Match report: Enyimba 2-1 Remo Stars
Enyimba enjoyed the sweet taste of victory once again following a 2-1 win against Remo Stars at the Enyimba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Victor Mbaoma netted his fourth of the season, and Ekene Awazie added a second in the early stages of the second half to hand Finidi’s men a first win in five games, although Junior Nduka’s penalty brought a nervy end.
The People’s Elephant had gone four games without a win and Finidi George made three changes to the starters against Heartland four days prior.
John Noble was handed his first appearance between the sticks following his return from the AFCON, while Samuel Stone had his first start in an Enyimba shirt. Centre back, Adekunle Adeleke was the other player to be brought into the eleven after sitting out in Owerri.
Enyimba’s first sniff at goal was Mbaoma’s effort over the bar in the first minute before the striker misfired from Stone’s through pass minutes later.
Stone himself volleyed wide from a tight angle after Isah Ali’s poor clearance, while Dayo Ojo shot at Noble and Andy Okpe threatened in Remo’s attacking forays.
Enyimba took the lead seven minutes to the break when Obasi hurriedly laid a freekick to Fatai Abdullahi, who thrust in before releasing Mbaoma to slot under the on-rushing Emmanuel Daniel.
Okpe wasted a chance to draw Remo level right after the restart as he failed to direct his header with Noble completely displaced.
That miss got punished by Enyimba as the impressive Samuel Stone held play nicely to set up Awazie, who hit a first-time strike to double the lead.
Stone continued with his impressive involvement and got close to marking his full debut with a goal following Awazie’s pass, before setting up Mbaoma who couldn’t steer it in from close range.
The visitors got a lifeline with twenty minutes left as Awazie tripped an opponent in the box and Junior Nduka blasted the penalty into the roof, but the game’s late chances fell to Enyimba with Awazie and substitutes Austin Oladapo and Cyril Olisema coming close.