the 84th minute. He stole the ball off Ibrahim Ajani in midfield and exchanged passes with Ebong and then finished off the move he started with a delightful chip over Isah.
Enyimba showed they can score goals too. Defensive midfielder Razak Aliyu put the icing on the cake with a first goal of the season five minutes to time as the Peoples Elephant took a four-goal lead against Daniel Amokachi’s men.
The Aba club now have 52 points and hold a five-point lead at the top of the Glo Premier League standings ahead of Sunshine Stars and Wolves in second and third places respectively tied on 47 points.
Sunshine Stars for the first time this season dropped points at home as they played out a scoreless draw with Heartland.
Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors and champions Kano Pillars produced 1-0 wins over Dolphins, Nasarawa United and Kwara United respectively.
Tony Okpotu scored for Lobi, which represented his 10th goal of the season, while Henry Ochuba and Rabiu Ali got the winning goals for Abia Warriors and Pillars respectively.
In the relegation dogfight, FC Taraba defeated Sharks 2-0 to breathe life back into their quest for survival. John Huan Aondongu and Bishop Onyeudo scored for the Jalingo club.
A goal in each half from Godwin Aguda and Onoriode Odah ensured Rangers claimed the full points against Wikki Tourists with a 2-0 success.
The woes of former champions Bayelsa United continued as they failed to keep a goal lead from Kadiri Samad’s first-half strike against Giwa FC, who levelled matters with 14 minutes to time from Charles Henlong’s goal from the spot.