NPFL: Ideye On Target As Enyimba Defeats Nasarawa United

Enyimba FC defeated the visiting Nasarawa United 2-1, courtesy of goals from Joseph Atule and Brown Ideye during their Nigeria Premier Football League encounter.

The clash which was a rescheduled Matchday 17 encounter of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League.

In the 44th minute, Joseph Atule opened scoring for Enyimba. However, Nasarawa United equalised through Anas Yusuf in the 58th minute to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Enyimba were determined to retake the lead and were rewarded. Former Super Eagles striker Ideye then fired the home side ahead with a 62nd minute strike to claim all points.

In a post-match interview, Enyimba’s Coach Stanley Eguma said his team “is still undergoing a rebuilding process” and not yet time for celebration.

“I thank the management for giving me the opportunity of rebuilding this team, and the players, who are cooperating, but a lot still needs to be done,” Eguma said.

“The players are doing well now but we are still battling injuries. Until the injured players are back, we can then know our stand in the league and continent.”

• Read more: CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba Thrashes Black Bulls 4-1
• Read more: Former Super Eagles Striker Brown Ideye Joins Enyimba

The result lifted Enyimba to seventh on the NPFL table with 27 points after 17 matches, while Nasarawa United occupied the bottom of the table with 19 points after 19 matches.

Coach Kabiru Dogo of Nasarawa United said the two teams played a good game and that he saw “lots of improvement” from his young team.

“It is a good game and tough one for both sides but the lucky side won because they are not better than my team,” Dogo said. “They are just lucky to outscore us and that is owing to experience.”

“And I believe that my team will soon be there, in terms of experience. We have nine young players who started the game and they are academy players, so, they are just playing in the NPFL for the first time.”

“This team is for the future and, in spite that, I believe the players will soon get the experience and do better in the second stanza,” Dogo added.

NAN/NPFL/Chidi Nwoke.