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By: Abiodun Adewale.
Enyimba goalkeeper, John Noble, saved a penalty as the People’s Elephants settled for a goalless draw against newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side, Sporting Lagos, in their second game of the Naija Super 8 tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Sunday.
The Super Eagles keeper made an easy catch of Rabiu Zulkifilu’s 75th minute spot kick to deny them a chance of stealing a famous victory towards the end of the game after Chigozie Chilekwu impeded a Sporing player in the box.
Noble’s heroics won him the Hero of The Match award, but the outcome of the game wasn’t enough for Enyimba, who needed to reignite their challenge after losing their first game against Remo Stars on Friday.
George Finidi’s side are bottom of Group A with one point from two matches, while Sporting have one point from one match.
Earlier, Enyimba’s fellow CAF Champions League representatives, Remo Stars, were held to a 1-1 draw by another newly promoted NPFL side Katsina United but remained top of the group with four points after two matches.
Remo took the lead after 23 minutes courtesy of one of their new signings, Fabian Nworie, who slotted home from close range but it only lasted for five minutes, as Katsina United responded through Samson Olasupo ni.
The striker got onto the end of a pinpoint pass from Falolu Azeez and converted from a rebound after his initial effort hit the crossbar.
Usman Abdallah’s men were spurred by the equaliser and almost took the lead just before the break but Charles Tambe made an impressive double saves to deny Emmanuel Junior from a free-kick and Olasupo from turning in the rebound.
Remo had the chance to regain the lead immediately after the restart, but a clean tackle from Egbe Manyo denied them in the Katsina box.
“We played against a team with quality and I think we are not really there yet. We are trying to integrate the team to standard and we are starting from now. So, we have a lot of work to do and we are using this to prepare,” Katsina United coach, Usman Abdallah, said after the game.
“They are not underdogs and I am impressed with the team. One of our purposes has been achieved, which is to test some of the new players we have. We had nine of them in today’s (Sunday) game, while we are ticking the boxes of what we came to this tournament for,” Remo coach Daniel Ogunmodede said during the post-match interview.
Attention turns to Group B on Monday (today) as Yobe Desert Stars take on Lobi Stars by 2pm while Akwa United will face Rivers United by 4:30pm.