Enyimba move closer to record eighth NPFL title after FC Ifeanyi Ubah rout

BetOdds NPFL Enyimba v Ifeanyi Uba Ifeanyi Uba Enyimba

The Peopleâ€™s Elephant have stepped up the race to secure another league title after they beat the Anambra Warriors to surge back to the top

Enyimba have moved closer to winning their record eighth Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL)Â title after they defeated FC Ifeanyi Ubah 3-1 on Monday at the Agege Stadium, Lagos in aÂ Championship playoffs tie.

The Peopleâ€™s Elephantâ€™s goals were scored by Reuben Bala, who fired a brace in the 19th and 43rd minutes, while Abdulrahman Bashir ensuredÂ the Anambra Warriors comeback was obliterated with the third goal in the 56th minute. FC Ifeanyiu Ubah had levelled throughÂ Promise James in the 31st minute.

Having heard the results of the earlier played two matches, which ended in draws, Usman Abdâ€™Allahâ€™s men went into their fixture knowing that a win over the supposed whipping boys of the group would leapfrog them to the top of the table, ahead of Kano Pillars.

They were at it early with Bala securing the opener in the 19th minute after a beautiful passÂ freed the former Plateau United attacker, and he duly dribbled pastÂ FC Ifeanyi Ubah goalkeeperÂ Sharp Uzoigwe, before slotting the ball into an empty net.

The Anambra Warriors quickly responded and they were back on level terms 11 minutes after Enyimbaâ€™s opener through James' fiercely-struck free-kick, which beat Theophilus Afelokhai in goal for the Peopleâ€™s Elephant.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah woke up after their equaliser and could have taken the lead had they utilised the chances which came their way.Â Â

They would, however, rue their profligacy two minutes before half-time whenÂ Bala got his second goal of the game through the error by the Nnewi side's goalkeeper.

The keeper spilled a shot played towards his path and Bala arrived to apply the finishing touchÂ to ensure that the seven-time league champions were 2-1 ahead at half-time.

There was a third goal for Enyimba from Bashir, which killed off the Anambra Warriorsâ€™ resistance in the 56th minute.

The attacker picked up a pass from Chinedu Udeagha and shrugged off his marker before putting the ball past Uzoigwe, to the admiration of his teammates and fans.

The win has restored Enyimba back to the top of the NPFL Championship Playoffs table with nine points from four games, and it also guaranteed their place in a Caf competition next yearÂ with a game to spare.

The loss suffered by Uche Okagbueâ€™s men ensured that they would end the tournament at the bottom of the group irrespective of the result of their final game against Enugu Rangers on Wednesday.

2019-06-11 10:00:05

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