Match Report: Enyimba FC vs Shooting Stars SC

MATCH REPORT

Tough Night in Aba

We endured a difficult away outing in Aba as Enyimba FC claimed a 3–0 victory in a Matchday 19 NPFL clash. The contest was shaped by early pressure, missed opportunities, and clinical finishing from the hosts, despite periods where we controlled play and created chances.

Bright Start, Early Pressure

The game began at a lively tempo, and we showed early intent. In the 3rd minute, Kabir Tijani tested the Enyimba goalkeeper with a shot that was comfortably saved. Four minutes later, we felt we had a strong claim for a penalty when Awosanmi Promise went down in the box, but the referee waved play on.

Enyimba made their pressure count in the 16th minute, taking the lead. We responded positively, with Ayodele Ismail delivering a dangerous cross in the 18th minute that just evaded our attackers.

Chances Without Reward

We continued to push for a response. Qamar Adegoke won a free kick in the 23rd minute, followed by another set-piece opportunity from the edge of the box in the 33rd minute. Discipline came into focus as Al-Ameen Tijani was booked in the 27th minute, while Enyimba also received a yellow card in the 37th minute.

Just before the break, Awosanmi Promise attempted a long-range effort in the 42nd minute, but it drifted wide as we went into halftime trailing by a single goal.

Second-Half Push and Penalty Miss

We returned for the second half with renewed energy. Promise had an early opening in the 46th minute but failed to find the target. A major opportunity arrived in the 49th minute when we were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately, the Enyimba goalkeeper produced a crucial save a minute later to deny us a route back into the game.

Despite the setback, we kept pressing. Ayodele Ismail saw his effort saved in the 54th minute, while a free kick followed in the 63rd minute after a foul on Tunde Azeez. A minute later, a well-weighted pass from Ayobami Junior picked out Qamar Adegoke, but the chance went begging.

Late Goals Settle the Contest

In search of a breakthrough, we made a double change in the 66th minute, introducing Desmond Ojietefian and Austin Onyeamachi for Awosanmi Promise and Tunde Azeez. Enyimba briefly thought they had doubled their lead in the 72nd minute, but the goal was ruled offside.

Further substitutions followed in the 78th minute, with Ekeocha Chukwudi and Chukwudi Okoro replacing Qamar Adegoke and Kabir Tijani. Despite the adjustments, Enyimba struck again in the 84th minute to extend their advantage.

Nine minutes of added time were signalled, but any hopes of a late response were extinguished when the hosts added a third goal in stoppage time to seal the result.

Looking Ahead

We showed flashes of promise, particularly in the second half, but missed opportunities, most notably from the penalty spot, proved costly. Despite controlling large spells and creating chances, we were undone by Enyimba’s clinical edge on the night.

Attention now turns to regrouping, addressing key areas, and bouncing back strongly as the second stanza of the NPFL 2025/26 season gets underway.