Recap
Enyimba 2-1 Kano Pillars: Enyimba’s youngsters produce much-needed response
Enyimba’s youngsters stepped to the occasion and delivered a boisterous performance as the People’s Elephant overcame Kano Pillars 2-1 at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday evening.
Fatai Osho’s side had to produce a response after a disappointing loss to Heartland in midweek, and the gaffer turned to his young guns, handing starting places to Anayo Iwuala, Orok Gabriel and Stephen.
Impressive leftback Imo Obot kept his place while experienced defender Nelson Ogbonnaya was handed his first appearance this season.
Enyimba set off with strength and created openings with Dayo Ojo and Anayo coming close within the opening fifteen minutes; and it was no surprise when the opener came shortly after.
Following an interchange in the middle, Anayo held off his markers to run through the left flank before blasting into the roof of the net for his season’s first.
Orok doubled the tally seven minutes to the break, getting released by Ojo’s measured pass to sprint on goal and fire past Ibrahim Idrissu.
The youngster almost got his brace seventy seconds after, but saw his run cut short by an onrushing Idrissu.
The scorers continued to impress with their speed and trickery in the second period as Samad Kadiri and substitute Martins Usule got chances, but it was Fahad Usman that scored the half’s only goal with a spectacular freekick four minutes to the end.