Young Elephants secured a dominant 2-0 victory over Eagle Star in a rescheduled N-Youth League Matchday 9 fixture, compounding the woes of the Lagos-based side, which remains winless this season. Enyimba U19, under the guidance of Coach King Joe, displayed their superiority throughout the match, proving why they are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the league.
Coach King Joe retained the same starting lineup that suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Bucknor FC. Determined to bounce back, the Aba boys took control from the opening whistle, dictating play with crisp passing and relentless attacking movements. Eagle Star struggled to contain their high-tempo approach, often resorting to long balls that Enyimba's defense expertly dealt with.
Enyimba's first real opportunity came in the 13th minute when Chibudem unleashed a powerful shot, forcing a strong save from the Eagle Star goalkeeper. Defensively, Kelechi Mba stood firm, neutralizing aerial threats and clearing dangerous deliveries into the box. His composure at the back ensured Eagle Star remained frustrated in their attempts to break forward.
The Aba boys continued their attacking onslaught and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute. Goodluck Nkem delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, but Nelson Sule’s effort was heroically blocked by an Eagle Star defender. Another chance fell to Harrison in the 35th minute when Stephen Okechukwu’s precise corner found him unmarked, but he failed to make proper contact with the ball.
Eagle Star's first real chance arrived in the 41st minute when they tested Enyimba’s goalkeeper, Eze Matthew, with a double attempt on goal. However, the shot-stopper reacted brilliantly to maintain the goalless scoreline at halftime. The home side breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the break still level despite Enyimba’s dominance.
Enyimba thought they had won a penalty just a minute after the restart when Stephen Okechukwu was brought down inside the box, but the referee waved play on. However, the breakthrough finally came in the 48th minute when Nelson Sule capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home a well-placed effort, giving Enyimba a deserved lead.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage in the 55th minute, but a misplaced pass from Victor Umeh gifted Eagle Star a chance to counterattack. Fortunately for Enyimba, Kelechi Mba once again came to the rescue with a perfectly timed tackle, preventing the opposition from advancing past the halfway line.
Coach King Joe made a double substitution in the 60th minute, introducing Victor Ledee and Samuel Okorie for Nnadi Stephen and Nathan Chinedu. The fresh legs made an immediate impact, with Victor Ledee winning a corner moments after his introduction. Enyimba continued pressing for a second goal, and in the 71st minute, Nelson Sule’s header rattled the crossbar, denying him a brace.
With just five minutes left on the clock, Enyimba won a penalty after a reckless challenge inside the box. The referee wasted no time in showing the Eagle Star defender a second yellow card, reducing the home team to ten men. Samuel Okechukwu stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his sixth goal of the campaign.
The match ended 0-2 in favor of Enyimba, securing a crucial away victory. The Aba boys will now shift their focus to their next fixture against Shuffle Select FC on Wednesday, aiming to continue their fine form in the league.
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