By NICHOLAS OBISIKE

Enyimba International FC of Aba on Wednesday thrashed visiting Kano Pillars 5-0 in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2023/2024 match day 28 in Aba.

In the match played inside the Enyimba stadium, Eze Ekwutoziam put the home team in front in the 14th minute after the visiting team goalkeeper parried Joseph Atule’s shot into his way.

Enyimba made it 2-0 through Chijioke Mbaoma from a pass from Ekwutoziam Eze who beat two Kano Pillars central defenders.

Joseph Atule made it three with a powerful nodding from Ekene Awaziem in the 44th minute before half time.

On resumption of the second half, Atule got a brace to make it 4-0 in the 69th minute after dribbling past two defenders.

Alade Balogun who came from the bench after the break, made 5-0 in the 90th minute through a pass from Chibueze Izuogu.

In a post-match interview, Enyimba coach Finidi George who was happy with the result, said he wished his team could continue to get the results in their subsequent matches.

“I think the tempo of the match dropped in the second half because of the scoreline, but we picked up in the last part of the match. Generally it was a good outing.

“I am happy for the victory because it is never easy playing against Kano Pillars. I think we dominated the game from the beginning to the end.

“We just have to focus on getting good results away from home,” he said.

Gorge expressed happiness over Atule’s scoring prowess recently in the league, saying that he is beginning to see the Atule the club bought to help in converting the club chances.

“We are going to play Lobi Stars in our next match to get a respectable result. We are out to battle any team to stand still in the remaining matches of the league,” George said.

Kano Pillars coach Abdul Maikaba described the match as a difficult one, saying that the travel arrangements affected his team’s performance.

He said that his team arrived Aba on the match day early in the morning.

“It is a difficult experience as we arrived Aba by 2am in the morning so, I am not surprise that the players could not cope with the tempo of the game.

“I believe that the vacant position of a State Commissioner for Youths and Sports affected our arrangement, and I hope the state government will appoint one soon.

“As for the league position, we do not have much time, it is good the team is already in a good position and it is not late for us to get a continental position.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the win, Enyimba is second on the table with 48 points while Kano Pillars remain seventh with 41 points after 28 matches.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 28 results

Akwa United FC 0-1 Doma United FC

Sporting Lagos FC 1-1 Lobi Stars FC

Enyimba International FC 5-0 Kano Pillars FC

Bayelsa United FC 1-0 Heartland FC

Abia Warriors FC 1-0 Plateau United FC

Enugu Rangers International FC 2-0 Sunshine Stars FC

Bendel Insurance FC 1-3 Niger Tornadoes FC

Shooting Stars FC 2-0 Kwara United FC

It would be recalled that Gombe United FC played goalless with Remo Stars FC on Saturday, while the encounter between Rivers United FC and Katsina United was postponed. (NAN)

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