Enyimba Int'l Defeats Heartland,Go Top

By Oham Precious

Enyimba Int"l of Aba continued their impresive form in the Glo NPFL as they defeated their local rivals Heartland FC of Owerri by two goals to nil in a week 12 fixture.

Enyimba Int'l Defeats Heartlan, Go Top Of The League

The game lived up to its billing as the home side dominated possession in the early stage of the game, Captain Chinedu Udoji made a blunder as he missed kicked the ball which fell nicely for Fred Okwara but was fouled by the Captain who was booked by the referee as a result of the incident.

Enyimba FC got their first chance of the game in the 20th minute as winger Daniel Etor was able to put in a wonderful cross which was cleared away for a corner kick by Marcel Obioha. Enyimba continue their dominance in the game as they missed lots of chances while Kabiru Umar missed a sitter in the 33 minute courtesy of a poor clearance by Goal Kepper. Emmanuel Iwu.

However, Chinonso Okonkwo broke the deadlock in the 40th minutes as he headed home from a Markson Ojobo corner kick to give his side the lead as his side head into the dressing room with the lone goal following the blast of the end of first half whistle.

Second half hostilities got undrway as former Enugu Rangers Forward Christian Obiozor made his debut in the 49 minutes. Obiozor"s first touch on the ball resulted as a penalty to his side as he was brought down by the Heartland defender who was unable to control the ball in his own half.

Second half substitute Christian Obiozor converted the penalty to double the lead for his side in the 53 minutes.

Heartland got a free kick inches away for the 18 yard box of Enyimba in the 56 minutes as the ball hit the Goal Post but the rebound fell nicely for onrushing Bright Ejike who tap the ball into an open net but was ruled as an off side by the referee.

Few minutes later, Heartland were awarded a penalty following a poor challenge by the Enyimba defenders but their star man Bright Ejike was unable to convert the spot kick as he blast the ball over the bar. The away side continue to pile pressure on the home team in searching for equalizer but the Enyimba defence look resolute and stood firm to withstand pressure from the visitors as the claim all three points to go top of the league table.