NPFL final day: Enyimba, Kwara United seal Caf slots as Kano Pillars and Nasarawa United stumble goal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from goal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu left Agege Stadium yesterday a satisfied man after picking all three points at stake in the Match day 9 fixture of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) between host MFM FC and Heartland FC.
Ilechukwu led the Naze Millionaires from Owerri to come snatch all three points at stake against MFM FC, the church team where he made his name as a top coach in the country.
Heartland set the ball rolling with Emmanuel Adachi drawing the first blood barely eight minutes into the game from the spot.
However, Olumuyiwa Lawal did not allow the visitors to enjoy the luxury of being in front for long as he leveled scores three minutes after the first half break.
Propelled by the early goal, the ‘Afonja Warriors’ as Kwara United are called stepped firmly on the pedal for more goals.
However, stunned by the early goal, Enyimba attempted to get back into the game but were denied by the outstanding goalkeeping of their former keeper, Dele Aiyenugba who dived to his left to deny Stephen Manyo from cancelling out United’s slender lead.
Undaunted by the pressure on them by the hosts, the more illustrious Enyimba continued to push for an equaliser which failed to come before the end of the first half.
At the restart of the second half, Kwara United almost made it two-nil when Ohanu Michael rounded Enyimba goalkeeper, John Noble but watched helplessly as the ball hit the woodwork.