By Daily Sports on May 15, 2016

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba, cruised to a two-nil win over one of their southeast rivals, FC Ifeanyiubah, at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Saturday.

A goal in each half from Ikechukwu 'Mosquito' Ibenegbu and Daniel Etor ensured that the Peoples Elephant ran out 2-0 winners and stretched their unbeaten streak to seven matches.

Enyimba head coach, Paul Aigbogun, dropped his leading scorer in the league, Joseph Osadiaye, to the bench with this year's Caf Champions League top scorer, Mfon Udoh and under-23 winger, Daniel Etor, starting.

In the other dugout, Mitko Dobrev, stuck to Brazilian midfielder, Alberico da Silva, but centre-half Olamilekan 'Adeleye' Aniyikaye was not listed due to illness.

The Nigerian champions were all over their opponents from the off swarming on them like bees on honey.

Opening five minutes of the game, Udoh, Kelly Kester, Abu Azeez and Ugochukwu Leonard were already involved for the Peoples Elephant as FC Ifeanyiubah were on the cosh from an early raid.

Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai was forced into a save by Alberico from a direct free kick on 12 minutes.

Four minutes later, Ifeanyiubah goalkeeper Edwin Nwakamma did well to save Etor's well-taken free kick.

On 17 minutes, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu volleyed past Nwakamma from 16 yards following a poor clearance by the FC Ifeanyiubah defence.

It could have been two to Enyimba two minutes later when Etor weaved his way through Ifeanyiubah's defence but his attempt was just off target by inches.

There were brief moments when FC Ifeanyiubah's Brazilian Alberico was shackled and illegally stopped as he tried to put life back into his side's challenge in the derby.

Ghana striker, Kofi Nti, had to make way for Mohammed Suleiman just before the break, as Dobrev was apparently dissatisfied with his anonymous contribution in the contest.

The second 45 minutes began like the first with Enyimba dominating the opening five minutes. Leonard and Azeez had sights at goal but could not score.

In the 53rd minute, former Nigerian under-23 defender, Chibuzor Okonkwo, then smashed a direct free kick straight at Afelokhai, who has become a vital member of the Enyimba side.

On the hour mark, Etor made it two-nil to Enyimba following a great team work with Udoh being the provider.

Most of the second half after Etor's goal produced half chances until the 84th minute when Enyimba substitute Christian Pyagbara broke free but his touches on the ball were too heavy and he passed up the chance.

Enyimba ran out two-nil winners and have now moved into ninth place with 24 points, four less than table-topping Enugu Rangers.

•Culled from Superspots.com.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 15, 2016

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