Match report: Enyimba 1-1 Bayelsa United
Enyimba’s chances of retaining the Nigeria Premier Football League title was dealt a blow as the People’s Elephant were held to a 1-1 draw Bayelsa United at the Enyimba Stadium on Wednesday.
Winger Alade Balogun fired in from close range to put the hosts in front after 20 minutes in a game the 2-time African champions dominated from start to finish.
But against the run of play, in the 35th minute, Ekeson Okorie capitalized on some sloppy defending at the Enyimba backline to put the visitors on level terms with the only clear-cut chance they had.
In a bid to find a winner, Yemi Daniel’s side threw everything at the Restoration Boys, who defended resolutely to salvage a point.
NPFL leading scorer Chijioke Mbaoma could have won it for Enyimba late on but slipped in an attempt to slot home.
A win would have seen the 2-time African champions maintain the 2nd position they started the day from, but instead dropped to 3rd on the log with 60 points from 36 matches, 4 points behind Rangers, with just two match days left.
Enyimba face Sporting Lagos in Lagos on Sunday, before wrapping up the campaign in Aba against continental hopefuls Plateau United on June 23.