Goalkeeper Dede Dare produced a series of crucial saves as Enyimba secured their first point of the season in Kano following a hard-fought encounter with the hosts. The nine-time champions started brightly and showed attacking intent early on, creating openings as they looked to put the hosts under pressure. Iyanda……
Goalkeeper Dede Dare produced a series of crucial saves as Enyimba secured their first point of the season in Kano following a hard-fought encounter with the hosts.
The nine-time champions started brightly and showed attacking intent early on, creating openings as they looked to put the hosts under pressure. Iyanda thought he had broken through in the 14th minute after combining well with Ihemekwele, but the effort was ruled offside.
Dare was called into action three minutes later, making himself big to deny the hosts and keep Enyimba in the contest.
Ihemekwele was then flagged offside in the 30th minute after being played through by Iyanda, as both sides continued to search for an opening.
The Enyimba goalkeeper remained central to his side’s resistance, making two important saves within five minutes before the break to ensure the Aba-based side went into the interval level.
Dare was again forced to intervene shortly after the restart, producing a double save in the 50th minute as the hosts increased the pressure.
The game was temporarily stopped following a heavy wind, but play resumed despite the difficult conditions.
The wind affected the flight of the ball in the 60th minute, yet Dare remained alert and got a hand to the effort to prevent Enyimba from falling behind.
Enyimba subsequently pushed forward in search of a winner, with the hosts forced to defend deeper as the visitors increased their attacking pressure.
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Dare continued to stand between the hosts and a breakthrough, making two more important saves within three minutes as the additional 10 minutes began to run down.
Iyanda Tobi nearly snatched all three points for Enyimba late in the encounter after combining with the lively Wonah William during a swift attack, but the hosts recovered in time to prevent the visitors from finding a late winner.
The result gives Enyimba their first point of the season, with the People’s Elephants now turning their attention to Wednesday’s home fixture against Shooting Stars.
