15 August 2015

Bayelsa 1-1 Enyimba: Raphael Onwurebe Holds People's Elephant To A Draw

A first-half goal almost at the break by Raphael Onwurebe put a dent in Enyimba's chance of opening a four-point lead at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Onwurebe's goal cancelled out Sikiru Lawal's superb finish just before the half hour mark to put the outcome of the game at 1-1.

Enyimba head coach Kadiri Ikhana had to do without Ezekiel Bassey and Nzube Anaezemba who were not listed in the match day squad owing to knocks as well as Christian Obiozor still out on the sidelines.


Ikhana opted for a four-man attacking line-up with Andrew Abalogu and Mfon Udoh playing wide off front men Musa Najare and Ifeanyi George.

Bayelsa United gaffer Evans Ogenyi handed Samuel Tswanya a start after he re-joined the club in the mid-season transfer window following his release by champions Kano Pillars.

Bernard Ovoke should have done better on 18 minutes when he had a clear sight of Enyimba's goal but he shot straight at goalkeeper Femi Thomas.

A minute later, Kamal received a pass on the arc of Bayelsa United's box and he also aped Ovoke by shooting straight at goalkeeper Gideon Gambo.

But in the 27th minute, Kamal produced a sublime finish when he dinked inside of Gabriel Adeboye to roof the ball past Gambo for the opening goal of the game.

The Peoples Elephant then put up a composed performance for the next 10 minutes when Bayelsa United got a sight of their goal through Eric Frimpong's 20-yard effort which Thomas palmed away to safety.

Three minutes to the break, United breached the defence of Enyimba with a team move. Frimpong played the ball wide to John Paul who crossed low for Onwurebe to stylishly finish past a sprawling Thomas on the turf for the equaliser.

The second half started with Bayelsa United nearly going into the lead when Enyimba captain Chinedu Udoji cleared off the goal-line from Tswanya's low shot.

Ten minutes into the restart, George's free kick, hit hard and low, stung the palms of the Bayelsa United goalkeeper and Dengo Ebinipere threw himself at the rebound shot by Abalogu.

And from that point the game flowed back and forth into the halves of both teams but one thing was lacking in the final third - the cutting edge from the strikers.

Talking about cutting edge, Enyimba's Burkinabe Ahmed Kone, who came off the bench to replace George, failed to make the best chance of the second half count when another substitute Kingsley Sokari slipped him through on goal with Gambo in Bayelsa United's goal to beat. But Kone smashed the ball straight at Gambo who spread himself out to make a big save.

Enyimba now have 42 points, two more than second-placed Sunshine Stars who do not play until Sunday against Giwa FC. Bayelsa United remain second from bottom on 21 points from 23 matches.

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