Enyimba 2-1 Jigawa: Elephants leave it late to seal crucial win
Tosin Omoyele scored a late winner as Enyimba bounced from a sloppy first-half display to seal a 2-1 victory against Jigawa Golden Stars at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday evening.
The People’s Elephant looked a pale reflection of their true colours in the opening forty-five and the visitors took due advantage with Sanni Bature’s forty-third minute goal.
Before the opener, Jigawa created openings but lacked the composure to turn them into anything meaningful. Sa’idu Abdullahi failed to direct his effort past Bassa Djeri in the second minute and Samuel Stone headed straight at the keeper from close range moments later.
Victor Mbaoma saw his header saved by the keeper, before the striker failed to connect Imo Obot’s cross as Enyimba struggled to find their rhythm.
Enyimba’s already disturbing injury situation was dealt a further blow when Sadiq Abubakar limped off injured on the half hour mark and was replaced by Orok Gabriel.
With the half nearing its end, the visitors popped ahead when Bature picked a rebound at the edge of the box and thrilled a low drive past Bassa Djeri.
Enyimba responded ninety seconds into the restart, Reuben Bala heading Orok’s timed delivery into the bottom corner.
Gabriel Orok, Stanley Okorom and Victor Mbaoma all came close in Enyimba’s desperate quest for a winner – a well-deserved decider that came when Omoyele headed home Imo Obot’s cross from the byline two minutes to the end to lift Fatai Osho’s side to fourth place, four points behind leaders Akwa United.
Fatai Osho’s Post Match Interview (Audio)