Former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba, have secured their first win at the ongoing Championship playoffs in Lagos, www.aclaports.com reports.
The People’s Elephant played out a 2-2 draw with Remo Stars in their opening game on Saturday, and did just enough to beat Lobi Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan on Monday.
2022/2023 NPFL Championship Playoff:
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel
FULL TIME:
Lobi Stars 0-1 Enyimba.
Enyimba with their first win of the Championship, four points from two games. Lobi Stars with one point from two games.
Emeka Obioma's first-half goall secured the win for the Elephants. pic.twitter.com/Pewy4oPvQa(@OgaNlaMedia) June 5, 2023
Striker Chukwuemeka Obioma scored the game’s only goal in the first half to help his side claim all three points at the expense of the Makurdi side.
In the day’s second game and the biggest contest of the match day – Rivers United v Remo Stars – finished in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Nyima Nwagua gave the defending champions a first half lead, while the Ikenne side were struggling to create chances in the high intensity game.
After the break, Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede introduced Junior Lokosa and Olamilekan Adams and that proved to be the turning point for them. Adams found some space in the Rivers box and his low cross was expertly finished by the excellent Lekan Adedayo in the 71st minute.
The Sky Blue Stars continued to mount pressure on the Pride of Rivers and it paid off in stoppage time when Lekan fired home from outside the box to hand his side the lead for the first time in the game.
However, there was still time for more drama as Rivers United got a late equalizer to deny the Ikenne side a first win of the tournament. Substitute Lukman Adeyemi stabbed home after a defensive mixup in the Remo box.
Meanwhile, it was another draw in the day’s final game between Bendel Insurance and Sunshine Stars. Divine Nwanchukwu’s first half opener was cancelled out by Ekerette Udom after the hour mark.
Match day three has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday starting from 2pm at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
