As the much-anticipated 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super Six kicked off in Lagos on Saturday, Enyimba International FC and Remo Stars were inseparable as both teams produced a 2-2 stalemate.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2022/2023 NPFL Super Six playoffs to determine the abridged league winners is ongoing at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium) in Lagos.
Six teams, three each from the Groups A and B of the Abridged league format, are to play to determine the winners.
Group A consists of unbeaten Bendel Insurance, with 34 points, Remo Stars with 33 points and Enyimba with 32 points.
Group B has defending champions, Rivers United FC with 34 points, Lobi Stars of Makurdi with 30 points and Sunshine Stars FC of Akure with 27 points.
In the first match of the NPFL Super Six, Enyimba International FC and Remo Stars produced a tough encounter from the blast of the first whistle.
Remo Stars FC recorded the first attempt in the 11th minute as Andy Okpe’s clever header narrowly missed the target off a lofty cross from Sodiq Ismaila.
The entertaining game also had Remo Stars’ Sadiq Ismail’s long-range effort parried to safety by Enyimba’s goalkeeper, Djeri Bassa.
In the 23rd minute, Enyimba’s Ekene Awazie dribbled his marker on the left but his low cross into the box was cleared by Remo Stars’ skipper, Nduka.
Seth Mayi’s long-range effort at goal was also cleverly saved by Djeri Bassa as the match ended goalless at the end of the first half.
In the second half, Sadiq Abubakar won a 49th-minute free kick for Enyimba FC in a promising position, but the resultant effort was blocked by Remo’s defenders and eventually cleared to safety.
While in the 55th minute, Emeka Obioma’s close-range strike was saved by Bankole Kayode who denied the league’s highest goal scorer the opener.
The Finidi George-led team, however, drew the first blood in the 60th minute as Adiele Eriugo produced a classy touch to give the Peoples Elephant the lead off a clever assist by Obioma.
The first goal, however, led to a double substitution by the technical crew of the Sky Blue Stars led by experienced Daniel Ogunmodede as Dayo Ojo and Olamilekan Adams replaced Ifeanyi Anaemen and Oluwaseun Odunsi.
Rejuvinated Ogunmodede-tutored team came up with more pressure and they were rewarded as substitute Junior Lokosa ended Enyimba FC’s reign with his first touch in the 76th minute to put the scores at one goal apiece.
However, a 79th-minute penalty call gave the Enyimba FC the second lead as the centre referee pointed to the penalty spot after substitute Mbaoma was adjudged to have been bundled down in the box.
The Peoples Elephants, two-time winners of the CAF Champions League, restored their lead through Obioma who converted from the spot in the 79th minute.
Within two minutes of added time, Enyimba FC conceded a free kick in a dangerous area, which Remo Stars FC made to count.
Nduka, with a spectacular effort, drew level for Remo Stars with a brilliant goal to end the tightly contested match in a 2-2 stalemate after 94 minutes of play.
An elated hero of the day, Nduka, said the team did not lose hope till the last whistle.
“We did not lose hope and kept on pushing till the winning goal came and I am happy it was me,” he said.
