El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri produced a brilliant performance to stun holders Enyimba 2-0 in a Matchday 5 of the Nigerian Professional Football League at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina.
The Warriors showed promising intent from the blast of the whistle with Chinedu Ohanachom, Ibrahim Mustapha and Ezekiel Thompson unrelentingly troubling the Enyimba backline. Ohanachom was to draw the first blood in the 13th minute after hitting the roof of the net from close range off an assist by Cameroonian, Isaac Hele Hele.
The host team continued to dominate possession until the break and it was Ohanachom who came close to a brace but was denied by the safe gloves of goalkeeper Joel Afelokhai. The defending champions made little impact without a glaring chance in the first half. Enyimba's trio of Ugochukwu Leonard, Mfon Udoh and Kamal Sikiru were only seen to fire the balls wide from range.
After the break, it was a riot offensives on Enyimba until Ibrahim Mustapha poked in the second goal from a goalmouth scramble on the 54th minute. Ohanachom missed another chance to grab a brace moment later, thanks to Theophilus Afelokhai who parried his attempt away.
Enyimba's efforts to reduce the tally was no where near the visitors area as the Warriors turned-out impressively for their first win of the season.
El-Kanemi will now travel to Lagos next Sunday for a date with MFM FC, while Enyimba host Heartland in a southeast Oriental derby. Match details
EL-KANEMI: Kazeem Yekeen 24, Alhaji Mohammed 20, Hele Hele Isaac 4, Alex Aghaho Otakho 2, Suleiman Dorri 33, Zango Umar 18, Ezekiel Thompson 26, Chinedu Ohanachom 8, Ibrahim Mustapha 19, Samuel Mathias 12, Yakubu Auta 7
SUBS: George Michael 1, Dengo Ebinipere 35, Friday Ifeanyi 5, Samson Adaleye 30, Buhari Musa 29, Kawa Amadu 31, Hussaini Bala Mohammed 37
MANAGER: Issah Ladan Bosso ENYIMBA: Afelokhai Theophilus 1, Uche John 25, Aloma Idris 33, Dare Ojo 16, Ifeanyi Anaemena 5, Chinedu Udoji 26, Mfon Udoh 10, Abu Azeez 3, Ugochukwu Leonard 18, Kamal Sikiru 28, Olufemi Oladapo 8
SUBS: Femi Thomas 21, Maamo Joseph 29, ThankGod Ike 24, Etor Daniel 13, Razak Aliyu 19, Peter Onyekachi 23, Stephen Chukwude 9
MANAGER: Paul Aigbogun Match Stats El-Kanemi 2-0 Enyimba 69% Possession 31% 22 Shots 14 9 Shots on target 4 13 Shots off target 10 11 Corners 8 5 Fouls 16 16 Free kicks 5 1 Yellow Cards 0 0 Red Cards 0 0 Penalty 0 ATTENDANCE: 1,250
VENUE: Karkanda Stadium, Katsina.
REFEREE: Aliyu Abdullahi