Greetings Guys,
Enyimba’s hopes of returning to Continental football got ended yesterday as we suffered a 3-2 defeat to Nasarawa United at the Pantami Stadium in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats. With just one game remaining in the season, it’s clear now that our dream of finishing in the top three and earning a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup is out of reach.
From the first whistle, the hosts showed they meant business. Nasarawa United got an early advantage, scoring in the seventh minute after some shaky defending from us. Things got worse around the half-hour mark when the referee awarded a penalty many spectators felt was a soft call and Yusuf Anas confidently put it away to make it 2-0 for the hosts.
But Enyimba didn’t give up. Four minutes later, Kalu Nweke whipped in a dangerous corner that Nasarawa defender Emmanuel turned into his own net, giving the visitors hope just before halftime. The second half saw a more determined Enyimba, and their efforts paid off in the 62nd minute when Ekene Awazie calmly scored from the penalty spot after Mujeeb Odufeso was brought down in the box, leveling the score at 2-2.
Just when it looked like Enyimba had the momentum, Nasarawa United struck again. A defensive lapse allowed Ajiyu to sneak in and score what turned out to be the winning goal, ending Enyimba’s hopes of a comeback and sealing their fate for the season.
Now sitting on 55 points, Enyimba’s chance to finish third and secure that coveted CAF Confederation Cup spot is gone, especially as Abia Warriors moved ahead after their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Elkanemi Warriors. Meanwhile, Ikorodu City’s loss to Remo Stars was just a side note, not enough to change anything for Enyimba.
Looking ahead, the team’s last game of the season will be at home against Plateau United. With nothing more than pride on the line, it’s unlikely to change the story of a campaign that’s been filled with missed opportunities and late-season struggles. Coach Stanley Eguma and his players will have plenty to reflect on as they prepare for what’s essentially the end of an up-and-down season that could have been so much more if things had gone differently.
