The boys kicked off their 2025/26 Season with an away draw at Kano. Newbies Barau FC were the opposition. We started brightly, immediately taking the initiative. Just seven minutes in, striker Bassey John squandered a golden chance to put the People’s Elephant ahead. His energy off the ball was commendable, but his finishing lacked sharpness.
Disaster struck in the 12th minute when key winger Joseph Atule went down injured and had to be stretchered off. His replacement, Mojeeb, struggled to replicate his rhythm, and Enyimba’s attacking flow dipped.
Barau FC gradually grew into the contest, driven on by their vocal supporters. They posed threats on set pieces and counterattacks, but goalkeeper Ogunga and defender Mohammed Hussaini kept things tidy at the back. The closest Enyimba came was in the 37th minute, rattling the woodwork before halftime ended with the score still goalless.
The hosts came out flying after the break, peppering Enyimba’s defense with corners between the 47th and 55th minutes. Yet again, Ogunga stood firm. Around the hour mark, Ladan Bosso’s men calmed proceedings, stringing together spells of possession and slowing Barau’s tempo. Still, Barau looked dangerous on the break. Their best chance came in the 65th minute with a thunderous long-range effort that whistled inches wide, tricking many into thinking it was in.
The final stages were breathless. Substitute Mojeeb, who had come on for Atule, was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge, leaving Enyimba with 10 men for the last 15 minutes. Barau threw everything forward, but Ogunga was sensational, making three stunning saves in the 76th, 87th, and 89th minutes. Then, heartbreak for the hosts in stoppage time: another effort crashed against the woodwork in the 90+3rd minute.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Enyimba clung on through five tense minutes of added time to secure a gritty away point.
Key Talking Points
Bassey John’s early miss summed up Enyimba’s blunt attack.
Atule’s injury robbed the team of attacking fluency.
Goalkeeper Ogunga’s heroics kept Enyimba alive.
Barau twice denied by the woodwork.
Mojeeb’s red card heaped late pressure on the visitors.
Man of the Match
Ogunga (Enyimba) – His brilliant shot-stopping was the difference between defeat and a valuable point.
Final Verdict
It ended 0–0, but the contest was filled with intensity, drama, and moments that had hearts racing. Enyimba will be grateful to escape with a point after going a man down, while Barau will feel they deserved more. For them, it was a case of missed chances and cruel luck.
Back tomorrow,
‘EnyimbaEnyi
