Closer and closer: Job done in Enugu
The blog had been on a sabbatical and not even the 4-0 trashing of Wikki Toruists that leveled us points and goals difference with Akwa United could get us back blogging. But yesterday's turn of events really had us back and up on the blog. We got the draw in Enugu. While Shooting Stars did their own bit in Ibadan, getting the points that kept them ultimately safe.
I didn't see the game. I haven't in a bit - but someone did and Ejim Tony has penned this for us.
The master of set-pieces, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu drew first blood from the spot in the twenty-second minute to put us ahead against the league's defending champions, Rangers at the Cathedral.
Enyimba started the game full of confidence having won their last game comfortably at home away from home in Calabar. You would wouldn't you? If you beat someone 4-0. Add that to the fact that Enugu has been a good away ground for us in recent times. Who would forget that 2-1 in our title wining season two years ago.
One of the players who shone like a thousand lights was Stephen Chukwude. He had scored two goals against Rangers since he joined Enyimba last season from FC Ifeanyiubah. He even sprayed on his hair for this encounter.
The striker was a bone stuck in the necks of Okey Odita and his brothers in the Rangers backline. He had a very fantastic game against his hometown club, and would be a little bit sad that he did not crown it all with a goal. Meanwhile, the game had looked as though it was going to go the Enyimba's way judging by the way Enyimba played in the first half, but the second half gave us another dance step.
Rangers came out and were all over Enyimba. They had some penalty call, which I must acknowledged that one of them was a genuine PK call - Ibenegbu was dispossessed of the ball by a Rangers player just outside the box, and in an effort to recover the ball, he tripped down the Rangers player while the referee turned a blind eye.
It was not until the eighty-seventh minute that the centre referee awarded a laughable penalty to Rangers - A Rangers player pushed down another Rangers player and that was it. And I think that that was a way to balance up for snubbing a PK call against Ibenegbu earlier.
However, Enyimba would reflect on a number of wasted chances, especially in the first half, which they dominated. Chinonso Okonkwo had a clear chance inside the box which he blew wide. Chukwude, Ibenegbu, Akas, Abalogu etc all had their chances either blocked by the defenders, or saved by the Rangers Goalkeeper or went off target.
Actually, it was a good result for both teams as Enyimba moved to 3rd (The final Continental position via the League) and Rangers confirmed their safety in the league for yet another season. Good one for my favourite team, Enyimba and my hometown team, Rangers (Yes, I have soft spot for them).
Quoting a caller on Magic FM Aba last weekend. He said: "Enyimba left Aba with a continental ticket; They must return to Aba with a continental ticket". I concur with, although the one they left Aba with is bigger than the one they are possibly coming back with.
BUT, in local parlance; "Half bread is better than kpof kpof"
ET
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Back tomorrow, I promise.
'EnyimbaEnyi
http://www.thatenyimbafan.com/2017/09/0 ... one-enugu/
