Enyimba International Football Club of Aba drew 1-1 with visiting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna in a 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 7 fixture on Wednesday.
From a quick counter-attack in the 41st minute, Godstime Joseph beat Somilari Alaribo before pushing the ball past Enyimba’s goalkeeper Ani Ozomena to hand the visitors the lead.
Enyimba players quickly fought back to draw level before half time, but this was fruitless until the introduction of new legs in the 75th minute.
This was when Imo Obot’s corner-kick got to Ufere Chinedu who scored with a header to even scores.
During the post-match interview sessions, Yemi Olanrewaju, the Enyimba coach, expressed dismay with his team’s performance.
He said his team was not in the game within the first 20 minutes.
“In fact, we came into the match almost at the tail end of the first half as all the goal scoring chances were missed.
“However, this draw is a setback and we need to get the lost points elsewhere, probably against our next NPFL opponents, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri,” the coach said.
Maaji Mohammed, the Niger Tornadoes coach, on his part however praised his team, even though he expressed regrets about the goal scoring chances they missed.
He said those scor8ng chances should have given them the edge against their hosts if they had utilised them.
“My players did well, but it’s just that we have not gotten it right at home this season.
“Maybe it is because we have not played in our stadium for long.
“But Enyimba are a big team and picking a point against them is an added advantage.
“I believe this will uplift the players’ morale ahead of our next match against Rivers United,” Mohammed said.
Speaking also, a Niger Tornadoes player, Pappaa Daniel, said his team planned to get the available three points.
He however said he felt happy that they did not lose the game.
“We have to continue doing well away, so that when we will start getting the result at home, the sky will be our limit,” Daniel said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Enyimba FC are now occupying the third position in the league with 14 points, while Niger Tornadoes remain sixth with 10 points.(NAN).
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