Enyimba International’s winless run stretched to seven matches as they were held to a goalless draw by Sunshine Stars in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 16 clash at the Elephant Park in Aba. The nine-time NPFL champions have now gone six matches without a win, including one loss during this streak.
Despite dominating possession with 62% and registering 17 shots, 8 of which were on target, Enyimba could not break down Sunshine Stars’ defense. Key attacking players Austin Onyeamacehi, Ekene Awazie, and Ifeanyi Ihemekwele were all wasteful in front of goal. Ihemekwele, who had been the sole scorer in Enyimba’s comeback draw against Zamalek, was again unable to find the net, leaving the hosts frustrated.
The people’s elephant lack of goals prompted Coach Yemi Daniel Olanrewaju to sanction the acquisition of former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye who joins with vast experience in Nigerian League and in Europe.
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Goalkeeper Emmanuel Ofori was a standout for Sunshine Stars, making 8 crucial saves to deny the hosts any goals. Enyimba’s Nathaniel Asibe, starting in place of the injured Ani Ozoemena, was largely untested in the match.
The draw leaves Enyimba in 7th place on the NPFL table with 22 points. They still have two games in hand, giving them an opportunity to climb higher in the standings. However, their inability to convert possession and shots into victories continues to be a concern.
Sunshine Stars’ New Leadership
Sunshine Stars, who are 18th on the NPFL table, are hoping for a turnaround under new head coach Abubakar Bala, who replaced Kennedy Boboye earlier this season. Bobola Akinfolarin had been in charge during the interim period. Sunshine Stars are on a 4-match winless streak and will look to end this run in their upcoming fixtures.
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Looking Ahead: Enyimba’s CAF Confederation Cup Challenge
Enyimba now shifts their focus to their next CAF Confederation Cup match, where they will face Black Bulls of Mozambique in Maputo for Match Day 3. Both teams are yet to register a win in the competition, with Enyimba on 1 point and Black Bulls on 0. A victory in this match will be crucial for both sides as they look to stay in contention for a spot in the knockout stages.
Their next challenge comes on Match Day 17 of the NPFL, where they will face Niger Tornadoes in Minna. With their new coach at the helm
