Victor Mbaoma returned from Texas with a sumptuous hatrick as Enyimba beat Kwara United 3-0 to move closer to a place on the continent.
The game started as both sides approached the game with vigour. Christian Ekong missed an early chance to put Enyimba ahead in the second minute but he failed to make the right decision when faced with veteran goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba
Mbaoma opened scoring in the third minute when he flicked Ekong’s cross past Aiyenugba. Kwara United were not deterred and took the battle to Enyimba but the People’s Elephants foiled their attempts
Mbaoma scored the second goal in the 15th minute when he got Farouk’s pass from midfield and expertly lifted the ball above Aiyenugba
Dele Aiyenugba denied Ekong in the 20th minute when he released a long range shot and the goalkeeper dived to tip it off. Aiyenugba denied Ekong again in the 25th minute after the striker raced past his marker to connect Ampiah’s pass
Bassa Djeri was called to action in the 29th minute when he tipped Udeagha’s freekick over the bar as Kwara mounted pressure on the Enyimba defense
In the 44th minute, Alao Dambani shot on goal but his effort went narrowly wide after he received a pass from Samad Kadiri. In the 45th minute, Alao Dambani missed a glorious chance to score for Kwara United after he got Musa Abdulafeez’s cross from the right but his touch let him down
Kwara United came out stronger in the second half and were in search of a goal. Issa Magaji came close in the 50th minute when he got Kabir Balogun’s cornerkick but his touch went over the bar
Victor Mbaoma got his third goal in the 54th minute when Ekong released Abubakar on the left who beat Aiyenugba, missed the ball and Mbaoma was alone to get the third goal with a tap in.
Lawal’s shot was a scare for Enyimba in the 59th minute when his shot from outside the box was spilled by Djeri but the goalkeeper quickly recovered to gather the effort
The introduction of Junior Lokosa added impetus to Kwara United’s attack but the Enyimba defense kept him at bay.
The ever busy and impressive Samad Kadiri came close in the 75th minute when he nodded a freekick inches wide off Djeri’s net
Enyimba nearly got a fourth goal in the 86th minute when Godwin Emmanuel nodded Obot’s cross but it narrowly missed the net. Mbaoma was close and could have tapped in but the ball was faster
This victory moves Enyimba to fourth on the log