Nigeria’s most successful football club, Enyimba international of Nigeria commenced their 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League campaign on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over neighbors, Abia warriors in Umuahia.
Debutant Samad Kadiri was the match winner for the People’s Elephant as his well-taken penalty guaranteed maximum points for the home side.
The People’s Elephant came into the game on the back of a demoralizing 3-0 first leg, first round CAF Champions League defeat to Sudanese club, Al Merreikh in Omdurman and knew they needed a positive result to reassure their teeming fans across the nation.
A tight first half yielded no goals but it was only a matter of time before the home side took the lead through marksman extraordinaire, Kadiri who understandably cut an extremely happy figure at full time.
“I am pleased with the goal and hopefully, we move on from strength to strength on the back of this result,” he told SPNAfricaNews.
Head coach of Enyimba, Fatai Osho praised his boys for the performance and insisted that the win puts them in great shape for their exertions on the continent
“We will be ready for the game against Al-Merreikh,” he said.
The competition continues on Thursday with Rivers United facing Enugu Rangers at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium by 4pm.
The Pride of Rivers come into the game in a rich vein of form following their impressive 2-0 victory over South African club, Bloemfontein Celtic in the Province of Free State.
Captain of United, Festus Austin says Rangers must be treated with respect even as he assured supporters of the club that the Flying Antelopes will return to Enugu empty handed.
“They are a good side but they will be unlucky because we need the points,” he said.
Result (Tuesday)
Enyimba 1-0 Abia Warriors
Fixture (Wednesday)
Rivers United vs Enugu Rangers
