Relishing the sweet victory over Sporting Lagos FC in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 17, Enyimba International FC stand-in coach, as assistant, Coach Yemi Olarewaju (Yema), has described the victory as a delight. Olanrewaju expressed his delight over the NPFL champion’s victory against league debutantes Sporting Lagos FC on Sunday.
Two goals in each half from in-form Eze Ekwutoziam and substitute Elijah Akani were enough for the People’s Elephant to silence the Tech Boys at the Enyimba Int’l Stadium, Aba, in one of the NPFL matchday 17 encounters decided across various centres over the weekend.
The defending league champions also started the year 2024, where they ended 2023 after they won their second away league game against Bayelsa United in Yenogoa. Ekwutoziam converted from the spot in the 32nd minute of play to give Enyimba the lead after Izuogu Chibueze’s short was handled inside the box by a Sporting defender.
With Coach Finidi George away on AFCON duties alongside Captain and goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke, his assistant Yema made some changes in the second half, with the Lagos side starting to grow in confidence, which paid off as three of the entrants, Gordon Broklyn, Chibuike Nwaiwu, and Elijah Akani, exchanged beautiful passes to free Akani, who grabbed the insurance goal at the 95th minute of play.
Reacting after the very entertaining encounter, Coach Yema expressed that if his team plays truly to their potential, no team can survive them in the league.
“Yeah, it was a good game, and I thank the boys for playing according to our game plan."
"I wish we could convert the chances; the game could have been buried in the first half. The boys did very well, especially the young lads, considering the number of injuries to our players.
“Nwaiwu is a quality player any team would always love to have. Let me tell you guys, he also came in at Bayelsa to have two assists, and today he made another assist, and we are happy to have him back.
" Our plan is to try and reduce the point gap between us and Remo and Lobi Stars and try to end the first stanza, hopefully around second position, then we see how the second round of the league goes.
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