The match-up between two of Nigeria’s top teams, Rivers United and Enyimba Sunday, on February 21, 2021 was widely expected to result in a Rivers win. Instead, the first-leg playoff round CAF Confederation Cup game at the International Stadium in Aba resulted in an Enyimba victory.
The match result was not the only surprise on the day. In a game dominated by Enyimba, the home side would close out a slim 1-0 victory despite having a numerical disadvantage, after Tosin Omoyele was sent off with a quarter of an hour remaining. But the other surprise was the emergence of young player who is now being compared to Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the game against Rivers United, Enyimba’s dashing 22-year-oldwinger, Anayo Iwuala, was irrepressible. Both his direct and his mazy runs worried the Rivers United backline no end and it was really no surprise when he was selected as the game’s Man Of The Match.
Just days after that game, Iwuala was called up to the Nigeria senior men’s national team for Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games against Benin Republic and Lesotho. Iwuala’s stock had started to rise.
On Monday, the pacy attacker was again in characteristically unstoppable form as he inspired Enyimba to a 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars – the Aba Elephants’ third win on the road this term.
Iwuala was however targeted for some special attention, all game long, by the Stars defenders at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.
He was easily the game’s most fouled player, prompting head coach, Fatai Osho to draw comparisons between his attacking pearl and Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The strong displays of Iwuala means that he is now the cynosure of all eyes,” Osho told SPNAfricaNews. “He should prepare himself for some tough treatment from defenders across the country because the Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of this world also face such treatment.
“This is the new normal for him (Iwuala). I told him that the way to go is not to stop but to continue confronting the defenders with his skills and ability.
“He took my advice and got that Sunshine Stars defender (Ewelike Edozie) booked in the second half. The defender didn’t go so hard on him afterwards as he knew he would get a Red card for any similar foul.”
Iwuala will look to continue his professional football education this weekend as he teams up with the star-studded Super Eagles in the upcoming games against Benin and Lesotho.
