Defending chanpions of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Enyimba got their first win of the 2023/2024 campaign as they secured a narrow win over Akwa United at the Aba International Stadium on Sunday.
The home side started the game as though they were going to whitewash the away side as they took a 2-goal lead fifteen minutes into the game.
Gabriel Innocent gave the home side the lead in the 13th minute with a brilliant finish as the home side settled into the match quickly.
While Akwa United were trying to dust themselves up after conceding early, Enyimba struck again ad this time it was Mbaoma Chijioke who did the damage.
The midfielder powered a low drive shot into the bottom left corner of Badmos Nurudeen’s goal from the edge of the box after a beautiful interchange of passes.
Akwa United got into the game after a brief moment of sustained pressure on the home side and it eventually paid off with a fee minutes to the end of the first half.
Kufre Ebing was in the right position as a nodded home a header into the back of the net to half the deficit.
The second half started with the away side showing more intent to restore parity and the breakthrough came in the 67th minute via David Phillip’s direct free kick.
However, Fatai Osho’s side could not celebrate for long as Enyimba took the lead again.
Finidi George’s men regained the lead two minutes later via a low-drive free kick from Alalibo Somairi.
The match ended 3-2 in favor of Enyimba as they secured their first win of the new season.
Other results, Remo Stars got the only away win of matchday 3 as Daniel Ogunmodede-led team secured a 2-1 over Bayelsa United.
Sporting Lagos were held to a goalless draw by Doma United at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium while Shooting Stars came from a goal down to beat Gombe United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
NPFL Matchday 3 Results:
Saturday 14th October, 2023
Bendel Insurance 1-0 Plateau United
Katsina 0-0 Lobi Stars
Sunshine 1-1 Heartland
Sunday 15th October, 2023
Enyimba FC 3-2Akwa Utd
Bayelsa Utd 1-2 Remo stars
Abia warriors 1-0 Kano pillars
Rivers Utd 0-0 Kwara Utd
Rangers Int 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
Sporting Lagos 0-0 Doma Utd
Shooting stars 2-1Gombe Utd
