Enyimba FC produced a five-star performance at the Enyimba Stadium with a 4-0 spanking of former NPFL champions, Kano Pillars. It was a return of mixed fortunes for Salisu Yusuf who is a former Enyimba coach in a battle of two Super Eagles assistant coaches
Enyimba started with intent and had half chances with crosses into the box from the wing backs but Joshua Enaholo stood tall to gather their efforts. Enyimba’s first real chance fell to Sadiq Aboubakar who shot over the bar in the 11th minute after a fine pass from Samuel Kalu.
Joshua Enaholo saved Samuel Stone’s quickly headed effort in the 12th minute as Salisu’s men struggled to keep possession. There were chances for Samuel Kalu and Ozor but Kano Pillars’ defense held on
Mbaoma opened the floodgate of goals in the 31st minute when he got a low cross from Yakubu Bilal and scored with a sublime back heel.
Enyimba dominated the game and Bassa Djeri faced no real threat from Kano Pillars’ attackers as Rabiu Ali–Sai Masugida’s chief creator, was kept silent by Philip Ozor. Pillars got their first shot on target in the 44th minute when Ifeanyi Kelvin unleashed a fine shot on goal but Djeri saved his effort, after the striker profited from a poor clearance by Ozor
Enyimba returned in the second half with their high pressing game and that led to their second goal. Samuel Kalu crossed into the box in the 64th minute and Joshua Enaholo mishandled his cross while Mbaoma poked home amidst bodies in white
Substitute, Emeka Obioma scored Enyimba’s third goal in the 74th minute when he chipped over Enaholo following a quick move by the People’s Elephants
Jerry Alex came close to getting a consolation goal for the visitors in the 86th minute but his fine header narrowly missed Djeri’s net
Godwin Emmanuel made it four for Enyimba in the first minute of added time. Mbaoma got the ball after a quick counter attack from Enyimba and wanted to get a hatrick but Enaholo tipped off his his chip from a one-on-one position but Godwin Emmanuel tapped into an empty net
After the goal, Kano Pillars felt the goal was scored from an offside position and protested but it was Enaholo who fiercely challenged the assistant referee before the centre referee intervened and sent him off. After seeing red, Enaholo shoved the centre referee and wanted to hit her before he was held by his teammates and officials and the game was temporarily halted because he created a scene and wanted to charge at the referee who left the scene